JP2017121805A - Image data generating method, structure forming method, structure formation device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure of which perception with a sense of touch is relatively easy.SOLUTION: A computer 10 generates image data of a density image to be printed on a printed medium M including an expansion layer M1 which is expanded by heating. Firstly, first density image data is prepared for printing which is performed on one surface FS of the printed medium M in order to expand the expansion layer M1. Then, said first density image data is converted so that a density of a part of an object region having a same density included in a first density image P1 which is indicated by said first density image data thereby generating third density image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data generation method, a structure forming method, a structure forming apparatus, and a program.

  As one of the structure forming techniques, a technique is known in which a desired pattern is printed with black ink or toner on a printing medium including an expansion layer that expands by heating, and then light is uniformly applied to the printing medium. ing. In this technology, the area printed with black ink or toner has a higher light absorption rate than the non-printed area, and the absorbed light is converted into heat so that it is printed with black ink or toner. The region is heated to a high temperature, and the region printed with black ink or toner expands and rises. Patent Literature 1 describes a three-dimensional printing apparatus using this technique.

JP 2012-171317 A

  The structure in which the surface of the printing medium is raised outward in the thickness direction can provide not only visual information but also tactile information to the person who touched it. For this reason, the above-described structure forming technique for forming a structure using a printing technique is highly expected to be used in fields such as Braille and tactile drawing. However, since the cross-sectional shape of the structure formed by the structure forming technique described above is relatively sharp, it can be perceived by touch, but it is relatively difficult to perceive.

  In light of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an image data generation method, a structure formation method, a structure formation apparatus, and a program that can form a structure that is relatively easy to perceive by touch. The issue is to provide.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating is provided on the surface on which the expansion layer is provided. Prepare
The first density is set such that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. An image data generation method for converting density image data to generate third density image data is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, input density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on a surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating is provided on the surface on which the expansion layer is provided. Select the target area with the same density included in the input density image to represent,
Image data for generating image data of the output density image by converting the image data of the input density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area A generation method is provided.

Another aspect of the present invention is a structure forming method using a printing medium including an expanded layer that expands by heating,
Density image data generated based on first density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium on which the expansion layer is provided. The density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Based on the third density image data generated by converting the density image data, a first pattern is formed on the first surface of the printing medium closer to the expansion layer,
Based on the second density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium opposite to the side on which the expansion layer is provided, the print medium Forming a second pattern representing a finer structure than the first pattern on the second surface far from the expansion layer of
Irradiating electromagnetic waves from the first surface side of the printing medium toward the first surface,
Provided is a structure forming method in which an electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the first surface side toward the first surface and then the electromagnetic wave is irradiated from the second surface side of the print medium toward the second surface.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided input density image data for printing performed to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating. Select the target area with the same density included in the input density image to represent,
Converting the image data of the input density image to generate image data of the output density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area;
Based on the image data of the output density image, a pattern is formed on the first surface closer to the expansion layer of the printing medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating,
Provided is a structure forming method for irradiating an electromagnetic wave to the first surface on which the pattern is formed.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a structure forming apparatus using a printing medium including an expanded layer that expands by heating,
Density image data generated based on first density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium on which the expansion layer is provided. The density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Based on the third density image data generated by converting the density image data, a first pattern is formed on the first surface of the printing medium closer to the expansion layer, and the printing medium Based on the second density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface opposite to the side on which the expansion layer is provided, from the expansion layer of the print medium The first putter is placed on the far second surface. A printing unit for forming a second pattern representative of a finer structure than,
Irradiating electromagnetic waves from the first surface side of the printing medium toward the first surface,
An irradiation unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves from the first surface side toward the first surface and then irradiates electromagnetic waves toward the second surface from the second surface side of the print medium. Providing equipment.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided input density image data for printing performed to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating. A selection unit for selecting target regions having the same density included in the input density image to be represented;
A generating unit that converts the image data of the input density image to generate image data of the output density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. When,
Based on the image data of the output density image, a printing unit that forms a pattern on the first surface closer to the expansion layer of the printing medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating;
There is provided a structure forming apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit that irradiates an electromagnetic wave on the first surface on which the pattern is formed.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a computer,
Means for preparing first density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating;
The first density is set such that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Means for converting density image data to generate third density image data;
Provide a program that functions as

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a computer,
The first extracted from the input density image represented by the input density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface on the side where the expansion layer is provided of the printing medium including the expansion layer expanded by heating. Means for generating first density image data representing one density image;
The first density image data is converted and the first density image data is converted so that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Means for generating density image data of 3;
Provide a program that functions as

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image data generation method, a structure forming method, a structure forming apparatus, and a program capable of forming a structure that is relatively easy to perceive by touch.

It is the figure which showed the structure of the structure formation system of embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structure of the to-be-printed medium. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus. It is the figure which showed the structure of the heating apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an image data generation process. It is the figure which showed the relationship between images. It is the figure which showed the color image. It is the figure which showed the 2nd density image. It is the figure which showed the 3rd density image. It is a figure for demonstrating density conversion processing. It is another figure for demonstrating density conversion processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a structure formation process. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating each process of a structure formation process. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating each process of the structure formation process of a comparative example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the structure forming system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the print medium M. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus 40. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the heating device 50.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the structure forming system 1 is a structure forming apparatus including a computer 10, a display device 20, an input device 30, a printing device 40, and a heating device 50. The structure forming system 1 prints the density image generated by the computer 10 on the printing medium M by the printing device 40, and heats the printing medium M on which the density image is printed by the heating device 50, thereby printing the material to be printed A structure is formed on the printing medium M by raising the surface of the medium M. The structure forming system 1 further prints a color image generated by the computer 10 on the printing medium M by the printing apparatus 40 to form a colored structure.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printing medium M is a thermally expandable sheet having a multilayer structure in which an expansion layer M1 is laminated on a base material M2. The expansion layer M1 is a layer including innumerable microcapsules that expand by heating in the thermoplastic resin, and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed. The expansion layer M1 expands, for example, when irradiated with electromagnetic waves and heated. The base material M2 is made of, for example, cloth such as paper or canvas, or a panel material such as plastic, but the material is not particularly limited. In addition, on the surface FS which is the first surface of the expansion layer M1 and the surface BS which is the second surface of the base material M2, a density image composed of a black shade pattern is printed as will be described later. In this specification, “to form a structure” means that the thickness of the printing medium M is high according to the density of the grayscale image formed on the surface FS of the expansion layer M1 and the surface BS of the base material M2. It means that the surface of the printing medium M is raised outward in the thickness direction so as to be thicker than before the heating.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the computer 10 is an arithmetic device including a processor 11, a memory 12, and a storage 13. The computer 10 generates image data when the processor 11 executes the program, and outputs print data corresponding to the image data to the printing apparatus 40. The display device 20 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, and the like, and displays an image according to a signal from the computer 10. The input device 30 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and outputs a signal to the computer 10.

  The printing apparatus 40 is a printing unit of the structure forming apparatus, and is an ink jet printer that performs printing on the printing medium M based on input print data. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 40 includes a carriage 41 that can be reciprocated in a direction (main scanning direction D <b> 2) indicated by a double arrow perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction D <b> 1). A print head 42 for executing printing and an ink cartridge 43 (43k, 43c, 43m, 43y) containing ink are attached to the carriage 41. The cartridges 43k, 43c, 43m, and 43y contain color inks of black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y, respectively. Each color ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle of the print head 42.

  The carriage 41 is slidably supported by the guide rail 44 and is held by the drive belt 45. By driving the driving belt 45 by the rotation of the motor 45m, the carriage 41 moves together with the print head 42 and the ink cartridge 43 in the main scanning direction D2. A platen 48 extending in the main scanning direction D2 is disposed at a position facing the print head 42 below the frame 47. Further, a pair of paper feed rollers 49a (the lower roller is not shown) and a pair of paper discharge rollers 49b (the lower roller is not shown) convey the print medium M supported by the platen 48 in the sub-scanning direction D1. It is arranged.

  The control unit of the printing apparatus 40 connected to the print head 42 via the flexible communication cable 46 is based on the print data and the print control data from the computer 10, and the motor 45m, the print head 42, the paper feed roller pair 49a, and The paper discharge roller pair 49b is controlled. Thereby, a density image and / or a color image is printed on the printing medium M.

  The heating device 50 is an irradiation unit of the structure forming device, and is a device that irradiates electromagnetic waves and heats the printing medium M. As shown in FIG. 4, the heating device 50 includes a mounting table 51 in which a guide groove 52 is formed, a support column 53 that supports the light source unit 54, and a light source unit 54 that includes a light source. A printing medium M on which a density image is printed is placed on the mounting table 51. The support column 53 is configured to slide along the guide groove 52. The light source provided in the light source unit 54 emits electromagnetic waves.

  In the heating device 50, the light source unit 54 moves with the support 53 in the direction D <b> 3 while emitting electromagnetic waves, so that the print medium M is uniformly irradiated with the electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves are absorbed and converted to heat more efficiently in the area where the density image is printed than in the area where the density image is not printed, and heat is not absorbed substantially in the area where the density image is not printed. Therefore, the region corresponding to the density image is heated and expanded, and a structure corresponding to the density image is formed.

  In the case where the density image is printed with black K ink containing carbon black, it is desirable that the electromagnetic wave is infrared. However, the wavelength region of the electromagnetic wave is not particularly limited as long as the region printed with the black K ink is more efficiently absorbed and heated than the region not printed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the image data generation process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between images used in the image data generation process shown in FIG. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams showing a color image, a second density image, and a third density image, respectively. 10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining the density conversion processing. In the following, the image data generation process shown in FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11, taking as an example the case where a colored structure representing a human palm is formed on the printing medium M.

  Before starting the image data generation process shown in FIG. 5, a color image Pc and a density image P0 are prepared. The color image Pc is an image formed with inks of three colors of cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y, and is an image for coloring the structure formed on the printing medium M. The color image Pc is used in a structure forming process shown in FIG. The density image P0 is an image formed with black K ink, and is an image in which the height of each minute region of the structure formed on the printing medium M is represented by black density.

  When an image data generation instruction is input to the computer 10, the computer 10 executes a predetermined program and starts the image data generation process shown in FIG. First, the computer 10 acquires image data (hereinafter referred to as density image data) of the density image P0 prepared in advance (step S1).

  Thereafter, the computer 10 generates first density image data and second density image data based on the density image data (step S2). Note that the first density image data is image data of the first density image P1 in which the height of a relatively fine portion of the structure to be formed on the printing medium M is expressed by shading. For example, in the case of forming a structure that is colored by the color image Pc in FIG. 7, the points such as acupoints and meridians of human hands and braille that explains them are represented by the first density image P1. . The first density image data is data for printing on the surface FS of the printing medium M, that is, the surface FS close to the expansion layer M1. On the other hand, the second density image data is an image of the second density image P2 in which the height of a portion that is relatively coarser than the first density image P1 in the structure to be formed on the printing medium M is expressed by shading. It is data. For example, when a structure that is colored by the color image Pc of FIG. 7 is formed, the human hand portion is represented by the second density image P2 as shown in FIG. The second density image data is data for printing on the surface BS of the printing medium M, that is, the surface BS far from the expansion layer M1.

  In step S <b> 2, for example, the computer 10 determines in advance that the density image P <b> 0 satisfies at least one of a relatively high spatial frequency, a relatively small area, and a relatively narrow width. As a condition, a part satisfying the condition is extracted, and based on the extracted part, a first density image P1 in which the height of a relatively fine structure part is expressed by shading is generated, and the first density image P1 is generated. The first density image data representing the above may be output, and at least one of the density image P0 having a relatively low spatial frequency, a relatively large area, and a relatively wide width. A portion that satisfies the condition is extracted as a predetermined condition, and based on the extracted portion, a second density image P2 that expresses the height of the relatively coarse structure portion in shades is generated, Second May output the second density image data representing a density image P2. Each threshold value in this case can be appropriately set so as to meet the object of the present invention. Further, the computer 10 may output the structural portion designated by the user as the first density image data and output the other structural portion as the second density image data.

  When a fine structure is formed on the base structure, the first density image data and the second density image data can include data of the same region. For example, if acupoints and meridians are three-dimensionally expressed on the palm as shown in FIG. 7, the second density image data has palm height data in a certain area, and the palm density in the same area. The first density image data may have the height data of the acupoints and meridians formed above.

  When the first density image data and the second density image data are generated, the computer 10 further generates third density image data (step S3). Here, the processor 11 of the computer 10 causes the first density so that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image P1 is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Functions as a generating unit that converts the density image data of the second color and generates the third density image data. Specifically, first, a target region that is a region where the same density is continuous is extracted from the first density image P1. The target region typically has a line shape, a dot shape, or the like, but may have other shapes. Thereafter, the processor 11 of the computer 10 functions as a selection unit that selects a partial area from the target area. The selected area is preferably a central area surrounded by other areas constituting the target area. The selected area that is a part of the target area is preferably half the size of the target area having the same density. Here, the half size means a half area or a half width. In particular, when the shape of the target region is a line shape, the half size means half the width. The area of the selected region is, for example, about 1/2 of the area of the target region. Finally, the first density image data is converted so that the density of the selected area is higher than the density of other areas. For example, the first density image data is converted so that the density of the selected region is higher than the original density (the same density as described above). For example, the density of the selected region is twice or more the original density (the same density as described above). Thereby, image data (third density image data) of the third density image P3 as shown in FIG. 9 is generated.

  If the original density (the same density as described above) is higher than the predetermined density, the density of the selected area also becomes high, and most of the heat absorbed by the black K ink spreads in the horizontal direction. The width becomes thick. Therefore, it is preferable that the image data of the third density image P3 is generated when the original density (the same density as described above) is equal to or lower than a predetermined density. For example, the original density (the same density as described above) is 30 to 50% of the darkest color of Black K, and the density of the selected region is 60% of the darkest color of Black K. A concentration of ˜100% is preferred. The black K concentration of 100% is the highest concentration.

  The area of the target region is preferably larger than a predetermined area (size). For example, the target region is desirably a line having a width (thickness) of 1.5 mm or more or a circle (dot) having a radius of 0.75 mm or more. If the target area is too small (too thin), the above-described selected area will also be small. For this reason, not only is it difficult to set the region to be selected, but also most of the heat absorbed by the black K ink spreads in the lateral direction, which may increase the width. Therefore, the area of the predetermined target region is preferably larger than the predetermined area (size).

  An image L1 shown in FIG. 10A and an image L3 shown in FIG. 10B are images of the region R1 shown in FIG. The image L1 is a part of the first density image P1 before the density conversion process is performed, and the line-shaped target area is represented by the same density. The image L3 is a part of the third density image P3 after the density conversion process is performed, and the density of the central portion of the line-shaped target area is expressed with a higher density than the peripheral area. For example, the density of the central portion of the line-shaped target area is 30 to 50% for the darkest color of black K, and the density of the peripheral area is 60% to the darkest color of black K. The concentration is 100%. The width of the line shape is preferably 1.5 mm or more.

  An image D1 shown in FIG. 11A and an image D3 shown in FIG. 11B are images of the region R2 shown in FIG. The image D1 is a part of the first density image P1 before the density conversion process is performed, and the dot-shaped target areas are represented with the same density. The image D3 is a part of the third density image P3 after the density conversion process is performed, and the density of the center part of the dot-shaped target area is expressed with a higher density than the peripheral area. For example, the density of the central part of the dot-shaped target area is 30 to 50% for the darkest color of black K, and the density of the peripheral area is 60% to the darkest color of black K. The concentration is 100%. The size of the dot shape is preferably a radius of 0.75 mm or more.

  When the third density image data is generated, the computer 10 records the second density image data and the third density image data in the storage 13 (step S4), and performs the image data generation process shown in FIG. finish.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the structure forming process. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each step of the structure forming process. The structure forming process using the image data generated by the image data generation process shown in FIG. 5 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

  The structure forming system 1 forms a pattern on the surface FS (first surface) based on the third density image data (step S11). Here, first, the user sets the print medium M in the printing apparatus 40 so that the front surface FS faces the print head 42 side, and inputs a print instruction of the third density image P3 to the computer 10. As a result, the computer 10 generates print data and print control data corresponding to the third density image P3 and outputs them to the printing apparatus 40. The printing apparatus 40 forms a pattern (first pattern) with black K ink on the surface FS of the printing medium M based on the print data and the print control data. Thereby, the third density image P3 is printed on the surface FS. The printing apparatus 40 controls the printing density by, for example, area gradation.

  FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the printing medium M on which the third density image P3 is printed on the surface FS. FIG. 13A shows a state in which a region having a high density exists in the central portion of each target region of the third density image P3.

  Next, the structure forming system 1 irradiates the surface FS (first surface) with electromagnetic waves (step S12). Here, first, the user places the printing medium M on which the third density image P3 is printed on the mounting table 51 of the heating device 50 with the surface FS facing upward. Thereafter, the heating device 50 uniformly irradiates the surface FS of the printing medium M with electromagnetic waves such as infrared rays. As a result, the region corresponding to the third density image P3 is heated and expanded, and a relatively fine structure is formed.

  FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the printing medium M after the surface FS is irradiated with electromagnetic waves. FIG. 13B shows a state in which a relatively fine structure formed on the surface FS rises higher as it is closer to the central portion even though the concentration is constant in the peripheral portion of the target region. Yes. Further, it is also shown that the height of the relatively fine structure is higher in the central part of the target area than in the peripheral part. Thus, the relatively fine structure corresponding to each target region formed on the surface FS has a cross-sectional shape that is relatively sharp toward the outside in the thickness direction of the print medium M.

  Thereafter, the structure forming system 1 prints a color image on the surface FS (first surface) based on the color image data (step S13). Here, first, the user sets the printing medium M in the printing apparatus 40 so that the surface FS on which a relatively fine structure is formed faces the print head 42 side, and instructs the computer 10 to print the color image Pc. Enter. As a result, the computer 10 generates print data and print control data corresponding to the color image Pc and outputs them to the printing apparatus 40. Based on the print data and print control data, the printing apparatus 40 prints a color image on the front surface FS on the printing medium M with color inks of cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y.

  FIG. 13C is a cross-sectional view of the printing medium M after the color image Pc is printed on the surface FS. FIG. 13C shows a state where the color image Pc is printed in an arbitrary area of the surface FS. The structure corresponding to the third density image P3 formed on the surface FS is a relatively fine structure compared to the structure corresponding to the second density image P2 described later, and the maximum height thereof is also set. Within a predetermined height. For this reason, the relatively fine structure formed on the surface FS does not hinder the printing of the color image Pc by the printing apparatus 40, and the print quality is hardly deteriorated. Note that the predetermined height is equal to or less than a height at which printing can be performed without deteriorating the print quality even when a general-purpose inkjet printer or laser printer for home use in which the position of the print head cannot be moved vertically is used. For example, 0.5 mm.

  When the printing of the color image is completed, the structure forming system 1 forms a pattern on the surface BS (second surface) based on the second density image data (step S14). Here, first, the user sets the print medium M in the printing apparatus 40 so that the front surface BS faces the print head 42 side, and inputs a print instruction for the second density image P2 to the computer 10. As a result, the computer 10 generates print data and print control data corresponding to the second density image P <b> 2 and outputs them to the printing apparatus 40. The printing apparatus 40 forms a pattern (second pattern) with black K ink on the surface BS on the printing medium M based on the print data and the print control data. Thereby, the second density image P2 is printed on the surface BS.

  FIG. 13D is a cross-sectional view of the printing medium M after the second density image P2 is printed on the surface BS. FIG. 13D shows a state in which a wider target area is formed as compared with the surface FS on which the third density image P3 is printed on the surface BS.

  Finally, the structure forming system 1 irradiates the surface BS (second surface) with electromagnetic waves (step S15), and ends the structure forming process shown in FIG. Here, first, the user places the printing medium M, on which the second density image P2 is printed, on the mounting table 51 of the heating device 50 with the surface BS facing upward. Thereafter, the heating device 50 uniformly irradiates the surface BS of the printing medium M with electromagnetic waves such as infrared rays. As a result, the region of the expansion layer M1 corresponding to the second density image P2 is heated and expanded through the base material M2. As a result, a relatively rough structure is formed.

  FIG. 13E is a cross-sectional view of the printing medium M after the surface BS is irradiated with electromagnetic waves. In FIG. 13E, a region (for example, regions of width W2, W4) wider than each target region (for example, regions of width W1, W3) of the second density image P2 expands and is relatively rough. A state in which a structure is formed is shown. In step S12, the portion where the relatively fine structure is formed by irradiating the surface FS of the printing medium M with the electromagnetic wave is the thickness of the relatively fine structure and the relatively rough structure formed in step 15. It has the thickness which added the thickness of.

<Comparative example>
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view for explaining each step of the structure forming process of the comparative example. In the comparative example shown in FIG. 14, the first density image P1 having a uniform density over the entire target region is formed on the surface FS of the printing medium M in the process of step S11 of FIG. This embodiment is different from the above embodiment, and the other points are the same as those in the above embodiment. Compared with FIG. 13, it can be seen that the relatively fine structure formed in the comparative example shown in FIG. 14 has a relatively small rise in the central portion of the target region. In addition, the comparatively fine structure of the comparative example shown in FIG. 14 is also higher as it is closer to the central portion, although the density of the relatively fine structure formed on the surface FS is constant in the peripheral portion of the target region. It is raised and the cross-sectional shape is dull. As described above, the structure of the comparative example is relatively difficult to perceive by touch because the relatively fine structure is dull. On the other hand, the structure formed by the method of the above-described embodiment has a relatively sharp shape compared to the structure formed by the method of the comparative example, so that it is relatively easy to perceive by touch. It is.

  Thus, the structure formed on the printing medium M by the method of the present embodiment is a density image corresponding to a relatively fine structure on the surface FS of the printing medium M on the side where the expansion layer M1 is provided. In addition, after forming the first density image P1 having a uniform density as a whole, the printing medium M is irradiated with electromagnetic waves from the side where the expansion layer M1 of the printing medium M is provided to expand the printing medium M1. Compared with the case where the structure is formed by raising the surface of the layer M1, it is possible to form a structure that is relatively easy to perceive by touch. For this reason, it is suitable for use for Braille, tactile drawings and the like.

  Further, when the concentration of the entire target region is increased, not only the height of the structure to be formed but also the width becomes thick, so that the visual impression given by the structure may change greatly. However, according to the above-described method, the third density image P3 in which a part of the density of the first density image P1 is increased rather than the entire target area is printed on the printing medium M, so that the width is increased. And the change in the visual impression of the structure to be formed can be suppressed. For this reason, the tactile information providing function can be improved without impairing the visual information providing function. In particular, by making a part of the region where the concentration is high a region surrounded by another region such as a central region, the above-described effect is more remarkably exhibited.

  Further, since the third density image P3 representing a relatively small structural portion is printed on the surface FS close to the expansion layer M1, the heat absorbed by the black K ink hardly spreads in the lateral direction on the expansion layer M1. Communicated. For this reason, the size of the region on which the third density image P3 is printed is substantially equal to the size of the region of the expanded layer M1 to be heated. Therefore, according to the method described above, the structure can be formed with a size that faithfully reproduces the third density image, and thus a small structure can be formed with high accuracy.

  Further, the black K ink of the density image printed on the front surface FS can cause the color image formed thereon to appear darkened, which can cause the display quality of the color image to deteriorate. However, in the above-described method, since the black K ink is ejected only to a portion where the surface FS has a relatively small structure, an area in which the color image appears dark can be suppressed to be relatively small. When a relatively fine structure is a portion that can be expressed in black, such as Braille, characters, or a drawing line in the drawing, the shade of black K ink in the density image printed based on the third density image data is used as it is. be able to.

  The above-described embodiment is a specific example for facilitating understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The image data generation method, the structure formation method, and the program can be variously modified and changed without departing from the scope of the present invention described in the claims.

  Although FIG. 3 illustrates an inkjet printer, the printing apparatus is not limited to an inkjet printer. For example, any printing device such as a laser printer may be used. In FIG. 4, the heating device in which the light source unit moves with respect to the printing medium M is illustrated, but the heating apparatus may be any device that uniformly irradiates the printing medium M with electromagnetic waves. For example, the printing medium M may move relative to a fixed light source unit. Moreover, the heating apparatus provided with the light source unit which irradiates electromagnetic waves to the whole to-be-printed medium M simultaneously may be sufficient.

  Although FIG. 5 shows an example in which the third density image data is generated after the first density image data and the second density image data are generated, the third density image data is the first density image data. It may be generated after data generation. The generation of the third density image data may be performed after the generation of the second density image data or before the generation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first density image data and the second density image data are prepared by the computer 10, but the first density image data and the first density image data stored in the storage 13 in advance are prepared. May be prepared by reading the density image data of 2 into the memory 12, generated by another computer connected to the computer 10 via the Internet or a local area network, or a storage device of the other computer Alternatively, the first density image data and the second density image data stored in advance may be received via the network and read into the memory 12.

  10 and 11 exemplify the density conversion process for increasing the density of the central portion of the target area. However, the density conversion process is a process in which the density of a part of the target area is higher than the density of other areas. If it is. For example, the density of one edge portion of the line-shaped target area may be higher than the density of the other area.

  FIG. 12 shows an example in which a pattern is formed on the second surface (surface BS) after irradiating the first surface (surface FS) with electromagnetic waves, but after forming patterns on the first surface and the second surface, respectively. You may irradiate the surface of this with electromagnetic waves. FIG. 12 shows an example in which a color image is printed after irradiating the first surface (surface FS) with electromagnetic waves. However, the ink that forms the color images efficiently absorbs electromagnetic waves such as carbon black and converts them into heat. As long as the material to be used is not used, a color image may be printed before electromagnetic wave irradiation.

  Further, FIG. 12 shows an example in which a plurality of processes are performed after the pattern is formed on the first surface (surface FS). However, the processes after the process until the pattern is formed on the first surface (surface FS) are performed. It may be omitted. The printing medium M having a pattern formed on the first surface (surface FS) may be sold, and the purchaser may arbitrarily perform the subsequent processing. That is, among the plurality of processes shown in FIG. 12, the seller performs the remaining processes except for at least one process, sells the formed print medium, and the purchaser arbitrarily performs the at least one process. Anyway. For example, the seller performs the processing up to step S11 shown in FIG. 12, forms the printing medium M on which the first density image is formed as shown in FIG. 13A, and sells it. The purchaser may perform the processing from step S12 onward. Other combinations of processing performed by the seller and the purchaser may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, both the color image Pc and the density image P0 are prepared. However, only the color image Pc may be prepared, and the density image P0 may be generated based on the color image Pc.

  An example in which two density image data are generated and printed on the premise of double-sided printing on the printing medium M has been shown, but the above-described technique can also be applied to single-sided printing. For example, a target region having the same density included in the input density image (for example, the density image P0) is selected based on a predetermined condition, and the density of a part of the selected target region is set to another region of the target region. The image data of the input density image may be converted to generate the image data of the output density image so as to be higher than the density. For example, by setting a condition such that a small structure portion is selected as the predetermined condition, image data of an output density image obtained by synthesizing the second density image P2 and the third density image P3 is generated. Can do. Then, by printing the generated output density image on the surface FS and irradiating the electromagnetic wave, a structure having a pointed shape with a relatively small structure portion can be formed. Therefore, also by this method, the tactile information providing function by the structure can be improved as compared with the conventional one.

Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims at the beginning of the application of the present application will be added.
[Appendix 1]
Preparing first density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating on the side on which the expansion layer is provided;
The first density is set such that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. A method for generating image data, comprising: converting density image data to generate third density image data.
[Appendix 2]
In the image data generation method according to attachment 1,
Preparing second density image data for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium opposite to the side on which the expansion layer is provided;
The image data generation method, wherein the first density image is an image including information of a finer structure than the second density image represented by the second density image data.
[Appendix 3]
In the image data generation method according to appendix 1 or appendix 2,
A method of generating image data, comprising: converting the first density image data to generate third density image data so that a density of a part of the target region is higher than the same density.
[Appendix 4]
In the image data generation method according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3,
A part of the target area is an area surrounded by another area of the target area.
[Appendix 5]
In the image data generation method according to any one of appendices 1 to 4,
The method for generating image data, wherein the target area is a line-shaped or dot-shaped area.
[Appendix 6]
The same input density image represented by the input density image data for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands when heated is provided on the surface on which the expansion layer is provided. Select the target area with density,
Converting the image data of the input density image to generate image data of the output density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. A featured image data generation method.
[Appendix 7]
A structure forming method using a printing medium including an expanded layer that expands by heating,
Density image data generated based on first density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium on which the expansion layer is provided. The density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Based on the third density image data generated by converting the density image data, a first pattern is formed on the first surface of the printing medium closer to the expansion layer,
Based on the second density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium opposite to the side on which the expansion layer is provided, the print medium Forming a second pattern representing a finer structure than the first pattern on the second surface far from the expansion layer of
Irradiating electromagnetic waves from the first surface side of the printing medium toward the first surface,
A structure forming method comprising irradiating an electromagnetic wave from the first surface side toward the first surface and then irradiating the electromagnetic wave toward the second surface from the second surface side of the print medium .
[Appendix 8]
The same input density image represented by the input density image data for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands when heated is provided on the surface on which the expansion layer is provided. Select the target area with density,
Converting the image data of the input density image to generate image data of the output density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area;
Based on the image data of the output density image, a pattern is formed on the first surface closer to the expansion layer of the printing medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating,
Irradiating electromagnetic waves to the first surface on which the pattern is formed.
[Appendix 9]
A structure forming apparatus using a printing medium including an expanded layer that expands by heating,
Density image data generated based on first density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium on which the expansion layer is provided. The density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Based on the third density image data generated by converting the density image data, a first pattern is formed on the first surface of the printing medium closer to the expansion layer, and the printing medium Based on the second density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface opposite to the side on which the expansion layer is provided, from the expansion layer of the print medium The first putter is placed on the far second surface. A printing unit for forming a second pattern representative of a finer structure than,
After irradiating electromagnetic waves from the first surface side of the printing medium toward the first surface and irradiating electromagnetic waves from the first surface side toward the first surface, the second of the printing medium is performed. A structure forming apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit configured to irradiate electromagnetic waves from the surface side toward the second surface.
[Appendix 10]
The same input density image represented by the input density image data for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands when heated is provided on the surface on which the expansion layer is provided. A selection unit for selecting a target region having a density;
A generating unit that converts the image data of the input density image to generate image data of the output density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. When,
Based on the image data of the output density image, a printing unit that forms a pattern on the first surface closer to the expansion layer of the printing medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating;
And a radiation unit that irradiates the first surface on which the pattern is formed with an electromagnetic wave.
[Appendix 11]
Computer
Means for preparing first density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating;
The first density is set such that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Means for converting density image data to generate third density image data;
A program characterized by functioning as
[Appendix 12]
Computer
The first extracted from the input density image represented by the input density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface on the side where the expansion layer is provided of the printing medium including the expansion layer expanded by heating. Means for generating first density image data representing one density image;
The first density image data is converted and the first density image data is converted so that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Means for generating density image data of 3;
A program characterized by functioning as

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Structure formation system (structure formation apparatus), 10 ... Computer, 11 ... Processor (generation part, selection part), 12 ... Memory, 13 ... Storage, 20 ... Display device 30 ... Input device 40 ... Printing device (printing unit) 41 ... Carriage 42 ... Print head 43 ... Ink cartridge 44 ... Guide rail 45. ..Drive belt, 45 m ... motor, 46 ... flexible communication cable, 47 ... frame, 48 ... platen, 49a ... feed roller pair, 49b ... discharge roller pair, 50 ... Heating device (irradiation unit), 51 ... Placement table, 52 ... Guide groove, 53 ... Column, 54 ... Light source unit, M ... Medium to be printed, M1 ... Expansion Layer, M2 ... base material, FS ... surface, B ... surface, Pc ... color image, P0 ... density image, P1 ... first density image, P2 ... second density image, P3 ... third density image

Claims (12)

Preparing first density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating on the side on which the expansion layer is provided;
The first density is set such that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. A method for generating image data, comprising: converting density image data to generate third density image data. The image data generation method according to claim 1,
Preparing second density image data for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium opposite to the side on which the expansion layer is provided;
The image data generation method, wherein the first density image is an image including information of a finer structure than the second density image represented by the second density image data. The image data generation method according to claim 1 or 2,
A method of generating image data, comprising: converting the first density image data to generate third density image data so that a density of a part of the target region is higher than the same density. The image data generation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A part of the target area is an area surrounded by another area of the target area. The image data generation method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The method for generating image data, wherein the target area is a line-shaped or dot-shaped area. The same input density image represented by the input density image data for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands when heated is provided on the surface on which the expansion layer is provided. Select the target area with density,
Converting the image data of the input density image to generate image data of the output density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. A featured image data generation method. A structure forming method using a printing medium including an expanded layer that expands by heating,
Density image data generated based on first density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium on which the expansion layer is provided. The density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Based on the third density image data generated by converting the density image data, a first pattern is formed on the first surface of the printing medium closer to the expansion layer,
Based on the second density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium opposite to the side on which the expansion layer is provided, the print medium Forming a second pattern representing a finer structure than the first pattern on the second surface far from the expansion layer of
Irradiating electromagnetic waves from the first surface side of the printing medium toward the first surface,
A structure forming method comprising irradiating an electromagnetic wave from the first surface side toward the first surface and then irradiating the electromagnetic wave toward the second surface from the second surface side of the print medium . The same input density image represented by the input density image data for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands when heated is provided on the surface on which the expansion layer is provided. Select the target area with density,
Converting the image data of the input density image to generate image data of the output density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area;
Based on the image data of the output density image, a pattern is formed on the first surface closer to the expansion layer of the printing medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating,
Irradiating electromagnetic waves to the first surface on which the pattern is formed. A structure forming apparatus using a printing medium including an expanded layer that expands by heating,
Density image data generated based on first density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium on which the expansion layer is provided. The density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Based on the third density image data generated by converting the density image data, a first pattern is formed on the first surface of the printing medium closer to the expansion layer, and the printing medium Based on the second density image data prepared for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface opposite to the side on which the expansion layer is provided, from the expansion layer of the print medium The first putter is placed on the far second surface. A printing unit for forming a second pattern representative of a finer structure than,
After irradiating electromagnetic waves from the first surface side of the printing medium toward the first surface and irradiating electromagnetic waves from the first surface side toward the first surface, the second of the printing medium is performed. A structure forming apparatus comprising: an irradiation unit configured to irradiate electromagnetic waves from the surface side toward the second surface. The same input density image represented by the input density image data for printing to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands when heated is provided on the surface on which the expansion layer is provided. A selection unit for selecting a target region having a density;
A generating unit that converts the image data of the input density image to generate image data of the output density image so that the density of a part of the selected target area is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. When,
Based on the image data of the output density image, a printing unit that forms a pattern on the first surface closer to the expansion layer of the printing medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating;
And a radiation unit that irradiates the first surface on which the pattern is formed with an electromagnetic wave. Computer
Means for preparing first density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface of the print medium including the expansion layer that expands by heating;
The first density is set such that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Means for converting density image data to generate third density image data;
A program characterized by functioning as Computer
The first extracted from the input density image represented by the input density image data for printing applied to expand the expansion layer on the surface on the side where the expansion layer is provided of the printing medium including the expansion layer expanded by heating. Means for generating first density image data representing one density image;
The first density image data is converted and the first density image data is converted so that the density of a part of the target area having the same density included in the first density image is higher than the density of other areas of the target area. Means for generating density image data of 3;
A program characterized by functioning as