JP2018154010A - Stereoscopic image formation system, stereoscopic image formation method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably secure the sufficient expansion height of a stereoscopic image.SOLUTION: A stereoscopic image formation system 1000 includes: a printer 250 which prints a two-dimensional image on an expansive sheet with ink for photothermal conversion; and a light irradiation device 200 which expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expansive sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expansive sheet with the light. The light irradiation device 200 irradiates the two-dimensional image with the light so that the light amount of the light irradiated to the two-dimensional image becomes the light amount corresponding to the elapsed time from the printing of the two-dimensional image on the expansive sheet with the ink for photothermal conversion by the printer 250.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image forming system, a stereoscopic image forming method, and a program.

  As one of the modeling techniques, a stereoscopic image forming technique using an expandable sheet in which a thermal expansion layer is laminated on a base material is known. This technique is used for creating educational materials for visually impaired persons such as Braille. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, a two-dimensional image (planar image) used when a desired region is partially expanded is printed on an inflatable sheet, and light irradiation processing is performed on the inflatable sheet. A technique for expanding a region corresponding to an image to form a stereoscopic image is disclosed.

JP 2001-150812 A JP-A 64-28660

  The conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have been desired to stably secure a sufficient expansion height of a stereoscopic image, as will be described below.

  The stereoscopic image forming system includes a printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink, and a two-dimensional image on the inflatable sheet by irradiating light to the two-dimensional image printed on the inflatable sheet. A light irradiation device for expanding an area corresponding to an image. The conventional technology forms a three-dimensional image having a sufficiently expanded height when the area of a printed two-dimensional image is relatively large (that is, when the amount of ink used for printing is relatively large). Therefore, it is necessary to give a larger amount of heat to the inflatable sheet. However, since the conventional technology is configured to give a certain amount of heat to the expandable sheet during the light irradiation process, there is a case where a three-dimensional image having a sufficient expansion height cannot be formed. In particular, the inflatable sheet immediately after printing requires the heat of vaporization to vaporize the ink because the ink used for printing is not sufficiently dried. Therefore, the conventional technique is particularly when the area of the two-dimensional image is relatively large (that is, when the amount of ink used is relatively large) and when the elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed is short. In addition, a stereoscopic image having a sufficient expansion height may not be formed.

  An object of the present invention is to stably secure a sufficient expansion height of a stereoscopic image.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a stereoscopic image forming system of the present invention includes a printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink, and the two-dimensional image printed on the inflatable sheet. A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the inflatable sheet by irradiating the light with the light, and the light irradiation device emits light to the two-dimensional image. Irradiating the two-dimensional image with light so that the amount of light corresponds to an elapsed time after the printer prints the two-dimensional image with the photothermal conversion ink on the expandable sheet. It is characterized by.

  Further, the stereoscopic image forming system of the present invention includes a printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink, and irradiates the two-dimensional image printed on the inflatable sheet with light. A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet, and the light irradiation device prints the amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image by the printer. Thus, the two-dimensional image is irradiated with light so that the amount of light corresponds to the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that has been made into the two-dimensional image.

  Further, the stereoscopic image forming system of the present invention includes a printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink, and irradiates the two-dimensional image printed on the inflatable sheet with light. A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet, and the light irradiation device prints the amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image by the printer. As a result, the remaining amount of the volatile component contained in the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into the two-dimensional image, and the amount of light corresponding to the remaining amount at the time of irradiation of the light is obtained with respect to the two-dimensional image. And irradiating with light.

  According to the present invention, a sufficient expansion height of a stereoscopic image can be secured stably.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stereoscopic image forming system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light irradiation apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows the structure of the expansible sheet before a printing process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the three-dimensional image formation system which concerns on a comparative example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the stereo image formed by the stereo image formation system which concerns on a comparative example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the three-dimensional image formation system which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the stereo image formed by the stereo image formation system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the corresponding | compatible process performed by this embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 1st operation | movement at the time of a response process setting. It is a figure which shows an example of the calorie | heat amount adjustment control in 1st operation | movement at the time of a response process setting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 2nd operation | movement at the time of a response process setting. It is a figure which shows an example of the calorie | heat amount adjustment control in 2nd operation | movement at the time of a response process setting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 3rd operation | movement at the time of a response process setting. It is a figure which shows an example of the calorie | heat amount adjustment control in 3rd operation | movement at the time of a response process setting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the 4th operation | movement at the time of a response process setting. It is a figure which shows an example of the calorie | heat amount adjustment control in 4th operation | movement at the time of a response process setting. It is explanatory drawing which shows the timing which performs calorie | heat amount adjustment control. It is a graph which shows the relationship between printing average density and light irradiation processing time. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between printing average density and light irradiation processing time. It is a figure which shows the modification of the barcode printed on an expansible sheet.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each figure is only schematically shown so that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the common component and the same component, and those overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Embodiment]
The present embodiment is intended to provide a stereoscopic image forming system capable of stably securing a desired expansion height.
For example, in general, in a stereoscopic image forming system, if the light irradiation process is performed in a state where the ink is not sufficiently dried, a desired expansion height may not be obtained. As a result of various experiments on this point, it is estimated that it is desirable to perform heat amount adjustment control in consideration of heat of vaporization for vaporizing moisture contained in the ink and drying the ink in the light irradiation process. . The stereoscopic image forming system according to the present embodiment stably secures a desired expansion height by performing such heat amount adjustment control.

  The present embodiment is also intended to provide a three-dimensional image forming system in which an expandable sheet has information to be notified from the printer to the light irradiation device.

  For example, in order to form a three-dimensional image having a sufficient expansion height (that is, to ensure a sufficient expansion height of the three-dimensional image), at the time of light irradiation processing, for example, on the conveyance speed of the expansion sheet or the expansion sheet It is preferable to perform heat amount adjustment control such as the amount of light to be irradiated.

  However, an operator of the stereoscopic image forming system rarely performs an irregular operation. For example, a normal procedure is to perform a stereoscopic image forming process on the next inflatable sheet after a stereoscopic image forming process (that is, a process from a printing process to a light irradiation process) is completed on one inflatable sheet. Suppose that In this case, as an irregular operation, the operator performs an operation to start the stereoscopic image forming process for the next expandable sheet before the stereoscopic image forming process for one expandable sheet is completed. There is. In other words, as an irregular operation, an operator stores a plurality of inflatable sheets that have been printed by a printer, and sequentially sets the stored inflatable sheets in a light irradiation device to perform a light irradiation process. Operation may be performed. If it is planned to perform the heat amount adjustment control as described above for the inflatable sheet, if such an irregular operation is performed, the inflatable sheet is different from the planned one. On the other hand, heat amount adjustment control is performed. For this reason, when such an irregular operation is performed, it is impossible to form a stereoscopic image having a sufficient expansion height (that is, ensuring a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image).

  Therefore, in the prior art, the expansible sheet is provided with information (for example, information about printing and others) to be notified from the printer to the light irradiation device so that the heat amount adjustment control as described above can be suitably performed. Was desired. In view of such a viewpoint, the present embodiment is also intended to provide a three-dimensional image forming system in which an expandable sheet has information to be notified from the printer to the light irradiation device.

<Configuration of stereoscopic image forming system>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 includes a control device 100, a display operation unit 150 connected to the control device 100, a light irradiation device 200, and a printer 250 as a two-dimensional image forming unit. These are communicably connected to the management apparatus 300 via the network NW. The printer 250 and the light irradiation device 200 constitute a stereoscopic image forming apparatus 290.

  The control device 100 is a general-purpose information processing device that is configured by a PC (Personal Computer) and connected to the display operation unit 150, and controls the light irradiation device 200 and the printer 250.

  The display operation unit 150 is a touch panel display connected to the control device 100, and includes a display unit that displays a two-dimensional image and an input unit through which an operator inputs various types of information.

  The light irradiation device 200 is a device that functions as a light irradiation unit, and expands a region corresponding to a two-dimensional image printed with photothermal conversion ink, which will be described later, by performing light irradiation processing on the expandable sheet. To form a stereoscopic image.

The printer 250 is a device that functions as a two-dimensional image forming unit, and prints a two-dimensional image used when partially expanding a desired area on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink described later. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the printer 250 is an electrophotographic printer. However, the printer 250 can also be configured by an inkjet printer or the like.
The management apparatus 300 is a general-purpose information processing apparatus, and stores and manages typical content used for forming a stereoscopic image.

  The control device 100 described above includes a control unit 10, a communication unit 40, a nonvolatile storage unit 50, and a volatile storage unit 55.

  The control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions of the stereoscopic image formation control unit 20, the display operation control unit 31, the image selection unit 32, and the communication control unit 33 by executing a program. Realize.

  The stereoscopic image formation control unit 20 is a unit that controls the operation of each unit in the stereoscopic image formation process, and includes a two-dimensional image formation control unit 21 and a light irradiation control unit 23.

  The two-dimensional image formation control unit 21 is a functional unit that controls the printer 250 via the printer driver 53.

The display operation control unit 31 described above causes the display operation unit 150 to display a predetermined screen and accepts a touch operation by the operator.
For example, the image selection unit 32 displays a plurality of stereoscopic image contents (sample images) on the display operation unit 150 and allows the user to select one of the plurality of contents.
The communication control unit 33 described above controls the communication unit 40.

  The communication unit 40 is configured by a LAN (Local Area Network) interface circuit, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface circuit, or the like that performs communication among the light irradiation device 200, the printer 250, and the management device 300. Yes.

The non-volatile storage unit 50 includes a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like, and stores an OS 51, an application program 52, a printer driver 53, and the like.
The volatile storage unit 55 is configured by a RAM (Random Access Memory) and is used as a working memory.

  The above-described photothermal conversion ink is an ink having a characteristic of converting light such as infrared light and near infrared light into heat. In other words, the photothermal conversion ink is an ink having a characteristic that it is easily heated by light heating. Here, it is assumed that the photothermal conversion ink is black (K) ink containing carbon black. However, as the photothermal conversion ink, another ink can be used instead of the black ink containing carbon black. For example, as long as the ink for photothermal conversion has a function of converting light such as infrared light and near infrared light into heat, an ink that is transparent in the visible light region can be used.

  In addition to the photothermal conversion ink, the printer 250 can use ink that does not have the property of converting light into heat (hereinafter referred to as “non-photothermal conversion ink”). The non-photothermal conversion ink is, for example, CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color ink, and is used when printing a color two-dimensional image. A print region containing only the non-photothermal conversion ink hardly expands even when the light irradiation treatment is performed.

In such a configuration, the printer 250 prints a two-dimensional image on the expandable sheet 400 with photothermal conversion ink in order to partially expand a desired region of the expandable sheet 400 (see FIG. 2). In addition, when printing a color two-dimensional image, the printer 250 prints a color two-dimensional image on the inflatable sheet 400 with the non-photothermal conversion ink of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), for example. .
The light irradiation apparatus 200 performs a light irradiation process on the inflatable sheet 400 (see FIG. 2) on which a two-dimensional image is printed.

<Configuration of light irradiation device>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the light irradiation apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the light irradiation apparatus 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light irradiation device 200 includes a paper feeding unit 220, driving rollers 231 and 232, driven rollers 233 and 234, a light irradiation unit 210, a motor 335, an upper guide 337, and a lower guide. 338, a room temperature sensor 225, a barcode reader 340, an inlet sensor 341, and an outlet sensor 342. Here, the paper feeding unit 220 feeds the expandable sheet 400 to the conveyance path. The drive rollers 231 and 232, the driven rollers 233 and 234, the motor 335, the upper guide 337, and the lower guide 338 constitute a transport unit (transport means).

  The light irradiation unit 210 includes a reflecting mirror 211, a halogen lamp 215, a cooling fan 213, and a temperature sensor 214. The halogen lamp 215 is a linear light source that emits near-infrared light and visible light from its outer peripheral surface. The reflecting mirror 211 is a parabolic reflecting mirror made of aluminum, and makes the radiated light of the halogen lamp 215 parallel light. Since the halogen lamp 215 and the reflecting mirror 211 are disposed above the transport surface, the near-infrared light and visible light are irradiated from above the inflatable sheet 400. The cooling fan 213 cools the reflecting mirror 211 with air. The temperature sensor 214 is attached to the back surface of the reflecting mirror 211, and detects the back surface temperature.

  The drive rollers 231 and 232 and the driven rollers 233 and 234 sandwich and convey the expandable sheet 400 being conveyed from above and below. The drive rollers 231 and 232 are driven by a motor 335. The upper guide 337 and the lower guide 338 are formed in a lattice shape, and guide the inflatable sheet 400 from above and below the conveyance surface. The upper guide 337 is provided to be inclined so as not to cast a strong shadow on the inflatable sheet 400. As a result, the upper guide 337 and the expandable sheet 400 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance immediately below the halogen lamp 215, so that a strong shadow is not dropped.

  The paper feeding unit 220 places the expandable sheet 400 and feeds the placed expandable sheet 400 to the transport unit. The room temperature sensor 225 is a sensor that detects room temperature. The barcode reader 340 is a device that reads a barcode printed on the inflatable sheet 400. The inlet sensor 341 and the outlet sensor 342 detect the front end and the rear end of the inflatable sheet 400 being conveyed.

  In such a configuration, the light irradiation device 200 conveys the inflatable sheet 400 on which a two-dimensional image is printed with the halogen lamp 215 turned on. Thereby, the light irradiation apparatus 200 performs a light irradiation process on the expandable sheet 400. At this time, in the expandable sheet 400, the thermal expansion layer immediately below the print area where the two-dimensional image is printed with the photothermal conversion ink (the thermal expansion layer in the area corresponding to the two-dimensional image) expands, and the surface is convex. Changes sharply. As a result, a 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) stereoscopic image is formed. Here, the 2.5D stereoscopic image means a three-dimensional structure in which unevenness in the thickness direction is formed on a plane.

<Configuration of inflatable sheet>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the inflatable sheet 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the inflatable sheet 400. FIG. 3A shows the configuration of the first surface of the inflatable sheet 400, and FIG. 3B shows the configuration of the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the inflatable sheet 400 has a structure in which a base material 415 and a thermal expansion layer 410 are laminated. The base material 415 is a paper sheet that can be elastically deformed. The thermal expansion layer 410 is a resin layer that expands due to heat. In this embodiment, the surface on which the thermal expansion layer 410 is provided is the first surface of the expandable sheet 400, and the surface on which the base material 415 is provided is the second surface of the expandable sheet 400. Will be described. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inflatable sheet 400 has a structure in which the thermal expansion layer 410 faces one side (first side) and the base material 415 faces the other side (second side). It has become.

  In the present embodiment, the inflatable sheet 400 has a rectangular shape with one corner portion cut out. Before the printing process, the first surface of the inflatable sheet 400 is in a plain state. A two-dimensional image 502 is printed on the first surface of the inflatable sheet 400 with the photothermal exchange ink by the printer 250 (see FIG. 1) during the printing process. In the illustrated example, a large circular two-dimensional image 502a and a small elliptical two-dimensional image 502b are printed.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, a pre-applied barcode 501 is printed in advance near the tip of the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400 before the printing process according to the operation. The pre-assigned barcode 501 is a pre-identifier assigned in advance. Here, a description will be given assuming that the side inserted into the paper feeding unit 220 (see FIG. 2) of the light irradiation device 200 is the leading end side of the inflatable sheet 400. Note that the pre-assigned barcode 501 may not be printed. On the second surface of the expandable sheet 400, a barcode 503 different from the pre-applied barcode 501 is printed with non-photothermal heat exchange ink by the printer 250 (see FIG. 1) during the printing process. A bar code 503 is a print identifier printed later. Hereinafter, when the barcode 503 is distinguished from the pre-assigned barcode 501, it is referred to as a “print barcode 503”.

  The pre-assigned barcode 501 represents the attributes of the inflatable sheet 400 (for example, the thickness of the sheet, the orientation of the front or back surface of the sheet, etc.). On the other hand, the print barcode 503 includes arbitrary information set according to the operation. As the print barcode 503, for example, correction information for heat amount adjustment control of light irradiation conditions (such as the conveyance speed of the expansion sheet 400 and the amount of light applied to the expansion sheet 400) applied to the sheet, or the printing time information of the two-dimensional image 502 The printing area information of the two-dimensional image 502 can be included.

  The light irradiation device 200 (see FIG. 1) performs light irradiation processing by irradiating the expandable sheet 400 with light such as infrared light or near infrared light. At this time, the vicinity of the tip of the expandable sheet 400 is hardly heated because the ink for photothermal exchange is not used. Therefore, after the light irradiation process, a three-dimensional image is not formed near the tip of the expandable sheet 400, and the vicinity of the tip of the expandable sheet 400 maintains the same cross-sectional shape as before the light irradiation process.

  On the other hand, when the light irradiation device 200 (see FIG. 1) irradiates the expandable sheet 400 with light and performs a light irradiation process, the print region of the two-dimensional image 502 of the expandable sheet 400 is heated. Therefore, after the light irradiation process, the thermal expansion layer 410 (the thermal expansion layer 410 in the region corresponding to the two-dimensional image) of the expandable sheet 400 expands immediately below the printing region of the two-dimensional image 502, and as a result, the stereoscopic image Is formed.

<Operation of stereoscopic image forming system>
In general, if the stereoscopic image forming system is configured to give a certain amount of heat to the expandable sheet 400 during the light irradiation process, it may not be possible to form a stereoscopic image with a sufficiently high height. Therefore, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment is configured to adjust the amount of heat applied to the expandable sheet 400 by performing heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation process during the light irradiation process.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 will be described. Here, in order to explain the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 in an easy-to-understand manner, first, the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000Z (not shown) according to the comparative example will be described, and then the stereoscopic image according to the present embodiment. The operation of the forming system 1000 will be described.

  A stereoscopic image forming system 1000Z (not shown) according to a comparative example is a system configured to give a certain amount of heat to the expandable sheet 400 during the light irradiation process, and corresponds to a system of the related art.

  Each device operates based on the time measured by a timer (not shown). The operation of each device is defined by a program stored in a readable manner in the storage unit of each device, and is executed by the control unit of each device. Hereinafter, since these points are conventional means in information processing, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Operation of stereoscopic image forming system according to comparative example)
Hereinafter, the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000Z (not shown) according to the comparative example will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system according to the comparative example. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of a stereoscopic image 1502z formed by a stereoscopic image forming system 1000Z (not shown) according to a comparative example.

  Here, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000Z (not shown) according to the comparative example has the same configuration as the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 (see FIG. 1) according to the present embodiment, but the light irradiation process. The following description will be made assuming that a certain amount of heat is sometimes given to the inflatable sheet 400.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000Z (not shown) according to the comparative example is as follows in comparison with the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment (see FIG. 6). It is different.
(1) The process of steps S160 to S180 (see FIG. 6) is not performed. That is, the printing barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) is not printed.
(2) The process of steps S220 to S230 (see FIG. 6) is not performed. That is, the printing barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) is not read and the corresponding processing is not set.
(3) The process of step S250z is performed instead of the process of step S250 (see FIG. 6). That is, the light irradiation process (expansion process) with a certain amount of heat is performed without performing the light irradiation process (expansion process) based on the set corresponding process.

  Here, the process of step S250z (see FIG. 4) is to execute a light irradiation process (expansion process) characterized by giving a constant amount of heat to the expandable sheet 400.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 </ b> Z (not shown) according to such a comparative example is configured to give a certain amount of heat to the expandable sheet 400 during the light irradiation process. Therefore, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000Z (not shown) forms a stereoscopic image 1502z having an insufficient expansion height (that is, a stereoscopic image 1502z not expanded to a desired height) when the light irradiation process is performed. There are things to do.

  Such a phenomenon is likely to occur when the printed two-dimensional image 502 has a relatively large area (that is, when the amount of ink used for printing is relatively large). That is, in order to form a three-dimensional image 1502z having a sufficient expansion height, it is necessary to apply a larger amount of heat to the expandable sheet 400, whereas a three-dimensional image forming system 1000Z according to a comparative example (not shown). This is because only a certain amount of heat is applied to the inflatable sheet 400.

  Such a phenomenon is particularly likely to occur immediately after printing. This is because the ink used for printing is not sufficiently dried, and thus vaporization heat is required to vaporize the ink.

  Therefore, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000Z (not shown) according to the comparative example is particularly suitable when the area of the two-dimensional image 502 is relatively large (that is, when the amount of ink used is relatively large) and When the elapsed time since the dimensional image 502 is printed is short, a stereoscopic image 1502z having an insufficient expansion height may be formed.

(Operation of Stereoscopic Image Forming System According to Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1000. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of a stereoscopic image 1502 formed by the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the light irradiation device 200 performs heat amount adjustment control according to the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed by the printer 250 per sheet of the inflatable sheet 400 to be a two-dimensional image. It will be described as being performed. However, the light irradiation device 200 performs heat amount adjustment control in accordance with the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that is formed into a two-dimensional image by printing per desired area in the conveyance direction of the expandable sheet 400. Also good. The ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing can be managed by the amount of ink discharged from the inside of the printer 250 to the outside.

  The ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing can also be managed by the cumulative area amount of the print region where the thermal conversion ink is printed at a certain density or higher. Alternatively, the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing is the photothermal conversion that has been converted into a two-dimensional image when the photothermal conversion ink is an ink containing carbon black. It can also be managed by the cumulative density of the ink for use. The cumulative density of the photothermal conversion ink is an integrated amount of the gray or black gradation value (K density) of each pixel and the print pixel area in the two-dimensional image.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment, the operator sets the inflatable sheet 400 on the paper feeding unit (not shown) of the printer 250 (step S110). When the printer 250 detects the set of the expandable sheet 400, the printer 250 notifies the control device 100 of the detection information. In response to this, the control device 100 displays a content list display screen (not shown) including selectable content (sample images) on the display operation unit 150 (see FIG. 1), for example.

  After step S110, the operator operates the display operation unit 150 (see FIG. 1), selects a desired content (sample image) from a content list display screen (not shown), and starts the printing process. Instruct. In response to this, the control device 100 accepts the selection result of the sample image data and accepts a print processing start instruction (steps S120 and S130).

  Then, the two-dimensional image formation control unit 21 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 instructs the printer 250 to print a two-dimensional image based on the selected sample image data. In response to this, the printer 250 prints the two-dimensional image 502 (see FIG. 3A) on the expandable sheet 400 with the photothermal conversion ink (step S140). Discharge (step S150). Here, it is assumed that the two-dimensional image 502 (see FIG. 3A) is printed on the first surface of the inflatable sheet 400.

  The operator reverses the front and back of the discharged inflatable sheet 400 and sets the inflatable sheet 400 in the paper feeding unit (not shown) of the printer 250 (step S160). When the printer 250 detects the set of the expandable sheet 400, the printer 250 notifies the control device 100 of the detection information. In response to this, the two-dimensional image formation control means 21 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 instructs the printer 250 to print the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B). Then, the printer 250 prints the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) on the expandable sheet 400 with non-photothermal conversion ink (step S170), and when the printing is completed, the expandable sheet 400 is discharged (step S170). Step S180). Here, it is assumed that the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) is printed on the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400. Details of the information included in the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) will be described later in the section “Example of Corresponding Process Performed in Present Embodiment”.

  After step S180, the operator sets the discharged inflatable sheet 400 on the paper feeding unit 220 (see FIG. 2) of the light irradiation device 200 (step S210). When the light irradiation device 200 detects the set of the expandable sheet 400, the barcode reader 340 (see FIG. 2) reads the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) of the expandable sheet 400 (step S220). The control unit 100 is notified of barcode reading information. In response to this, the light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 sets a corresponding process based on the barcode reading information (step S230). Details of the handling process will be described later in the section “An example of handling process performed in this embodiment”.

  The operator operates the display operation unit 150 (see FIG. 1) to instruct the control device 100 to start the light irradiation process. In response to this, the control device 100 receives an instruction to start the light irradiation process (step S240).

  Then, the light irradiation control means 23 (refer FIG. 1) of the control apparatus 100 makes the light irradiation apparatus 200 perform the light irradiation process (expansion process) based on the set corresponding process (step S250). Thereby, a three-dimensional image is formed on the expandable sheet 400. When the light irradiation process (expansion process) is completed, the light irradiation device 200 discharges the expandable sheet 400 (step S260).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment is configured to adjust the amount of heat given to the inflatable sheet 400 by performing heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation processing during the light irradiation processing. ing. Therefore, when the light irradiation process is performed, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 can stably form the stereoscopic image 1502 having a sufficient expansion height (that is, the stereoscopic image 1502 expanding to a desired height). it can.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 prints the two-dimensional image 502 on the surface (first surface) on the side where the thermal expansion layer 410 is provided, and the side on which the base material 415 is provided. A print barcode 503 is printed on the surface (second surface).

  However, the surface on which the two-dimensional image 502 and the print barcode 503 are printed can be changed according to the operation. Accordingly, the processing executed by the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 is also changed as appropriate.

  For example, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 may simultaneously print the mirror image of the two-dimensional image 502 and the print barcode 503 on the second surface.

  Further, for example, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 prints a two-dimensional image 502 on the first surface, performs a light irradiation process on the first surface, and a mirror image of another two-dimensional image and a print barcode 503 on the second surface. May be printed, and the light irradiation process may be performed on the second surface.

  Further, for example, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 prints a two-dimensional image 502 on the first surface, prints a mirror image of another two-dimensional image and a print barcode 503 on the second surface, and irradiates the first surface with light. Processing may be performed to perform light irradiation processing on the second surface.

  Further, for example, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 prints the two-dimensional image 502 and the print barcode 503 on the first surface, prints the mirror image of the other two-dimensional image and the print barcode 503 on the second surface, The light irradiation process may be performed on the first surface and the light irradiation process may be performed on the second surface.

<Example of Corresponding Process Performed in this Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an example of the handling process performed in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the handling process performed in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B), for example, includes correction information for heat adjustment control, printing time information for the two-dimensional image 502, and the two-dimensional image 502. It can be configured to include print area information and the like.

  For example, it is assumed that the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) includes correction information for heat quantity adjustment control. Alternatively, for example, it is assumed that the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) includes the print time information of the two-dimensional image 502. In these cases, in step S230 (see FIG. 6), the light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 is characterized in that “performs heat amount control on the light irradiation processing” as the corresponding processing. Perform the settings to be performed.

  Here, the setting characterized by “controlling the amount of heat with respect to the light irradiation process” means that the amount of heat given to the expandable sheet 400 during the light irradiation process is increased or decreased with respect to the light irradiation apparatus 200. It means to perform control.

  Alternatively, for example, it is assumed that the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) includes the print area information of the two-dimensional image 502. In this case, in step S230 (see FIG. 6), the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 performs “corresponding light irradiation processing on the print area of the two-dimensional image as a corresponding process”. The setting is characterized by “doing”.

<Details of heat adjustment control>
Hereinafter, the details of the heat amount adjustment control will be described.
The heat amount adjustment control is performed by adjusting (changing) the conveyance speed of the expandable sheet 400, the amount of light applied to the expandable sheet 400, and the like. For example, when the two-dimensional image printed on the inflatable sheet 400 is an image in which it is difficult to ensure a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image, the light irradiation device 200 secures a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image. Further, the amount of heat given to the expandable sheet 400 during the light irradiation process is increased.

  Here, an image in which it is difficult to ensure a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image is likely to occur when the photothermal conversion ink is not sufficiently dried. For example, when the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing is large, or when the elapsed time since the two-dimensional image was printed is short, the stereoscopic image has a sufficient expansion height. It is difficult to secure. For images where it is difficult to ensure a sufficient expansion height of such a stereoscopic image, an extra amount of heat is given to the photothermal conversion ink by the amount of heat of vaporization of the photothermal conversion ink, and the photothermal conversion ink is dried. It is desirable to promote.

  Therefore, the light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 determines that the two-dimensional image printed on the inflatable sheet 400 is an image that is difficult to ensure a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image, step S230. (Refer to FIG. 6) As a corresponding process, a setting for slowing the conveyance speed of the inflatable sheet 400 or a setting for increasing the light quantity of the halogen lamp 215 of the light irradiation device 200 is performed.

  For example, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 conveys the inflatable sheet 400 when the amount of photothermal conversion ink that has been printed to form a two-dimensional image is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Set the correction amount to slow down the speed. Alternatively, for example, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 can expand the expandable sheet 400 when the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed into a two-dimensional image is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Sets a correction amount that increases the amount of light applied to.

  Alternatively, for example, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 slows the conveyance speed of the inflatable sheet 400 when the elapsed time after printing the two-dimensional image 502 is less than the threshold value. Set the correction amount. Alternatively, for example, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 increases the amount of light irradiated on the inflatable sheet 400 when the elapsed time after printing the two-dimensional image 502 is less than the threshold value. Set the correction amount.

  Thereby, the light irradiation apparatus 200 performs the light irradiation process (expansion process) based on the corresponding process set in step S230 (see FIG. 6) in step S250 (see FIG. 6).

  For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment performs the following processing when setting the corresponding processing in step S <b> 230. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the first operation when the response process is set. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the heat amount adjustment control in the first operation when the response process is set. The first operation is an operation for performing heat amount adjustment control by changing the conveyance speed of the inflatable sheet 400. In the first operation, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 performs the heat amount adjustment control by determining whether or not the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Decide whether or not.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, in step S230 (see FIG. 6), first, the light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 is printed based on the read information of the print barcode 503. It is determined whether or not the ink amount of the photothermal exchange ink that is a two-dimensional image is equal to or greater than a first threshold value TLow (see FIG. 10) (step S310).

  If it is determined in step S310 that the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing is greater than or equal to the first threshold value TLow (see FIG. 10) (in the case of “Yes”), control is performed. The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the apparatus 100 determines whether or not the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed as a two-dimensional image is equal to or greater than the second threshold THhigh (see FIG. 10). Determination is made (step S320).

  If it is determined in step S320 that the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed into a two-dimensional image is greater than or equal to the second threshold THhigh (see FIG. 10) (in the case of “Yes”), control is performed. The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the apparatus 100 sets a correction amount that slows the conveyance speed of the expandable sheet 400 with respect to the light irradiation apparatus 200 (step S330). As a result, the conveying speed of the expandable sheet 400 is changed to a low speed VLow that is slower than the normal speed VSt (see FIG. 10). The normal speed VSt is a transport speed when the heat amount adjustment control is not performed.

  If it is determined in step S320 that the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed to form a two-dimensional image is not equal to or greater than the second threshold THhigh (see FIG. 10) (in the case of “No”), The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 maintains the conveying speed of the expandable sheet 400 at the normal speed VSt with respect to the light irradiation device 200 (step S340).

  If it is determined in step S310 that the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed to form a two-dimensional image is not equal to or greater than the first threshold value TLow (see FIG. 10) (in the case of “No”), The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 sets a correction amount for increasing the conveyance speed of the expandable sheet 400 with respect to the light irradiation device 200 (step S350). As a result, the conveyance speed of the expandable sheet 400 is changed to a high speed VHigh that is faster than the normal speed VSt (see FIG. 10).

  After any one of steps S330, S340, and S350, the process proceeds to step S240 (see FIG. 6).

  Alternatively, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment may perform the following processing when setting the corresponding processing in step S <b> 230. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the second operation when setting the handling process. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of heat amount adjustment control in the second operation at the time of setting the corresponding process. The second operation is an operation for performing heat amount adjustment control by changing the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 (see FIG. 2) (that is, by changing the light amount applied to the inflatable sheet 400). In the second operation, as in the first operation, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 determines whether or not the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed to form a two-dimensional image is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Then, it is determined whether or not the heat amount adjustment control is performed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, in step S230 (see FIG. 6), first, the light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 is printed based on the read information of the print barcode 503. It is determined whether or not the ink amount of the photothermal exchange ink that is a two-dimensional image is equal to or greater than a first threshold value TLow (see FIG. 12) (step S310).

  If it is determined in step S310 that the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed into a two-dimensional image is greater than or equal to the first threshold value TLow (see FIG. 12) (in the case of “Yes”), control is performed. The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the apparatus 100 determines whether or not the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing is greater than or equal to the second threshold THhigh (see FIG. 12). Determination is made (step S320).

  If it is determined in step S320 that the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed to form a two-dimensional image is equal to or greater than the second threshold THhigh (see FIG. 12) (in the case of “Yes”), control is performed. The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the apparatus 100 sets a correction amount for increasing the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 for the light irradiation apparatus 200 (step S330a). As a result, the light quantity of the halogen lamp 215 is changed to a large light quantity LHigh that is larger than the normal light quantity LSt (see FIG. 12). The normal light amount LSt is a light amount when the heat amount adjustment control is not performed. The normal light amount LSt is a light amount when the heat amount adjustment control is not performed.

  If it is determined in step S320 that the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed to form a two-dimensional image is not equal to or greater than the second threshold THhigh (see FIG. 12) (in the case of “No”), The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 maintains the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 at the normal light amount LSt with respect to the light irradiation device 200 (step S340a).

  In addition, when it is determined in step S310 that the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing is not equal to or greater than the first threshold value TLow (see FIG. 12) (in the case of “No”), The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 sets a correction amount for reducing the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 for the light irradiation device 200 (step S350a). As a result, the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 is changed to a small light amount LLow smaller than the normal light amount LSt (see FIG. 12).

  After any one of steps S330a, S340a, and S350a, the process proceeds to step S240 (see FIG. 6).

  Alternatively, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment may perform the following process when setting the corresponding process in step S <b> 230. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the third operation at the time of setting the handling process. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of heat amount adjustment control in the third operation at the time of setting the corresponding process. The third operation is an operation for performing heat amount adjustment control by changing the conveyance speed of the inflatable sheet 400. In the third operation, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 determines whether or not to perform the heat amount adjustment control by determining whether or not the elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed is less than a threshold value.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, in step S <b> 230 (see FIG. 6), first, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 is applied to the inflatable sheet 400 based on the read information of the print barcode 503. It is determined whether or not the elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed is less than a first threshold value TiLow (see FIG. 14) (step S410).

  When it is determined in step S410 that the elapsed time is less than the first threshold TiLow (see FIG. 14) (in the case of “Yes”), the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 performs the control. The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the apparatus 100 sets a correction amount that slows the conveyance speed of the expandable sheet 400 with respect to the light irradiation apparatus 200 (step S420). As a result, the conveying speed of the expandable sheet 400 is changed to a low speed VLow that is slower than the normal speed VSt (see FIG. 14).

  When it is determined in step S410 that the elapsed time is not less than the first threshold TiLow (see FIG. 14) (in the case of “No”), the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 It is determined whether the elapsed time is less than the second threshold value TiHigh (see FIG. 14) (step S430).

  If it is determined in step S430 that the elapsed time is less than the second threshold TiHigh (see FIG. 14) (in the case of “Yes”), the light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 The conveyance speed of the expandable sheet 400 is maintained at the normal speed VSt with respect to the irradiation apparatus 200 (step S440).

  Further, when it is determined in step S430 that the elapsed time is not less than the second threshold TiHigh (see FIG. 14) (in the case of “No”), the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 is A correction amount for increasing the conveyance speed of the expandable sheet 400 is set for the light irradiation device 200 (step S450). As a result, the conveying speed of the expandable sheet 400 is changed to a high speed VHigh that is faster than the normal speed VSt (see FIG. 14).

  After any one of steps S420, S440, and S450, the process proceeds to step S240 (see FIG. 6).

  Alternatively, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment may perform the following processing when setting the corresponding processing in step S <b> 230. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the fourth operation at the time of setting the handling process. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of heat amount adjustment control in the fourth operation at the time of setting the corresponding process. The fourth operation is an operation for performing heat amount adjustment control by changing the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 (see FIG. 2) (that is, by changing the light amount applied to the inflatable sheet 400). In the fourth operation, as in the third operation, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 performs heat amount adjustment control by determining whether or not the elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed is less than the threshold value. Decide whether or not.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, in step S <b> 230 (see FIG. 6), first, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 is applied to the inflatable sheet 400 based on the read information of the print barcode 503. It is determined whether the elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed is less than a first threshold TiLow (see FIG. 16) (step S410).

  When it is determined in step S410 that the elapsed time is less than the first threshold TiLow (see FIG. 16) (in the case of “Yes”), the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 performs the control. The light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the apparatus 100 sets a correction amount for increasing the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 for the light irradiation apparatus 200 (step S420a). As a result, the light quantity of the halogen lamp 215 is changed to a large light quantity LHigh that is larger than the normal light quantity LSt (see FIG. 16).

  When it is determined in step S410 that the elapsed time is not less than the first threshold TiLow (see FIG. 16) (in the case of “No”), the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 It is determined whether or not the elapsed time is less than the second threshold value TiHigh (see FIG. 16) (step S430).

  If it is determined in step S430 that the elapsed time is less than the second threshold TiHigh (see FIG. 16) (in the case of “Yes”), the light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 The light quantity of the halogen lamp 215 is maintained at the normal light quantity LSt with respect to the irradiation apparatus 200 (step S440a).

  Further, when it is determined in step S430 that the elapsed time is not less than the second threshold TiHigh (see FIG. 16) (in the case of “No”), the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 is A correction amount for reducing the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 is set for the light irradiation device 200 (step S450a). As a result, the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 is changed to a small light amount LLow smaller than the normal light amount LSt (see FIG. 16).

  After any one of steps S420a, S440a, and S450a, the process proceeds to step S240 (see FIG. 6).

  In such a stereoscopic image forming system 1000, even if the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet 400 is an image in which it is difficult to ensure a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image, an extra amount of heat is given to the photothermal conversion ink. Thus, drying of the photothermal conversion ink can be promoted. As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 can ensure a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image.

  The three-dimensional image forming system 1000 ensures a sufficient expansion height of the three-dimensional image by giving an extra amount of heat to the photothermal conversion ink when the dryness of the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet 400 is low. In order to achieve this, heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation process is performed. Therefore, in the stereoscopic image forming system 1000, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the timing of whether or not to perform the heat amount adjustment control varies depending on whether or not the printing process is performed immediately before the light irradiation process. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing timing for performing heat amount adjustment control.

(1) As in process 1 of FIG. 17, for example, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 performs light irradiation processing on the first surface after printing the photothermal conversion ink only on the first surface of the expandable sheet 400. Suppose. In this case, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 performs heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation process on the first surface (see procedure 2 of process 1).
(2) Like processing 2 in FIG. 17, for example, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 performs light irradiation processing on the first surface after printing the photothermal conversion ink on the first surface of the expandable sheet 400, Furthermore, it is assumed that after the ink for photothermal conversion is printed on the second surface of the expandable sheet 400, the light irradiation process is performed on the second surface. In this case, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 performs heat amount adjustment control for both the light irradiation process on the first surface and the light irradiation process on the second surface (see steps 2 and 4 of process 2).
(3) As in process 3 of FIG. 17, for example, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 prints the photothermal conversion ink on both the first surface and the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400 and then to the first surface. It is assumed that the light irradiation process and the light irradiation process on the second surface are performed. In this case, the three-dimensional image forming system 1000 performs heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation process performed first among the light irradiation process on the first surface and the light irradiation process on the second surface (Process 3). Step 3).

  In this embodiment, as described above, the surface on which the thermal expansion layer 410 (see FIG. 3A) is provided is the first surface of the expandable sheet 400, and the base 415 (FIG. 3A). )) Is provided as the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400. However, depending on the form of the three-dimensional image, the surface on which the base 415 (see FIG. 3A) is provided is the first surface of the expandable sheet 400, and the thermal expansion layer 410 (see FIG. 3A). ) May be the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400. The example shown in FIG. 17 can also be applied to such a case.

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, when a color image is printed, the timing of whether or not the heat amount adjustment control is performed changes according to the timing of printing the color image.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet 400 is an image in which a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image is easily secured, the light irradiation device 200 reduces power consumption. Therefore, the amount of heat given to the expandable sheet 400 during the light irradiation process is reduced. An image in which a sufficient expansion height of a stereoscopic image is easily secured is likely to occur when the photothermal conversion ink is sufficiently dried. For example, when the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by printing is small, or when the elapsed time since the two-dimensional image is printed is long, the stereoscopic image has a sufficient expansion height. Easy to secure. For images in which it is easy to ensure a sufficient expansion height of a stereoscopic image, it is desirable to suppress the amount of heat given to the photothermal conversion ink to reduce power consumption and to shorten the processing time.

  Therefore, the light irradiation control means 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 determines that the two-dimensional image printed on the inflatable sheet 400 is an image that can easily secure a sufficient expansion height of the stereoscopic image, step S230. (Refer to FIG. 6) As a corresponding process, a setting for increasing the conveyance speed of the expandable sheet 400 or a setting for decreasing the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 of the light irradiation device 200 is performed.

  For example, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 conveys the inflatable sheet 400 when the amount of photothermal conversion ink that has been printed to form a two-dimensional image is less than a threshold value. Set the correction amount to increase the speed. Alternatively, for example, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 can expand the expandable sheet 400 when the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed into a two-dimensional image is less than a threshold value. Sets a correction amount to reduce the amount of light applied to the.

  Alternatively, for example, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 increases the conveyance speed of the inflatable sheet 400 when the elapsed time after printing the two-dimensional image 502 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Set the correction amount. Alternatively, for example, the light irradiation control unit 23 (see FIG. 1) of the control device 100 reduces the amount of light applied to the inflatable sheet 400 when the elapsed time after printing the two-dimensional image 502 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Set the correction amount.

  Thereby, the light irradiation apparatus 200 performs the light irradiation process (expansion process) based on the corresponding process set in step S230 (see FIG. 6) in step S250 (see FIG. 6).

  Such a three-dimensional image forming system 1000 suppresses the amount of heat given to the photothermal conversion ink when the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet 400 is an image that can easily secure a sufficient expansion height of the three-dimensional image. Thus, power consumption can be reduced and processing time can be shortened.

  The ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed as a two-dimensional image as described above means the total amount of ink used in one sheet of the inflatable sheet 400. However, the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been converted into a two-dimensional image by the above-described printing is used when the heat amount adjustment control is performed by dividing one sheet, such as the first half or the second half of one sheet. The total amount of ink used in a desired area (for example, the first half or the second half of one sheet) in the conveyance direction of the expandable sheet 400 may be used. Note that the total amount of ink used is the gray or black gradation value (K density) and printing because the two-dimensional image is a gray or black image when the photothermal conversion ink is an ink containing carbon black. It can be represented by an integrated amount with the area of the region. However, the total amount of ink used is not related to the gray or black tone value (K density) because the two-dimensional image becomes colorless and transparent when the photothermal conversion ink is transparent in the visible light region. Parameter.

  Note that the correction amount for the above-described heat amount adjustment control varies depending on the printing form of the image in the printer 250. For example, the printer 250 includes a surface of the expandable sheet 400 that has the thermal expansion layer 410 (see FIG. 3A) and a surface that does not have the thermal expansion layer 410 (see FIG. 3A). The ink for photothermal conversion is printed on one of the surfaces, the ink for photothermal conversion is printed on both sides, or the color ink is printed on either side. The correction amount varies depending on the printing form of such an image. An appropriate value of the correction amount can be obtained by various experiments.

<Main features of the stereoscopic image forming system according to the present embodiment>
(1) The stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a printer 250 and a light irradiation device 200. The light irradiation device 200 performs heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation processing according to the expansion condition of the stereoscopic image.

  Such a three-dimensional image forming system 1000 can adjust the amount of heat applied to the expandable sheet 400 during the light irradiation process, and thus can ensure a sufficient expansion height of the three-dimensional image stably.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the printer 250 prints the print barcode 503 including information relating to the two-dimensional image on the expandable sheet 400. The light irradiation apparatus 200 performs an arbitrary process (preferred process) according to information included in the print barcode 503.

  Such a stereoscopic image forming system 1000 can cause the inflatable sheet 400 to have information to be notified from the printer 250 to the light irradiation device 200. Thereby, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 can improve convenience.

  Note that the three-dimensional structure created by the three-dimensional image forming system 1000 has a configuration in which a two-dimensional image 502 and a print barcode 503 are printed and a three-dimensional image is formed. In addition, the three-dimensional structure has a configuration in which a pre-assigned barcode 501 different from the printed barcode 503 is printed in advance. However, the pre-assigned barcode 501 is not necessarily essential, and may not be printed in advance.

  (3) In the present embodiment, the printer 250 prints a print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) as an identifier including information relating to a two-dimensional image on the inflatable sheet 400 prior to the light irradiation process. . At this time, it is preferable that the printer 250 prints the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) near the end of the inflatable sheet 400 which is the leading end when the printer 250 is set in the light irradiation device 200. A pre-applied barcode 501 is printed in advance near the end of the inflatable sheet 400. The printer 250 prints the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) on the surface of the inflatable sheet 400 on which the pre-applied barcode 501 is printed and on a position avoiding the pre-applied barcode 501. .

  The print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) can be configured to include, for example, correction information for heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation process. In this case, the light irradiation apparatus 200 can perform heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation process according to the correction information of the print barcode 503.

  In addition, the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) can include, for example, print time information of the two-dimensional image 502 printed by the printer 250. In this case, the light irradiation apparatus 200 can perform heat amount adjustment control for the light irradiation process according to the printing time information of the print barcode 503.

  Further, the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) can be configured to include, for example, print area information of the two-dimensional image 502 printed with photothermal conversion ink. In this case, the light irradiation apparatus 200 can intensively perform the light irradiation process on the print area according to the print area information of the print barcode 503.

  Since the printing barcode 503 is to be read by the light irradiation device 200, the printing barcode 503 is printed with a color ink, not a colorless and transparent ink, but with a certain density or more. However, it is better not to inflate the barcode so that the light irradiation device 200 can accurately read the barcode. Therefore, the printer 250 preferably prints the print barcode 503 with non-photothermal conversion ink that does not have a function of converting light into heat. Further, preferably, the printer 250 may print the print barcode 503 with a density that does not cause the expandable sheet 400 to expand, although it can be visually recognized.

  As described above, according to the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 according to the present embodiment, the expandable sheet 400 can be provided with information to be notified from the printer 250 to the light irradiation device 200.

In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, A various change and deformation | transformation can be performed in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail in order to easily understand the gist of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the one provided with all the constituent elements described. Further, according to the present invention, other components can be added to a certain component, or some components can be changed to other components. In the present invention, some components can be deleted.

  Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 performs the heat amount adjustment control based on the determination result based on the first threshold value TLow (or TiLow) and the second threshold value THHigh (or TiHigh). The control amount is changed (see FIGS. 10, 12, 14, and 16). However, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 may change the control amount of the heat amount adjustment control based on a determination result based on one threshold value. Alternatively, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 may change the control amount of the heat amount adjustment control based on a determination result based on three or more threshold values.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the light irradiation device 200 is printed by the printer 250 per sheet of the inflatable sheet 400, so that the heat amount is adjusted according to the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that is converted into a two-dimensional image. It is described as performing control. However, the light irradiation device 200 performs heat amount adjustment control in accordance with the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that is formed into a two-dimensional image by printing per desired area in the conveyance direction of the expandable sheet 400. Is also good. However, for example, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the light irradiation device 200 may perform heat amount adjustment control according to the average print density of the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet 400. The average print density of the two-dimensional image means the average density of the photothermal exchange ink used for printing the two-dimensional image. The average print density of the two-dimensional image is, for example, the integrated amount of the gray or black gradation value (K density) of each pixel in the two-dimensional image and the print pixel area (or the sheet of the expandable sheet 400). It is a value divided by the desired area in the transport direction.

  FIG. 18 is a graph showing the relationship between the printing average density and the light irradiation processing time. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the printing average density and the light irradiation processing time. In the example shown in FIG. 18, three levels of printing average densities K1, K2, and K3 are shown in order from the lighter to the darker. Further, as the light irradiation processing times corresponding to the printing average densities K1, K2, and K3, the light irradiation processing times T1, T2, and T3 are shown in order from the shorter time to the longer time.

  In addition, it means that the conveyance speed of the expansible sheet 400 is so slow that the light irradiation process time is long. Accordingly, among the light irradiation processing times T1, T2 and T3, the light irradiation processing time T3 is the first lowest in transport speed, the light irradiation processing time T2 is the second lowest in transport speed, and the light irradiation processing time T1 is three. Second, the transport speed is slow.

  Alternatively, the longer the light irradiation treatment time, the larger the light amount of the halogen lamp 215 (see FIG. 2) (that is, the larger the amount of light given to the expandable sheet 400). Accordingly, among the light irradiation processing times T1, T2, and T3, the light irradiation processing time T3 is the first largest amount of light, the light irradiation processing time T2 is the second largest amount of light, and the light irradiation processing time T1 is the third. The amount of light is increasing.

  In such a relationship, FIG. 19 illustrates the order of the light irradiation processing of the inflatable sheet 400 in the order of low density large area, medium density large area, low density small area, high density large area, and medium density small area. In this example, light irradiation processing times T1, T2, T1, T3, and T1 are sequentially applied to each region. As in the example illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the light irradiation device 200 may perform heat amount adjustment control according to the average print density of the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet 400. .

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the light irradiation apparatus 200 reads the pre-assigned barcode 501 and the print barcode 503 with the barcode reader 340 (see FIG. 2). However, the light irradiation apparatus 200 may read the barcode with reading means such as a scanner or a camera instead of the barcode reader 340 (see FIG. 2).

  Further, for example, the print barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B) can be changed to a two-dimensional barcode (QR code (registered trademark)) 504 as shown in FIG. The two-dimensional barcode 504 is printed with non-photothermal conversion ink in the same manner as the printing barcode 503 (see FIG. 3B).

  Further, as described above, for example, as the photothermal conversion ink, another ink can be used instead of the ink containing carbon black. For example, the photothermal conversion ink has a function of converting light such as infrared light and near infrared light into heat, and can also use ink that is transparent in the visible light region.

  In addition, for example, the stereoscopic image forming system 1000 displays information related to heat amount adjustment control (for example, correction information for heat amount adjustment control) for the light irradiation process in the light irradiation device 200 provided on the printer 250 or the light irradiation device 200. The heat amount adjustment control may be managed with the display information displayed on the display unit (not shown).

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 250 prints the two-dimensional image 502 only on the first surface of the inflatable sheet 400. However, the printer 250 can print the two-dimensional image 502 on the first surface and the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400. Alternatively, the printer 250 can print the two-dimensional image 502 only on the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400. Further, the printer 250 can print a color image on the first surface of the inflatable sheet 400. The light irradiation apparatus 200 irradiates one or both of the first surface and the second surface of the inflatable sheet 400 according to these forms. At that time, the light irradiation device 200 performs heat amount adjustment control.

  When printing a color image, the three-dimensional image forming system 1000 performs heat amount adjustment control according to the degree of drying of the photothermal conversion ink (the amount of heat necessary for drying the photothermal conversion ink).

  For example, the light irradiation apparatus 200 may control the light irradiation process based on both the light irradiation process start time and the time information.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the stereoscopic image forming apparatus 290 has a configuration in which the light irradiation apparatus 200 and the printer 250 are integrated (see FIG. 1). However, the light irradiation device 200 and the printer 250 may be configured separately. In the case of this configuration, the light irradiation device 200 and the printer 250 can be installed independently at different locations.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the light irradiation apparatus 200 has the halogen lamp 215 fixedly installed, and performs the light irradiation process by conveying the expandable sheet 400 (see FIG. 2). However, the halogen lamp 215 may be movably installed, and the light irradiation process may be performed by moving the lit halogen lamp 215 while the inflatable sheet 400 is held at a fixed position. In consideration of such a configuration, the light irradiation process includes the control of the light amount, the control of the expansive sheet conveyance speed (the relative speed of the expansive sheet with respect to the light irradiation unit), the moving speed of the light irradiation unit that emits light ( You may make it perform at least one of control of the relative speed of the light irradiation unit with respect to an expansible sheet.

  Further, for example, in the light irradiation apparatus 200, the remaining amount of volatile components contained in the photothermal conversion ink in which the amount of light irradiated onto the two-dimensional image is printed by the printer 250 to be a two-dimensional image. In addition, the two-dimensional image may be irradiated with light so that the amount of light corresponds to the remaining amount at the time of light irradiation. Here, the “remaining amount of volatile components” means the amount of ink remaining on the expandable sheet 400 in a state where it is not sufficiently dried. The remaining amount of the volatile component can be managed by the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed to form a two-dimensional image.

The invention described in the scope of claims attached to the application of this application will be added below. The item numbers of the claims described in the appendix are as set forth in the claims attached to the application of this application.
[Appendix]
<Claim 1>
A printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink; and
A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation device, the amount of light applied to the two-dimensional image corresponds to an elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer. A three-dimensional image forming system irradiating the two-dimensional image with light so as to obtain a light quantity.
<Claim 2>
A printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink; and
A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation device, the amount of light irradiated to the two-dimensional image becomes a light amount corresponding to the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that is made the two-dimensional image by being printed by the printer. As described above, a stereoscopic image forming system that irradiates the two-dimensional image with light.
<Claim 3>
The expansive sheet with respect to the light irradiation unit of the light irradiation device is more than the threshold when the elapsed time after printing the two-dimensional image with the printer is less than the threshold. The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the relative speed of the light irradiation unit or the relative speed of the light irradiation unit with respect to the expandable sheet is slowed down.
<Claim 4>
The light irradiation device increases the light amount of the light irradiation unit of the light irradiation device when the elapsed time after printing the two-dimensional image by the printer is less than the threshold value, compared to when the light irradiation device is greater than or equal to the threshold value. The three-dimensional image forming system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein
<Claim 5>
When the amount of ink of photothermal conversion ink in the printing of the two-dimensional image is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the light irradiation device is less than the threshold value, and the expansive sheet with respect to the light irradiation unit of the light irradiation device The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 2, wherein a relative speed or a relative speed of the light irradiation unit with respect to the expandable sheet is decreased.
<Claim 6>
The light irradiation device increases the light amount of the light irradiation unit of the light irradiation device when the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink in the printing of the two-dimensional image is equal to or larger than the threshold value than when the ink amount is less than the threshold value. The three-dimensional image forming system according to claim 2 or 5, wherein
<Claim 7>
The light irradiation device controls the irradiation of the light according to the amount of the ink for photothermal conversion printed per sheet in the printing of the two-dimensional image. The three-dimensional image forming system according to claim 6.
<Claim 8>
The printer prints an identifier including control information on the light irradiation on the inflatable sheet,
The stereoscopic image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light irradiation device performs light irradiation according to the control information of the identifier.
<< Claim 9 >>
A printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink; and
A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation device, the amount of light irradiated to the two-dimensional image is a residual amount of volatile components contained in the photothermal conversion ink that is made into the two-dimensional image by being printed by the printer. A stereoscopic image forming system for irradiating the two-dimensional image with light so that the amount of light corresponds to the remaining amount at the time of irradiation with the light.
<Claim 10>
A printing process for printing a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink;
A light irradiation step of expanding a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation step, the amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image is a light amount corresponding to an elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by a printer. A three-dimensional image forming method characterized by irradiating the two-dimensional image with light.
<Claim 11>
A printing process for printing a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink;
A light irradiation step of expanding a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation step, the amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image is set to a light amount corresponding to the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that is converted into the two-dimensional image by being printed by a printer. And irradiating the two-dimensional image with light.
<Claim 12>
A printing process for printing a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink;
A light irradiation step of expanding a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation step, the amount of light applied to the two-dimensional image is a residual amount of volatile components contained in the photothermal conversion ink that is converted into the two-dimensional image by being printed by a printer. A three-dimensional image forming method, comprising: irradiating the two-dimensional image with light so that the amount of light corresponds to the remaining amount at the time of irradiation of the light.
<Claim 13>
By irradiating light to the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer, the light irradiation device for expanding the region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet,
The amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image is set to a light amount corresponding to an elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer. A program for performing an irradiation process of irradiating light on the two-dimensional image.
<Claim 14>
By irradiating light to the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer, the light irradiation device for expanding the region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet,
The two-dimensional image is light-emitted so that the amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image corresponds to the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed by the printer. A program that performs irradiation processing to irradiate light on an image.
<Claim 15>
By irradiating light to the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer, the light irradiation device for expanding the region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet,
The amount of light applied to the two-dimensional image is the remaining amount of volatile components contained in the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed by the printer to form the two-dimensional image. The program which performs the irradiation process which irradiates light with respect to the said two-dimensional image so that it may become the light quantity corresponding to the remaining amount in time.

10 Control unit (CPU)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Three-dimensional image formation control means 21 Two-dimensional image formation control means 23 Light irradiation control means 31 Display operation control part 32 Image selection means 50 Nonvolatile memory | storage part (ROM)
52 Application Program 55 Volatile Memory Unit (RAM)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Control apparatus 150 Display operation part 200 Light irradiation apparatus (light irradiation means)
250 Printer (two-dimensional image forming means)
290 stereoscopic image forming apparatus 300 management apparatus 400 inflatable sheet 410 thermal expansion layer 415 base material 501 pre-assigned barcode (pre-assigned identifier)
502 Two-dimensional image 503 Bar code (print bar code (print identifier))
1000 stereoscopic image forming system

Claims (15)

A printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink; and
A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation device, the amount of light applied to the two-dimensional image corresponds to an elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer. A three-dimensional image forming system irradiating the two-dimensional image with light so as to obtain a light quantity. A printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink; and
A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation device, the amount of light irradiated to the two-dimensional image becomes a light amount corresponding to the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that is made the two-dimensional image by being printed by the printer. As described above, a stereoscopic image forming system that irradiates the two-dimensional image with light.   The expansive sheet with respect to the light irradiation unit of the light irradiation device is more than the threshold when the elapsed time after printing the two-dimensional image with the printer is less than the threshold. The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the relative speed of the light irradiation unit or the relative speed of the light irradiation unit with respect to the expandable sheet is slowed down.   The light irradiation device increases the light amount of the light irradiation unit of the light irradiation device when the elapsed time after printing the two-dimensional image by the printer is less than the threshold value, compared to when the light irradiation device is greater than or equal to the threshold value. The three-dimensional image forming system according to claim 1 or 3, wherein   When the amount of ink of photothermal conversion ink in the printing of the two-dimensional image is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the light irradiation device is less than the threshold value, and the expansive sheet with respect to the light irradiation unit of the light irradiation device The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 2, wherein a relative speed or a relative speed of the light irradiation unit with respect to the expandable sheet is decreased.   The light irradiation device increases the light amount of the light irradiation unit of the light irradiation device when the ink amount of the photothermal conversion ink in the printing of the two-dimensional image is equal to or larger than the threshold value than when the ink amount is less than the threshold value. The three-dimensional image forming system according to claim 2 or 5, wherein   The light irradiation device controls the irradiation of the light according to the amount of the ink for photothermal conversion printed per sheet in the printing of the two-dimensional image. The three-dimensional image forming system according to claim 6. The printer prints an identifier including control information on the light irradiation on the inflatable sheet,
The stereoscopic image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light irradiation device performs light irradiation according to the control information of the identifier. A printer that prints a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink; and
A light irradiation device that expands a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation device, the amount of light irradiated to the two-dimensional image is a residual amount of volatile components contained in the photothermal conversion ink that is made into the two-dimensional image by being printed by the printer. A stereoscopic image forming system for irradiating the two-dimensional image with light so that the amount of light corresponds to the remaining amount at the time of irradiation with the light. A printing process for printing a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink;
A light irradiation step of expanding a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation step, the amount of light applied to the two-dimensional image corresponds to an elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by a printer. A three-dimensional image forming method characterized by irradiating the two-dimensional image with light. A printing process for printing a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink;
A light irradiation step of expanding a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation step, the amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image is set to a light amount corresponding to the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that is converted into the two-dimensional image by being printed by a printer. And irradiating the two-dimensional image with light. A printing process for printing a two-dimensional image on an inflatable sheet with photothermal conversion ink;
A light irradiation step of expanding a region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet by irradiating the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet;
With
In the light irradiation step, the amount of light applied to the two-dimensional image is a residual amount of volatile components contained in the photothermal conversion ink that is converted into the two-dimensional image by being printed by a printer. A three-dimensional image forming method, comprising: irradiating the two-dimensional image with light so that the amount of light corresponds to the remaining amount at the time of irradiation of the light. By irradiating light to the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer, the light irradiation device for expanding the region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet,
The amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image is set to a light amount corresponding to an elapsed time after the two-dimensional image is printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer. A program for performing an irradiation process of irradiating light on the two-dimensional image. By irradiating light to the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer, the light irradiation device for expanding the region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet,
The two-dimensional image is light-emitted so that the amount of light emitted to the two-dimensional image corresponds to the amount of ink of the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed by the printer. A program that performs irradiation processing to irradiate light on an image. By irradiating light to the two-dimensional image printed on the expandable sheet with the photothermal conversion ink by the printer, the light irradiation device for expanding the region corresponding to the two-dimensional image in the expandable sheet,
The amount of light applied to the two-dimensional image is the remaining amount of volatile components contained in the photothermal conversion ink that has been printed by the printer to form the two-dimensional image. The program which performs the irradiation process which irradiates light with respect to the said two-dimensional image so that it may become the light quantity corresponding to the remaining amount in time.

Images