JP2828445B2 - Method and apparatus for creating menus - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for preparing menus, ie dishes for cooking in restaurants and the like. [Problems to be solved by the prior art and the invention] Usually, a menu with a picture is printed at the same time as the text and the picture, or the text or the like is displayed on the menu mount by printing, and the image is the photograph itself. Or after peeling off the surface layer of the photograph, and pasting it on the backing paper. In many cases, further lamination is performed to prevent contamination. In other words, it requires considerable manual work. For this reason, the price is considerably high although the number of copies issued is significantly smaller than that of ordinary printed matter. In spite of the demand, it is practically impossible to immediately create a daily menu or the like. On the other hand, as a conventional means for easily producing a printed matter, there is a combination of an image data processing means and a printing means such as an ink jet printer which expresses gradation by a dither method. Since the gradation is expressed by the number of dots as shown in FIG. 11, the definition and the number of gradations are limited, and an image such as a photograph cannot be expected. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and has as its object to provide a method and apparatus capable of providing a menu quickly and inexpensively. [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a color food image is image-input, character data including the name of the food is input by the character input means, and both input data are displayed on the display. Lay out and create processed data of color food image data and character data including the food name, output the processed data to the sublimation transfer printer's thermel head, and form a sheet or card superimposed on the sublimation transfer sheet A method for creating a menu, characterized in that a color dish image and characters are printed on an object to be transferred, and a menu is created by pasting or laminating a transparent plastic device on the printing screen, and color dish image data Color image input means for inputting, character input means for inputting character data including a dish name, the image data and Layout input means for setting the position of character data, data processing means for processing the two data in response to input from each of the input means, and a display for displaying based on data from the data processing means. A sublimation printer that prints a color image based on the data from the data processing unit, and a menu creation device that includes a unit that attaches or laminates a transparent plastic substrate on the printed color image. To provide. [Operation] In the present invention, color image data of a dish is input by an image input means in an interactive manner while looking at a display, character data including a dish name is input by a character data input means, and each of these data is input by a layout input means. Set the display position and make necessary corrections. Then, the obtained laid-out data is stored in a memory, and then the stored data in the memory is taken out to a sublimation printer for printing, and a transparent plastic substrate is attached or laminated on the printed color image. Create a menu. [Effects of the Invention] As described above, the method of the present invention lays out character data input arbitrarily including color dish image data and a dish name, and pastes a transparent plastic substrate after sublimation transfer printing or Since the menu is created by laminating, the desired quality menu is obtained very quickly and inexpensively. Further, as described above, the apparatus of the present invention can easily edit and change color image data and character data by the data processing means, and can easily connect to the communication system if necessary. What should be noted is that the image quality is as fine as a photograph, and it is extremely good quality, so that the appearance of the dish can be faithfully expressed, and the superiority by sticking or laminating a transparent plastic base material The menu can be provided. The menu according to the present invention thus created is
The effect of increasing the gloss effect of the cooking image, increasing freshness by improving the sharpness of the cooking image, protecting by preventing contact with water and the like, increasing the strength against bending, and increasing the weather resistance are exhibited. (Embodiment) FIGS. 1A and 1B show a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 101 denotes an image input means, for example, a light source such as a TV camera and a line sensor. And the like to form color dish image data based on the input. In addition, video, CD, TV, scanners, captain systems and the like that provide image signals can be used as well. The image data output from the image input unit 101 or the like is stored in the memory 105 via the data processing device 104.
The stored data is provided to the display 102 via the data processing device 104 and displayed. The data processing device 104 is connected to layout input means such as a mouse and a tablet digitizer, that is, position data input means 103, and is adapted to input position data relating to a display image on the display 102, and a keyboard or the like. By using the character data input means 106 and the font generator 109, character data is input. This allows you to trim the image data,
Various processes including a layout are added. The processed data is converted by the data conversion device 107 into data suitable for operating the sublimation transfer printer, and then output to the thermal head via the driver 108. In other words, a sublimation transfer printer can easily obtain a finished image with the same definition and gradation as a photograph, and it does not become thick like a photograph and does not require post-processing such as development. It has the feature that an image can be formed immediately. Next, in FIG. 1B, reference numeral 121 denotes a thermal head of the sublimation transfer printer to which a signal is given from the driver of FIG. 1A, and the thermal head 121 is disposed so as to face the plantain roll 122. The dye film is sent from the feeding roll 123 to the winding roll 124 toward the printing position. FIG. 1 shows a mechanism for printing a dye image on a card-like or sheet-like transfer sheet. Here, two examples of the card shape and the seed shape are given for the following reason. Generally, menus are created in the form of a half-folded A4 size sheet, and are generally in the form of a sheet. A common example is to attach a daily menu to the menu body. In this case, the daily menu may be configured in the form of a card and attached to the menu body by a simple card holder. Hereinafter, menus, daily menus, and the like are represented by the terms sheet and card. Returning to the drawing again, the transfer-receiving sheet (card, sheet, etc.) stored in the case 125 is pushed up by a spring below the case 125 so as to be pressed against the take-out roll 126. By the rotation of the take-out roll 126, the sheet is sent to the platen roll 122 via the transfer sheet conveying belts 127 and 128. Then, the transfer-receiving sheet is fixed to the positioned platen roll 122 by a mechanical attachment / detachment jig such as a gripper, electrostatic attraction, or electromagnetic means, and then the platen roll 122 is rotated to move to the printing start position. Next, the thermal head 121 is pressed against the transfer sheet via the dye film, and the dye film and the platen roll 1 are pressed.
The image is transferred by energizing the thermal head 121 while synchronously moving the image 22 (first transfer). After the transfer, the platen roll 122 is rotated to remove the gripper, and the take-out roll 129 is brought into pressure contact with the roll while rotating to take out the tray 130. This enables printing of a single color.
It is necessary to repeat printing using color or four color dye films. In this case, after printing one color, the same operation is repeated by rotating the platen roll, not pressing against the take-out roll 129, and moving it again to the printing start position. FIG. 2 shows a data processing device 104 in the embodiment of FIG.
This shows the operation content centered on. The contents of the operation after the data conversion device 107 will be described separately. The operation will be described below with reference to FIG. First, in step S101, an image is taken by the imaging means 101. The image may be taken of the dish itself to be displayed on the card, or an imaged thing such as a photograph or a picture. A TV camera, a line sensor, and the like are properly used depending on these objects. The data captured by the imaging means 101 is stored in the memory 105 via the data processing device 104 (S102). Then, an image is displayed on the display 102 using the stored data (S103). Since this display image has not been processed yet, it is generally not suitable for printing on a card as it is, but it may be possible to print it on a card as it is. Therefore, the operator observes the display image on the display 102 and determines whether or not additional processing is necessary (S104). Then, when it is not necessary, for example, if an operation is performed using the keyboard 106, the data processing device 104 ends the processing and sends the data to the next data conversion device 107. On the other hand, if additional processing is necessary, the operator observes the display image on the display 102 to determine whether to process image data or character data, and if processing image data, inputs position data. An operation of trimming the menu area of the means 103 or selecting a cell of the layout is performed. As a result, steps S105 and S1
The operation of 06 is performed at once. If trimming is taken as an example, the next step is to provide the data processing device 104 with position data of a range to be trimmed by the position input means 103 using the cursor. When a tablet digitizer is used as the position data input means, the position of the cursor superimposed on the display image on the display 102 is designated according to the cursor operation to the predetermined display position on the card, and the trimming range is determined. Then, an operation for erasing image data outside the trimming range is performed. Thereby, the processing operation of step S107 is performed. When this processing operation is completed, the ending cell in the menu area is selected. Thus, the data is stored in step S102 via step S109, and the display is displayed in step S103. If no additional processing is required, if the end operation is performed by the keyboard 106 in the same manner as described above, the data conversion device 107 Move to operation. As for the layout, the operation by the position data input means 103 is performed similarly to the trimming. That is, when the layout is selected in the menu area of the position data input means 103, the entire graphic of the card and the display position of the image are displayed on the display 102. Therefore, an operation such as correcting the inclination of the image so as to match the display position is performed. Thereby, the processing operation of step S108 is performed. When finished, select the ending cell in the menu area. When the menu area is selected by the position data input means 103 as described above, trimming and layout are performed. On the other hand, when the keyboard 106 is operated, character data is input (S110). The character data relates to, for example, a dish name, and is displayed so that data input from the keyboard 106 is at a position on the screen determined for each item using the output font of the font generator 109.
Displayed at 102. The operator confirms the displayed image and, if correct, performs an end operation using the keyboard 106 (S111). Further, if necessary, image processing which does not require an external imaging input such as generation of a flat screen is performed. Upon completion, the data is stored in the memory 105 (S102),
And because it is displayed on the display 102, check again,
End the operation. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a data processing circuit for a sublimation transfer printer used in the present invention. As shown, the processing circuit 107 includes a pixel density converter 3, a color corrector 4, a gradation corrector 11, a storage device 12, a buffer 13, a parallel diameter converter 14, and a driver 108. It is connected to the input device 100. The image input device 100 is for inputting R, G, B or Y, M, C primary color data of an original image to a sublimation transfer printer. The pixel density converter 3 converts the pixel density of image data input from the image input device 100 to a predetermined pixel density, and performs thinning or interpolation of image data for each color. The color corrector 4 corrects the three primary color data converted to a predetermined pixel density in accordance with the characteristics of the transfer ink of the sheet to be transferred, and forms sum data. Sumidata may be omitted for lower grade products. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the color corrector 4. As shown, the color corrector 4 includes adders 6Y, 6M, 6C, a sum data calculator 7, a primary color correction circuit 8, and A primary color correction circuit 8 for correcting the smearing of the transfer ink, and a secondary color correction circuit 9 for arbitrarily changing the color by selectively correcting a specific hue. It has a function to enable control. The tone corrector 10 receives Y, M, C, and K input from the color corrector 4.
A gradation circuit (not shown) or the like is provided to correct the gradation of the data for each color of (Sumi) as necessary, and a highlight circuit and a shadow can be emphasized. The storage device 12 temporarily stores the data for each color output from the gradation corrector 10, and the output side of the storage device 12 is provided with a selection switch 12, and writes the data for each color in the buffer 13. You can do it. Then, data for one line of the transfer head 16 can be written in the buffer 13, and the buffer 13 is connected to a parallel-to-serial converter 14 for converting parallel data into serial data. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the parallel-to-linear converter 14. As shown, parallel data from the buffer 13 is supplied to one input side of the comparator 22, and an output from the counter 23 is supplied to the other input side. The comparator 22 outputs serial data based on these inputs and supplies the serial data to the driver 15. The driver 15 drives the transfer head 16 based on the serial data. FIG. 6 is a detailed circuit diagram of the transfer head 121. As shown, when serial data from the comparator 22 is given to the shift register SR, the serial data is latched by the latch circuit LT, and then the strobe signal is sent from one side. Is supplied to the heat generating element HE via a NAND gate NA to which is applied. Next, the operation of the data processing circuit 107 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. First, when three primary color data of an original image is input to the pixel density converter 3 from various image input devices 100, the pixel density converter 3 converts the three primary color data into a predetermined pixel density and inputs the data to the color corrector 4. I do. At this time, it is assumed that the three primary color data represented by the density signal is given to the color corrector 4, and in this embodiment, the data Y0, M0, C0 of yellow, magenta, and cyan are provided.
Is given. As shown in FIG. 4, the data Y0, M0, C0 input to the color corrector 4 are input to the sum data calculation circuit 7 through adders 6Y, 6M, 6C, and K = min (Y, M, C Note that min represents a function that gives the minimum value. Calculates the sum data K and outputs it. On the other hand, the data Y0, M0, C0 from the pixel density converter 3 are input to the primary color correction circuit 8, and the primary correction data Y1, M1, C1 are
It is input to the next color correction circuit 9 and the secondary correction data Y2, M2, C2 are calculated. Then, the secondary correction data is added to adders 6Y and 6Y.
M, 6C, and are added to the corresponding data Y0, M0, C0 to become data Y, M, C.
After the sum data K is calculated by the above equation, the sum data is directly input to the gradation corrector 10 as an output signal. The primary color correction circuit 8 functions to calculate primary correction data Y1, M1, and C1 required for transfer ink smearing correction.
The original data Y0, M0, and C0 are subjected to a matrix operation as in the following equation to calculate primary correction data Y1, M1, and C1. _{Y1 = -k 11 · C0-k} 12 · M0 + k 13 · Y0 M1 = -k 21 · C0 + k 22 · M0-k 23 · Y0 C1 = k 31 · C0 + k 32 · M0-k 33 · Y0 However, k _ij: weight Coefficients i = 1 to 3 j = 1 to 3 The secondary color correction circuit 9 applies primary correction data Y1, M1, and C1 to enable arbitrary color control by selective correction for a specific hue. On the other hand, the secondary correction data Y2, M2, and C2 are calculated by applying a predetermined correction to the secondary correction data Y2, M2, and C2. Perform calculations. Y2 = Y1 + l ₁₁ · ΔB + l ₁₂ · ΔC + l ₁₃ · ΔG + l ₁₄ · ΔY + l ₁₅ · ΔR + l ₁₆ · ΔM M2 = M1 + l ₂₁ · ΔB + l ₂₂ · ΔC + l ₂₃ · ΔG + l ₂₄ · ΔY + l ₂₅ · ΔR + l ₂₆ · ΔM C2 = C1 + l ₃₁ · ΔB + l · ₃₂ ΔC + l ₃₃ · ΔG + l ₃₄ · ΔY + l ₃₅ · ΔR + l ₃₆ · ΔM where l _ij : weighting coefficient i = 1 to 3 j = 1 to 6 ΔB, ΔC, ΔG, ΔY, ΔR, ΔM: special color data Therefore, this secondary correction Adder 6 for data Y2, M2, C2
By adding to the original data Y0, M0, C0 by Y, 6M, 6C, and selecting the weight coefficient k _ij by the primary color correction circuit 8, the ideal color of the ink on the image printed by the sublimation transfer printer is obtained. Can be arbitrarily corrected, and if the weighting coefficient l _ij is selected by the secondary correction circuit 9, the color condition of the image to be printed can be arbitrarily corrected. Note that the correction data for Sumidata K is also
K2 may be calculated and added to the Sumidata K so that correction can be made. K2 = K + m1..DELTA.B + m2..DELTA.C + m3..DELTA.G + m4..DELTA.Y + m5..DELTA.R + m6..DELTA.M where MI: weighting factor i = 1 to 6. In this way, the data of Y, M, C, K outputted from the color corrector 4 is gradation. The data is input to the corrector 10 and corrected for each data. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the correction performed by the gradation corrector 10, where f0 is a standard characteristic curve, f1 is a highlight emphasis curve, f2 is a shadow emphasis curve, f3 is a highlight / shadow emphasis curve, and f4 is an intermediate curve. It is a tone emphasis curve. As shown in the drawing, the tone reproduction characteristic that determines the relationship between the density of the color data and the density of the printed material printed by the sublimation transfer printer is set as necessary, so that the tone close to the original image can be reproduced. That is, if no correction is made, the curve f0 is used, and if correction is made, the curves f1 to f4 may be used as appropriate according to the gradation part to be emphasized. Further, the tone reproduction characteristic curve is not limited to the one shown in the figure, but can be set arbitrarily. For example, the gradation correction based on the tone reproduction characteristic is controlled by a gradation circuit (not shown), and knobs (not shown) provided individually for highlight, halftone, and shadow are adjusted. As a result, the tone reproduction characteristic is set. Next, the data of Y, M, C, K corrected by the gradation corrector 10 is temporarily stored in the storage device 11. The data stored in the storage device 11 is read out for each color by the selection switch 12, stored in the buffer 13 for each line of the transfer head 16, and then input as parallel data to the parallel-to-serial converter 14 to be serialized. Converted to data. The serial data converted from the parallel data in this manner is supplied to the shift register SR shown in FIG. 6 for n pixels, latched by the latch circuit LT, and supplied to the NAND gate.
Input to NA. When the strobe signal ST is input to the NAND gate NA, the data for the n pixels is generated by the heating element.
Given to HE. Next, the operation of the parallel-to-linear converter 14 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 5, pixel data A (A0 to
The parallel 8-bit data A7) is supplied to one input of the comparator 22, and the other input of the comparator 22 is supplied with the output B of the counter 23 (8-bit increment output composed of B0 to B7). The count 23 increments the clock and changes its output B0 to B7 one by one. Comparator 22 compares these two inputs A and B, and increments output B of counter 13 to pixel data A.
, That is, when A> B and A = B, the output of “1” is continued, and thereafter, the output of “0” is generated.
That is, the comparator 22 continues to output “1” until the increment value of the counter 23 corresponding to the density weight of the pixel data A is given. For example, if pixel data A is
In the case of the density of 128 gradations in 256 gradations, serial data in which 128 “1” s are continuous and 128 “0” s thereafter are obtained. This serial data is obtained by comparing A> B and A =
The B output is taken out as A ≧ B via the OR gate 24, and in this example, 256 gradations are expressed. This gradation can be small. For example, if the bit to be incremented is B1 instead of B0, 128 gradations, B
If it is 2, it will be 64 gradations, and you can easily change the gradation setting. In this manner, by incrementing the output B of the counter 23 by one, "1" continues until the relationship between the pixel data A and the output B of the counter 23 becomes A = B, and thereafter, serial data which becomes "0" becomes can get. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sublimation transfer printer of the present invention. To explain this, first, preparations such as paper setting and ribbon cueing are performed (S1), and when printing is started (S2), any color, namely C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K ( Performs printing while updating the line by line for one of the colors (Sumi) (S
3, S4). When printing for one color is completed (S5), the transfer sheet is changed to another color (S6), and printing is performed for the other three colors. Most preferably, the transfer sheet uses a long object in which each color is repeatedly printed in a predetermined pattern. The receiving paper for each color starts printing from a predetermined position (S8). Then, when the printing of the four colors is completed, the sheet is discharged (S9).
Operation ends. The material that can be used as the transfer sheet in the present invention may be any of various papers, processed papers, plastic sheets, and the like. If the material can be directly dyed with a sublimable dye, such as a plastic sheet, these transfer groups The material 201 can also serve as the display layer 202. These substrates 201 generally have a thickness of about 0.68 to 0.80 mm. As the display layer 202, a material that can be dyed with a sublimable dye, for example, a plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, ABS, AS, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyamide, or polyurethane is preferable. This layer can also serve as the substrate 201 as described above. When the substrate 201 is also used, the thickness and size are as described above, but when a material that cannot be dyed with a sublimable dye, such as paper, processed paper, or metal, is used as the substrate 201, It can be formed by applying a solution composed of a plastic material that can be dyed with a sublimable dye to the substrate 201, or by laminating those films on the substrate 201, and a thickness of about 3 to 50 μm is preferable. is there. The feature of the final product 200 of the present invention is the display layer 202 as described above.
Is formed from a sublimable dye, and such an image 204 may be formed by a conventionally known method. For example, a sublimation transfer sheet used in a known sublimation transfer method, i.e., a paper or a plastic film, in which a substrate capable of sublimating by heating with a dye capable of being sublimated by heating on a surface of a support such as a sheet, is used as a display layer. It can be easily formed by superimposing the dye on the sublayer 202 and performing pattern-like heating from the back surface of the sublimation transfer sheet to transfer the dye into the display layer 202. A dye having a molecular weight of 250 or more is suitable for enhancing the storage stability, but a molecular weight of 370 or more is particularly preferable. The above-described sublimation transfer may be performed directly on the substrate 201 having the display layer 202, or a plastic sheet of the display layer 202 is prepared separately, and after forming the image 204 on this sheet, the substrate 201 May be stuck or laminated. Next, the present invention will be described in more detail in terms of the materials constituting the transfer sheet of the present invention as described above and the method of forming the same. Examples of the sheet-like base material include (1) synthetic paper (polyolefin-based, polystyrene-based, etc.), (2) high-quality paper, art paper,
Coated paper, cast coated paper, wallpaper, backing paper, backing paper, synthetic resin or emulsion impregnated paper, synthetic rubber latex impregnated paper, synthetic resin internal paper, paperboard, etc., cellulose fiber paper, (3) polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, Various plastic films or sheets such as polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polymethacrylate, and polycarbonate can be used. FIG. 9 shows an example of a menu, and 10 shows the whole menu, and a daily menu is provided in one corner thereof. This daily menu is a replacement part 11 and a corner
Consists of 12 The replacement portion 11 is a small menu describing the special menu of the day, and is prepared by the apparatus according to the present invention some day before, and inserted into the corner 12 on the morning of the day or the like. The corner 12 may be provided with a weak adhesive surface and adhered to the menu body. FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional structure of the replacement portion 11 shown in FIG. 9, in which a printed laminate film is attached on a base material 11A. Printing may be performed on either the front or back surface of the film. Of course, this structure may be applied to the entire menu.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an operation centered on a data processing device 104 in the embodiment of FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a data processing circuit for a printer, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a color corrector in FIG. 3, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the juxtaposed converter, FIG. 6 is a detailed circuit diagram of the transfer head in FIG. 1B, FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram for explaining the operation of the thickening corrector in FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an example of a menu, FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the sectional structure of the replacement portion 11 shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a floor view obtained by a conventional dither method. It is explanatory drawing of a key expression method. 101 ... image input means, 102 ... display, 103 ...
Position data input means, 106 ... keyboard, 11A ... base material, 11B ... laminate film.

Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Hideaki Amano               14-805 Kikui-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo                (56) References JP-A-61-15280 (JP, A)                 JP-A-61-182373 (JP, A)                 JP-A-61-253565 (JP, A)                 JP-A-60-90779 (JP, A)                 JP-A-53-21931 (JP, A)                 JP-A-58-224781 (JP, A)                 JP-A-59-39575 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A color food image is input as an image, character data including the name of the food is input by the character input means, and both input data are laid out on a display to produce processed data of the color food image data and character data including the name of the food. The created processing data is output to the thermal head of a sublimation transfer printer, and a color dish image and characters are printed on a sheet-like or card-like transfer target superimposed on a sublimation-type transfer sheet. A menu creating method, characterized in that a menu is created by attaching or laminating a transparent plastic base material to the menu. 2. Color image input means for inputting color food image data, character input means for inputting character data including a dish name, layout input means for setting the positions of the image data and character data, and input from each of the input means A data processing means for processing the two data in accordance with the following; a display for displaying based on the data from the data processing means; and a sublimation type for printing a color image based on the data from the data processing means. An apparatus for creating a menu, comprising a printer and a means for attaching or laminating a transparent plastic substrate on a printed color image.