JP4358653B2 - 3D image forming method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image, and more particularly, a three-dimensional image having a desired height gradation corresponding to a three-dimensional shape by converting or newly adding height information of an input three-dimensional object. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image by an ink jet method that enables the formation of an image.

  Note that in this specification, a three-dimensional image is an image formed two-dimensionally on a sheet-like (planar shape) support in the height direction perpendicular to the plane (height difference, height difference, The height distribution, the height gradation, for example, the height from the support is approximately several hundred microns, and it is digital by an inkjet method so as to have a predetermined gradation, for example, 256 gradations (8 bits). In the present invention, an ordinary image (two-dimensional image) is also simply referred to as a relief image. In addition, the word “image” includes text information such as characters in addition to so-called image information. Furthermore, the height gradation and the number of height gradations (bits) in the present invention refer to the stage of change in height from the uneven support and the number of stages, respectively.

  As is well known, the ink jet method is widely used as a method for outputting a color image (so-called two-dimensional color image) with a simple structure and capable of reducing the size and cost of the apparatus.

  Usually, a thermal head system or an electromechanical conversion element (piezo element) system is used for an ink jet printer (ink jet printer). In general, dye-based ink is used as a recording material used in the ink jet printer, and a sheet-like (cut sheet-like or web-like) recording material such as recording paper is used in these printing methods. Printing is performed by soaking the recording medium with ink.

  Further, as is well known, conventionally, monochrome (black and white) images and color images are planarly formed on a sheet-like recording medium such as recording paper by various image forming methods such as an electrophotographic method and an electrostatic ink jet method. It is common practice to form and use this image to visually recognize and convey the desired information.

  An image formed on a recording medium such as recording paper is obtained by depositing a toner or ink containing a color material of a predetermined color on a recording medium according to image information, and applying the deposited toner or ink. It is formed by melting and fixing a color material, and is formed two-dimensionally and two-dimensionally on a recording medium.

  On the other hand, a three-dimensional image can convey 3D information to a third party not only from planar visual information but also from shadows due to height differences and finger touch, etc. Compared with a planar image (two-dimensional image), information that can be transmitted can be diversified.

  As a method of forming a stereoscopic image having such advantages, for example, a method of combining a foamable toner and a non-foamable toner as disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be exemplified. In this method, first, a convex image having a plurality of wall surfaces is formed using a foamable toner, and a plurality of different types of images are formed on different wall surfaces of the convex image using a non-foamable toner. The foamable toner is foamed by being formed on a support and heat-fixed, and an image made of non-foamable toner is melt-fixed.

  As a method for forming a three-dimensional image by the above-described ink jet method, for example, an ink jet type and toner flying type combined type printer as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 2 or 3 is known. In this printer, first, printing is performed by ejecting ink by an ink jet method, then toner particles are ejected by a toner flying method to a printing portion by this ink, and finally, drying of the ink and toner are performed by a thermal fixing method. The particles are melted and dried to fix the three-dimensional image of the toner particles.

In Patent Document 4, three-dimensional solid information (three-dimensional shape data) of a human body is acquired by a camera, and an actual three-dimensional model, that is, a three-dimensional object formed based on the three-dimensional shape data acquired above (as appropriate). (Including those that are colored).
As a method for creating a three-dimensional object here, a method of preparing a template close to the shape of the object (a prototype of a workpiece to be machined) and machining it by a method such as cutting is exemplified. .

In this case, there is a description that an actual solid model may be created by compressing in the depth direction without using the previously acquired three-dimensional shape data as it is. It is possible to create a real 3D model.
Further, although there is a description that the edge enhancement processing is performed on the previously acquired three-dimensional shape data, there is no clear description about the details of the edge enhancement processing and the effects thereof.

JP 2002-278370 A JP-A-11-263004 Japanese Patent No. 3027969 (Patent Publication of Patent Document 2) JP 2001-166809 A

  By the way, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to control the foaming toner, and it is difficult to accurately match a fine image and a convex shape formed by foaming of the foaming toner. There is a problem that fine control in the height direction cannot be performed.

  The conventional techniques described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 have a point common to the present invention described later in that a three-dimensional image is formed using an ink jet method. With regard to the control of the height), there is only a statement that an image with varying degree of unevenness can be printed by controlling the flying amount of the ink and toner particles, respectively. In this case, the ink on the recording medium and the toner particles are dried and melted, so that the lower layer ink and the recording medium are not fixed and the lower layer ink and the upper toner particles are not fixed. There was a problem that it was easy to be enough.

  Further, in the prior art described in Patent Document 4, a template close to the shape of the object is acquired based on the acquired three-dimensional shape data when the template is processed by a method such as cutting (see above). ) An example of creating a thin real solid model by compressing the three-dimensional shape data in the depth direction and performing edge emphasis processing are shown, but there is no more specific description.

In addition, as a conventional technique of a three-dimensional image, there is a technique for providing unevenness on a two-dimensional image such as a wood grain by embossing, such as wallpaper for interior and exterior, etc. It is difficult to match the pattern of the pattern and the uneven pattern of the emboss, and there is a problem that a precise and precise three-dimensional image cannot be obtained.
In addition, there is a conventional technique for creating an analog stereoscopic image such as the above-described thin real model or so-called relief, but when the ground is a precise and precise two-dimensional image, 2 There is a problem that it is difficult to create a precise three-dimensional image according to a three-dimensional image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the first object thereof is to solve the problems in the prior art, and in the so-called relief image referred to in the present invention, a desired shape corresponding to a three-dimensional shape. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image by an ink jet method, which enables formation of a three-dimensional image having a controlled height gradation.

  More specifically, the first object of the present invention is to convert the height information in the input three-dimensional object information (three-dimensional information) or to newly add the desired height gradation corresponding to the three-dimensional shape. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image by an ink jet method that enables formation of a three-dimensional image having the above.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a second object of the present invention is to solve the problems in the prior art and improve the human visual characteristics in the so-called relief image referred to in the present invention. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for forming a stereoscopic image that enables formation of a stereoscopic image having a desired height gradation corresponding to a matching stereoscopic shape.

  In order to achieve the above first and second objects, the present inventor is required to form “a more advanced stereoscopic image that is not found in the second and third ones of the above prior arts”. It is intended to embody the idea of “converting and controlling input image information (three-dimensional information) precisely”.

  Here, as described above, a three-dimensional image forming apparatus using an ink jet method is an extremely effective apparatus for forming a high-quality image while having a relatively simple configuration. In particular, a high-quality color image is formed. Therefore, if a high-accuracy image information conversion function can be added to this, a more effective stereoscopic image forming means can be obtained.

  In addition, when forming a stereoscopic image, an idea of accurately converting and controlling input image information (three-dimensional information) is added, and in particular, it is converted and controlled to information on height characteristics according to human visual characteristics. It is thought that adding this idea contributes to the formation of a more effective stereoscopic image.

  In order to achieve the first and second objects, the first aspect of the present invention is a method for forming a three-dimensional image that forms a three-dimensional image having irregularities corresponding to a three-dimensional object on a support by an inkjet method. Forming a first layer image including the three-dimensional object as a two-dimensional image on the support based on the two-dimensional image information; fixing the first layer image to the support; Acquiring the first height information capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support, and the fixed to the support based on the acquired first height information Forming a solid image having unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object by laminating ink solid matter ejected by the inkjet method on the first layer image; and forming the solid image on the support. And, there is provided a method of forming a three-dimensional image, characterized by a step of fixing the solid image with an uneven corresponding to the three-dimensional object.

Here, in the step of forming the first layer image, it is preferable to use an inkjet system that is the same as or different from the inkjet system in the step of fixing the stereoscopic image.
Further, in the step of fixing the three-dimensional image, as the ink jet method, a method in which ink containing a thermoplastic solid or ultraviolet curable ink can be ejected to stack the ink solid material is used. In the step of forming, it is preferable to use an ink jet system capable of forming the first layer image by ejecting water-based ink for image recording, oil-based ink, or ultraviolet curable ink.
The fixing process for fixing the first layer image on the support and the fixing process for the stereoscopic image formed on the first layer image are preferably different fixing processes.

Moreover, in order to achieve said 1st objective, in the 1st form of the 1st aspect which concerns on this invention, the step which acquires said 1st height information is the input of the said solid object A step of acquiring second height information relating to the height of the three-dimensional object from the information, and the second height information acquired in this step, the irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support Preferably, the method includes a step of converting to reproduce desired height information that can be reproduced.
Here, it is preferable that the information of the three-dimensional object includes three-dimensional shape information regarding the three-dimensional object, and the second height information is information regarding a height in the three-dimensional shape information. The two-dimensional image information is preferably two-dimensional image data input in addition to the information of the three-dimensional object.
Alternatively, it is preferable that the two-dimensional image information and the three-dimensional object information are obtained from input three-dimensional image information.

  In order to achieve the first object, in the second form of the first aspect according to the present invention, the two-dimensional image information is input, and the first height is set. The step of acquiring the information can reproduce the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information. Preferably, this is a step of calculating the height information.

  In order to achieve the first object, in the third form of the first aspect according to the present invention, the two-dimensional image information is input, and the first height information is provided. Obtaining the third height information corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the inputted two-dimensional image information, and the second height information calculated by this step. And converting the height information of 3 so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support.

  In order to achieve the second object, in the fourth form of the first aspect according to the present invention, the step of obtaining the first height information includes the information of the inputted three-dimensional object. Acquiring second height information relating to the height of the three-dimensional object from among the first height information and the second height information acquired in this step on the support based on human visual characteristics. It is preferable to have a step of converting the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object into reproducible height information.

Here, it is preferable that the information on the three-dimensional object includes three-dimensional shape information on the three-dimensional object, and the second height information is information on a height in the three-dimensional shape information.
The two-dimensional image information is preferably two-dimensional image data input in addition to the information of the three-dimensional object.
Alternatively, it is preferable that the two-dimensional image information and the three-dimensional object information are obtained from input three-dimensional image information.

  Further, the step of converting the second height information based on human visual characteristics may be based on a rough feeling or a glossy feeling felt by human vision obtained using samples having different surface roughnesses. It is preferable to determine the height frequency, or it is preferable to convert the height gradation according to the height-resolved visual recognition curve.

  Note that the step of converting the height gradation according to the height-resolved visual recognition curve preferably performs selective emphasis or suppression in an area where human vision is sensitive, or human It is preferable to cut information in a region where visual sensitivity is substantially absent.

  In order to achieve the second object, in the fifth aspect of the first aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional image information is input, and the first height information Is obtained from the input two-dimensional image information, the height corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image and capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support. Preferably, the step of calculating information based on human visual characteristics.

  In order to achieve the second object, in the sixth aspect of the first aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional image information is input, and the first height information Obtaining the third height information corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the inputted two-dimensional image information, and the second height information calculated by this step. And converting the height information of 3 so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support based on human visual characteristics. .

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the first and second objects, the second aspect according to the present invention is to form a three-dimensional image for forming a three-dimensional image having unevenness corresponding to a three-dimensional object on a support by an ink jet method. A first forming means for forming a first layer image including the three-dimensional object as a two-dimensional image on the support based on two-dimensional image information; and the first layer image on the support. Based on the fixing means for fixing, the first information acquisition means for acquiring the first height information capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support, and the acquired first height information And a second forming means for stacking the ink solid material ejected by the inkjet method on the first layer image fixed to the support to form a three-dimensional image having unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object; Wherein formed on the support, there is provided a forming apparatus of a stereoscopic image, characterized in that it comprises a fixing unit for fixing the three-dimensional image with an uneven corresponding to the three-dimensional object.

Here, the first forming means and the second forming means are preferably ink jet heads using the same or different ink jet methods.
Further, the second forming means is an inkjet head that forms a three-dimensional image having irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object by ejecting ink containing a thermoplastic solid or ultraviolet curable ink and laminating the ink solid material. The first forming means is preferably an ink jet head that forms the first layer image by ejecting water-based ink for image recording, oil-based ink, or ultraviolet curable ink.
Further, it is preferable that the fixing unit and the fixing unit perform different fixing processes.

  In order to achieve the first object, in the first form of the second aspect according to the present invention, the first information acquisition means includes the three-dimensional object from the input information of the three-dimensional object. The second information acquisition means for acquiring second height information related to the height of the object, and the second height information acquired by the second information acquisition means corresponds to the three-dimensional object on the support. It is preferable to have first information conversion means for converting so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing the unevenness to be reproduced.

  In order to achieve the first object, in the second form of the second aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional image information is input, and the first information acquisition means includes: From the input two-dimensional image information, desired height information capable of reproducing irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image is calculated. It is preferable that the first information calculation means.

  In order to achieve the first object, in the third form of the second aspect according to the present invention, the two-dimensional image information is input, and the first information acquisition means includes: Calculated by the second information calculating means, second information calculating means for calculating third height information corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the inputted two-dimensional image information. In addition, it is preferable to include second information conversion means for converting the third height information so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the second object, in the fourth form of the second aspect according to the present invention, the first information acquisition means includes the three-dimensional object from the input information of the three-dimensional object. Second information acquisition means for acquiring second height information relating to the height of an object, and the second height information acquired in this step based on human visual characteristics on the support It is preferable to have third information conversion means for converting the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object into reproducible height information.

  In order to achieve the second object, in the fifth aspect of the second aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional image information is input, and the first information acquisition means includes: From the input two-dimensional image information, height information that can reproduce the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support, corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image, It is preferable that it is the 3rd information calculation means calculated based on a visual characteristic.

  In order to achieve the second object, in the sixth aspect of the second aspect of the present invention, the two-dimensional image information is input, and the first information acquisition means includes Calculated by the second information calculating means, second information calculating means for calculating third height information corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the inputted two-dimensional image information. The fourth information conversion is performed to convert the third height information so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support, based on human visual characteristics. Means.

  According to the present invention, based on height information extracted from input three-dimensional information or height information calculated from two-dimensional information, a stereoscopic image realized by the input information itself (so-called original stereoscopic image). Compared to the above, it is possible to form a stereoscopic image (in other words, a stereoscopic image with improved texture) in which the texture is expressed in a more preferable state or a more preferable state for human visual characteristics.

  That is, in the three-dimensional image forming method or apparatus according to the present invention, the impression received by the observer differs between an actual three-dimensional solid and one that is printed as a three-dimensional image or reproduced by printing or the like. In view of this, the height described above is such that an observer who observes a three-dimensional image printed or reproduced by a print or the like feels more “real” or more “preferred”. By converting the information, it is possible to form a preferable three-dimensional image as described above.

  Such an idea has never existed before, and this is the characteristic point of the present invention. Here, regarding the conversion of the above-described height information, or the conversion of the above-described height information into a more preferable direction for human visual characteristics, various conversions in so-called image processing are slightly modified as described later. It is possible to change and apply, or to reference.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a stereoscopic image having a desired and controlled height gradation corresponding to a desired stereoscopic shape on the first layer image formed on the support, A remarkable effect is achieved in that it is possible to realize a method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image by an ink jet method that enables the formation of a so-called relief image.

  More specifically, according to each of the first to third aspects of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the height information of the three-dimensional object in the three-dimensional object information such as the input three-dimensional shape information is obtained. , To convert desired height information, that is, to convert unevenness corresponding to a three-dimensional object into reproducible height information, and to form a three-dimensional image on the support based on the converted height information In addition, the desired height information that can reproduce the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object corresponding to at least a part of the position on the two-dimensional image is calculated from the input two-dimensional image information, and the calculated height A three-dimensional image is formed on a support based on depth information, and therefore a three-dimensional image forming method using an inkjet method that enables formation of a three-dimensional image having a desired height gradation corresponding to a three-dimensional shape, a so-called relief image And equipment It is intended to achieve the practical effects of the current possible.

  More specifically, according to each of the fourth to sixth embodiments of the first and second aspects of the present invention, the height information of the three-dimensional object in the three-dimensional object information such as the input three-dimensional shape information. Is converted so that the desired height information is reproduced, preferably expressed accurately, taking into account human visual characteristics, that is, the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object is converted into reproducible height information and converted. In addition to forming a stereoscopic image on the support based on the height information obtained, at least a part of the position on the two-dimensional image while taking into account human visual characteristics from the input two-dimensional image information The desired height information that can reproduce the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object is calculated, and a three-dimensional image is formed on the support based on the calculated height information. Three-dimensional image with height gradation To allow formation of a-safe image, practical effect is obtained that can realize a forming method and apparatus of the three-dimensional image by an inkjet method.

A stereoscopic image forming method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
First, a stereoscopic image forming method according to a first aspect of the present invention and a stereoscopic image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a stereoscopic image forming apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as a forming apparatus) according to the second aspect of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the formation shown in FIG. FIG. 3A is a more specific schematic conceptual diagram of the apparatus, and FIG. 3A is an operation when the forming apparatus according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used, that is, a stereoscopic image according to the first aspect of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the first embodiment of the forming method (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a forming method), and FIG. 3B is an outline of an embodiment of the data processing unit used in the forming method of the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows a structure. The stereoscopic image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 changes the internal configuration of the data processing unit, thereby forming the stereoscopic image forming method and the second aspect of the first aspect of the present invention to be described later. The present invention can also be used in common with the second to sixth embodiments of the apparatus.

First, based on FIG. 1, the structure of the three-dimensional image formation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.
A forming apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as a printer) 10 according to the present embodiment is a two-dimensional image (first image) on a support, preferably a sheet-like recording medium such as recording paper, based on two-dimensional image data. After forming and fixing a single-layer image), ink is ejected by an ink jet method based on the information of the three-dimensional object included in the two-dimensional image, and the solid object, particularly its height, is formed on the recording medium. In accordance with the above, preferably, a layered image is formed by layering according to digitally controlled height gradation, and fixed so as not to lose the height gradation of the layered image, preferably non-contact Is fixed by heat to form a three-dimensional image (three-dimensional image) having unevenness corresponding to a three-dimensional object.

  Here, the three-dimensional image formed in the present invention is uneven in the height direction perpendicular to the plane of the image formed two-dimensionally on the sheet-like support (height difference, height distribution, height). Concavities and convexities that are digitally controlled by an inkjet method so that the gradation, for example, the height from the support is approximately several hundred microns, and has a predetermined gradation, for example, 256 gradations (8 bits) In the present invention, the normal image (two-dimensional image) has a height controlled corresponding to the three-dimensional object in the first layer image of the two-dimensional image. It can be said that the relief image has a laminated image laminated in this manner. The height gradation referred to in the present invention refers to the stage of change in height from the support of the laminated image, and the number of height gradations (bits) refers to the stage of change in height from the support. The number of steps.

  The support used in the present invention is a thin recording material that is two-dimensional, that is, planar or sheet-like, on which a two-dimensional image can be formed as a first layer image. It is particularly limited if the formed two-dimensional image can be reliably fixed and a multi-layered image having gradation (unevenness) in the height direction can be formed on the two-dimensional image of the first layer. No matter what. For example, the support may be in the form of a cut sheet or web (long), and may be a recording medium or a recording medium capable of recording or forming a two-dimensional image according to a two-dimensional image recording method. The image may be formed by adhering and fixing an ink solid such as a coloring material, or the image may be formed by coloring itself. Conventionally known recording media such as recording paper, film (resin film), metal plate and the like can be mentioned. The size and thickness of the support are not particularly limited as long as they are used as a normal recording medium, and more preferably ink for forming a laminated image according to a two-dimensional image recording method. And may be selected as appropriate according to the ink solid matter. As the recording sheet, for example, a recording sheet having a thickness of about 100 μm to several mm may be used.

  The two-dimensional image recorded or formed on the support may be any image as long as it is recorded or formed as a first layer image on the support, and is appropriately selected according to the recording method. For example, even a thin layer image formed by attaching and fixing a toner such as a color material such as an ink jet recording method or an electrophotographic recording method, which will be described later, or an ink solid matter on a support is recorded. It may be a thin layer image formed by color development / development / fixing of a color forming layer formed on a medium or a recording medium, and serves as a base image of a laminated image formed thereon. The two-dimensional image may be not only so-called monochrome or color image information but also text information such as characters and line image information, or may include both.

  The laminated image formed on the two-dimensional image formed on the support is a multilayer ((n-1) layer of ink solids from the second layer to the nth layer by the inkjet method on the two-dimensional image of the first layer. ), And is controlled so as to have height unevenness corresponding to a three-dimensional object in a two-dimensional image, for example, height difference, height distribution, height gradation, The substrate is laminated so as to have a height of several hundred microns (μm), for example, 300 μm to 500 μm, from the surface of the support. Here, the layer thickness (height difference) per layer of the (n-1) layer laminated image from the second layer to the nth layer is not particularly limited, and is different even if each layer is uniform. It may be appropriately selected according to the maximum height of the laminated image or the height gradation (number of gradations n) of the stereoscopic image. For example, the height of the laminated image is 300 μm to 500 μm, When the depth gradation is 256 gradations, it can be set to 1 μm to 2 μm. Of course, the height gradation of the stereoscopic image or the number of layers (n-1) of the laminated image is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected according to a desired stereoscopic image, a two-dimensional image, and a stereoscopic object in the stereoscopic image. It ’s fine.

A forming apparatus (printer) 10 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a data processing unit 12, a control unit 14, an inkjet head 16, a fixing unit 18, and a recording medium transport unit 20.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the data processing unit 12 functions as a first information acquisition unit (means), and receives signals and information (two-dimensional images) input from an upstream image information source (higher-level device). Receives original data such as information, three-dimensional object information, three-dimensional image information) and image data (two-dimensional image data, three-dimensional image data), executes necessary data processing, and performs height gradation data (first height data) Height information), and output data such as two-dimensional image data and height gradation data is output.

  Next, the control unit 14 receives the output data from the data processing unit 12, and each unit of the printer 10, in particular, the inkjet head 16 (16 a and 16 b), the fixing unit 18 (18 a and 18 b), and the recording medium transport unit 20. This is for controlling (20a, 20b, 20c).

  The forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment uses an inkjet head 16 to form a three-dimensional image using, for example, a normal image recording ink on a sheet-like (cut sheet-like or web (long))-like recording material. After recording, fixing, drying, and fixing a two-dimensional image of an object, the unevenness (three-dimensional structure) corresponding to the three-dimensional object recorded as a two-dimensional image is formed on the two-dimensional image using a heat melting type ink. And forming a three-dimensional image on the two-dimensional image recorded on the sheet-shaped recording medium, having irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object of the two-dimensional image, thereby expressing the height gradation. It is something that can be done. When forming a three-dimensional structure of a three-dimensional image, the heat-melting type ink is preferably a transparent or light-colored ink in order to make use of the information of the underlying two-dimensional image. When overwriting on a two-dimensional image, opaque ink may be used. In this case, since opaque ink is layered, the taper is tapered toward the top, and the lower picture (image) is slightly larger, so that the colored part of the edge can be seen, and only this colored part of the edge is used. Thus, a three-dimensional image, that is, a three-dimensional image having a three-dimensional structure can be formed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet head 16 is an inkjet head 16a that records a two-dimensional image (first layer image) on a sheet-like (planar shape) recording medium as the first image forming means of the present invention. As the second image forming means of the present invention, the two-dimensional image recorded on the recording medium has irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object in the two-dimensional image, thereby expressing the height gradation. And an ink jet head 16b that forms a laminated image by laminating ink solids.

  As the inkjet head 16a, for example, a two-dimensional image recording inkjet head that records a two-dimensional (monochrome or color) image using a plurality of types of ink such as a normal image recording monochrome (black) ink or a color ink is used. Can be used. For example, as the two-dimensional image recording ink, various types of ink such as water-based, oil-based, solid ink, UV (ultraviolet curable) ink, or ink made of a solvent containing a solid material such as a coloring material or a resin are used. Furthermore, thermal type, piezo type, and electrostatic type conventionally known ink jet heads and solid ink jet heads that use liquid, toner, liquid toner, etc. as inks can be mentioned.

Further, as the inkjet head 16b, for example, a solid ink is laminated using a heat melting type ink or UV (ultraviolet ray curable) ink to form unevenness expressing a height gradation corresponding to a three-dimensional object 3. An inkjet head for forming a dimensional structure can be used. For example, as a three-dimensional structure forming ink, recording such as hot-melt ink or solvent-melt ink, solid ink, ink containing thermoplastic solid, UV ink, ink made of a solvent containing a solid material such as a coloring material or resin, etc. Thermal type, piezo type, and electrostatic type conventionally known ink jet heads and solid matter discharge type ink jet heads that use various inks capable of laminating ink solids on a medium can be mentioned. Furthermore, liquid, toner, liquid toner, or the like may be used in place of the ink of the inkjet head 16b as long as ink solids can be stacked on the recording medium. In the present invention, as the three-dimensional structure forming ink, it is preferable to use a heat melting type ink or an ink or toner containing a thermoplastic resin (particulate) as a main component.
In the case of using a UV ink made of a photosensitive resin that reacts with ultraviolet rays, images may be laminated while fixing and curing each layer with ultraviolet rays to form a laminated image. In this case, only the laminated image after the second layer may be formed using the UV ink, and in addition to this, the first layer image may be formed using the UV ink.

Thus, in the present invention, as shown in the illustrated example, the inkjet head 16 preferably has two types of inkjet heads, ie, the two-dimensional image recording inkjet head 16a and the three-dimensional structure forming inkjet head 16b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as the ink jet head 16 (16a and 16b), one type of common ink jet head may be used for both normal image recording ink and heat melting type ink. good.
In the present invention, as the ink jet head 16 (16a and 16b), a single type common ink jet head is used, and a plurality of types of heat melting type inks such as monochrome (black) and color are used. A two-dimensional image having unevenness (three-dimensional structure) expressing the height gradation may be directly formed on the recording medium as a stereoscopic image.

  Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the two-dimensional image recording inkjet head 16a is used as the first image forming means for forming the first layer image of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any two-dimensional image forming means known in the art can be used as long as it can record a two-dimensional image (including line images such as characters and multi-tone images) on a sheet-like recording medium. For example, an electrophotographic method using liquid, toner, liquid toner, etc., a thermal transfer recording type, or a known image recording unit of a type that attaches ink or toner to a recording medium (support) such as printing. If a two-dimensional image capable of forming a laminated image with ink solids can be formed thereon, an image can be obtained from a recording medium (support) such as a silver salt photographic method or a sublimation image recording type. It may be mentioned conventionally known image recording unit of the type raw.

  Further, as the second image forming means for forming the solid image of the solid material of the present invention, in order to form a solid image (also referred to as a three-dimensional information layer) having a height gradation (height information), Since it is necessary to stack thin layer images, it is preferable to use a non-contact type image recording unit that uses a non-contact type image recording method. In the illustrated example, the inkjet head 16b for forming a three-dimensional structure is used. The present invention is not limited to this, and a contact-type image recording unit using an electrophotographic method using a resin toner such as thermoplastic resin or a thermal transfer image recording method may be used as long as a laminated image can be formed.

  Therefore, the fixing unit 18 includes a first fixing unit 18a as a fixing unit for fixing and fixing the two-dimensional image of the first layer formed on the recording medium to the recording medium by the inkjet head 16a. And a second fixing portion 18b for fixing the laminated image of the ink solid material formed on the first layer image on the recording medium by the ink jet head 16a.

Here, the first fixing unit 18a may be any one as long as it can firmly and securely fix the two-dimensional image of the first layer formed by the inkjet head 16a to the recording medium. Use a conventionally known fixing unit that performs fixing processing (method) such as heat fixing such as contact heating fixing such as roll heating or non-contact heat fixing such as an infrared heater, fixing by UV fixing, oxidation polymerization, or pressure fixing. Can do. In the case where the recording medium is a porous support such as paper, pressure fixing or heat fixing is required in order to ensure penetration into the gaps (holes) in the fibers within the recording medium and anchor the support firmly. It is preferable to use a conventionally known fixing unit that preferably uses pressure fixing, more preferably pressure fixing and heat fixing. In the example shown in FIG. 2, pressure fixing and heat fixing by using at least one of a pair of rollers as a heat roller are used in combination.
When the first layer image is formed using another type of image forming means instead of the inkjet head 16a, the first layer image is fixed to the recording medium according to the image forming method. For example, a conventionally known fixing method such as heat fixing, pressure fixing, UV fixing, oxidation polymerization, fixing by drying, etc. may be used.

On the other hand, since the second fixing unit 18b is for fixing the laminated image of the ink solid material formed on the first layer image on the recording medium, the height gradation formed by the laminated image. Any fixing unit that performs any fixing process (method) can be used as long as it can be fixed so that the height information is not lost, and fixing by thermal fixing, UV fixing, oxidation polymerization, or the like may be used. Non-contact heat fixing is preferable because it is necessary to reliably maintain and fix the height gradation and height information.
Thus, different fixing processes are performed in both the fixing units 18a and 18b so that the first fixing unit 18a performs pressure fixing and / or thermal fixing, and the second fixing unit 18b performs non-contact thermal fixing. Is preferred.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the recording medium transport section 20 includes a recording medium supply section 20 a that supplies an unused recording medium, and a recording medium extraction section 20 b that extracts a recording medium on which a three-dimensional image is formed. The recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply unit 20a is conveyed to the inkjet head 16a to form a first layer image, and a pair of conveyance rollers 20c and a first fixing unit 18a are configured to fix the first layer image. In addition, a heat roller pair that also functions as a pair of conveyance rollers for conveying the recording medium to the inkjet head 16b and forming a solid multilayer image, and the recording medium on which the solid multilayer image is formed is a second fixing unit. A pair of conveying rollers 20c that are conveyed to the image and used for fixing the laminated image of the solid material, and a three-dimensional image that is fixed by the second fixing unit and has unevenness having height information formed on the recording medium. 20b And a transport mechanism consisting of the transport roller pair 20c that transports.

  In the transport mechanism, the number of transport roller pairs 20c and heat roller pairs and the interval between the roller pairs may be appropriately set depending on the size and type (cut sheet, web) of the recording medium. The transport mechanism used in the present invention may be any mechanism as long as the recording medium can be transported. Examples of the transport mechanism include a conventionally known transport mechanism such as a belt conveyor in addition to a roller pair.

  Among the components of the forming apparatus (printer) 10 according to the present embodiment, the functions of the inkjet head 16, the fixing unit 18, the recording medium conveying unit 20, and the control unit 14 for controlling these functions are various implementations to be described later. Since it is possible to use a common one in the embodiment, for example, one used in a normal two-dimensional image recording inkjet printer 16a and a thermal melting type inkjet printer 16b, these will be described below in the forming apparatus in each embodiment. The detailed description of the constituent elements is omitted. As will be described later, the largest difference in the structural features of the forming apparatus (printer) 10 according to each embodiment including the present embodiment lies in the function of the data processing unit 12. The main explanation about the function of is given.

  The configuration of the data processing unit 12a is based on the operation flowchart of the printer 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 3A and the data processing unit 12a shown in FIG. 3B showing the specific configuration of the data processing unit 12 of the printer 10 shown in FIG. The operation of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment and the stereoscopic image forming method according to the present embodiment will be described including the description of the functions.

  First, in the printer 10 of this embodiment that implements the forming method of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the data processing unit 12a receives three-dimensional image data as original data from a data supply source (hereinafter referred to as a host device). (Information) is received and 2D image data (information) and 3D object information are extracted, or 2D image data and 3D object information are directly received from the host device as original data, and after data processing, as output data Two-dimensional image data and height gradation data are output. The data processing unit 12a receives three-dimensional image data (information) as original data from a host device, and extracts an information extraction unit 22 that extracts two-dimensional image data (information) and information of a three-dimensional object. The second information acquisition unit 24 that extracts and acquires the second height information related to the height of the three-dimensional object from the information of the three-dimensional object input from the unit 22, and the second information obtained by the second information acquisition unit And a first information conversion unit 26 for converting the height information into height gradation data which is the first height information.

  Step 50: This step is activated in the data processing unit 12a when data for forming a stereoscopic image (here, the original data is, for example, three-dimensional image data) is input from the host device. First, two-dimensional image information (data) and three-dimensional object information are extracted from the three-dimensional image data in the information extraction unit 22, and the extracted two-dimensional image information is sent to the control unit 14. If the original data input from the host device to the data processing unit 12a is two-dimensional image information (data) and information of a three-dimensional object instead of the three-dimensional image data, the information is extracted via the information extraction unit 22. Instead, the two-dimensional image information is directly sent to the control unit 14, and the information of the three-dimensional object is also directly input to the information acquisition unit 24.

In the control unit 14, first, each means of the inkjet head 16a and the recording medium transport unit 20 is operated based on the input two-dimensional image information, and predetermined printing is performed on the recording medium by the inkjet head 16a. For example, the first layer image (two-dimensional image) is formed by the ejected ink in a mode in which only the ink is ejected from the inkjet head 16a.
Step 52: Next, the first fixing unit 18a is operated by the control unit 14, and the first layer image formed on the recording medium by the inkjet head 16a is fixed, preferably pressurized, by the first fixing unit 18a. Fixed, dried and fixed.

Step 54: On the other hand, in the data processing unit 12a, following Step 50, this step is activated, and the information of the three-dimensional object extracted by the information extraction unit 22 is input to the second information acquisition unit 24, and the second In the information acquisition unit 24, the second height information regarding the height of the three-dimensional object and the conversion instruction information associated therewith are extracted as the information regarding the texture from the input information (information of the three-dimensional object).
Step 56: The first information conversion unit 26 performs conversion based on the accompanying conversion instruction information with respect to the second height information extracted by the second information acquisition unit 24, and the first height information Some height gradation data is obtained. A specific example of the conversion instruction content will be described later.
These steps 54 and 56 may be performed after the extraction of the two-dimensional image information and the three-dimensional object information by the information extraction unit 22 in step 50 and before the formation of the first layer image. It may be performed in parallel with the formation of the one-layer image and the fixing of the first-layer image in step 52.

  Step 58: The height gradation data obtained by the conversion of the first information conversion unit 26 is sent to the control unit 14. In the control unit 14, the inkjet head 16b and the recording medium conveying unit 20 are operated based on the height gradation data, and are obtained by the above-described conversion on the first layer image with the dried and fixed ink. On the basis of the height gradation data, a mode in which predetermined printing is performed on the first layer image of the recording medium by the inkjet head 16b and, for example, a jet including solid particles is ejected from the inkjet head 16b. Thus, a laminated image (stereoscopic image) with solid particles is formed.

  Step 60: Next, the second fixing unit 18b is operated by the control unit 14, and the stereoscopic image formed on the first layer image of the recording medium by the inkjet head 16b is fixed by the second fixing unit 18b. Is heat-fixed by a non-contact, non-pressurized heat fixing unit, and a desired stereoscopic image is formed.

Step 62: Here, the printing result is observed to check whether or not the result as instructed is obtained. If the result as instructed is obtained, the process is terminated. If the result as instructed is not obtained, the process returns to step 56 and the conversion by the first information conversion unit 26 is performed after the conversion by the first information conversion unit 26 is performed again or the conversion condition is corrected. The three-dimensional image is formed in steps 58 and 60, and the processing in steps 56 to 62 is repeated until a result as instructed is obtained.
Thus, the final stereoscopic image is formed in the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the above-described height conversion. Here, the height before conversion (that is, the height distribution of the input image) taken on the horizontal axis is converted to the vertical axis. When the height (that is, the height distribution of the output image) is taken, as shown in FIG. 4, the range is compressed as a whole, and the portion where the height of the input image is low (the left portion of the graph) ) Is emphasized, that is, an example of conversion to the characteristic that small unevenness is emphasized but large unevenness is compressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which height information is handled as information on the texture has been described. However, as information on the texture that can be used in the present invention, there are various types of information as described below. It is done.

In the first place, to describe the texture is, so to speak, two-dimensional image information such as color and sharpness (also called sharpness) and three-dimensional (image) information such as unevenness and reflection / scattering characteristics (three-dimensional object) It can be said that it visually expresses the real feeling (expressed as so-called texture, texture, etc.) in combination with (image) information). That is,
It can be said that the information (texture) of the three-dimensional object = (two-dimensional) image information + specific information of the three-dimensional object.

To describe the texture, in general,
(1) When performing accurate duplication,
(2) When making arbitrary changes (partial enhancement / compression)
(3) The amount of information is small, but when emphasis is based on visual cognitive characteristics,
(4) It may be possible to create a completely new texture. The said embodiment was mentioned as an example in the case of performing arbitrary change of (2) of these.

Here, the above-mentioned (two-dimensional) image information includes color information (XYZ values, hue / saturation / lightness, dot ratio, etc.), gradation information, modulation characteristics (density modulation, area modulation (AM, FM) and the like) and image structure (sharpness, graininess, etc.).
In addition, the unique information of the three-dimensional object includes unevenness information (height and height information such as maximum height and minimum height, height resolution, height gradation number, etc.), two-dimensional information of unevenness (surface roughness) , Uneven gradation, uneven frequency distribution, directionality, etc., surface / interlayer optical properties (reflectivity / absorption rate, reflection directionality (regular reflection and scattering), etc.), and more than two-dimensional information Of the layers (color, gradation, modulation characteristics, image structure, in-layer structure, etc.).

  FIG. 5 explains the concept of the conversion of the unique information of the three-dimensional object described above. The horizontal axis indicates the texture-related factor A before conversion, and the vertical axis indicates another texture-related factor B different from this. In this example, nonlinear conversion is performed between them. As a specific example, in terms of the concavo-convex sensation, it is preferable that the conversion curve is changed according to the color of the input image because it has a characteristic that it looks expanded in the case of red and contracts in the case of blue. Examples can be given.

In this case, it is necessary to analyze the influence of various texture-related factors on the observer's perception, and individually define a preferable conversion method between them. The same is true for other texture-related factors.
Other specific examples will be given below.

6 to 16B are diagrams for explaining the details of the unique information of the three-dimensional object exemplified above.
First, FIG. 6 relates to height gradation conversion, and a 45 ° straight line b shows a conversion curve used for accurate reproduction (ie, replication), and an upper high-gradient straight line a. In the case of emphasizing the height gradation, the lower low-straight line c indicates the conversion curve used in the case of compressing the height gradation.

  Further, FIG. 7 relates to a case where the height gradation is more complicated and varied, and an upwardly convex curve e shown by a broken line is lower than a basic curve d shown by a solid line at a low altitude. This is a conversion curve used when height gradation is emphasized. Further, the upwardly convex line curve f in FIG. 8 is another conversion curve used when height gradation at a low altitude is to be emphasized.

  Further, FIG. 9 also relates to the case where the height gradation is more complicated and varied, and here, the conversion curve g is indicated by a broken line with respect to the basic curve (45 ° straight line) b. Although it is an S-shaped polygonal line, this conversion curve g is used when emphasizing the height in the low and high regions and compressing the height difference in the intermediate region. It is a conversion curve.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a conversion curve suitable for use when it is desired to emphasize the height gradation. Here, as an example, a spatial filter (average mask) is used,
_{Y (X) = Y 0 (} X) + K {Y 0 (X) -U (X)} ...... (1)
Y ₀ (X): Height distribution before conversion
Y (X): Height distribution after conversion processing
U (X): Height distribution after averaging mask processing
K: An example of performing constant processing.

That is, here, Y ₀ (X) represents the height distribution before conversion, and U (X) represents the height distribution when Y (X) is subjected to a spatial filter composed of an averaging mask. ) Shows the height distribution after processing obtained by the above equation (1) using these data. In this way, the height gradation can be emphasized in an arbitrary form.

  Below, the availability of the three-dimensional unique information exemplifying two-dimensional unevenness information, surface / interlayer optical characteristics, etc., more generalized apart from the height information, will be described.

Here, FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are diagrams showing the directionality as an example of the two-dimensional information of the unevenness, respectively, a schematic perspective view showing the directionality of the groove and light, and the other directionality of the groove and light. It is a typical sectional view showing.
FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B show the behavior of light incident in parallel to the grooves and light incident at right angles to the grooves on the surface having a large number of grooves. As shown in FIG. 11A, the light is reflected as it is and comes out of the groove. However, the light incident at a right angle on the groove repeats reflection inside the groove as shown in FIG. 11B, and is easily captured by the groove. . By taking such characteristics into consideration at the time of conversion, it is possible to adjust various three-dimensional images that can be formed.

FIG. 12A to FIG. 16B are explanatory diagrams regarding processing of information relating to optical characteristics between the surfaces / layers.
First, FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are schematic diagrams illustrating a method of separating surface information and interface information in a three-dimensional object in which a film is formed on a support. FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram for explaining the surface information and the interface information separated by the separation method shown in FIG. 12A. In FIG. 12A, L is a lens, F1 is the surface of the laminate, and F2 is a support surface (which is an interface) and a focal plane. In this case, if the focal plane F2 is focused, information on that portion can be obtained, but if a different frequency filter is used, information on the surface F1 of the laminated body thereon can be obtained to some extent. Yes (see FIG. 12B).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method for separating scattering characteristics between a surface and an interface in a stacked three-dimensional object (laminated body). In FIG. 13, F3 is the surface of the laminate with large irregularities, F4 is the smooth interface, and F5 is the support surface (interface). In such a laminate, in addition to the reflection on the surface F3, it is necessary to consider the reflection on both the front and back surfaces of the smooth interface F4 and the reflection on the support surface F5.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the incident angle dependency of the light absorption rate in a film (layer) in a three-dimensional object having a film formed on a support. In FIG. 14, G1 shows the reflection state of incident light at a relatively steep angle, and G2 shows the reflection state of incident light at a relatively gentle angle. As described above, since the amount of emitted light is different even if the light is incident on the same layer, it is an example that it is necessary to consider such points when performing data conversion.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the influence of the size distribution of the resin particles in the laminate including the layers containing the resin particles. In FIG. 15, S1 is the uppermost layer, a layer in which the resin particle structure is lost by the heat fixing treatment, S2 is a layer in which the resin particle structure (small diameter) remains, and S3 is a resin particle structure (large diameter). Indicates the remaining layers. If such layer configuration information (lamination information) is handled including the packing status of each layer, the availability of the unique information of the three-dimensional object is improved.

  FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B illustrate a case where there is a difference between whether or not a three-dimensional image to be formed becomes a transparent image depending on whether or not an intermediate layer is inserted when a plurality of layers are stacked. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a color stereoscopic image having a transparent intermediate layer and a color stereoscopic image without an intermediate layer. Here, in a color image composed of three color developing layers of Y (yellow), M (magenta) and C (cyan), in addition to the transparent protective layer O, transparent intermediate layers I1 and I2 are placed between the color developing layers. A case of a transparent color solid image (FIG. 16A) and a case of not entering (FIG. 16B) are shown.

Considering the layer structure as described above when forming a stereoscopic image, it is possible to form a desired stereoscopic image suitable for the purpose.
Needless to say, the above-described unique information of the three-dimensional object may be able to form a more effective three-dimensional image by appropriately combining them.

  By the way, in the above description, three-dimensional image data, or two-dimensional image data and information of a three-dimensional object are input from the host device to the data processing unit 12 (12a) as original data for forming a three-dimensional image. Although described as an example, an application example of the present invention in a case where input data is only two-dimensional image data, which should be referred to as this application, will be described next.

FIG. 17A is a flowchart for explaining an outline of an operation example of the second embodiment of the present invention when the stereoscopic image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the second embodiment of the data processing unit 12 of the printer 10 shown in FIG. 1.
Based on the operation flowchart shown in FIG. 17A and the data processing unit 12b of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 17B, the characteristic operation of the printer 10 according to the second embodiment and the stereoscopic image forming method of the second embodiment. Will be explained.

First, in the printer 10 of the second embodiment that implements the forming method of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, the data processing unit 12b receives two-dimensional image data (information) from the host device as original data. It receives and calculates height gradation data corresponding to a three-dimensional object, and outputs two-dimensional image data and height gradation data as output data. The data processing unit 12b receives the two-dimensional image data (information) as original data from the host device, and calculates the first gradation information that is the first height information from the two-dimensional image data (information). A calculation unit 28 is included.
Note that FIG. 17A has the same step configuration as FIG. 3A except that steps 50a and 64 are provided instead of steps 50, 54 and 56. The same number is attached and the detailed explanation is omitted.

Step 50a: When data for forming a stereoscopic image (here, the original data is two-dimensional image data (information)) is input from the host device, the two-dimensional image information is sent to the control unit 14, and the step Similarly to 50, a first layer image (two-dimensional image) is formed on the recording medium by the inkjet head 16a controlled by the control unit.
Step 52: Thus, the first layer image formed on the recording medium is fixed and fixed by the first fixing unit 18a.

  Step 64: Here, since the original data input from the host device is two-dimensional image data, this step is started in the data processing unit 12b. First, each position (input (two-dimensional image data)) ( For practical use, height gradation data, which is the first height information, is calculated with respect to image information.

  In this calculation step 64, for example, an object (three-dimensional object) is cut out from the two-dimensional image data by a known image processing method, and the height according to the object (for example, a foreground person, a background scenery, etc.). Can be executed by assigning Further, in step 64, for example, a position may be designated and the operator may input height information corresponding to the position, and the input data may be used.

Step 58: The height gradation data obtained by the calculation by the first information calculation unit 28 is sent from the data processing unit 12b to the control unit 14. In the control unit 14, a stacked image (stereoscopic image) of ink solid matter is formed on the first layer image of the recording medium by the inkjet head 16 b based on the height gradation data.
Step 60: In this way, the stereoscopic image formed on the first layer image of the recording medium is fixed by the second fixing unit 18b, and the target stereoscopic image is formed.
Step 62: The printing result is determined, and if the result as instructed is obtained, the process is terminated. Otherwise, the steps 64, 58, 60 and 62 are performed until the result as instructed is obtained. Repeat the process.
Thus, the final stereoscopic image is formed in the present invention.

  Here, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 17A, the first height information is not directly calculated and used as it is in step 64, but in step 66 as in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 18A. The third height information relating to the height of the three-dimensional object in the first layer image on the recording medium is calculated, the third height information is converted once by the above-described conversion method, and the first height information is obtained. It may be used after obtaining the height gradation data. In this case, a specified method can be selected from the above-described conversion methods to reproduce desired characteristics.

  As shown in FIG. 18B, the data processing unit 12c used as the data processing unit 12 of the printer 10 of the third embodiment has a function of receiving two-dimensional image data and sending it directly to the control unit 14 as two-dimensional image information. In addition, a second information calculation unit 30 that calculates third height information related to the height of the three-dimensional object in the first layer image on the recording medium from the input two-dimensional image data, and the third height. A second information conversion unit 32 that converts information into height gradation data that is first height information is included.

  In these second and third embodiments, a pseudo three-dimensional image can be easily formed even when three-dimensional information such as three-dimensional image data and information of a three-dimensional object is not necessarily attached. The effect of becoming is obtained.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIGS. 19A to 22B, each of the stereoscopic image forming method according to the first aspect of the present invention and the stereoscopic image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention. The fourth to sixth embodiments will be described.
As described above, the stereoscopic image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 changes the internal configuration of the data processing unit, thereby changing the fourth method forming method and the second aspect forming apparatus. Since it can be commonly used in the sixth embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted, and the embodiments shown in FIGS. 19A to 22B will be mainly described.
FIG. 19A is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the fourth embodiment of the operation when the forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used, that is, the forming method of the first aspect of the present invention. FIG. 19B shows a schematic configuration of the fourth embodiment of the data processing unit of the forming apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention used in the forming method of the fourth embodiment, and the data processing unit of the printer 10 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the concrete structure of 12th 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, based on the operation flowchart of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19A and the data processing unit 12d illustrated in FIG. 19B, the printer 10 according to the present embodiment including the configuration and functions of the data processing unit 12d will be described. The operation of the three-dimensional image according to the present embodiment will be described.
19A has the same step configuration as that of FIG. 3A except that step 68 is provided instead of step 56, and therefore the same step is denoted by the same number. Detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the data processing unit 12d shown in FIG. 19B is similar to the data processing unit 12a shown in FIG. 3B except that the third information conversion unit 34 is provided instead of the first information conversion unit 26. Since it has a structure, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

First, in the printer 10 of the present embodiment that implements the forming method of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19B, the data processing unit 12d receives three-dimensional image data (information) as original data from the host device and performs two-dimensional processing. Extract image data (information) and 3D object information, or directly receive 2D image data and 3D object information as original data from the host device, obtain height information from 3D object information, and then human vision Based on the characteristics, the height information is changed to obtain height gradation data, and two-dimensional image data and height gradation data are output as output data.
The data processing unit 12d receives three-dimensional image data (information) as original data from the host device, extracts the two-dimensional image data (information) and information of the three-dimensional object, and the host device or information extraction. The second information acquisition unit 24 that extracts and acquires the second height information related to the height of the three-dimensional object from the information of the three-dimensional object input from the unit 22, and the second information obtained by the second information acquisition unit And a third information conversion unit 34 for converting the height information into height gradation data, which is the first height information, based on human visual characteristics.
That is, the third information conversion unit 34 illustrated in FIG. 19B and the first information conversion unit 26 illustrated in FIG. 3B perform the second height information in order to obtain the height gradation data that is the first height information. Is converted so that it can be reproduced into desired height information or converted based on human visual characteristics.

Step 50: When data (three-dimensional image data) for forming a three-dimensional image is input from the host device, in the data processing unit 12a, the information extraction unit 22 converts the two-dimensional image information (data) from the three-dimensional image data. And the information of the three-dimensional object are extracted, and the extracted or directly input two-dimensional image information is sent to the control unit 14, and the control unit 14 uses the ink jet head 16a on the recording medium based on the two-dimensional image information. A first layer image (two-dimensional image) is formed.
Step 52: Thus, the first layer image formed on the recording medium is fixed and fixed by the first fixing unit 18a.

Step 54: On the other hand, in the data processing unit 12a, the information of the three-dimensional object extracted by the information extraction unit 22 or directly input is input to the second information acquisition unit 24, and input by the second information acquisition unit 24 From the information (information of the three-dimensional object), the second height information regarding the height of the three-dimensional object and the conversion instruction information associated therewith are extracted as the information regarding the texture.
Step 68: The second height information extracted by the second information acquisition unit 24 is converted by the third information conversion unit 34 based on the accompanying conversion instruction information and human visual characteristics, and the first information is obtained. The height gradation data which is the height information is obtained. Specific examples of the conversion instruction contents and human qualification characteristics will be described later.
These steps 54 and 68 may be performed after the extraction of the two-dimensional image information and the three-dimensional object information by the information extraction unit 22 in step 50 and before the formation of the first layer image. It may be performed in parallel with the formation of the one-layer image and the fixing of the first-layer image in step 52.

Step 58: The height gradation data obtained by the calculation by the third information converter 34 is sent from the data processor 12b to the controller 14. In the control unit 14, a stacked image (stereoscopic image) of ink solid matter is formed on the first layer image of the recording medium by the inkjet head 16 b based on the height gradation data.
Step 60: In this way, the stereoscopic image formed on the first layer image of the recording medium is fixed by the second fixing unit 18b, and the target stereoscopic image is formed.
Step 62: The printing result is judged, and if the result as instructed is obtained, the process is terminated. Otherwise, the steps 68, 58, 60 and 62 are performed until the result as instructed is obtained. Repeat the process.
Thus, the final stereoscopic image is formed in the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the contents of conversion instructions and human qualification characteristics will be described.
Also in the present embodiment, various texture descriptions such as the height conversion shown in FIG. 4 described above can be applied as the conversion instruction content. However, in the present embodiment, the texture description described above is particularly applicable. (1) to (4) of (3) is given as an example when emphasis is performed based on the visual cognitive characteristics of (3).

Here, the human visual characteristics, particularly the binocular stereoscopic function, which is the greatest feature of the present embodiment, will be described.
The evaluation of the function of binocular stereoscopic vision is usually performed based on the sensitivity of depth. That is, the parallax is changed, and the minimum parallax amount necessary for detecting the depth associated therewith is obtained. This threshold of parallax is called stereoscopic vision, and the smaller this value, the higher the vision.

  It is known that the above-described stereoscopic vision is affected by many stimulus variables. Further, the spatial frequency characteristics of the depth sensitivity have been measured by a method in which many researchers measure the threshold at which the depth can be detected by changing the parallax by a sinusoidal curve stimulus.

  For example, FIG. 20 shows a part of the measurement results by Tyler, Bradshaw & Rogers, and the point that should be noted here is that the maximum sensitivity is any of the measurement results. This means that it is in the vicinity of 0.3 to 1 cycle / deg.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to make use of this characteristic when converting the height information. For example, when converting the height information in the three-dimensional shape information based on human visual characteristics, the height frequency is determined based on the above characteristics, or the height gradation is adjusted according to the height-resolved visual recognition curve. It is considered that a method for converting the above is effective.

  Specifically, the rough feeling or glossiness that is obtained by using samples with different surface roughness is considered to follow the above-mentioned characteristics, so when emphasizing these, It is conceivable to set the height frequency in the above-described spatial frequency range.

  The conversion of various kinds of unique information of the three-dimensional object, including the case where the human visual characteristic is taken into consideration, is described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 5 described in the first embodiment of the first and second aspects described above. Since the conversion of the texture-related factor shown in FIG. 16 is applicable also in this embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  By the way, in the description of the fourth embodiment, three-dimensional image data that is to form a three-dimensional image or two-dimensional image data and three-dimensional object information is input from the host device to the data processing unit 12 (12e). As described above, as in the first to third embodiments of the first and second aspects, the present invention is applicable even when the input data is two-dimensional image data. Needless to say.

FIG. 21A is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the operation example of the fifth embodiment of the present invention when the stereoscopic image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the fifth embodiment of the data processing unit 12 of the printer 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
Based on the operation flowchart shown in FIG. 21A and the data processing unit 12e of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 21B, the characteristic operation of the printer 10 according to the fifth embodiment and the stereoscopic image forming method of the fifth embodiment Will be explained.

  FIG. 21A has the same step configuration as that of FIG. 17A except that step 70 is provided instead of step 64. Therefore, the same step is denoted by the same number. Detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, the data processing unit 12e shown in FIG. 21B is the same except that the data processing unit 12b shown in FIG. 17B and the third information calculation unit 36 are provided instead of the second information conversion unit 28. Since it has a structure, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

First, in the printer 10 of the fifth embodiment that performs the forming method of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21B, the data processing unit 12e receives two-dimensional image data (information) as original data from the host device. In consideration of human visual characteristics, height gradation data corresponding to a three-dimensional object is calculated, and two-dimensional image data and height gradation data are output as output data. The data processing unit 12e receives the two-dimensional image data (information) as original data from the host device, and calculates the third gradation information that is the first height information from the two-dimensional image data (information). A calculation unit 36 is included.
That is, the third information calculation unit 36 illustrated in FIG. 21B reproduces the desired height information when obtaining the second information conversion unit 28 illustrated in FIG. 17B and the height gradation data that is the first height information. The conversion is different depending on whether the conversion is possible or based on human visual characteristics.

Step 50a: Two-dimensional image data (information) input from the host device to the data processing unit 12e is sent to the control unit 14 and is recorded on the recording medium by the inkjet head 16a controlled by the control unit 14. A first layer image (two-dimensional image) is formed.
Step 52: Thus, the first layer image formed on the recording medium is fixed and fixed by the first fixing unit 18a.

Step 70: Here, since the original data input from the host device is two-dimensional image data, this step is started in the data processing unit 12b. First, each position (two-dimensional image data) in the input information (two-dimensional image data) In practice, the above-described first height information, which is the gray level data, is obtained by considering human visual characteristics as described above with respect to image information in which only a part of the positions may be selected. Is calculated.
This calculation step 70 can calculate the first height information in the same manner as the calculation step 64 described above except that human visual characteristics are taken into consideration.

Step 58: The height gradation data obtained by the calculation by the third information calculation unit 36 is sent from the data processing unit 12e to the control unit 14, and the inkjet controlled by the control unit 14 based on the height gradation data. The head 16b forms a stacked image (stereoscopic image) of ink solids on the first layer image of the recording medium.
Step 60: In this way, the stereoscopic image formed on the first layer image of the recording medium is fixed by the second fixing unit 18b, and the target stereoscopic image is formed.
Step 62: The printing result is determined, and if the result as instructed is obtained, the process is terminated. Otherwise, the steps 70, 58, 60 and 62 are performed until the result as instructed is obtained. Repeat the process.
Thus, the final stereoscopic image is formed in the present invention.

  Here, as in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 21A, the first height information is not directly calculated and used as it is in step 70, but is used as it is in the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 22A. Then, the third height information relating to the height of the three-dimensional object in the first layer image on the recording medium is calculated, and the third height information is converted once by the above-described conversion method to obtain the first height. You may make it use, after calculating | requiring the height gradation data which are information. In this case, a specified method can be selected from the above-described conversion methods to reproduce desired characteristics.

  As shown in FIG. 22B, the data processing unit 12f used as the data processing unit 12 of the printer 10 of the sixth embodiment has a function of receiving two-dimensional image data and sending it directly to the control unit 14 as two-dimensional image information. In addition, a second information calculation unit 30 that calculates third height information related to the height of the three-dimensional object in the first layer image on the recording medium from the input two-dimensional image data, and the third height. A fourth information conversion unit 38 that converts information into height gradation data that is first height information is included.

  According to these fifth and sixth embodiments, even if the input image information is not necessarily accompanied by three-dimensional information or height information such as three-dimensional image data or three-dimensional object information, the pseudo three-dimensional An effect is obtained that an image can be easily formed.

Each of the above-described embodiments shows an example of the present invention, and the present invention should not be limited to these, and appropriate modifications or improvements are made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say, it may be.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, as a specific method for forming a three-dimensional image, an inkjet method is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a stereoscopic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a more specific schematic conceptual diagram of the stereoscopic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart explaining the outline | summary of the 1st operation example at the time of using the apparatus which concerns on embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of the data processor used for implementing the 1st example of operation shown to FIG. 3A. It is a figure which shows an example of the height conversion of the stereo image which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the concept of conversion of the specific information of a solid object.

It is a figure (the 1) which shows the example of conversion of a height gradation. It is a figure (the 2) which shows the example of conversion of a height gradation. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 3) illustrating a conversion example of height gradation. It is FIG. (4) which shows the example of conversion of a height gradation. FIG. 6 is a fifth diagram illustrating an example of conversion of height gradation. It is a typical perspective view which shows the directionality as an example of the two-dimensional information of an unevenness | corrugation. It is a typical sectional view showing directionality as other examples of unevenness two-dimensional information. It is a schematic diagram explaining the method of isolate | separating surface information and interface information in the solid object by which the film | membrane was formed into a film on the support body. It is a schematic diagram explaining the surface information and the interface information separated by the separation method shown in FIG. 12A. It is a figure explaining the method of isolate | separating the scattering characteristic in the surface and interface in the three-dimensional object (laminate) laminated | stacked. It is a figure explaining the incident angle dependence of the light absorption factor in the film | membrane (layer) in the solid thing by which the film | membrane was formed into a film on the support body.

It is a figure explaining the influence of the size distribution of the resin particle in the laminated body which consists of a layer containing a resin particle. A schematic cross-sectional view of a color stereoscopic image with a transparent intermediate layer used to explain the case where a difference occurs in the formed stereoscopic image depending on whether or not an intermediate layer is inserted when a plurality of layers are stacked. is there. FIG. 16B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a color stereoscopic image without an intermediate layer with respect to the color stereoscopic image with a transparent intermediate layer of FIG. 16A. It is a flowchart explaining the outline | summary of the 2nd operation example at the time of using the apparatus which concerns on embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of the data processor used for implementing the 2nd operation example shown to FIG. 17A. It is a flowchart explaining the outline | summary of the 3rd operation example at the time of using the apparatus which concerns on embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of the data processing part used for implementing the 3rd operation example shown to FIG. 18A.

It is a flowchart explaining the outline | summary of the 4th operation example at the time of using the apparatus which concerns on embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of the data processing part used for implementing the 4th operation example shown to FIG. 19A. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates one of the human visual characteristics. It is a flowchart explaining the outline | summary of the 5th operation example at the time of using the apparatus which concerns on embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of the data processor used for implementing the 5th operation example shown to FIG. 21A. It is a flowchart explaining the outline | summary of the 6th operation example at the time of using the apparatus which concerns on embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of one Embodiment of the data processing part used for implementing the 6th example of operation shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Stereoscopic image forming device (printer)
12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f Data processing unit 14 Control unit 16, 16a, 16b Inkjet head 18, 18a, 18b Fixing unit (fixing means)
20 Recorded material transport section (transport means)
20a Recording medium supply section 20b Recording medium extraction section 20c Pair of conveying rollers 22 Information extraction section 24 Information acquisition section 26, 32, 34, 38 Information conversion section 28, 30, 36 Information calculation section

Claims (30)

A method for forming a three-dimensional image, which forms a three-dimensional image having irregularities corresponding to a three-dimensional object on a support by an inkjet method,
Forming a first layer image including the three-dimensional object as a two-dimensional image on the support based on two-dimensional image information;
Fixing the first layer image to the support;
Obtaining first height information capable of reproducing irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support;
On the basis of the acquired first height information, the solid ink ejected by the inkjet method is stacked on the first layer image fixed to the support, and the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object Forming a stereoscopic image having
Fixing the three-dimensional image formed on the support and having irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object.   The method for forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 1, wherein the step of forming the first layer image uses an inkjet system that is the same as or different from the inkjet system in the step of fixing the stereoscopic image.   In the step of fixing the three-dimensional image, the first layer image is formed by using a method capable of stacking the ink solids by ejecting an ink containing a thermoplastic solid or an ultraviolet curable ink as the ink jet method. 3. The method for forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 1, wherein the step of performing uses an ink jet method capable of forming the first layer image by discharging a water-based ink for image recording, an oil-based ink, or an ultraviolet curable ink.   The fixing process for fixing the first layer image on the support and the fixing process for the stereoscopic image formed on the first layer image are different fixing processes. 3. A method for forming a stereoscopic image according to 1. The step of acquiring the first height information includes:
Obtaining second height information regarding the height of the three-dimensional object from the input information of the three-dimensional object;
The step of converting the second height information acquired in this step so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support. The formation method of the three-dimensional image in any one of -4.   The three-dimensional object information includes the three-dimensional shape information about the three-dimensional object, and the second height information is information about the height in the three-dimensional shape information. Method.   The method of forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the two-dimensional image information is two-dimensional image data input in addition to the information of the three-dimensional object.   The method of forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the two-dimensional image information and the information of the three-dimensional object are acquired from input three-dimensional image information. The two-dimensional image information is input,
The step of acquiring the first height information corresponds to the three-dimensional object on the support corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information. The method for forming a stereoscopic image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a step of calculating desired height information capable of reproducing irregularities. The two-dimensional image information is input,
The step of acquiring the first height information includes calculating third height information corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information;
The step of converting the third height information calculated in this step so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support. The formation method of the three-dimensional image in any one of -4. The step of acquiring the first height information includes:
Obtaining second height information regarding the height of the three-dimensional object from the input information of the three-dimensional object;
Converting the second height information acquired in this step into height information capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support based on human visual characteristics. Item 5. A method for forming a stereoscopic image according to any one of Items 1 to 4.   The three-dimensional object information includes three-dimensional shape information about the three-dimensional object, and the second height information is information about a height in the three-dimensional shape information. Method.   The method of forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the two-dimensional image information is two-dimensional image data input in addition to the information of the three-dimensional object.   The method of forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the two-dimensional image information and the information of the three-dimensional object are acquired from input three-dimensional image information. The step of converting the second height information based on human visual characteristics includes:
15. The step of determining a height frequency based on a rough feeling or a glossiness felt by human vision obtained using samples having different surface roughnesses. A method for forming a three-dimensional image as described. The step of converting the second height information based on human visual characteristics includes:
The method for forming a stereoscopic image according to any one of claims 11 to 14, which is a step of converting a height gradation according to a height-resolved visual recognition curve. The step of converting the height gradation according to the height-resolved visual recognition curve includes:
17. The method for forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 16, wherein selective emphasis or suppression is performed in a region where human vision is sensitive. The step of converting the height gradation according to the height-resolved visual recognition curve includes:
The method of forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 16, wherein information is cut in an area where human visual sensitivity is substantially absent. The two-dimensional image information is input,
The step of acquiring the first height information corresponds to the three-dimensional object on the support corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information. The method for forming a three-dimensional image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is a step of calculating height information capable of reproducing irregularities based on human visual characteristics. The two-dimensional image information is input,
The step of acquiring the first height information includes calculating third height information corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information;
The third height information calculated in this step is converted based on human visual characteristics so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support. The method for forming a stereoscopic image according to claim 1, further comprising: A three-dimensional image forming apparatus for forming a three-dimensional image having unevenness corresponding to a three-dimensional object on a support by an inkjet method,
First forming means for forming a first layer image including the three-dimensional object as a two-dimensional image on the support based on two-dimensional image information;
Fixing means for fixing the first layer image to the support;
First information acquisition means for acquiring first height information capable of reproducing irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support;
On the basis of the acquired first height information, the solid ink ejected by the inkjet method is stacked on the first layer image fixed to the support, and the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object Second forming means for forming a stereoscopic image having:
A three-dimensional image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit configured to fix the three-dimensional image formed on the support and having unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object.   The three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the first forming means and the second forming means are ink jet heads using the same or different ink jet methods.   The second forming means is an inkjet head that forms a three-dimensional image having irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object by ejecting ink containing a thermoplastic solid or ultraviolet curable ink and laminating the ink solid substance. 23. The three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the first forming means is an ink jet head that forms the first layer image by ejecting water-based ink for image recording, oil-based ink, or ultraviolet curable ink.   The three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the fixing unit and the fixing unit perform different fixing processes. The first information acquisition means includes
Second information acquisition means for acquiring second height information related to the height of the three-dimensional object from the input information of the three-dimensional object;
The first information for converting the second height information acquired by the second information acquisition means so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support. The three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a conversion unit. The two-dimensional image information is input,
The first information acquisition unit can reproduce the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information. The three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24, which is first information calculation means for calculating desired height information. The two-dimensional image information is input,
The first information acquisition means calculates second height information corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information;
Second information for converting the third height information calculated by the second information calculating means so as to reproduce desired height information capable of reproducing irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support. The three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a conversion unit. The first information acquisition means includes
Second information acquisition means for acquiring second height information related to the height of the three-dimensional object from the input information of the three-dimensional object;
Third information conversion means for converting the second height information acquired in this step into height information capable of reproducing the irregularities corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support based on human visual characteristics. The apparatus for forming a stereoscopic image according to any one of claims 21 to 24. The two-dimensional image information is input,
The first information acquisition unit can reproduce the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information. The three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24, which is third information calculation means for calculating height information based on human visual characteristics. The two-dimensional image information is input,
The first information acquisition means calculates second height information corresponding to at least a part of the position on the first layer image from the input two-dimensional image information;
Based on the human visual characteristics, the third height information calculated by the second information calculating means is reproduced as desired height information capable of reproducing the unevenness corresponding to the three-dimensional object on the support. The apparatus for forming a stereoscopic image according to any one of claims 21 to 24, further comprising: a fourth information conversion unit that converts the information to be performed.

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