JP5459323B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing method.

  Among various printing techniques, there is one that prints a printed image on a recording layer of a lens sheet that includes a lenticular lens in which a large number of cylindrical convex lenses (hereinafter referred to as convex lenses) are arranged in parallel. In such a printing technique, a large number of stripe-shaped subdivided images corresponding to the pitch of the convex lenses are recorded side by side on the recording layer of the lens sheet. Depending on the type of subdivided image, the image to be viewed is stereoscopically viewed (in this case, it is called a stereoscopic image), the state in which the photograph moves by changing the viewing angle, or the state in which the pattern is switched is visually recognized. (These cases are referred to as change-type images.)

  By the way, the lens sheet generally has an arrangement in which the rotational axis direction when visually recognized is perpendicular or horizontal to the longitudinal direction of the convex lens (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3471930 (see paragraph numbers 0066 to 0076, FIG. 1, FIG. 5, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 etc.)

  By the way, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, printing is executed in a state where the longitudinal direction of the convex lens is parallel to or perpendicular to the paper feed direction. In this case, since the scanning direction of the carriage or the paper feeding direction is parallel to the direction of the lens arrangement, printing is easy to execute.

  Here, when printing is performed in a state in which the rotation axis direction at the time of visual recognition is vertical or horizontal with respect to the longitudinal direction of the convex lens as in Patent Document 1, the printable width within the convex lens (printing) The number of parallaxes that can be handled is limited due to the relationship of (width). Conversely, when the number of parallaxes increases, the print width decreases. By the way, the number of parallaxes affects the smoothness of the printed image. Also, the print width per parallax affects the image quality.

  In order to achieve a good balance between the printing width and the number of parallaxes as described above, for example, a lens sheet is arranged so that its four sides are inclined with respect to the paper feed direction, etc. On the other hand, it is conceivable to adopt a method of forming a print image. Here, in a general method (arrangement in which the length of the convex lens is horizontal or vertical with respect to the rotation axis direction), for example, when printing is performed on a lens sheet of 60 LPI, if the print resolution is 2880 dpi, 48 The printing width is a dot (= 2880/60). However, when the print image is inclined 45 degrees, if the print resolution is the same, the print width is approximately 67 dots (≈48 / cos (45 × π / 180)).

  However, current printers do not support printing with the lens sheet inclined. Further, when printing is performed in a state where the lens sheet is inclined, the printing is apparently equivalent to printing on a lens sheet whose width is increased by the inclination. Therefore, it may be necessary to increase the width of the paper feed mechanism of the printer. Here, when there is a size limitation in the printer, it is difficult to print with the lens sheet tilted.

  From the above, it is conceivable to newly manufacture a lens sheet (oblique lens sheet) in which the length of the convex lens is inclined with respect to the rotation axis direction of the lens sheet, although the lens sheet is rectangular. At this time, it is conceivable to adopt a method (two-dimensional arrangement) in which the pixels are arranged in a matrix (two-dimensional) due to the fact that the length of the convex lens is inclined.

  By the way, the type of the printed image includes a type in which the visually recognized image is stereoscopically viewed (stereoscopic image), a type in which the visually recognized image changes when the viewing angle is changed (animation), or a visual angle when the viewing angle is changed. There is a type (change picture) in which the image is switched.

  The type of print image is variously changed according to the user's desire. In addition, the number of parallaxes (the number of original image data) is not constant. For this reason, if the two-dimensional pixel arrangement can be determined freely, it is possible to adjust items such as good switching of visually recognized images / smooth images even with the same number of parallaxes. It is desirable that the adjustment can be performed. In addition, when the two-dimensional array is automatically determined, the convenience of the user is further improved, so that the appearance of such a printer is desirable.

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and the purpose of the invention is to make the longitudinal direction of the convex lens an oblique direction that is not parallel or perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction in which the lens sheet is conveyed. When printing by ejecting ink droplets on an oblique lens sheet, the longitudinal direction of the convex lens is oblique, so the lens pitch is narrow, and on the oblique (inclined) sheet, an image having no deviation corresponding to the convex lens pitch is displayed. It is intended to provide a printing device that can be formed .

In order to solve the above problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention provides:
A carriage provided with a print head having nozzles for ejecting ink droplets and reciprocating in the main scanning direction; and a platen facing the carriage;
A surface having a plurality of cylindrical convex lenses arranged in parallel at a constant pitch between the carriage and the platen is set to the platen direction, and the lens sheet conveyed in the sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning is arranged on the carriage. In a printing apparatus for printing by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the print head provided on the platen side surface of
The lens sheet is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the convex lens is an oblique direction that is not parallel or perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction,
The platen has a light emitting portion disposed so that an optical axis is inclined with respect to the main scanning direction at predetermined intervals along the main scanning direction so as to face the carriage.
On the same surface as the surface on which the print head facing the platen of the carriage is provided, a light receiving portion that receives the light of the light emitting portion by providing a first light receiving portion and a second light receiving portion is provided,
The light receiving unit detects a pitch of the convex lens of the lens sheet based on a change in a ratio of output signals of the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit, and determines a distance between the lens sheet and the nozzle. It is what detects.
The image processing apparatus of the present invention is a lens sheet for forming a parallax image corresponding to a plurality of parallaxes on one surface, with a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal axis. In an image processing apparatus that processes a plurality of image data in order to perform printing on a lens sheet whose rotation axis direction when viewing a parallax image is inclined with respect to one direction, the parallax image corresponds to each parallax. A two-dimensional array configured from pixel data based on the input original image data and for designating the array of the pixel data, the two-dimensional array depending on the number of input original image data Sequence candidate creation means for creating a sequence candidate, image quality selection means for selecting any two-dimensional array from the sequence candidates according to the type of parallax image, and selection of the two-dimensional array by the image quality selection means In Then, in accordance with the order of the two-dimensional arrangement, pixel data is arranged to form a pixel block composed of the pixel data, and the compressed image data is reflected as one data by reflecting the pixel blocks of all input original image data. Image data forming means for forming the image data.

  In the case of such a configuration, the array candidate creation means determines the array candidate of the two-dimensional array of pixel data based on the number of input original image data. Also, the image quality selection means selects any two-dimensional array from the array candidates. Further, the image data forming means arranges the pixel data according to the selected two-dimensional arrangement order, and creates a pixel block composed of the pixel data. Further, the image data forming means reflects the pixel blocks of all original image data to form compressed image data as one data.

  In this way, since a two-dimensional array candidate is created according to the number of original image data, the user can easily select a desired candidate, or can be automatically selected from the array candidates. A two-dimensional array can be determined. Also, based on the selected two-dimensional array, a pixel block can be created. By arranging the pixel data in a block shape in this way, it is possible to form a printed image having a large number of parallaxes. Become.

  In addition, since the print image has a large number of parallaxes, the user can recognize a stereoscopic image in a more natural state, enjoy a smoother motion animation, etc. It becomes possible to increase fun.

  According to another aspect of the invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the image data forming means compresses a plurality of original image data along a direction crossing the lens and a direction orthogonal to the direction crossing the lens, thereby compressing the original image data. The compressed original image data is subdivided in correspondence with the lens pitch, and then arranged in a matrix along the direction crossing the lens and in the orthogonal direction, thereby forming the compressed image data.

  In such a configuration, compressed image data formed based on a plurality of original image data is arranged in a matrix after compression and fragmentation. Thereby, a larger number of pixel data can be arranged as compared with the case where the compressed original image data divided only in the direction crossing the lens is arranged. As a result, the user can recognize a stereoscopic image in a more natural state, and can enjoy a smoother motion animation or the like, thereby increasing the enjoyment of the user.

  Further, according to another invention, in addition to each of the above-described inventions, the image quality selection means further includes a two-dimensional array in which a large number of pixel data are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction across the lens in the case of original image data having a high correlation with each other. Are guided or selected from among the array candidates, and in the case of original image data having a low correlation with each other, a two-dimensional array in which a large number of pixel data is arranged in a direction crossing the lens is guided or selected from the array candidates.

  In the case of such a configuration, in the case of original image data having a high correlation with each other, a two-dimensional array in which a large number of pixel data are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction crossing the lens is selected. Therefore, since many crosstalks occur when the user visually recognizes, the switching of the visually recognized image corresponding to the parallax becomes smooth. That is, in this case, the highly correlated (similar to each other) visually recognized images are smoothly switched, and the user can enjoy a smoothly switched visually recognized image (for example, an animation or a stereoscopic image).

  In the case of original image data having a low correlation with each other, a two-dimensional array in which a large number of pixel data are arranged in a direction crossing the lens is selected. Therefore, since the crosstalk does not occur so much when the user visually recognizes, switching of images corresponding to the parallax becomes clear. That is, in this case, the visually-recognized images with low correlation (not so similar to each other) are clearly switched, and the user enjoys a visually-recognized image that is switched more clearly (for example, a changing image whose design is switched to another). Can do.

  In addition to the above-described inventions, in another invention, there are at least three or more sequence candidates, and in the case of original image data having a high correlation with each other, the pixel data in the direction across the lens is A two-dimensional array having one arrangement number is excluded from the array candidates.

  When configured in this manner, a two-dimensional array in which the crosstalk of the visually recognized image is excessive can be excluded from the array candidates. Therefore, it is possible to guide or select a two-dimensional array from among the sequence candidates that can be visually recognized well, and it is possible to improve the enjoyment of the user.

  Further, according to another invention, in addition to each of the above-described inventions, the image quality selecting means displays a window on the display device, and the window has a low correlation from the side having a high correlation between a plurality of original image data. The gauge which can change the value regarding a correlation toward the side continuously, and the cursor which can designate the value regarding the said correlation inside a gauge are displayed.

  When configured in this way, a window is displayed on the display device by the image quality selection means. In this window, there is a gauge, and there is also a cursor that can specify a value related to the correlation inside the gauge. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily specify a value related to the correlation desired by the user, and the parallax image can be visually recognized with the image quality desired by the user.

  In addition to the above-mentioned inventions, the image quality selecting means displays a window on the display device, and the window has a low correlation from the side with high correlation between a plurality of original image data. A designated portion that can be designated in a discrete manner is displayed.

  When configured in this way, a window is displayed on the display device by the image quality selection means. In this window, there are designated portions where values relating to correlation can be discretely designated. For this reason, it is possible to arbitrarily specify a value related to the correlation desired by the user, for example, by clicking on the designated portion, and the parallax image can be visually recognized with the image quality desired by the user.

  Further, according to another invention, in addition to each of the above-described inventions, the image quality selecting means automatically determines a two-dimensional array from among the array candidates, and the image quality selecting means includes a plurality of original image data. Reference image data determining means for determining original image data serving as a reference, and comparison image data determining means for determining original image data to be compared with reference original image data from among a plurality of original image data A first average value calculating means for calculating a reference average value that is an average value of gradations of each component of the color elements constituting the original image data, and a comparison target; Second average value calculating means for calculating a comparison target average value that is an average value of gradations of each component of the color elements constituting the original image data, and a reference average value The comparison target average value is a predetermined tolerance A determination means for determining whether or not the image is present in the image, and, as a result of the determination by the determination means, if the comparison target average value is within an allowable range, the reference original image data and the comparison original image data If a two-dimensional array in which a large number of pixel data are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction crossing the lens is selected from among the array candidates, and the comparison target average value is not within the allowable range Selection that selects a two-dimensional array from among array candidates that determines that the correlation between the original original image data and the original image data to be compared is not high and arranges a large number of pixel data in the direction across the lens Means.

  In the case of such a configuration, the reference image data determination means determines the original image data as a reference from the plurality of original image data. Further, the comparison image data determination means determines original image data to be compared with reference image data from among a plurality of original image data. Further, the first average value calculating means calculates a reference average value, which is an average value of gradations of each component of the color elements constituting the original image data, for the reference original image data. Further, the second average value calculating means calculates, for the original image data to be compared, a comparison target average value that is an average value of gradations of each component of the color elements constituting the original image data. Further, the determination means determines whether or not the comparison target average value is within a predetermined allowable range with respect to the reference average value. Further, when the comparison target average value is within the allowable range, the selection unit determines that the correlation between the reference original image data and the comparison target original image data is high, and crosses the lens. A two-dimensional array in which many pixel data are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction is selected from the array candidates. Further, when the comparison target average value is not within the allowable range, it is determined that the correlation between the reference original image data and the comparison original image data is not high, and the pixel is crossed in the direction across the lens. A two-dimensional array in which a large number of data is arranged is selected from the array candidates.

  In this way, when it is determined whether or not the reference average value is within a predetermined allowable range with respect to the comparison target average value, between the reference original image data and the comparison original image data Are highly correlated. Based on this determination, the selection means automatically selects a two-dimensional array from among the array candidates, so even a user who is not good at operating a printer or application software can easily respond to the type of parallax image. An optimum print image can be printed on the lens sheet.

  According to another invention, in addition to the above-described inventions, the lens sheet has a rectangular outer appearance due to four outer edges, and the outer edges are provided in parallel to the rotation axis direction. When configured in this manner, the rotation axis direction is parallel to the outer edge, so that the user can easily understand the rotation axis direction at the time of visual recognition. Further, it becomes easy to perform operations such as paper feeding in the printer.

  Furthermore, in another invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the arrangement candidates may be obtained by arranging the corner data when the pixel data related to the parallax image visually recognized at one end thereof is arranged at the corner in the rotation of the lens sheet. The pixel data that is sequentially viewed from one end to the other end along the rotation axis direction is arranged.

  In the case of such a configuration, pixel data corresponding to each original image data can be arranged so that the parallax images sequentially change with reference to the corner portion. As a result, when the lens sheet is rotated with the rotation axis as a reference, it is possible to visually recognize the parallax images as changing sequentially.

  According to another aspect of the invention, in addition to each of the above-described inventions, the image data forming means may form a half of the compressed image data after forming the compressed image data when the original image data is highly correlated with each other. Tone processing is performed.

  In such a configuration, when the correlation of the image data is high, halftone processing is performed after the compressed image data is generated, so that the smoothness at the time of switching the visible image is improved. Is possible.

  Further, according to another invention, in addition to each of the above-described inventions, the image data forming means may further provide that the original image data is independent before forming the compressed image data when the original image data has a low correlation with each other. A halftone process is performed at a stage having the characteristics.

  In such a configuration, when the correlation of the image data is low, the halftone process is performed at the stage where the original image data has independence, so that the switching of the visible image is good. That is, it is possible to clearly switch the visually recognized image.

  Further, another invention is a lens sheet for forming a parallax image corresponding to a plurality of parallaxes on one surface, wherein a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal axis are disposed, A plurality of pieces of image data are processed to execute printing on a lens sheet whose rotation axis direction is visually inclined with respect to one direction, and printing is executed based on the processed image data. In the printing apparatus for performing the processing, the two-dimensional array for specifying each pixel data array corresponding to each parallax and composed of pixel data based on the input original image data A sequence candidate creation means for creating a sequence candidate of a two-dimensional array according to the number of original image data to be selected, and selecting any two-dimensional array from among the sequence candidates according to the type of parallax image And a pixel block composed of the pixel data by arranging the pixel data in accordance with the order of the two-dimensional arrangement corresponding to the arrangement candidate based on the selection of the arrangement candidate by the image quality selection means. The image data forming means for forming the compressed image data as one data reflecting the pixel blocks of all the input original image data, and the print data based on the compressed image data created by the image data forming means Print data creation means to create, lens detection means for detecting a lens pitch of the lens sheet by receiving transmitted light or reflected light from the lens sheet, and generating a detection signal based on the detection; print data; Based on the detection signal, a carriage motor for moving the carriage and a paper feed motor for conveying the lens sheet And control means for controlling the driving of the print head for ejecting ink droplets into a fine lens sheet, those having a.

  In the case of such a configuration, the array candidate creation means determines the array candidate of the two-dimensional array of pixel data based on the number of input original image data. Also, the image quality selection means selects any two-dimensional array from the array candidates. Further, the image data forming means arranges the pixel data according to the selected two-dimensional arrangement order, and creates a pixel block composed of the pixel data. Further, the image data forming means reflects the pixel blocks of all original image data to form compressed image data as one data. The print data creation means creates print data based on the created compressed image data, and the control means controls ejection of ink droplets from the print head based on the print data and a detection signal from the lens detection means. To do.

  In this way, since a two-dimensional array candidate is created according to the number of original image data, the user can easily select a desired candidate, or can be automatically selected from the array candidates. A two-dimensional array can be determined. Also, based on the selected two-dimensional array, a pixel block can be created. By arranging the pixel data in a block shape in this way, it is possible to form a printed image having a large number of parallaxes. Become. Further, by performing control that reflects the processing of each of the above-described units by the control unit, it is possible to make the printing on the lens sheet high definition.

  In addition, since the print image has a large number of parallaxes, the user can recognize a stereoscopic image in a more natural state, enjoy a smoother motion animation, etc. It becomes possible to increase fun.

  Furthermore, in another invention, a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal direction are arranged, a plurality of image data are processed, and printing is performed on a lens sheet based on the processed image data. In the printing method, the lens sheet corresponds to each parallax while the rotation axis direction when viewing a parallax image corresponding to a plurality of parallaxes on one surface is inclined with respect to one direction. A two-dimensional array configured from pixel data based on input original image data and for designating the array of the pixel data, and arranged in accordance with the number of input original image data A sequence candidate creation step for creating a candidate, an image quality selection step for selecting a sequence candidate of any two-dimensional array from the created sequence candidates according to the type of parallax image, and an image quality selection step Arrangement Based on the selection of candidates, pixel data is arranged according to the order of the two-dimensional arrangement corresponding to the arrangement candidate, pixel blocks composed of the pixel data are formed, and the pixel blocks of all input original image data are reflected. An image data forming process for forming compressed image data as one data, a print data creating process for creating print data based on the compressed image data created by the image data forming process, and the created print data And a control step of ejecting ink droplets onto the lens sheet while controlling the driving of the print head.

  In such a configuration, in the array candidate creation step, array candidates for a two-dimensional array of pixel data are determined based on the number of input original image data. In the image quality selection step, any two-dimensional array is selected from the array candidates. In the image data forming step, pixel data is arranged in accordance with the order of the selected two-dimensional arrangement, and a pixel block composed of the pixel data is created. In addition, in the image data forming step, the compressed image data as one data is formed by reflecting the pixel blocks of all the original image data. In the print data creation process, print data is created based on the created compressed image data. In the control process, ejection of ink droplets from the print head is controlled based on the print data and a detection signal from the lens detection means. To do.

  In this way, since a two-dimensional array candidate is created according to the number of original image data, the user can easily select a desired candidate, or can be automatically selected from the array candidates. A two-dimensional array can be determined. Also, based on the selected two-dimensional array, a pixel block can be created. By arranging the pixel data in a block shape in this way, it is possible to form a printed image having a large number of parallaxes. Become. Further, by performing control that reflects the processing in each of the above steps in the control step, it is possible to make the printing on the lens sheet high definition.

  In addition, since the print image has a large number of parallaxes, the user can recognize a stereoscopic image in a more natural state, enjoy a smoother motion animation, etc. It becomes possible to increase fun.

It is front sectional drawing which shows the structure of the lens detection sensor which concerns on this invention. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of a lens sheet. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a portion related to paper feeding of the printer. It is a bottom view which shows the lower surface of a carriage. It is a sectional side view showing the shape near a platen. It is side sectional drawing which shows structures, such as a lens detection sensor. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a gap sensor. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a signal output part. It is a figure which shows the analog signal and digital signal of lens pitch detection. It is a block diagram of the control part which performs various control of a printer. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a computer. It is a figure which shows the detail of the various programs mounted on a computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the window displayed with an image quality adjustment program. It is a figure which shows a pixel block of length 2x width 3. It is a figure which shows a pixel block of length 3x width 2. It is a figure which shows the basic processing flow for performing printing. It is a figure which shows the outline of the processing flow for producing image data. It is a figure which shows the processing flow for forming the image data of a two-dimensional arrangement | sequence. It is a figure which shows the mode of the pixel data dimension calculation of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. It is a figure which shows a mode that a dot straddles a convex lens. It is a figure which shows the processing flow for performing printing. It is a figure which shows the signal used as the reference | standard at the time of discharging an ink drop. It is a figure which shows the processing flow for determining a two-dimensional arrangement | sequence automatically. It is a figure which shows the processing flow which judges correlation between original image data.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the printer 10 and the computer 120 are connected, and these cooperate to implement a printing apparatus. In the following embodiments, the printer 10 is an ink jet printer. However, the ink jet printer may be an apparatus that employs any discharge method as long as it is an apparatus that can print by discharging ink. Further, the computer 120 may be an image processing apparatus and the printer 10 may be an image processing apparatus as long as various programs to be described later are read and perform their functions satisfactorily.

  In the following description, the lower side refers to the side where the printer 10 is installed, and the upper side refers to the side away from the installed side. Further, a direction in which a carriage 30 described later moves is a main scanning direction, a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and a direction in which the lens sheet 12 is conveyed is a sub-scanning direction. Also, the side on which the lens sheet 12 is supplied will be described as a paper feed side (rear end side), and the side on which the lens sheet 12 is discharged will be described as a paper discharge side (front side).

<About lens sheet>
First, the lens sheet 12 that is a printing object will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the lens sheet 12 includes a lenticular lens 12A located on the front surface, an ink absorbing layer 12B in contact with the back surface of the lenticular lens 12A, and an ink transmission layer 12C located on the back surface of the lens sheet 12. It has. Among these, the lenticular lens 12A has a configuration in which a plurality of cylindrical convex lenses (convex lenses 12A1) whose longitudinal direction is one direction are arranged in parallel at a constant pitch. In the lenticular lens 12A, the curvature of the convex lens 12A1 is formed so that the focal point of the light traveling through each convex lens 12A1 is located on the back surface (boundary surface Q with the ink absorbing layer 12B) of the lenticular lens 12A.

  In this embodiment, the pitch of the alignment of the convex lenses 12A1 in the lenticular lens 12A is an integer multiple of the pitch of the alignment of the line patterns of the scale 81 described later. For example, when the line pattern of the scale 81 is 1/180 inch, the pitch of the convex lens 12A1 is 10 lpi (lens per inch; the number of convex lenses 12A1 per inch), 20 lpi, 30 lpi, 45 lpi, 60 lpi, 90 lpi, 100 lpi, Some have 130 lpi and 180 lpi. However, the pitch of the convex lens 12A1 is not limited to this example, and various changes may be made in addition to these lens pitches. Further, in the lens sheet 12, usually, there is a slight deviation from the pitch of the convex lens 12A1 due to a manufacturing error or the like.

  Further, the ink permeable layer 12C is a portion to which the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle 33a is first attached, and is a portion through which the attached ink passes. The ink permeable layer 12C is made of, for example, fine particles of titanium oxide, silica gel, PMMA (methacrylic resin), barium sulfate, glass fiber, plastic fiber, or the like. The ink absorption layer 12B is a part that absorbs and / or fixes the ink that has passed through the ink transmission layer 12C. The ink absorbing layer 12B is made of, for example, a hydrophilic polymer resin such as PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), a cationic compound, fine particles such as silica, or the like. The lenticular lens 12A is made of PET, PETG, APET, PP, PS, PVC, acrylic, UV resin, or the like.

  The ink absorption layer 12B is transparent, and the ink transmission layer 12C is white. However, the ink absorption layer 12B may be white, the ink transmission layer 12C may be transparent, and both the ink transmission layer 12C and the ink absorption layer 12B may be transparent. In the present embodiment, since the ink permeable layer 12C exists, the lens sheet 12 can be immediately touched even after printing. However, the lens sheet 12 may adopt a configuration that does not include the ink transmission layer 12C.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lens sheet 12 in the present embodiment has a rectangular appearance, and the edge 12E of the lens sheet 12 that forms the rectangular appearance has a convex lens 12A1. It is provided in a state inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction (corresponding to one direction). That is, the longitudinal direction of the convex lens 12A1 is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the outer frame (edge 12E) of the rectangular lens sheet 12. In the present embodiment, the inclination angle θ with respect to the edge 12E of the convex lens 12A1 is set to about 10 degrees. However, the tilt angle is not limited to 10 degrees, and various tilt angles can be employed within a range of 0.1 to 45 degrees, for example.

  In FIG. 2, a reference direction (reference direction L) is shown. The reference direction L corresponds to the rotation axis direction in the present embodiment. The reference direction L forms an inclination angle θ with respect to the longitudinal direction of the convex lens 12A1.

<About the overall configuration of the printer>
Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and others, the printer 10 includes a carriage mechanism 20 that reciprocates the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction by a carriage motor (CR motor 22), and a lens sheet 12 by a PF motor 41 (corresponding to a paper feed motor). 3 and the like, and there is a control unit 100 shown in FIG.

  Here, the carriage mechanism 20 will be described. The carriage mechanism 20 includes a carriage 30 as shown in FIG. The carriage mechanism 20 includes a carriage shaft 21 that slidably holds the carriage 30, a carriage motor (CR motor 22), a gear pulley 23 attached to the CR motor 22, an endless belt 24, A driven pulley 25 that stretches the endless belt 24 between the gear pulley 23 and a linear encoder 80 are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the carriage 30 is provided in a state of facing the platen 50. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, an ink cartridge 31 of each color is detachably mounted on the carriage 30. A print head 32 is provided below the carriage 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the nozzles 33 a are arranged in a row in the print head 32 in the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the lens sheet 12, and the nozzle rows 33 corresponding to the respective color inks are formed. . In this embodiment, the nozzle row 33 is composed of, for example, 180 nozzles 33a. Of these, the 180th nozzle 33a is located on the paper feed side, and the first nozzle 33a is located on the paper discharge side. ing.

  In addition, a piezo element (not shown) is arranged for each nozzle 33a in the nozzle row 33 provided below the carriage 30 and associated with each ink. By the operation of this piezo element, it is possible to eject ink droplets from the nozzle 33a at the end of the ink passage. The print head 32 is not limited to the piezo driving method using a piezo element, and other methods may be used. Other methods include, for example, a heater method in which ink is heated with a heater and the generated foam force is used, a magnetostriction method in which a magnetostrictive element is used, an electrostatic method in which electrostatic force is used, and a mist method in which mist is controlled by an electric field. Etc. are mentioned as main methods.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4 and the like, the printer 10 includes a paper transport mechanism 40. The paper transport mechanism 40 includes a PF motor 41 (see FIG. 3) for transporting the lens sheet 12 and the like, and a paper feed roller 42 for feeding plain paper or the like. Further, a PF roller pair 43 for conveying and / or clamping the lens sheet 12 is provided on the paper discharge side with respect to the paper supply roller 42. Of the PF roller pair 43, the PF drive roller 43a is transmitted with the driving force from the PF motor 41 and enables the lens sheet 12 to be conveyed step by step.

  Further, the platen 50 and the above-described print head 32 are arranged on the paper discharge side of the PF roller pair 43 so as to face each other in the vertical direction. The platen 50 supports the lens sheet 12 conveyed below the print head 32 by the PF roller pair 43 from below. Further, a paper discharge roller pair 44 similar to the above-described PF roller pair 43 is provided on the paper discharge side from the platen 50. Of the pair of paper discharge rollers 44, the drive power from the PF motor 41 is transmitted to the paper discharge drive roller 44a together with the PF drive roller 43a.

  Further, an opening 45 is provided in the printer 10 on the rear end side opposite to the paper discharge side and on the lower side of the paper feed roller 42. The opening 45 is an opening for allowing a printing object, such as the lens sheet 12, that is difficult to bend, to pass on the rear end side of the printer 10. In addition, the lens sheet 12 may be passed through the opening 45 in a state where it is placed on a tray or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, a portion between the lower surface of the carriage 30 and the platen 50 corresponds to a lens detection unit that detects the lens pitch (or lens position) of the convex lens 12 </ b> A <b> 1 in the lens sheet 12. A lens detection sensor 60 is disposed. The lens detection sensor 60 is a light projection / reception system (transmission system) sensor, and includes a light emitting unit 61 and a light receiving unit 62 as shown in FIGS. Among these, the light emission part 61 is provided in the platen 50 side (downward side) rather than the lens sheet 12 conveyed. The light receiving unit 62 is provided on the carriage 30 side (upper side) with respect to the conveyed lens sheet 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting unit 61 in the present embodiment employs a direct-type configuration in which a light source 612 is disposed on the side opposite to the light emission side, and includes a light source group 611 and the light source group. Diffusing plate 613 covering 611. The light emitting unit 61 is provided on the rear end side of the platen 50 (the feeding side of the lens sheet 12). The part where the light emitting unit 61 is provided is not limited to the platen 50, and may be provided in another fixed part, or may be provided on the front end side of the platen 50. In this way, by providing the light emitting unit 61 on the rear end side of the platen 50, the light emitting unit 61 and the light receiving unit 62 described later face each other.

  Further, the light emitting part 61 is provided in the recessed part 51 existing on the rear end side of the platen 50. The recessed portion 51 is a portion that is recessed from the other portions of the platen 50. The recessed portion 51 is provided in a state having a depth dimension greater than or equal to a certain depth so that the light source group 611 (light source 612) can be separated from the diffusion plate 613 by a certain distance.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light source group 611 includes a large number of light sources 612 arranged in the main scanning direction. These light sources 612 are light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit light of a predetermined color. In addition, these light sources 612 are arranged at predetermined intervals, and are arranged in a state of being separated from the lens sheet 12 by a predetermined interval in consideration of the directivity of the light sources 612. Thereby, the light emitted from the light source 612 is irradiated to the diffusion plate 613 with a slight spread. The diffusion plate 613 changes various traveling directions of the light emitted from the light source 612. Thereby, the light that has passed through the diffusion plate 613 is emitted toward the lens sheet 12 in a state in which the contrast is made uniform.

  In the present embodiment, the light source group 611 in which the light sources 612 are arranged is provided so as to be larger than the prescribed width of the lens sheet 12. Therefore, the contrast of the light incident on the lens sheet 12 is provided so as not to cause a large difference. In order to further reduce the contrast of light, the arrangement of the light sources 612 constituting the light source group 611 may be changed so that a large number of light sources 612 are arranged in a staggered manner.

  A light receiving unit 62 is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 30. The light receiving unit 62 is attached to the lower surface of the carriage 30, and is attached to, for example, a part away from the home position in the main scanning direction and the paper feeding side in the sub scanning direction. However, the attachment position of the light receiving unit 62 is not limited to such a part, and may be configured to be attached to, for example, the central portion in the main scanning direction on the lower surface of the carriage 30.

  In the present embodiment, the light receiving portion 62 includes a base portion 621, a light receiving element 623, and a slit plate 624. Of these, the base portion 621 is a portion to which the light receiving element 623 is attached, and has a storage portion 622 to which the light receiving element 623 is attached. The storage portion 622 is in a state where four sides are surrounded by plate-like members. And the light receiving element 623 is attached to the accommodating part 622 enclosed by the plate-shaped member, and only the lower surface side is open | released. Thereby, it is configured to prevent the reception of certain diffused light.

  The light receiving element 623 is an element that can convert received light into an electrical signal, such as a phototransistor, a photodiode, or a photo IC. A slit plate 624 is attached to the lower surface side of the storage portion 622. The slit plate 624 is formed with a slit 624a that allows light to pass therethrough, and allows light in a predetermined direction (light in the direction along the optical axis L in FIG. 1) to be received through the slit 624a. It is the composition to do.

  The width dimension of the slit 624a is preferably less than or equal to ½ of the lens width of the convex lens 12A1. However, when the width dimension of the slit 624a is too narrow, the gap adjustment between the platen 50 and the carriage 30 becomes severe and there is a possibility that good detection cannot be performed. For this reason, the width dimension of the slit 624a needs to be a certain dimension value or more. In addition, light irradiated on the slit plate 624 other than the slit 624 a is blocked by the slit plate 624. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent diffused light other than the direction along the optical axis L from being received by the light receiving element 623.

  Moreover, you may employ | adopt the structure which does not provide the above slit plates 624. FIG. In this case, although the detection accuracy of the lens pitch in the light receiving element 623 is deteriorated, the lens pitch of the lens sheet 12 can be detected by the condensing action of each convex lens 12A1.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the light receiving unit 62 is arranged so as not to contact the lens sheet 12 in the conveyance state of the lens sheet 12 but close to the lens sheet 12 so as not to deteriorate the conveyance property. Yes. As a result, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 61 is diffused with the center of curvature of each convex lens 12A1 in the boundary surface Q as a focal point, but the light is incident on the light receiving unit 62 without being diffused so much.

  When the light emitting unit 61 adopts a direct type, the configuration is not limited to a configuration in which a large number of light emitting diodes are arranged, and a linear light source having a longitudinal direction in the main scanning direction may be used. Specifically, a cathode fluorescent lamp (CFL), a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), or electroluminescence (EL) can be used as the line light source. is there. In addition, the light emitting unit 61 may use a laser oscillator, a lamp, or the like that can generate laser light such as visible light or infrared light.

  Further, as the light emitting unit, an edge light type configuration may be adopted without adopting the direct type. In this case, the light emitting unit includes a light source disposed at an end in the main scanning direction, a reflector that reflects light from the light source toward the main scanning direction, and the light travels inside and has the main scanning direction as a longitudinal direction. A light guide plate, a reflective member attached to the lower surface side, the side surface side, and the other end of the light guide plate in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate, reflecting light; And a reflective dot that is disposed on the lower surface of the light plate and diffuses light.

  Further, in order to measure the distance PG between the lens sheet 12 and the nozzle 33a, it is preferable that a gap detection sensor 70 exists on the lower surface of the carriage 30 in addition to the lens detection sensor 60. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the gap detection sensor 70 that detects the distance PG. As shown in FIG. 8, the gap detection sensor 70 includes a light emitting unit 71 and two light receiving units (a first light receiving unit 72a and a second light receiving unit 72b). The light emitting unit 71 includes a light emitting diode and irradiates the lens sheet 12 with light. The first light receiving unit 72a and the second light receiving unit 72b each have a light receiving element that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light received. The second light receiving unit 72b is provided at a position farther from the light emitting unit 71 than the first light receiving unit 72a.

  The light emitted from the light emitting unit 71 is applied to the lens sheet 12 and reflected. The reflected light is incident on the above-described light receiving element, and is converted into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light incident on the light receiving element. Here, when the distance PG is small, the light reflected by the lens sheet 12 is mainly incident on the first light receiving portion 72a, but only the diffused light is incident on the second light receiving portion 72b. Therefore, the output signal of the first light receiving unit 72a is larger than the output signal of the second light receiving unit 72b.

On the other hand, if the distance PG is large, the light reflected is mainly incident to the second light receiving portion 72b, the first light receiving portion 72 a is not incident only diffused light. Therefore, the output signal of the second light receiving unit 72b is larger than the output signal of the first light receiving unit 72a. Therefore, if the relationship between the ratio of the output signals of the first light receiving unit 72a and the second light receiving unit 72b and the distance PG is obtained in advance, the distance PG corresponding to the lens sheet 12 and the like based on the ratio of the output signals. Can be detected. In this case, information regarding the relationship between the ratio of the output signals of the light receiving portions 72a and 72b and the distance PG may be stored in the ROM 102 or the nonvolatile memory 110 as a table.

  Such output signal detection is performed while driving the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction. In this driving, the distance PG in the main scanning direction of the lens sheet 12 can be detected by corresponding to the position detection of the linear encoder 80 described later.

  The gap detection sensor 70 can also be used as the lens detection sensor 60 described above. In this case, if the optical axis of the light emitting unit 61 is disposed so as to be inclined, and the ratio of the output signals between the first light receiving unit 72a and the second light receiving unit 72b changes according to the distance PG, the gap It becomes possible to share the detection sensor 70 and the lens detection sensor 60.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the carriage mechanism 20 is provided with a linear encoder 80. The linear encoder 80 outputs light toward the code plate 81 in which the line pattern is repeated and the code plate 81, and converts the light reflected from the code plate 81 into an electrical signal to the control unit 100. And a linear sensor 82 for transmission.

  Next, the configuration of the signal forming unit 90 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the signal forming unit 90 includes a filter 91, an amplifier (AMP) 92, and a binarization processing unit 93. Among these, the filter 91 is connected to one end side of the signal line 94. The other end side of the signal line 94 is connected to the light receiving unit 62 (light receiving element 623) described above. For this reason, the analog signal generated in the light receiving unit 62 is transmitted to the filter 91 via the signal line 94, but the filter 91 removes frequency components other than the predetermined band from the analog signal (see FIG. 10). Is done. Thereby, a digital signal as shown in FIG. 10 is generated.

  The signal passing through the filter 91 is input to the AMP 92 and amplified to a predetermined voltage or the like (for example, 40 times). The amplified signal is then input to the binarization processing unit 93, and an H level or L level binary signal (2) depending on whether the input signal exceeds a threshold value. Value signal). In this state, the lens pitch of the lens sheet 12 can be measured by inputting a binarized signal to the control unit 100 described later and detecting the switching timing of the H level signal and / or the L level signal.

  Next, the control unit 100 will be described based on FIG. The control unit 100 is a part corresponding to control means (execution of a control process), and includes a PW sensor (not shown) for detecting a paper width, a lens detection sensor 60, a gap detection sensor 70, a linear sensor 82, and a rotary encoder 112 described later. , Each output signal of the printer 10 is turned on / off. More specifically, the control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an ASIC 104, a DC unit 105, a signal processing unit 106, a PF motor driver 107, a CR motor driver 108, a head driver 109, a nonvolatile memory 110, and the like. .

  Among these, the DC unit 105 is a control circuit for performing speed control of the CR motor 22 and the PF motor 41 which are DC motors. The DC unit 105 performs various calculations for controlling the speed of the PF motor 41 and the CR motor 22 based on a control command sent from the CPU 91, an output signal from the signal processing unit 106 described later, and the like. Based on the result, a motor control signal is transmitted to the PF motor driver 107 and the CR motor driver 108.

  Further, the signal processing unit 106 receives the binarized signal output from the above-described binarization processing unit 93 and the encoder signal output from the linear sensor 82. The signal processing unit 106 outputs a motor drive signal reflecting the binarized signal having lens pitch information to the CR motor 22 based on the binarized signal and the encoder signal. Thereby, the CR motor 22 is driven at a driving speed corresponding to the detected lens pitch.

  Each component in the control unit 100 described above is connected by a bus 100a, and data can be exchanged between the components. A processing flow described below is realized by adding a circuit for performing such cooperation or specific processing. Here, the configuration for executing the processing flows in the following FIGS. 17 to 19, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, etc. may be realized in hardware or may be realized in software.

  It should be noted that the drive timing of the print head 32 can be controlled based on the lens signal or / and the ENC signal by the cooperation of the components in the control unit 100 described above. Further, in controlling the drive timing of the print head 32, the nozzles 33a of the nozzle row 33 may be individually controlled. When the drive timing of the nozzles 33a can be individually controlled, it is possible to improve the printing accuracy.

  The printer 10 includes an interface 111. A computer 120 is connected via the interface 111.

  The rotary encoder 112 shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 and the like is different from the linear encoder 80 described above in that the code plate 112a is provided in a disc shape. However, the other configuration is the same as that of the linear encoder 80.

  Next, the internal configuration of the computer 120 will be described with reference to FIG. The computer 120 includes a CPU 121, ROM 122, RAM 123, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 124, video circuit 125, I / F 126, bus 127, display device 128, input device 129, and external storage device 130.

  Among these, the CPU 121 executes various arithmetic processes according to programs stored in the ROM 122 and the HDD 124 and controls each unit of the apparatus. The ROM 122 stores basic programs and data executed by the CPU 121. The RAM 123 is a memory that temporarily stores programs being executed by the CPU 121 and data being calculated. The HDD 124 is a recording device that reads data recorded on a hard disk, which is a recording medium, and a program to be described later in response to a request from the CPU 121 and records the data on the hard disk described above.

  The video circuit 125 is a circuit that executes a drawing process in accordance with a drawing command supplied from the CPU 121, converts the obtained image data into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the display device 128. The I / F 126 is a circuit that appropriately converts the expression format of signals output from the input device 129 and the external storage device 130 and outputs a print signal PS to the printer 10. The bus 127 is a signal line that connects the components of the computer 120 to each other and enables data exchange between them. The display device 128 is a device that displays an image corresponding to the video signal output from the video circuit 125. The input device 129 is, for example, a device that indicates a keyboard or mouse, generates a signal corresponding to a user operation, and supplies the signal to the I / F 126.

  The external storage device 130 is composed of, for example, a CD-R / RW drive unit and the like, reads data or a program recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-R disc, and supplies it to the CPU 121, or data supplied from the CPU 121. Is a device that records the image on the MO disk or FD.

  Next, functions of programs and drivers installed in the computer 120 will be described with reference to FIG. Each unit is realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the computer 120 and the software recorded in the HDD 124. As shown in FIG. 13, the computer 120 stores various programs such as an image quality adjustment program 141, a video driver program 142, and a printer driver program 150, which are stored under a predetermined operating system (OS). Is working with.

  Of these, FIG. 14 shows an image (image of the window 141a to be activated) displayed on the display device 128 when the image quality adjustment program 141 is activated. The image quality adjustment program 141 is a program for the user to select an image quality according to the type of print image. Here, it is defined as “smooth” when the visual image is switched between image data that are similar to each other, and “clear” when the visual image is switched between image data that are not similar to each other. Defined. The image quality is a degree of smoothness or sharpness that is switched between “smooth” and “clear” according to an image quality value (corresponding to a value related to correlation).

  Here, whether smooth or not depends on the degree of occurrence of crosstalk. For example, in the case of the two-dimensional array of pixel data shown in FIG. 15 (vertical 2 × horizontal 3), when the parallax image by the third pixel is to be viewed, the second pixel and the fourth pixel are partially viewed. (See the shaded portion in FIG. 15). Further, in the case of the two-dimensional array shown in FIG. 16 (vertical 3 × horizontal 2), when a parallax image by the third pixel is to be visually recognized, the first pixel, the second pixel, and the fourth pixel are partially Or the second pixel, the fourth pixel, and the fifth pixel are visually recognized (see the shaded portion in FIG. 16). Such a phenomenon is hereinafter referred to as crosstalk.

  Regarding the crosstalk as described above, if a large number of pixels are arranged in the width direction (lateral direction) of the convex lens 12A1, the influence of the crosstalk is reduced, and the switching of the visually recognized parallax image becomes clear (clear). However, the smoothness of switching of the visually recognized parallax image is reduced. On the other hand, when a large number of pixels are arranged in the vertical direction of the lens sheet 12, the influence of crosstalk increases, and the switching of the visually recognized parallax image becomes smooth. However, the sharpness of switching of the visually recognized parallax image is reduced.

  In order to perform such image quality adjustment, in the present embodiment, when the image quality adjustment program 141 is started, a window 141a as shown in FIG. In this window 141a, a gauge 141b that can be switched between clear, normal, and smooth is displayed, and the gauge 141b is displayed on the gauge 141b from the one end side of the gauge 141b by a user's mouse click or button operation. A cursor 141c that can move to the end side is displayed. Here, the user can move the cursor 141c according to the image quality desired by the user. Details thereof will be described later.

  The video driver program 142 is a program for driving the video circuit 125. For example, gamma processing and white balance adjustment are performed on image data supplied from an application program for displaying or processing separate image data. This is executed when a video signal is generated and supplied to the display device 128 for display.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the printer driver program 150 includes a resolution conversion module 151, an image composition module 152, a halftone module 153, a color conversion module 154, a print data generation module 155, a transmission module 156, and the like.

  Among these modules, the resolution conversion module 151 performs resolution conversion processing to be described later. The image composition module 152 performs processing for creating post-conversion image data, which will be described later. The halftone module 153 performs halftone processing described later, and the color conversion module 154 performs color conversion processing described later. Further, the print data generation module 155 performs processing for creating print data, which will be described later, and the transmission module 156 performs processing for outputting the generated print data to the printer 10.

  The various hardware and various programs in the computer 120 cooperate to provide image quality selection means (execute the image quality selection process), sequence candidate creation means (execute the sequence candidate creation process), image data formation means (image data formation). Execution step), reference image data determination means, comparison image data determination means, first average value calculation means, second average value calculation means, determination means, selection means, print data creation means (execute print data creation process) ) Etc. are realized. However, it is also possible to configure the printer 10 so as to perform these functions (means) independently, such as a stand-alone printer. In this case, a program equivalent to the above-described programs 150 to 156 is It is stored in a storage part such as the ROM 102 or the nonvolatile memory 110.

<About the basic processing flow for printing>
A basic processing flow for performing printing in the case of operating the printer 10 using the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the inclination angle θ of the lens sheet 12 shown in FIG. 2 is recognized in advance on the printer 10 side, and the subsequent processing is performed by reflecting the inclination angle θ.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an outline of processing when printing is performed on the lens sheet 12 illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 15, first, processing for creating image data is performed (S10). When the computer 120 is connected to the printer 10, the image data is created by a program separately stored in a hard disk or the like on the computer 120 side. When the computer 120 is not connected to the printer 10, the program is separately stored in a storage part on the printer 10 side.

<Processing flow for creating image data>
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an outline of processing for creating image data. As shown in FIG. 18, first, pixel data array candidates (arrangement candidates having a plurality of two-dimensional arrays of two-dimensional pixel data of vertical n × horizontal m) are created (S110). In this case, an array candidate of a two-dimensional array is created from the number of parallax images (number of original image data) provided (input) from the user. At this time, division is performed on the number of parallax images to obtain a value to be divided from a quotient with a remainder of 0, and an array candidate is created using these values. For example, when the number of parallaxes is 12 (the number of input image data is 12), the arrangement candidates are vertical 1 × horizontal 12, vertical 2 × horizontal 6, vertical 3 × horizontal 4, vertical 4 × horizontal 3, vertical 6 X 2 horizontal, 12 vertical x 1 horizontal.

  In addition, the above-mentioned arrangement of vertical n × horizontal m is arranged in order from the one with the highest definition. Also, in the image quality adjustment program 141, when the number of parallaxes to be handled is fixed and there is a sufficient storage area such as the HDD 124 for storing the array candidates, the array candidates are obtained in advance and the array candidates are stored as a table. You may make it let it. Further, when the speed of the carriage 30 corresponding to the number of parallaxes can also be obtained, information regarding the speed of the carriage 30 may be stored in the above-described table.

  Next, one two-dimensional array is selected from the array candidates created in S110 (S120). The selection of the two-dimensional array causes a window 141a to be displayed on the display device 128 as shown in FIG. Then, the user moves the cursor 141c in the displayed window 141a within the gauge 141b to determine the sharpness (image quality value). Here, as an example, FIG. 14 shows a state in which the image quality value in the case of “clear” is 10 and is located on one end side (left side in FIG. 14) of the gauge 141b. Similarly, FIG. 14 shows that the image quality value in the case of “smooth” is 1 and is located on the other end side (the right side in FIG. 14) of the gauge 141 b.

  In the window 141a, for example, a case where the image quality value is 6.3 is illustrated. In this case, if the gauge 141b is divided into six equal parts in a two-dimensional array arrangement candidate and they are sequentially arranged in descending order of the image quality value, when the user selects the image quality value 6.3, 2 corresponding to the image quality value The dimension array is determined to be 3 × 4. Taking the case of vertical 1 × horizontal 12 to vertical 12 × horizontal 1 as an example, the vertical 12 × horizontal 1 is a state in which 12 pieces of pixel data are aligned vertically, and a lot of crosstalk occurs. For example, 12 × 1 may be excluded from the sequence candidates. That is, a two-dimensional array of vertical n × horizontal 1 (n is 4 or more, for example) may be excluded from the array candidates.

  Also, instead of the type of window 141a that continuously changes the image quality value as described above, several items such as “clear”, “normal” and “smooth”, or “clear” and “smooth”, etc. You may make it display the window of the type which provides only the button (corresponding to the designation | designated site | part) etc. which can be discretely selected from among these. This type of window is particularly effective when there are few array candidates for a two-dimensional array. For example, in the case of 4 parallaxes, 2D array candidates are 1 × 4 horizontal, 2 × 2 horizontal, and 4 × 1 horizontal. Here, as described above, when the vertical 4 × horizontal 1 which is a two-dimensional array of vertical n × horizontal 1 is excluded from the sequence candidates (excluded), there are only two such sequence candidates. Even if the image quality value is continuously switched between “clear” and “smooth” in this state, the selection of the actual two-dimensional array is not so much affected. Therefore, even if a window that can be discretely selected as described above is provided, there is no substantial difference from the case where the window 141a is provided.

  After one two-dimensional array is selected in S120 described above, a process of creating image data (corresponding to compressed image data) of the two-dimensional array is performed (S130). In this processing, resolution conversion processing and image composition processing are performed on each input image data (hereinafter referred to as original image data). The details will be described based on the processing flow of FIG. 19 described later. Further, the image data created at this time is in a matrix form.

  Halftone processing or the like is performed on the image data created by the above-described image composition processing (S140). In addition to the halftone process, it is preferable to perform the color conversion process from the RGB system to the CMYK system that can be expressed by the printer 10, and it is also preferable to perform the creation of print data. The print data includes raster data indicating the dot recording state during scanning in the main scanning direction, data indicating the feed amount in the sub-scanning direction, and the like.

  In FIG. 18, after two-dimensional array image data is created in S130, halftone processing (preferably color conversion processing, print data creation processing, etc.) is performed in S140. In this case, the created print data has an advantage that the image quality of the visually recognized image becomes smooth. Therefore, this case is effective when a plurality of original image data are similar to each other. However, S130 and S140 in FIG. 18 are interchanged, and halftone processing or the like may be performed before creating two-dimensional array image data (a stage that still has independence from the original image data). good. In this case, since the halftone process or the like is performed on each of the plurality of image data before the image data of the two-dimensional array is created, the switching of the visible image is good. Therefore, when halftone processing or the like is performed in advance, it is effective when a plurality of original image data are not very similar to each other.

<Details of processing to create two-dimensional array image data>
FIG. 19 is a processing flow relating to details of processing for creating two-dimensional array image data.

  In this processing flow, first, a calculation is performed regarding the pixel block dimension (the lateral dimension of the convex lens 12A1) along the lateral direction of the lens sheet 12 (arrow XX direction in FIG. 20; corresponding to the transverse direction) ( S131). That is, the length of X shown in FIG. 20 is calculated. At this time, if the lens pitch of the lens sheet 12 (Xa in FIG. 20) is 60 LPI (= 423.333 μm), 59.09 LPI (= 429.864 μm) by X = Xa / cos (θ × π / 180). ) Is calculated. Here, the pixel block is a block-shaped portion having pixel data corresponding to the number of parallaxes and in which the pixel data is arranged in a matrix (see FIG. 20 and others). When ink droplets are ejected based on the lens signal, the lens resolution at the time of manufacturing the lens sheet 12 (for example, 60 LPI) is given as X when the two-dimensional image is created in S131.

  Next, the horizontal dimension (x1 in FIG. 20) of each pixel data constituting the pixel block is obtained (S132). In this calculation, X obtained in S131 is divided by the number of pixel data arranged in the horizontal direction. For example, when a pixel block of 3 × 4 pixels is created, four pixel data exist in the horizontal direction. Therefore, x1 is calculated as 107.466 μm (= 429.864 / 4).

  Subsequently, the size of the pixel block (the horizontal size of the convex lens 12A1) along the vertical direction of the lens sheet 12 (the arrow YY direction in FIG. 20; corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the crossing direction); Calculation relating to the appearance of an image is performed (S133). That is, the length Y shown in FIG. 20 is calculated. Here, from FIG. 20, there is a relationship of Y = x1 / tan (θ × π / 180) between x1 and Y. In this equation, if the numerical values exemplified above are substituted, Y = 609.47 μm is obtained. Note that Y dimension conversion is 41.67 PPI (Parallax per inch; the unit is equivalent to LPI, but the direction is the vertical direction).

  Next, the vertical dimension (y1 in FIG. 20) of each pixel data is obtained (S134). In this calculation, Y obtained in S133 is divided by the number of pixel data arranged in the vertical direction in the pixel block. For example, when creating image data of a two-dimensional array of 3 × 4, there are three pixel data in the vertical direction. Therefore, y1 is determined to be 203.156 μm (= 609.47 / 3).

  After S134, a large number of pixel blocks are arranged to create two-dimensional array image data (S135). At this time, resolution conversion is performed on each original image data according to the horizontal dimension X, the vertical dimension Y, the print size, and the print resolution of the pixel block. For example, in the case of creating image data after resolution conversion (hereinafter referred to as post-conversion image data) composed of pixel blocks of 3 × 4 pixels as described above, the print size is 148 mm × width. Assuming that the print resolution is 1440 dpi, the horizontal resolution is 59.09 PPI (= LPI), and the vertical resolution is 41.67 PPI, the number of pixel data in the horizontal direction (number of pixels = number of pixel blocks) is The number after the decimal point is rounded up to 233 pixels (≈100 / (25.4 / 59.07)), and the number of pixels in the vertical direction is also rounded up to the nearest 243 pixels (≈148 / (25.4). /41.67)).

  Then, resolution conversion processing is performed on each original image data so that the calculated number of pixels is obtained.

  When printing, considering that borderless printing can be performed, it is preferable that the size of the printed image is larger than the size of the lens sheet 12 because no margin is generated. Therefore, in the calculation of the number of pixels described above, the number after the decimal point is rounded up. In the above calculation process, it is assumed that the aspect ratio of the converted image data to be created and the aspect ratio of the lens sheet 12 are the same or similar. However, when the aspect ratios are different, it is necessary to cope with the problem by enlarging or reducing the original image data or changing the size of the converted image data.

  After the resolution conversion processing of each original image data is performed as described above, the pixels after resolution conversion are sequentially performed so that pixel data corresponding to one parallax image is arranged in each pixel block. Arrange the data. In this way, post-conversion image data as shown in FIG. 20 is created. When printing is performed, one pixel data is composed of a plurality of dots, so that the pixel data is composed of the same plurality of dots.

  Here, the number of dots in one pixel data is determined by the vertical and horizontal sizes, print resolution, vertical parallax resolution, and horizontal parallax resolution of the pixel block. For example, when the vertical × horizontal size of a pixel block is 609.47 μm (41.67 PPI) × 429.864 μm (59.09 PPI) and the print resolution is 1440 dpi, the number of dots in one pixel data is 34 .56 × width 24.37.

  Here, when the number of dots includes a decimal point as illustrated, it is necessary to adjust the dots so that the positional relationship with the lens sheet 12 matches the entire converted image data. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, when pixel data (dots) straddles between convex lenses 12A1, it is determined which pixel block (convex lens 12A1) belongs to. In this case, it is determined that the dot belongs to a pixel block (convex lens 12A1) having a higher ratio of dots. By this determination method, the distribution of the entire dots in the vertical and horizontal directions of the converted image data is determined.

  In each pixel block, the dots in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are distributed so that the dots included in each pixel data are approximately equal. For example, when the number of dots in the vertical direction is 34 dots and the number of pieces of pixel data in the vertical direction is three, the dot distribution for each pixel data is 11, 11, 12, and the like.

  Further, the arrangement of pixel data in each pixel block is determined so that, for example, the upper left corner is image data corresponding to the first parallax image, as shown in FIGS. (The position at this time corresponds to the corner). Then, in the horizontal direction, pixel data corresponding to a parallax with a number obtained by adding the number of pixel data in the vertical direction to the number of the pixel data on the left is arranged. In the vertical direction, image data corresponding to the parallax images are sequentially arranged in descending order toward the bottom. As described above, each pixel block is formed by arranging all the parallaxes. Further, all the pixel blocks are formed as described above, whereby the entire converted image data is formed.

<About the processing flow during printing>
Next, the processing flow during printing will be described with reference to FIG. First, it is determined whether or not ink droplets are ejected with reference to the edge of the lens sheet 12 (S201). The determination in S201 may be set (determined) by the user. Further, when creating the image data shown in FIG. 21 described above, it may be determined whether or not the lens resolution specified by the user or the like corresponds to a value at the manufacturing stage of the lens sheet 12. Further, when the printer 10 includes the lens detection sensor 60 as described above, the lens sheet 12 can be detected. Therefore, the determination may be made according to whether or not the lens detection sensor 60 is included. .

  In the above-described determination of S201, when ink droplets are ejected using the edge as a reference (in the case of Yes), the setting is made to eject ink droplets based on the ENC signal (S202). Here, the case where the ENC signal is used as a reference is a case where a certain condition is satisfied, for example, the lens pitch is accurate.

  In the above-described determination of S201, when ink droplets are ejected without using the edge as a reference (in the case of No), a setting is made to eject ink droplets based on the lens signal (S203). In this case, printing is executed while detecting the lens pitch of the lens sheet 12 using the lens detection sensor 60 described above.

  Note that when the setting of S202 is performed, printing is executed based only on the ENC signal, as shown in FIG. In this case, the existing general-purpose printer can be used, but in order to create image data, it is necessary to obtain the lens resolution (lens pitch) with high definition. On the other hand, when the setting of S203 is performed, as shown in FIG. 23B, the portion that does not reach the lens sheet 12 is printed based on the ENC signal and is inserted into the lens sheet 12. Printing is executed on the applied portion based on the lens signal. In this case, like the printer 10 in the present embodiment, it is necessary to include the lens detection sensor 60 and the like and be able to generate a lens signal. However, the lens resolution (lens pitch) used for creating the image data can be a value at the manufacturing stage of the lens sheet 12.

  Also, after the settings in S202 and S203 described above are completed, printing corresponding to each setting is executed (S204). Printing is executed as described above.

  According to the printer 10 having such a configuration, the array candidates of the two-dimensional array are created according to the number of input original image data, so that the user can easily select a desired array candidate. Become. Also, based on the selected two-dimensional array, a pixel block can be created. By arranging the pixel data in this way, a printed image having a large number of parallaxes can be formed.

  In addition, since the print image has a large number of parallaxes, the user can recognize a stereoscopic image in a more natural state, enjoy a smoother motion animation, etc. It becomes possible to increase fun.

  In the above-described embodiment, compressed image data formed based on a plurality of original image data is arranged in a matrix after compression and fragmentation. Thereby, a larger number of pixel data can be arranged as compared with a case where pixel data subdivided only in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is arranged.

  Further, in the case of original image data having a high correlation with each other, a two-dimensional array in which a large number of pixel data are arranged in the vertical direction is selected. Thereby, when the user visually recognizes, a lot of crosstalk occurs, so that the switching of the visually recognized image corresponding to the parallax becomes smooth. That is, in this case, the highly correlated (similar to each other) visually recognized images are smoothly switched, and the user can enjoy a smoothly switched visually recognized image (for example, an animation or a stereoscopic image).

  In the case of original image data having a low correlation with each other, a two-dimensional array in which a large number of pixel data are arranged in the horizontal direction is selected. Therefore, since the crosstalk does not occur so much when the user visually recognizes, switching of images corresponding to the parallax becomes clear. That is, in this case, the visually-recognized images with low correlation (not so similar to each other) are clearly switched, and the user enjoys a visually-recognized image that is switched more clearly (for example, a changing image whose design is switched to another). Can do.

  Further, as described above, by excluding the vertical 4 × horizontal 1 which is a two-dimensional array of vertical n × horizontal 1 from the array candidates, the two-dimensional array can be guided or selected from among the array candidates that can be visually recognized well. Can be selected. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from causing unnecessary confusion or trouble, and it is possible to improve the convenience and enjoyment of the user.

  Further, a window 141a is displayed on the display device 128, and a gauge 141b and a cursor 141c are provided in the window 141a. Therefore, it is possible to arbitrarily specify the image quality value desired by the user, and the parallax image can be visually recognized with the image quality desired by the user.

  The window 141a can also adopt a configuration in which image quality values are specified discretely. Even in this case, even when the image quality value is continuously switched from “clear” to “smooth” when there are few array candidates, the selection of the actual two-dimensional array is not so much affected. . Therefore, even if a window that can be discretely selected as described above is provided, there is no substantial difference from the case where the window 141a is provided, and the image quality desired by the user is the same as in the case of the window 141a. Thus, it becomes possible to visually recognize the parallax image.

  Further, the lens sheet 12 has a rectangular appearance, and an edge portion is provided in parallel with the reference direction L. Thereby, the reference direction L of the lens sheet 12 is parallel to the edge, and the user can easily understand the reference direction L at the time of visual recognition. Further, it becomes easy to perform operations such as paper feeding in the printer 10.

  Further, in the array candidate or the pixel block, each pixel data is arranged in descending order with respect to the corner portion. Therefore, pixel data corresponding to each original image data can be arranged so that the parallax images are sequentially changed with the corner portion as a reference. As a result, when the lens sheet is rotated with the rotation axis as a reference, it is possible to visually recognize the parallax images as changing sequentially.

  Further, as in the above-described processing of S140, halftone processing can be performed after forming two-dimensional array image data. In this case, when the correlation of the input original image data is high, it is possible to improve the smoothness when the visually recognized image is switched. Therefore, for example, it is suitable for a case where a stereoscopic image is visually recognized or a type such as animation.

  Further, when the original image data have a low correlation with each other, halftone processing can be performed at a stage where the original image data has independence. In this case, the switching of the visually recognized image is good. That is, it is possible to clearly switch the visually recognized image. Therefore, for example, it is suitable for a type such as a change picture in which a picture is switched from a dog to a cat.

<Second pattern of processing>
Hereinafter, the second pattern of processing in the present invention will be described. Note that the processing flow of this processing pattern is only slightly different from the processing pattern already described. Therefore, description will be made using the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, in the following processing flow, the processing flow of S120 in FIG. 18 described above is changed to be a second pattern of processing. The details will be described below with reference to FIG.

<Details of Processing Flow of S120 in FIG. 18>
First, it is determined whether or not the input original image data corresponds to a stereoscopic image (S310). In this case, when using application software (not shown) used for forming image data, user designation (designation of whether or not it is a stereoscopic image, etc.) in an interface (window) displayed by the application software. ) To determine whether or not it corresponds to a stereoscopic image. In addition, when using dedicated application software for creating a stereoscopic image, or when using dedicated application software for creating a change image, from the application software to a program for executing this processing flow, The determination may be made at the stage where the print data is delivered. Furthermore, when information (flag information) for determining whether the image corresponds to a stereoscopic image or a change-related image exists in the header portion of the original image data, the stereoscopic image is referenced with reference to the information. It may be determined whether or not the image is supported.

  When it is determined in the above-described determination of S310 that the image corresponds to a stereoscopic image (in the case of Yes), the candidate in which the largest amount of pixel data is arranged in the vertical direction is subsequently selected from the array candidates of the two-dimensional array. (S320). For example, if there are candidates of vertical 1 × horizontal 12, vertical 2 × horizontal 6, vertical 3 × horizontal 4, vertical 4 × horizontal 3, and vertical 6 × horizontal 2 candidates, a sequence candidate of vertical 6 × horizontal 2 is selected. Note that after the processing of S320, the processing flow of FIG.

  If it is determined in the above-described determination of S310 that the image does not correspond to the stereoscopic image (No), the original image data corresponds to the change system image. Here, when printing is performed based on the direction in which the original image data is displayed, printing is performed in a state where a large number of lens sheets 12 are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. In that case, the printing accuracy tends to deteriorate due to the accumulation of deviation between the lens pitch of the convex lens 12A1 and the paper feed pitch. For this reason, if it is determined in S310 that the image does not correspond to the stereoscopic image (corresponds to the change image), the original image data is rotated by 90 degrees (S330). By this rotation processing, the ink droplets can be ejected according to the lens pitch only by timing control of the print head 32, and high-precision printing can be realized. Further, by performing the rotation processing in S330, the processing flow shown in FIG. 18 can be applied as it is.

  Note that in order to realize the various processes in FIGS. 24 and 25 such as the determination process and the rotation process, the printer driver program 150 is provided with a determination module that determines whether or not a stereoscopic image is supported, and a rotation process. It is desirable to add various other modules not shown in FIG. 13, such as a rotating module to be performed.

  After performing the rotation processing in S330, the two original image data are compared, and it is determined whether or not these are highly correlated with each other (S340). The details of the process in S340 will be described in the process flow of FIG.

  When it is determined in the above-described determination of S340 that the correlation between the compared original image data is high (Yes), the process proceeds to S320 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined that the correlation between the compared original image data is not high in the determination of S340 (in the case of No), the largest number of pixels in the horizontal direction from among the array candidates of the two-dimensional array A candidate for arranging data is selected (S350). For example, if there are candidates of vertical 1 × horizontal 12, vertical 2 × horizontal 6, vertical 3 × horizontal 4, vertical 4 × horizontal 3 and vertical 6 × horizontal 2, a two-dimensional array of vertical 1 × horizontal 12 is selected. . Note that after the processing of S350, the processing flow of FIG.

<Details of Processing Flow in S340 of FIG. 24>
Next, details of the process of S340 in FIG. 24 will be described based on FIG. In this processing flow, first, reference image data (original image data) is selected from a plurality of input original image data. Then, for this reference image data, the average value of the three gradations of each component of R, G, B (color elements) at a predetermined sampling point (after adding the three gradation values, 3 etc. The average value obtained by dividing; corresponding to the reference average value) is calculated (S341). At this time, the calculated average value of gradations may belong to any one of predetermined stages (for example, 10 stages) divided in advance.

  Subsequently, image data to be compared is extracted from the plurality of original image data (S342). The image data to be taken out (selected) is image data different from the reference image data.

  Next, for the image data to be compared, an average value of the three gradations of R, G, and B is calculated by the same method as in S341 described above (S343).

  After the process of S343 described above, the average gradation value of the reference image data is compared with the average gradation value of the image data to be compared (corresponding to the comparison target average value). Then, it is determined whether or not the average value of the gradation of the image data to be compared is within a preset allowable range (S344). The determination as to whether or not the value is within the allowable range is, for example, whether or not the average value at each sampling point of the reference image data and the comparison target image data is within a predetermined range. To do. For example, when there are 10 sampling points, it is determined whether or not the average value at all the 10 points is within a predetermined allowable range.

  If even one point is out of the allowable range, No is selected in the determination of S344 as being out of the allowable range, and the processing flow ends. At this time, it is determined that the correlation of the image data to be compared with the reference image data is not high. In this case, the process proceeds to S350 in FIG. If the average value at all sampling points is within the predetermined range, Yes is selected in the determination of S344, and the process proceeds to S345 described below. When Yes is selected, it is determined that the image data to be compared is highly correlated with the reference image data.

  If Yes is selected in the determination of S344, it is then determined whether or not comparisons regarding correlation have been made for all input original image data (S345). When Yes is selected in this determination, the correlation between all the original image data is high. Therefore, the process proceeds to S320 in FIG. If No is selected in the determination in S345, the process returns to S342 because there is original image data that has not been compared. And this S345 is applied until the comparison regarding the correlation with all the original image data is completed.

  Note that the processing flow described above with reference to FIG. 25 may be performed by a method of fixing reference image data. However, the processing flow described with reference to FIG. 25 may be performed by using a method in which a plurality of original image data is sequentially used as the reference image data without making the reference image data fixed. In addition, in the processing flow described with reference to FIG. 25, if even one of the processing flows is out of the allowable range, it is determined that the correlation is not high. However, even if only a few average values such as several are out of the allowable range, the determination condition in S344 may be relaxed, for example, by assuming that the correlation is high.

  According to such a processing pattern, an optimal two-dimensional array can be automatically determined from the array candidates. Also, based on the selected two-dimensional array, a pixel block can be created. By arranging the pixel data in a block shape in this way, it is possible to form a printed image having a large number of parallaxes. Become.

  In addition, since the print image has a large number of parallaxes, the user can recognize a stereoscopic image in a more natural state, enjoy a smoother motion animation, etc. It becomes possible to increase fun.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 25 and the like, when it is determined whether or not the reference average value is within a predetermined allowable range with respect to the average value to be compared, it is compared with the reference original image data. A high correlation between the target original image data and the like is automatically determined. Based on this determination, the selection means automatically selects a two-dimensional array from among the array candidates, so even a user who is not good at operating a printer or application software can easily respond to the type of parallax image. An optimum print image can be printed on the lens sheet 12.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be variously modified. This will be described below.

  In the above-described embodiment, only one lens detection sensor 60 is provided in a part that is separated from the home position. However, the number of lens detection sensors 60 is not limited to one, and a plurality of lens detection sensors 60 may be provided on the carriage 30. For example, when the lens detection sensors 60 are attached to both ends of the lower surface of the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction, the lens pitch can be measured before printing in each reciprocation of the carriage 30, and the lens sheet. 12 can be executed by reciprocation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lens sheet 12 has a configuration in which many convex lenses 12A1 are arranged. However, the lens sheet is not limited to this, and may be a lens sheet in which a large number of concave lenses are arranged. . In this case, it is preferable that the above-described processes are based on the detection of a negative edge instead of a positive edge.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 10 is not limited to a printer that only performs printing, and may be a complex printer that also functions as a copy / fax / scanner. In the above-described embodiment, a direct drawing type case in which a print image is directly printed on the lens sheet 12 is described. However, it is of course possible to apply the present invention to a separation type in which a separately printed product is bonded to a lens sheet.

  In the processing flow in FIG. 25, an average value of RGB gradations is calculated. However, for example, when color conversion processing is performed before creating image data of a two-dimensional array, an average value of CMYK gradations may be calculated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 10 does not have a special mechanism such as the print head 32 rotating so as to correspond to printing on the lens sheet 12. However, the printer 10 may be provided with a mechanism such as the print head 32 rotating. For example, only one end side of the carriage shaft 21 may be slid to correspond to printing on the lens sheet 12. In addition, the print head 32 may be provided with a mechanism of a type that rotates with respect to the carriage 30 so as to correspond to printing on the lens sheet 12. Furthermore, the carriage 30 itself may be provided with a mechanism of a type that rotates with respect to the carriage shaft 21 so as to correspond to printing on the lens sheet 12.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer, 12 ... Lens sheet, 20 ... Carriage mechanism, 30 ... Carriage, 40 ... Paper conveyance mechanism, 50 ... Platen, 60 ... Lens detection sensor (corresponding to a lens detection means), 61 ... Light emission part, 62 ... Light reception part , 80... Linear encoder, 100... Control unit (corresponding to control means), 120... Computer (image quality selecting means, sequence candidate creating means, image data forming means, reference image data determining means, comparative image data determining means, first (Corresponding to average value calculation means, second average value calculation means, determination means, selection means, print data creation means), 141 ... image quality adjustment program, 150 ... driver program, 151 ... resolution conversion module, 152 ... image synthesis module, 153 ... Halftone module, 154 ... Color conversion module, 155 ... Print data generation module, 56 ... transmission module.

Claims (1)

A carriage provided with a print head having nozzles for ejecting ink droplets and reciprocating in the main scanning direction; and a platen facing the carriage;
A surface having a plurality of cylindrical convex lenses arranged in parallel at a constant pitch between the carriage and the platen is set to the platen direction, and the lens sheet conveyed in the sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning is arranged on the carriage. In a printing apparatus for printing by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the print head provided on the platen side surface of
The lens sheet is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the convex lens is an oblique direction that is not parallel or perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction,
It said platen arranged light-emitting portion at predetermined intervals along the main scanning direction so as to face the carriage,
On the same surface as the surface on which the print head facing the platen of the carriage is provided, a light receiving portion that receives the light of the light emitting portion by providing a first light receiving portion and a second light receiving portion is provided,
The light receiving unit detects a pitch of the convex lens of the lens sheet based on a change in a ratio of output signals of the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit, and determines a distance between the lens sheet and the nozzle. detected,
The light emitting unit is disposed with an optical axis inclined such that a ratio of output signals of the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit is changed based on a distance between the lens sheet and the nozzle. A printing apparatus characterized by that .

Images