JP6136287B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to printing data for printing a printed material observed through a lens sheet in which convex lenses are arranged.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, lenticular prints that are observed through a lens sheet in which a plurality of convex lenses are arranged are known. In the lenticular type printed matter, an image corresponding to the parallax width for the right eye and an image corresponding to the parallax width for the left eye are alternately arranged. The parallax width is hereinafter also referred to as an image corresponding to the parallax width as a parallax dot region. Then, by observing the printed matter through the convex lens, the parallax dot area incident on the right eye of the observer is different from the parallax dot area incident on the left eye, and the image is viewed three-dimensionally, or the movement is caused by a change in line of sight. Show it to happen.

  On the other hand, in such printed matter, crosstalk may be a problem due to bleeding of dots recorded on the paper. Crosstalk is a deterioration in the appearance of an image due to the blurring of one dot affecting the other dot in a pair of adjacent dots. That is, when the dots constituting the parallax dot area for the right eye are blurred, the parallax dot area for the left eye is eroded, and the relationship between the parallax dot areas incident on the right eye and the left eye of the viewer changes. Then, since the relationship between the incident parallax dot regions is different from the intended one, the printed matter is not observed as intended.

  For this reason, a technology is known for suppressing crosstalk by inserting blank pixels that do not form dots in advance between pixels corresponding to each region on the data, and printing the printed matter using the data with the blank pixels inserted. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-53583 A

  In the invention of Cited Document 1, since a region where no dots are formed is generated in all the areas between the parallax dot regions, the background color of the medium may be noticeable in this region. For example, if the background of the medium is white, the entire image may appear whitish.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and relates to a lenticular type printed matter, and provides a printed matter with reduced crosstalk.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus that generates printing data used for printing on a printing apparatus, which is printed through a lens sheet having a plurality of convex lenses arranged from the original data. A first image data acquisition unit configured to correspond to the parallax width and configured to acquire first image data having an adjacent portion; and an original data acquisition unit configured to acquire the original data including a plurality of the first image data. And a density difference determining means for determining a density difference between the two first image data adjacent to each other via the adjacent portion, and when the determined density difference is a predetermined value or more, via the adjacent portion. An image in which the image data constituting the adjacent portion in the first image data on the high density side among the adjacent first image data is converted into image data having a lower density. Has a Ta converting means.

  In the invention configured as described above, first, the original data acquisition unit acquires first image data that is configured corresponding to the parallax width and has an adjacent portion. Here, the parallax width means a distance between the right eye and the left eye that causes parallax when different images enter the right eye and the left eye through the convex lens. Also, the configuration corresponding to the parallax width means that the image data that is the source of the image is arranged so as to generate parallax when the image is incident on the right eye and the left eye having the above width through a convex lens. Means that Further, the adjacent portion refers to an end portion adjacent to the other first image data in the first image data, and particularly means a portion subjected to density conversion by the image data conversion means. Further, the density difference determining means determines the density difference between the two adjacent first image data. Further, the image data conversion means further converts the image data constituting the adjacent portion in the first image data on the high density side of the adjacent first image data when the determined density difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Convert to low density image data. Here, reducing the density of the image data means changing the value so that the amount of ink used in the printed material is reduced.

  For the adjacent first image data included in the printed material, the density of the image data of the adjacent portion included in the first image data on the high density side is lowered, so that the dots formed based on this image data are reduced. Suppresses bleeding. As a result, interference between the high density dots and the low density dots is reduced, and crosstalk of the printed matter is suppressed.

Further, the original data includes second image data corresponding to the width of the convex lens by arranging a plurality of the first image data, and the two first image data adjacent to each other through the adjacent portion are , contained in the second image data that different respectively, may be configured. The present invention is an image processing apparatus for generating printing data used for printing on a printing apparatus through a lens sheet having a plurality of convex lenses arranged from the original data, corresponding to the parallax width and adjacent to the parallax width. Original data acquisition means for acquiring the original data, wherein a plurality of second image data corresponding to the width of the convex lens are arranged side by side by arranging a plurality of first image data having a portion, and a plurality of the first images From the data, the two adjacent first image data that face the boundary between the two adjacent second image data are specified via the adjacent portion, and the density of the two specified first image data is determined. A density difference determining means for determining a difference, and when the determined density difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, of the two specified first image data, An image data constituting the adjacent portion of the serial first image data, having: an image data converting means for converting the image data of lower concentration.
In the invention configured as described above, it is possible to suppress crosstalk caused by bleeding of dots that erode across a convex lens.

The density difference determination unit may determine the density difference based on a density of an area including at least the adjacent portion in two first image data adjacent to each other via the adjacent portion.
In the invention configured as described above, it is possible to suppress crosstalk more effectively by setting only a portion that is easily affected by dot bleeding as a determination target.

Further, the image forming apparatus further includes a printing dot generation unit that generates a printing dot based on the input pixel, and the original data includes a plurality of pixels before being input to the printing dot generation unit. The density difference determination unit may determine the density difference based on a color component value of the pixel before being input.
In the invention configured as described above, the density difference can be determined based on the color component value.

The printing apparatus further includes a printing dot generation unit that generates printing dots based on the input pixels, and the original data includes a plurality of printing dots generated by the plurality of printing dot generation units. The density difference determining means determines a density difference between two first image data adjacent to each other through the adjacent portion based on the presence / absence of the generated printing dot and the dot size. Also good.
In the invention configured as described above, it is possible to determine the density difference based on data defining the presence / absence of dots and the size of dots, such as halftone data.

  The printing apparatus further includes a printing dot generation unit that generates printing dots based on the input pixels, and the original data includes a plurality of printing dots generated by the plurality of printing dot generation units. The density difference determining means is configured to detect two adjacent inks via the adjacent portion based on the amount of ink required per unit area calculated based on the presence / absence of the generated printing dots and the dot size. The density difference of the first image data may be determined.

  Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to an image processing method.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus 100. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the printed material of a lenticular system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing for generating print data executed by the printer driver unit 140; It is a figure explaining the area | region determination table 131 as an example. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed by FIG.4 S5. It is a figure explaining the density | concentration difference determination performed by the density | concentration difference determination part 144. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed by FIG.4 S6. It is a figure explaining the change of the parallax pixel arrangement | sequence performed by the arrangement | sequence conversion part 145. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a part of a recording layer 203. FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed by step S6 of FIG. 4 based on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the printing apparatus 100 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for generating print data executed by a printer driver unit 240 according to a third embodiment. It is a figure explaining the production | generation of the data for printing. It is a flowchart explaining the process performed by FIG.13 S27. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus 100. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
1. First embodiment:
2. Second embodiment:
3. Third embodiment:
4). Fourth embodiment:
5. Other embodiments:

1. First embodiment:
1.1. Configuration of printing device:
FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. 3 is a view showing a lenticular printed matter.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing apparatus 100 includes a personal computer (hereinafter also simply referred to as a computer) 10 as an image processing apparatus, a printer 20 electrically connected to the computer 10 through a wired or wireless connection, Is provided. In the printing apparatus 100, the computer 10 generates printing data and outputs the printing data to the printer 20. The printer 20 records dots on a medium (a lens sheet 201 described later) based on the printing data, and generates a lenticular printed matter.

  In the lenticular type printed matter, the user visually recognizes the dots through the lens sheet 201. As shown in FIG. 3A, the lens sheet 201 is configured by arranging a plurality of lenses in the width direction W with the long side of the rectangular convex lens 202 facing the longitudinal direction L. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a recording layer 203 is formed on the surface of the lens sheet 201 on the side where the convex lens 202 does not protrude. The recording layer 203 is composed of ink (coloring material) ejected from the printer 20.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3C, an area corresponding to the lens width lw of one convex lens 202 in the recording layer 203 is defined as a lens width dot area 204, and the parallax width included in this lens width dot area 204 is set. Accordingly, an area arranged with the width pw is defined as a parallax dot area 205. The lens width dot area 204 is configured by eight parallax dot areas 205 arranged in the width direction W. The parallax dot area 205 is configured as a strip-shaped image having a predetermined dot width (for example, 3 dot width) arranged in the W direction.

  The printer 20 forms the recording layer 203 on the lens sheet 201. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the printer 20 includes a control unit 21, a carriage 22, a medium transport unit 23, and an operation unit 24. The control unit 21 drives the carriage 22 using the printing data supplied from the computer 10. The carriage 22 is connected to toner filled with color materials of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). The color material supplied from the toner is controlled by the computer 10. Based on the discharge.

  The medium conveyance unit 23 conveys the lens sheet 201 in the feeding direction. As shown in FIG. 2B, the medium conveying unit 23 feeds the lens sheet 201 in the feeding direction in a state where the convex lens 202 side of the lens sheet 201 is engaged with the engaging unit 25 formed on the sheet guide 26. Transport to.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the computer 10 includes a display 11, a main controller 12, a memory 13, and an operation unit 14. Therefore, the computer 10 receives an operation from the user through the operation unit 14 and executes a predetermined process according to the received operation. The main controller 12 is connected to the memory 13 through the bus 15 and can read programs and data recorded in the memory 13.

The memory 13 is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and records programs and data executed by the main controller 12.
The main controller 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The main controller 12 functionally includes an image processing unit 120, a video driver unit 130, and a printer driver unit 140 by executing each program recorded in the memory 13. In the memory 13, image data, an area determination table 131, an LUT (Look Up Table) 132, and a recording rate table 133 are recorded.

  The image processing unit 120 provides a GUI (Graphic User Interface) for generating composite data. The composite data is generated using a plurality of image data recorded in the memory 13, and the image data is selected through the GUI. For example, the memory 13 stores a plurality of pieces of image data representing a target such as a person according to different viewing angles in order to generate composite data indicating a stereoscopic image. The memory 13 stores a plurality of pieces of image data representing movements and the like according to changes over time in order to generate composite data indicating changed images.

  The video driver unit 130 displays the image data on the display 11 after performing gamma correction, white balance adjustment, and the like on the image data. The GUI receives an operation for selecting image data displayed on the display 11 and an operation for an adjustment icon through the operation unit 14.

  Then, the printer driver unit 140 generates composite data (original data) based on the image data selected through the GUI. The printer driver unit 140 generates print data to be output to the printer 20 based on the composite data. Therefore, the printer driver unit 140 has a resolution conversion unit 141, an image synthesis unit (first image data acquisition unit / original data acquisition unit) 142, an area determination unit 143, a density difference determination unit (density difference determination) according to the function. Means) 144, an array conversion unit (array conversion unit) 145, a color conversion unit 146, a halftone unit (print dot generation unit) 147, a print data generation unit 148, and a transmission unit 149.

Hereinafter, processing executed by the printer driver unit 140 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing for generating print data executed by the printer driver unit 140.
In this embodiment, the difference in the amount of dot shot between adjacent parallax dot areas 205 on the composite data is determined, and the density of the pixel array that generates the parallax dot area 205 is converted according to the determination result. Hereinafter, the dot shot amount is also simply referred to as density.

  First, in step S1, the printer driver unit 140 reads a print setting value. The print setting value is set by the user through the GUI. The print setting value includes a value for identifying the selected image data among the plurality of image data recorded in the memory 13. In addition, the print setting values include values for setting the type of medium (“lens sheet” “plain paper”), the type of ink, and the like.

  In step S2, the resolution conversion unit 141 converts the resolution of the selected image data according to the resolution supported by the printer 20. For example, when the dot resolution of the printer 20 is different from the resolution of the image data, the resolution conversion unit 141 changes the resolution of the image data according to the resolution of the printer.

  In step S3, the image composition unit 142 generates composite data using the image data. That is, the image composition unit 142 subdivides the image data into strips and extracts a parallax pixel array (first image data). In the present embodiment, the parallax pixel array is composed of two pixel arrays arranged in the x direction. Next, the parallax pixel array is arranged in a predetermined order to generate composite data.

  Here, the parallax pixel array composed of the two pixel columns included in the composite data corresponds to the parallax dot area 205 composed of the three-dot array of the recording layer 203. A pixel array in which a predetermined number of parallax pixel arrays are arranged in the x direction (hereinafter also referred to as a lens width pixel array, also referred to as second image data) corresponds to each lens width dot area 204 of the recording layer 203.

  In step S <b> 4, the region determination unit 143 updates the region determination table 131 indicating each piece of composite data corresponding to the lens width dot region 204 and the parallax dot region 205. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an area determination table 131 as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the region determination table 131 includes “j” indicating the arrangement order in the y direction of each pixel constituting the composite data, “n” indicating the arrangement order in the x direction, “M” indicating the arrangement order in the x direction of the parallax pixel array to which the pixel belongs and “k” indicating the arrangement order in the x direction of the lens width pixel array to which each pixel column belongs are recorded. For example, by referring to the area determination table 131, the printer driver unit 140 determines that the pixel in the fifth pixel column (n = 5) in the x direction is third in the arrangement order between the parallax pixel arrays (m = 3). It can be seen that the arrangement order between the lens width pixel arrays belongs to the first (k = 1) lens width pixel array.

In step S5, the density difference determination unit 144 determines the density difference between adjacent parallax dot areas 205 recorded on the recording layer 203 based on the color component values (R, G, B) of the combined data. In this embodiment, the density difference determination unit 144 determines the density difference of the parallax dot area 205 that is seen at the boundary between different lens width dot areas 204.
A specific density difference determination method by the density difference determination unit 144 will be described later.

In step S6, the array conversion unit 145 converts the density of the parallax pixel array that generates the parallax dot region 205 according to the density difference determined in step S5. Since the lens width dot area 204 is an area corresponding to the width of the convex lens 202, when a dot belonging to a certain lens width dot area 204 is viewed across different convex lenses 202, an abnormal change is caused in the visually recognized image. Therefore, the density of the area adjacent to the low density side parallax dot area 205 in the high density side parallax dot area 205 is lowered. By reducing the density of the adjacent area, it is possible to prevent the dots from eroding into the low density side parallax dot area 205 across the lens width dot area 204.
A specific region size conversion method by the array conversion unit 145 will be described later.

  In step S7, the color conversion unit 146 converts the color component values (R, G, B) of the converted composite data into ink gradation values (CMYK) that define the ink amount. This ink amount gradation value is a gradation of 0 to 255 when the printer 20 uses C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) as ink. It is a value. Specifically, the color conversion unit 146 refers to the LUT 132 recorded in the memory 13 and converts the color component value of the composite data. The relationship is recorded in the LUT 132 by a known method so that one set of ink amount gradation values (C, M, Y, K) is set from one set of RGB values.

  In step S8, the halftone unit 147 performs halftone processing on the converted combined data. The halftone process is a process of converting each pixel value (ink amount gradation value) constituting the print data into a value that can be processed by the printer 20 by binarizing or multileveling. For example, the halftone unit 147 sets the dot on / off based on the pixel value included in the composite data using a known dither pattern. The halftone unit 147 uses the recording rate table 133 recorded in the memory 13 to set the dot size according to the pixel value (ink amount gradation value). The recording rate table 133 is a table that defines the relationship between the ink amount gradation value and the dot size. For example, as the ink amount gradation value increases, the dot size is set to any one of “small”, “medium”, and “large”.

In step S9, the print data generation unit 148 generates print data based on the halftone data. The print data includes a control command for controlling the printer 20 in addition to the halftone data.
In step S10, the transmission unit 149 transmits the generated print data to the printer 20 in a predetermined raster array unit.
Therefore, when the printer 20 receives the print data, the printer 20 records the recording layer 203 on the lens sheet 201 according to the halftone data included in the print data.

1.2. Regarding the processing of the density difference determination unit:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed in step S5 of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the density difference determination executed by the density difference determination unit 144.

  In step S51, the density difference determination unit 144 specifies variables Sk and Sm for specifying the lens width pixel array and the parallax pixel array to which the pixel to be sampled belongs, and the position in the y direction (jth matrix). Variable Sj is set to an initial value. The variable Sk corresponds to the number k in the area determination table 131 and designates the lens width pixel array to which the target pixel belongs. The variable Sm corresponds to the number m in the area determination table 131, and designates the parallax pixel array to which the target pixel belongs (FIG. 7A).

  In step S52, the density difference determination unit 144 samples the pixels designated using the variables Sj, Sk, and Sm, and acquires color component values (R, G, and B). For example, in FIG. 7B, by setting the variables Sk = 1 and Sm = 8, the parallax pixel array (m = 8) facing the boundary between the first lens width pixel array and the second lens width pixel array. And the color component values (R, G, B) of the pixels in the first row are sampled. In the present embodiment, in particular, only the rightmost pixel facing the boundary is set as a sampling target, and R, G, and B values are acquired.

  In step S53, the density difference determination unit 144 specifies a pixel to be compared with the pixel sampled in step S52 using the variables Scj, Sck, and Scm. In the present embodiment, the comparison target is pixels that belong to the parallax pixel array that are adjacent to each other and belong to different lens width pixel arrays. Therefore, the density difference determination unit 144 sets Scj to the same value as the variable Sj, and the value of the variable Sk A value obtained by adding 1 to Sck is set as a value of Sck, and a value obtained by adding 1 to the value of the variable Sm is set as Scm (in FIG. 7B, m = 9, k = 2). In the present embodiment, in particular, only the leftmost pixel facing the boundary is used as a sampling target, and R, G, and B values are acquired.

In step S54, density difference determination unit 144 samples the pixels belonging to the lens width pixel array and disparity pixel array designated in step S5 3, acquires color component values (R, G, B).

  As a method for determining the density of the parallax dot region, obtaining the color component value of one pixel belonging to the parallax pixel array is an example. When the pixels constituting the parallax pixel array are configured by a plurality of pixel rows (two or more pixels) in the x direction, an average value may be calculated from 1 to 2 pixels that are located on the boundary of the lens width pixel array. Further, instead of the color component value, an ink amount gradation value (C, M, Y, K) corresponding to the color component value may be used. Note that the conversion from the color component values (R, G, B) to the ink amount gradation value may be performed using the LUT 132.

If the concentration difference determination unit 144, comprising a color component values of pixels that are obtained in step S52, and both the threshold value T1 or more color component values of the acquired pixel in step S5 4 (step S55: YES), Step S61 Proceed to In this case, it is determined that the density of dots generated by the compared pixels (hereinafter also referred to as m-th pixel and m + 1-th pixel) is low.
Further, the case where the color component value is equal to or greater than the threshold value T1 means the case where none of the color component values (R, G, B) has a value equal to or less than the threshold value T1. Further, the case where the color component value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value T1 means the case where, among the color component values (R, G, B), any of R, G, B has a value that is equal to or less than the threshold value T1. . As the value of the threshold T1, for example, 50 in the case where the color component value is expressed by 256 gradations from 0 (low luminance) to 255 (high luminance) can be employed.

On the other hand, the process proceeds to step S56, density difference determination unit 144, the color component comprising a color component values of pixels are, the both threshold value T1 following the color component values of the acquired pixel in step S5 4 obtained at Step S52 If it has a value (step S56: YES), the process proceeds to step S57. In this case, it is determined that the density of adjacent dots is high. Therefore, in step S57, the density difference determination unit 144 adds a flag to the flag B column of the mth pixel of the region determination table 131, and adds a flag to the flag F column of the m + 1st pixel. As an example, in FIG. 5B, “1” is assigned to the flag B column in the m = 1 column, and “1” is assigned to the flag F column in the m = 2 column.

On the other hand, the process proceeds to step S58, the density difference determination unit 144 is less than threshold T1 is the color component values of the acquired pixel in step S52, the color component values of the acquired pixel in step S5 4 is at the threshold value T1 or more If so (step S58: YES), the process proceeds to step S59. In this case, it is determined that the density of dots generated by the mth pixel is higher than the density of dots generated by the m + 1st pixel. Therefore, in step S59, the density difference determination unit 144 adds a flag to the flag B column of the mth pixel in the region determination table 131.

In contrast, the concentration difference determination unit 144 is a color component value of the acquired pixel threshold T1 or higher in step S52, if the color component value of the acquired pixel in step S5 4 is less than the threshold T1 (step S58: NO), the process proceeds to step S60. In this case, it is determined that the density of dots generated by the (m + 1) th pixel is higher than the density of dots generated by the mth pixel. For this reason, in step S60, the density difference determination unit 144 assigns a flag to the flag F column of the (m + 1) th pixel in the region determination table 131.

  If the comparison of all the target pixels is not completed in the first row (Sj = 1) (step S61: NO), the process proceeds to step S62, and the density difference determination unit 144 determines the values of the variables Sk and Sm. To change. For example, 1 is added to the variable Sk and 8 is added to the variable Sm.

  On the other hand, if the comparison of all the target pixels in the first row (Sj = 1) has been completed (step S61: YES), the density difference determination unit 144 has not completed the processing in all the variables Sj. Therefore (step S63: NO), it progresses to step S64. In step S64, the density difference determination unit 144 increments the variable Sj by 1 and initializes Sk and Sm. Thereafter, the density difference determination unit 144 repeats the processing of steps S52 to S62 for the target pixel belonging to the next row (j + 1 row). When the processing for the target pixel is completed in all rows (step S63: YES), the density difference determination unit 144 ends the processing.

1.3. About processing by the array converter:
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed in step S6 of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the change of the parallax pixel array executed by the array conversion unit 145.

  In step S71, the array conversion unit 145 acquires the region determination table 131. The region determination table 131 acquired by the array conversion unit 145 is provided with flags (B, F) indicating pixel rows with high density.

  First, since the pixels belonging to all the pixel arrays (m) belonging to the first row (j = 1) are not referenced (step S72: NO), the array conversion unit 145 proceeds to step S73.

  In step S <b> 73, the array conversion unit 145 initializes a variable Lm indicating the reference position of the region determination table 131, and determines the presence / absence of a flag in each parallax pixel array column according to the variable Lm of the region determination table 131. The variable Lm corresponds to the number m indicating the order of the parallax pixel array in the region determination table 131.

  When the flag is not given to the corresponding column of the referenced area determination table 131 (step S74: NO), the array conversion unit 145 proceeds to step S75 and changes the variable Lm. For example, the array conversion unit 145 adds 1 to the value of the variable Lm.

If a flag is assigned to the corresponding column (B, F) of the referenced area determination table 131 (step S74: YES), the process proceeds to step S76. If the flag is added to both the flags B and F (step S76: YES), the array conversion unit 145 proceeds to step S77. In step S77, the array conversion unit 145 compresses the front end side and the rear end side of the pixel group arranged in the x direction belonging to the parallax pixel array (FIGS. 9A and 9B).
Here, compressing the pixel group arranged in the x direction means reducing the number of pixels belonging to the parallax pixel arrangement in the x direction. Further, the compression method of the pixel group is arbitrary. Hereinafter, the pixel that is the target of density conversion is also referred to as an adjacent portion.

  In step S78, the array conversion unit 145 inserts pixels having color component values (255, 255, 255) on the front and rear ends in the x direction of the compressed parallax pixel array. Further, setting the color component value of the inserted pixel to (255, 255, 255) is an example. Further, it is desirable that the number of inserted pixel columns having the color component value (255, 255, 255) is the same as the number of pixel columns compressed in step S77.

Here, when the parallax pixel array is composed of two pixel columns, if the leading and trailing pixels are deleted in step S77, all the pixels in a certain row are deleted. In step S78, the color component values of the pixels constituting the parallax pixel column are (255, 255, 255). In such a case, the component value of the pixel inserted in step S78 may be the average value of the pixels before deletion.
On the other hand, in the case where the parallax pixel array is composed of three or more pixel columns, after deleting the pixels at both ends, a pixel having a color component value of (255, 255, 255) may be inserted.

  On the other hand, when the flag is not given to both of the flag fields (B, F) of the corresponding field of the referenced area determination table 131 (step S76: NO), and only the flag field B is flagged ( Step S79: YES), go to step S80.

  In step S80, the array conversion unit 145 compresses the pixel (adjacent portion) on the rear end side in the x direction in the parallax pixel array. In step S81, the array conversion unit 145 inserts a pixel having a color component value of (255, 255, 255) on the rear end side in the x direction of the parallax pixel array after compression (FIG. 9C).

  On the other hand, when the flag is not added to both the flag columns (B, F) of the corresponding column of the referenced area determination table 131 (step S76: NO), and only the flag column F is flagged ( Step S79: NO), the process proceeds to Step S82.

In step S82, the array conversion unit 145 compresses the pixel (adjacent portion) on the tip side in the x direction in the parallax pixel array. In step S83, the array conversion unit 145 inserts a pixel whose color component value is (255, 255, 255) on the leading end side of the compressed pixel row (FIG. 9D).
For example, when the parallax pixel array is composed of a plurality of pixel columns such as an eight pixel column, the number of compressed pixels and the number of inserted pixels may be two or more.

  Then, returning to step S75, the array conversion unit 145 changes the variable Lm to be referred to. Then, if the variable Lm does not exceed the total number All of the parallax pixel arrays (step S72: NO), the process proceeds to step S73, and the array conversion unit 145 performs processing on the pixels belonging to the next parallax pixel array. On the other hand, when the variable Lm exceeds the array total number All (step S72: YES), the array conversion unit 145 proceeds to step S84.

  In step S84, the array conversion unit 145 changes the variable Lj indicating the y-order (jth row) of the pixels, and initializes the variable Lm. Since processing has not been completed for all the variables Lj (step S85: NO), the process returns to step S72, and the processes from step S72 to S83 are repeated for the pixels belonging to the j + 1th row. If the process is executed for all rows j (step S85: YES), the array conversion unit 145 ends the process. And it returns to step S7 of FIG.

1.4. Effects of the present invention:
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a part of the recording layer 203. FIG. 10A shows a recording layer 203 formed by a conventional printing apparatus as a comparison. FIG. 10B shows the recording layer 203 formed by the printing apparatus 100 of the present invention.

  When the density difference becomes large at the boundary between the lens width dot areas 204 adjacent in the W direction, the dots in the high density area may bleed in the vicinity of the boundary, and the low density area may be eroded (FIG. 10A). )). However, in the present invention, data conversion is performed so that the density of the parallax dot region 205 belonging to the boundary of the lens width dot region 204 is lowered. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the dots belonging to the high density side parallax dot area 205 from eroding the lens width dot area 204 to which the low density side parallax dot area 205 belongs.

  Therefore, even when the user observes the lens width dot region 204 through the lens sheet 201, dot erosion across the convex lens 202 does not occur, and crosstalk of the visually recognized image can be suppressed.

1.5. Variations:
When the array conversion unit 145 changes the array size of the pixel array, the array size of the parallax pixel array corresponding to the low density side may be increased according to the reduction amount of the array size. With the above configuration, even if no blurring occurs in the high density side parallax dot area 205, a dot is formed at the boundary between the high density side parallax dot area 205 and the low density side parallax dot area 205. Generation | occurrence | production of the location which is not formed can be suppressed. As a result, the background color of the medium can be suppressed from being visually recognized.

2. Second embodiment:
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed in step S6 of FIG. 4 according to the second embodiment.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the density difference is determined between parallax pixel arrays belonging to the same lens width pixel array in the combined data.

  In step S151 of FIG. 11, the density difference determination unit 144 specifies the parallax pixel array to which the pixel column to be sampled belongs, using the variables Sj and Sm. That is, in this embodiment, the density difference determination unit 144 sets only the parallax pixel array to which the pixel to be sampled belongs, and does not specify the lens width pixel array.

  In step S152, the density difference determination unit 144 samples the pixel specified in step S151, and acquires color component values (R, G, B).

  In step S153, the density difference determination unit 144 sets a variable Scm that specifies a pixel to be compared with the pixel sampled in step S152. In this embodiment, since the target of comparison is a pixel belonging to an adjacent parallax pixel array, a value obtained by adding 1 to the value of the variable Sm is set as the value of the variable Scm.

  In step S154, the density difference determination unit 144 samples the pixel row specified in step S153, and acquires color component values (R, G, B).

If both the color component value of the pixel acquired in step S152 and the color component value of the pixel acquired in step S153 are greater than or equal to the threshold T2 (step S155: YES), the density difference determination unit 144 performs step S161. Proceed to In this case, it is determined that both the dot density generated by the mth pixel and the dot density generated by the (m + 1) th pixel are low.
Moreover, the value similar to 1st Embodiment can be employ | adopted for the value of threshold value T2.

  On the other hand, proceeding to step S156, the density difference determination unit 144 determines that the color component value of the pixel acquired in step S152 and the color component value of the pixel acquired in step S153 are both equal to or less than the threshold T2. (Step S156: YES), the process proceeds to Step S157. Then, the density difference determination unit 144 assigns a flag to the flag B column of the m-th pixel of the region determination table 131, and assigns a flag to the flag F column of the m + 1-th pixel.

  On the other hand, in step S158, the density difference determination unit 144 determines that the color component value of the pixel acquired in step S152 is less than the threshold value T2, and the color component value of the pixel acquired in step S153 is greater than or equal to the threshold value T2. (Step S158: YES), the process proceeds to Step S159. In step S159, the density difference determination unit 144 adds a flag to the flag B column of the mth pixel in the region determination table 131.

  On the other hand, if the color component value of the pixel acquired in step S152 is equal to or greater than the threshold T2, and the color component value of the pixel acquired in step S153 is less than the threshold T2, the density difference determination unit 144 (step S158: NO) ), The process proceeds to step S160. In step S160, the density difference determination unit 144 adds a flag to the flag F column of the m + 1st pixel in the region determination table 131.

If the comparison of all the target pixels is not completed in the first row (Sj = 1) (step S161: NO), the process proceeds to step S162, and the density difference determination unit 144 changes the value of the variable Sm. To do.
On the other hand, if the comparison of all the target pixels is completed in the first row (Sj = 1) (step S161: YES), the processing is not completed for all variables Sj (step S163: NO). The process proceeds to step S164. In step S164, the density difference determination unit 144 changes the variable Sj and initializes the variable Sm. Then, the density difference determination unit 144 repeats the processing of steps S151 to S162 for the target pixel belonging to the next row (j + 1 row). When the processing for the target pixel is completed in all rows (step S163: YES), the density difference determination unit 144 ends the processing.

  Hereinafter, in step S6 of FIG. 5, the array conversion unit 145 converts the density of the parallax pixel array by the same method as in the first embodiment while referring to the region determination table 131 to which the flag is given.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress crosstalk caused by bleeding of dots in adjacent parallax dot areas 205 belonging to one lens width dot area 204.

3. Third embodiment:
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a printing apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing for generating print data executed by the printer driver unit 240 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining generation of print data.

  In the third embodiment, the density determination is performed using halftone data, and is different from the other embodiments. That is, in this embodiment, halftone data is the original data of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the computer 30 includes a display 11, a main controller 12, a memory 13, an operation unit 14, and a bus 15. The main controller 12 functionally includes an image processing unit 120, a video driver unit 130, and a printer driver unit 140 by executing each program recorded in the memory 13. In the memory 13, image data, an area determination table 131, an LUT (Look Up Table) 132, and a recording rate table 133 are recorded.

  Then, the printer driver unit 140 includes a resolution conversion unit 241, an image synthesis unit 242, a color conversion unit 243, a halftone unit 244, an area determination unit 245, a density difference determination unit 246, an array conversion unit 247, according to the function. It also functions as a print data generation unit 248 and a transmission unit 249.

Generation of print data by the computer 30 will be described. First, in step S21 in FIG. 13, the printer driver unit 240 reads the print setting value.
Next, in step S22, the resolution conversion unit 241 converts the resolution of the original image data according to the resolution supported by the printer 20. Next, in step S23, the image composition unit 242 generates composite data using the original image data. The method for generating the composite data is the same as in the other embodiments.

  In step S <b> 24, the color conversion unit 243 converts the color component values (R, G, B) of the combined data after conversion into ink gradation values (CMYK) that define the ink amount using the LUT 132. In step S25, the halftone unit 244 converts the converted composite data into halftone data.

  In step S26, the region determination unit 245 updates the region determination table 131 indicating the position of each image data in the halftone data. In this embodiment, the area determination table 131 includes the position of image data (hereinafter also referred to as third image data) corresponding to the parallax dot area 205 in the halftone data and the image corresponding to the lens width dot area 204. The location of the data is shown.

In step S27, the density difference determination unit 246 determines the placement of the parallax dot area 205 based on the halftone data, and determines the density difference based on the determined placement amount. For example, the driving amount is defined as 100% when a 720 dpi × 720 dpi square is covered with a single color on the paper. Therefore, for example, when a square of 720 dpi × 720 dpi is covered with four colors of C, M, Y, and K, the driving amount is 400%.
Each image data constituting the halftone data includes information indicating dot on / off and information indicating the size of “large”, “medium”, and “small” of the dots.

  In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the density difference determination unit 246 determines the density difference of the parallax dot area 205 that is seen at the boundary between different lens width dot areas 204. A specific density difference determination method by the density difference determination unit 246 will be described later.

  In step S <b> 28, the array conversion unit 247 converts the density with respect to image data (third image data) corresponding to a set of parallax dot areas 205 with a large difference in driving. As an example, the array conversion unit 247 determines the density difference based on the difference in the driving amount. Then, the density of the image data corresponding to the high density side is converted. For example, the halftone unit generates halftone data composed of three rows of image data based on two rows of pixels arranged in the x direction. Therefore, the array conversion unit 247 performs density conversion by compressing any image data. Note that, as a specific region size conversion method by the array conversion unit 247, the same method as in the other embodiments can be employed.

  In step S29, the print data generation unit 248 generates print data based on the converted halftone data. In step S30, the transmission unit 249 transmits the generated print data to the printer 20 in a predetermined raster unit.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the process executed in step S27 of FIG.

  In step S271, the density difference determination unit 246 specifies variables Sk and Sm for specifying image data corresponding to the lens width dot area 204 and the parallax dot area 205 in the halftone data, and the position in the y direction (jth matrix). The variable Sj for designating the eye) is set to an initial value.

  In step S272, the density difference determination unit 246 samples the image data designated using the variables Sj, Sk, and Sm, and acquires the driving amount.

  In step S273, the density difference determination unit 246 specifies image data to be compared with the image data sampled in step S272 using the variables Scj, Sck, and Scm.

  In step S274, the density difference determination unit 246 samples the image data specified in step S274, and acquires the shot amount.

If both the driving amount acquired in step S272 and the driving amount acquired in step S273 are less than the threshold T3 (step S275: YES), the density difference determination unit 246 proceeds to step S281. In this case, it is determined that both the density of dots generated in the m-th image data in the x direction and the density of image data generated in the (m + 1) th are low.
The case where the color component value is less than the threshold value T3 means the case where the total amount of C, M, Y, and K defined by the image data is less than the threshold value T3. Further, as the value of the threshold T3, for example, 100% of the driving amount can be adopted.

  On the other hand, the process proceeds to step S276, where the density difference determination unit 246 determines that both of the driving amount acquired in step S272 and the driving amount acquired in step S273 are equal to or greater than the threshold T3 (step S276: YES), step S276. The process proceeds to S277. In this case, it is determined that the density of adjacent regions is high. Therefore, the density difference determination unit 246 adds a flag to the flag B column of the mth image data in the region determination table 131 and adds a flag to the flag F column of the m + 1st image data.

  On the other hand, in step S278, the density difference determination unit 246 determines that the driving amount acquired in step S272 is greater than or equal to the threshold T3 and the driving amount acquired in step S273 is less than the threshold T3 (step S278: YES). The process proceeds to step S279. In this case, it is determined that the density of dots generated by the mth image data is higher than the density of dots generated by the (m + 1) th image data. Therefore, in step S279, the density difference determination unit 256 assigns a flag to the flag B column of the mth image data in the region determination table 131.

  On the other hand, if the driving amount acquired in step S272 is less than the threshold value T3 and the driving amount acquired in step S273 is equal to or greater than the threshold value T3 (step S278: NO), the density difference determination unit 246 proceeds to step S280. In this case, it is determined that the density of dots generated by the (m + 1) th image data is higher than the density of dots generated by the mth image data. Therefore, in step S280, the density difference determination unit 246 assigns a flag to the flag F column of the (m + 1) th image data in the region determination table 131.

If comparison of all target image data in the first row (Sj = 1) has not been completed (step S281: NO), the process proceeds to step S282, and the density difference determination unit 246 sets the variables Sk and Sm. Change the value.
On the other hand, if the comparison of all target image data in the first row (Sj = 1) has been completed (step S281: YES), the processing has not been completed for all variables Sj (step S283: NO). In step S284, the density difference determination unit 246 changes the variable Sj and initializes the variables Sm and Sk. Then, the density difference determination unit 246 repeats the processes of steps S272 to S282 for the image data belonging to the next line (j + 1 line). If the processing for the target image data is completed in all rows (step S283: YES), the density difference determination unit 246 ends the processing.

Hereinafter, in step S28 of FIG. 13, the array conversion unit 247 performs density conversion on image data having a large amount of shots in the halftone data. As the density conversion method, the same technique as in the other embodiments can be used. For example, taking a case where one parallax is formed by three rows of image data as an example, if there is an F flag in the area determination table 131, among the three rows of image data, the leading one row of image data (adjacent When the image data corresponding to the part is deleted and the B flag is present, the image data corresponding to the rear end of the three columns of image data (image data corresponding to the adjacent part) is deleted.
Further, the density conversion method may convert the dot size when the dot size is defined by large dots, medium dots, and small dots. For example, when one parallax is formed with large dots and the density difference is determined to be high, the large dots on the high density side may be converted into medium dots.

4). Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the computer 40 first determines the density difference of dots recorded on the recording layer 203 based on the color component values (R, G, B) of the composite data before being converted into halftone data. To do. Next, the computer 40 converts the composite data into halftone data, and then converts the density of the halftone data based on the determined density difference.

  The computer 40 includes a display 11, a main controller 12, a memory 13, and an operation unit 14 as in the other embodiments. The main controller 12 functionally includes an image processing unit 120, a video driver unit 130, and a printer driver unit 140 by executing each program recorded in the memory 13. In the memory 13, image data, an area determination table 131, an LUT (Look Up Table) 132, and a recording rate table 133 are recorded.

  Furthermore, the printer driver unit 140 includes a resolution conversion unit 341, an image synthesis unit 342, an area determination unit 343, a density difference determination unit 344, a color conversion unit 346, a halftone unit 347, an array conversion unit 345, according to the function. It also functions as a print data generation unit 348 and a transmission unit 349. Therefore, in this embodiment, first, the density difference determination unit 344 determines the density difference using the composite data. Then, halftone data is generated through the color conversion unit 345 and the halftone unit 346. Further, the array conversion unit 345 converts the size of the parallax pixel region for the halftone data based on the dot density difference determined by the density difference determination unit 344.

5. Other embodiments:
The determination of the density difference executed by the printer driver unit may be performed when a specific color material is used. For example, K ink tends to cause bleeding more easily than other inks (C, M, Y). Therefore, at the boundary between two parallax dot areas, K dots are recorded at the boundary between one parallax dot area, and the K dots recorded are deleted when no K dot is recorded at the boundary between the other parallax dot areas Or you may convert into a dot with small dot size.

  Further, the unit for compressing the pixel row is set for each parallax dot region 205 is merely an example. For example, the parallax dot area 205 included in the lens width area 204 corresponding to the high density side may be compressed uniformly.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
That is, the mutually replaceable members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments may be applied by appropriately changing the combination.
Members and structures that are known techniques and can be mutually replaced with the members and structures disclosed in the above-described embodiments may be appropriately replaced, and combinations thereof may be changed and applied.
Those skilled in the art may appropriately replace the members and structures that can be assumed as substitutes for the members and structures disclosed in the above-described embodiments based on known techniques and the like, and change the combinations thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 30, 40 ... Personal computer, 11 ... Display, 12 ... Main controller, 13 ... Memory, 14 ... Operation part, 15 ... Bus, 20 ... Printer, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Carriage, 23 ... Medium conveyance part, 24 ... operation unit, 25 ... engagement unit, 26 ... sheet guide, 100 ... printing apparatus, 120 ... image processing unit, 130 ... video driver unit, 131 ... area determination table, 132 ... LUT, 133 ... recording rate table, 140 ... Printer driver part, 141, 241 and 341 ... Resolution conversion part, 142, 242 and 342 ... Image composition part, 143, 245, 343 ... Area judgment part, 144, 246, 344 ... Density difference judgment part, 145, 247, 347 ... array conversion unit, 146, 243, 345 ... color conversion unit, 147, 244, 346 ... half toe Department, 148,248,348 ... printing data generating unit, 149,249,349 ... the transmission unit

Claims (6)

An image processing device that generates printing data from original data to be used when a printing device prints a printed material observed through a lens sheet having a plurality of convex lenses arranged,
Second image data which the first image data and having a contiguous portion corresponds to the parallax width corresponding to the width of the convex lens by the aligned plurality of multiple lined constituted, the original data acquisition means for acquiring the source data ,
The two first image data adjacent to each other through the adjacent portion facing the boundary between the two adjacent second image data are identified from among the plurality of first image data , and the two identified A density difference determining means for determining a density difference of the first image data ;
When the determined density difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the image data constituting the adjacent portion in the first image data on the high density side of the two identified first image data is set to a lower density. An image data conversion means for converting the image data into image data. The density difference determination means based on the concentration of a region including at least the adjacent portions of the two of the first image data obtained by the specific image according to claim 1, wherein determining, in that the density difference Processing equipment. It further has a printing dot generation means for generating printing dots based on the input pixels,
The original data is composed of pixels before being input to the plurality of dot generation means for printing,
The density difference determination means image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that, determining said density difference based on a color component value of the previous pixel to be the input. It further has a printing dot generation means for generating printing dots based on the input pixels,
The original data is composed of a plurality of printing dots generated by the printing dot generation means,
The density difference determination means based on the size of the presence and dot print dot the generated determines the concentration difference between the two first image data obtained by the specific, it claim 1, wherein, wherein Item 3. The image processing apparatus according to Item 2 . It further has a printing dot generation means for generating printing dots based on the input pixels,
The original data is composed of a plurality of printing dots generated by the printing dot generation means,
The density difference determination means calculates the density difference between the two specified first image data based on the amount of ink required per unit area calculated based on the presence / absence of the generated printing dots and the dot size. determining, that the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in. An image processing method for generating, from original data, printing data used when a printing apparatus prints a printed material observed through a lens sheet having a plurality of convex lenses arranged,
Second image data which the first image data and having a contiguous portion corresponds to the parallax width corresponding to the width of the convex lens by the aligned plurality of multiple lined constituted, the original data acquisition step of acquiring the original data ,
The two first image data adjacent to each other through the adjacent portion facing the boundary between the two adjacent second image data are identified from among the plurality of first image data , and the two identified A density difference determination step for determining a density difference of the first image data ;
When the determined density difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the image data constituting the adjacent portion in the first image data on the high density side of the two identified first image data is set to a lower density. And an image data conversion step for converting the image data into image data.