JP6540140B2 - Stereoscopic image forming method and stereographic image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image forming method and a three-dimensional image forming system, which radiates thermal energy to a medium that foams and expands in response to the amount of heat absorbed.

  Conventionally, a site selected from among color images to be printed later on a thermal expansion layer of a medium (for example, a thermal expansion sheet) having a thermal expansion layer on the surface that foams and expands according to the absorbed heat amount, There is known a three-dimensional image forming apparatus in which a heat absorbing portion is printed in a region where a heat absorbing portion (for example, black toner) is to be formed, and the printed portion of the heat absorbing portion is foamed and expanded by radiation of radiant heat. (See, for example, Patent Document 1). The three-dimensional image forming apparatus foam-expands and raises the print portion of the heat absorbing portion, prints a solid white image on the entire surface of the medium, and further prints a color image.

Patent No. 5212504

  However, in the above-described three-dimensional image forming apparatus for printing a solid white image and a color image on the surface of a foam-expanded medium, a portion having a relatively large amount of foam expansion of the medium and a portion having a relatively small amount of foam expansion or foam A difference in elevation occurs at the non-swelling site.

  Therefore, the distance between the head portion of, for example, an ink jet printer that prints a solid white image and a color image, and the foam expanded medium differs depending on the portion of the medium. As a result, when printing is performed at a position aligned with the portion where the expansion amount of the medium is large, the distance between the portion where the expansion amount of the medium is small or the portion where the expansion is not performed increases.

  As described above, when the distance between the head portion and the portion where the foaming expansion amount of the medium is small or the portion not foaming and expanding becomes large, the ink scattering and the image formation defect such as the printing unevenness occur. This makes it difficult to form high-quality three-dimensional images.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional image forming method and a three-dimensional image forming system capable of forming a high quality three-dimensional image.

In one aspect, the three-dimensional image forming method includes forming a heat absorbing portion that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that foams and expands according to the absorbed heat amount, and the medium on the foam expanding surface A first image is formed on a first area where the estimated expansion expansion height is a part where the expansion expansion amount of the medium is relatively small or an expansion expansion part is not performed, and thermal energy is radiated to the heat absorption part. The medium is foamed and expanded to form a second image in a second area different from the first area on the foam-expanding surface of the medium.
In another aspect, the three-dimensional image forming method forms a heat absorbing portion that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in the medium that foams and expands according to the absorbed heat amount, and the foam expanding and expanding surface of the medium The first image is formed in a first area in which the predetermined foaming expansion height above meets a predetermined standard, and the medium is foamed and expanded by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion, the medium of the medium A second image is formed in a second area not satisfying the predetermined criteria on the foam-expanding surface, and the predetermined criteria are such that the estimated foam expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold or the estimated foam It includes that the heat absorptivity of the heat absorbing portion determined in accordance with the expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold .

In another aspect, the three-dimensional image forming system includes a heat absorbing part forming unit that forms a heat absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in a medium that foams and expands according to the absorbed heat amount; The first image formation in which the first image is formed on the first area where the expansion expansion height of the medium is relatively small or the expansion expansion area of the medium is not a predetermined expansion expansion height on the expansion and expansion surface of the medium. Heat energy radiating means for foaming and expanding the medium by radiating thermal energy to the medium on which the first image has been formed, and the predetermined reference on the foam and expanding surface of the medium. And second image forming means for forming a second image in a second region which is not satisfied.
In another aspect, the three-dimensional image forming system includes a heat absorbing part forming unit that forms a heat absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in a medium that foams and expands according to the absorbed heat amount; A first image forming means for forming a first image in a first area where a predetermined foaming expansion height on the foam expanding surface satisfies a predetermined standard, and the medium on which the first image is formed Thermal energy radiating means for causing the medium to foam and expand by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion, and a second region not satisfying the predetermined criteria on the surface of the medium for the foam expansion. A second image forming unit for forming an image, and the predetermined standard is that the predetermined foam expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold, or the predetermined standard is determined according to the predetermined foam expansion height Heat of heat absorption part Osamusei is less than or equal to the threshold.

  According to the present invention, a high quality three-dimensional image can be formed.

It is sectional drawing (after 1st area | region printing and before foaming expansion of a medium) for demonstrating the three-dimensional image formation method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing (after the foaming expansion of a medium, and after 2nd area | region printing) for demonstrating the three-dimensional image formation method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the three-dimensional image formation method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing (before medium foam expansion) for demonstrating the predetermined | prescribed reference | standard of area | region division in one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view (after expansion and expansion of the medium) for explaining the predetermined criteria of the area division in the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a three-dimensional image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the internal structure of the three-dimensional image formation system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an inkjet printer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a circuit block diagram containing the control part of the three-dimensional image formation system concerning one embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, a three-dimensional image forming method and a three-dimensional image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a three-dimensional image forming method will be described, and then, a three-dimensional image forming system will be described.

<Method for forming stereoscopic image>
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view for explaining a three-dimensional image forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention (after printing the first region A1 and before foaming and expansion of the medium). FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view (after foaming and expansion of the medium and after printing of the second region A2) for explaining the three-dimensional image forming method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the three-dimensional image forming method according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the medium M has a substrate 101 and a foamed resin layer 102.
The base material 101 is made of paper, cloth such as canvas, panel material such as plastic, and the like, and the material is not particularly limited.

  In the foamed resin layer 102, a thermal foaming agent (thermally expandable microcapsule) is dispersed and disposed in a binder which is a thermoplastic resin provided on the base material 101. Thereby, the foam expansion layer 102 foam-expands according to the absorbed heat amount. Such a medium M is, for example, a thermally expandable sheet, and known commercial products can be used.

  A heat absorbing toner layer 103 as an example of a heat absorbing portion is printed by printing a black toner based on the foaming data on a portion on the surface which is a surface on which the medium M is to foam and expand. Are formed (step S1 shown in FIG. 2: heat absorbing portion forming step). The heat absorbing portion forming step S1 is performed, for example, by the black toner printing portion 2 shown in FIG.

  The heat absorbing toner layer 103 absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium M (for example, both the base material 101 and the foamed resin layer 102). The color of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is not limited to black. Further, the heat absorbing portion is not limited to the toner layer as long as it absorbs the heat to be conducted to the foamed resin layer 102 from the radiated heat energy, and is formed by inkjet printing, offset printing, silk printing, etc. And the like, and is not particularly limited.

  When the heat absorbing toner layer 103 receives the same amount of heat energy, the foamed resin layer 102 has more heat energy in the region corresponding to the portion where the concentration (for example, area gradation) of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is darker. Absorb Basically, the foaming height of the foamed resin layer 102 has a positive correlation with the amount of heat absorbed by the foamed resin layer 102, so that, as a result, the portion of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 formed with a higher concentration is foamed. The foamed height of the resin layer 102 is increased.

Therefore, the density of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is determined so as to correspond to the target height of the three-dimensional shape formed by the foaming and expansion of the foamed resin layer 102.
Note that the positive correlation described above tends to weaken when the density threshold, which changes depending on various conditions, such as the material of the foamed resin layer 102 and the material of the heat absorbing toner layer 103, is exceeded. Further, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is the back surface of the base material 101 in order to supplement the foaming expansion of the foamed resin layer 102, that is, the surface of the base material 101 opposite to the surface on which the foamed resin layer 102 is formed. It may be further formed.

  Alternatively, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 may not be formed on the surface of the foamed resin layer 102, but may be formed only on the back surface of the base material 101. When the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is not formed on the surface of the foamed resin layer 102, the first density difference suppression portion forming step S2 and the second density difference suppression portion forming step S5 described later can be omitted.

  Next, on the heat absorbing toner layer 103, the first satisfying the predetermined standard regarding the expected foaming expansion height which is the foaming height (height after foaming or height to be foamed) of the foamed resin layer 102 The first white ink layer W1, which is an example of the first density difference suppressing portion that suppresses the density difference of the heat absorbing toner layer 103, is printed in the area A1 of (step S2: formation of the first density difference suppressing portion) Process). The first density difference suppression portion forming step S2 is performed, for example, by the ink jet printer portion 3 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. The first white ink layer W1 is, for example, a solid white image. However, the color of the first shading difference suppressing portion is not limited to white. Further, the first density difference suppressing portion is not limited to the ink layer.

  The predetermined reference includes, for example, that the estimated foam expansion height of the medium M is equal to or less than a threshold. An area satisfying such a predetermined reference is the first area A1, and an area not satisfying the predetermined reference is a second area A2 described later.

  FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are cross-sectional views (before and after medium foam expansion) for explaining the predetermined criteria of area division in the present embodiment. In addition, although the unevenness | corrugation in the surface of the foamed resin layer 102-1 after foaming expansion is typically shown like a square wave in FIG. 1B, an actual unevenness | corrugation has a curved-surface part as shown to FIG. 3B. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the print head 32, which is an example of the head portion, is illustrated smaller than that illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The size of the print head 32 is arbitrary.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, for example, a half height of the maximum foam height hmax (for example, 2.5 mm) of the foamed resin layer 102 after foam expansion is a threshold ht (for example, 1.25 mm) of the expected foam expansion height. It is set. Further, as the first area A1 where the area below the threshold ht satisfies the predetermined reference, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first white ink layer W1 and the first white ink layer W1 are formed on the heat absorbing toner layer 103. A color ink layer C1 is formed.

  Further, as a second area A2 in which the foam height exceeds the threshold value ht does not satisfy the predetermined reference, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second white ink layer is formed on the foamed resin layer 102-1 after foam expansion. W2 and a second color ink layer C2 are formed. The above threshold value ht is not limited to a half value of the maximum foaming height hmax, and may be set as appropriate.

  Although the foamed resin layer 102 does not foam and expand in the steps of the first density difference suppression portion forming step S2 described above and the first image forming step S3 described later, a three-dimensional image is formed for the planned foam expansion height. Since it is determined in advance, it may be determined by, for example, a control unit described later shown in FIG. 7 whether the above-mentioned predetermined standard is satisfied based on the planned foam expansion height.

  As described above, since the foamed resin layer 102 has a higher bubbling height as the concentration of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is increased, the heat absorbing toner layer is used as a predetermined reference for the expected bubbling expansion height. It may be adopted that the formation concentration (that is, the heat absorption property) when formed on the foamed resin layer 102 by area gradation is 103 or less.

  In addition, by forming the first white ink layer W1 on the entire surface of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 in the first density difference suppression portion forming step S2, the second density difference suppression portion forming step S5 described later is omitted. May be In this case, since the first white ink layer W1 and the second white ink layer W2 can be formed in one step, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced. On the other hand, the heat absorption of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 in the second area A2 in which the expansion expansion amount is larger than the first area A1 is performed by performing the second density difference suppression portion forming step S5 after the thermal energy radiation step S4. The property can be enhanced more than when the second density difference suppression portion forming step S5 is performed before the thermal energy radiating step S4.

  Referring back to FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, a color ink layer C1 constituting a color image is formed as an example of a first image in the first area A1 where the first white ink layer W1 described above is formed (see FIG. Step S3: First Image Forming Step). The first image forming step S3 is performed by, for example, the inkjet printer unit 3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The image formed in the first image forming step S3 may be a black and white image, and is not limited to a color image.

  The print head 32 shown in FIGS. 1A and 3A of the ink jet printer unit 3 has a predetermined margin with the foamed resin layer 102 in the first density difference suppressing portion forming step S2 and the first image forming step S3 described above. Printing is performed at a position where m (for example, 0.3 mm) is maintained. The margin m is a minimum distance for the print head 32 and the foamed resin layer 102 not to be in contact with each other. However, since the heat absorbing toner 103, the first white ink layer W1, and the first color ink layer C1 are actually formed on the foamed resin layer 102, these heat absorbing toner 103, and It is desirable that the margin m be such that the first white ink layer W1 and the first color ink layer C1 are not in contact with the print head 32.

  Next, the medium M is subjected to a foaming process by emitting thermal radiation (an example of thermal energy) (step S4: thermal energy radiation process). The thermal energy radiation process S4 is performed by, for example, the thermal expansion processing unit 3 shown in FIG. As a result, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 absorbs the heat radiation, the heat is transmitted to the heat blowing agent contained in the foamed resin layer 102, and the heat blowing agent causes an expansion reaction. Therefore, the foamed resin layer 102 is foamed and expanded according to the black density of the heat absorbing toner layer 103.

  Even if the portion of the foamed resin layer 102 where the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is not formed (for example, a part of the first area A1) absorbs the heat energy, the amount of heat is suppressed sufficiently small. The height does not change, or the change in height is sufficiently small compared to the portion where the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is formed.

  Next, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is formed on the heat absorbing toner layer 103 in the second area A2 which does not satisfy the predetermined criteria, that is, the area where the estimated expansion expansion height exceeds the threshold ht shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B. The second white ink layer W2 which is an example of the second density difference suppressing portion for suppressing the density difference is printed (step S5: second density difference suppressing portion forming step). The second density difference suppression portion forming step S5 is performed by, for example, the ink jet printer portion 3 shown in FIGS. The second white ink layer W2 is, for example, a solid white image. However, the color of the second shading difference suppressing portion is not limited to white. In addition, the second density difference suppressing portion is not limited to the ink layer.

  Next, a color ink layer C2 constituting a color image is formed as an example of a second image in the second area A2 where the second white ink layer W2 described above is formed (step S6: second Image formation process). The second image forming step S6 is performed by, for example, the inkjet printer unit 3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The image formed in the second image forming step S6 may be a black and white image, and is not limited to a color image.

  The print head 32 shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 3B of the ink jet printer unit 3 in the second density difference suppressing portion forming step S5 and the second image forming step S6 described above includes the foamed resin layer 102-1 after foam expansion. Printing is performed at a position where a predetermined margin m (for example, 0.3 mm) is maintained between the portion of the maximum foam height hmax. This margin m is the same as the margin m shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 3A in the above-described first density difference suppression portion forming step S2 and the first image forming step S3. The sum of the margin m and the maximum foam height hmax of the foam resin layer 102-1 after foam expansion is the distance s between the print head 32 and the foam resin layer 102 before foam expansion as shown in FIG. 3B. Become.

Stereo image forming system
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 includes a black toner printing unit 2 which is an example of a heat absorbing unit forming unit, a thermal expansion processing unit 3 which is an example of a thermal energy radiating unit, and a first image forming unit. And an inkjet printer unit 4 which is an example of a second image forming unit.

  The inkjet printer unit 4 also functions as an example of a first density difference suppression unit forming unit and a second density difference suppression unit forming unit. In addition, as the first image forming unit, the second image forming unit, the first density difference suppressing portion forming unit, and the second density difference suppressing portion forming unit, the single ink jet printer unit 4 also serves as the whole. Rather, it may be divided into two to four devices.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of the three-dimensional image forming system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
In the three-dimensional image forming system 1 shown in FIG. 5, the black toner printing unit 2 is disposed at the bottom, the ink jet printer unit 3 is disposed thereon, and the thermal expansion processing unit 4 is disposed at the top. Although the black toner printing unit 2, the inkjet printer unit 3, and the thermal expansion processing unit 4 are integrally disposed in FIG. 5, they may be independently disposed as separate devices.

  The black toner printing unit 2 is disposed below the inkjet printer unit 3. The black toner printing unit 2 includes an endless transfer belt 6 extending in the horizontal direction at the inner center of the apparatus housing 2 a. The transfer belt 6 is stretched around the driving roller 7 and the driven roller 8 while being stretched by a stretching mechanism (not shown), and is driven by the driving roller 7 so that the counterclockwise direction shown by the arrow b in FIG. Move to the circulation.

  The photosensitive drum 11 of the image forming unit 9 is disposed in contact with the upper circulation movement surface of the transfer belt 6. On the photosensitive drum 11, a developing roller 12 and the like are disposed following the cleaner, the initialization charger, and the optical writing head (not shown) so as to surround the circumferential surface thereof.

  The developing roller 12 is disposed at the side opening of the toner container 13. In the toner container 13, black toner K is accommodated. The black toner K is, for example, a nonmagnetic one-component toner. The developing roller 12 carries a thin layer of black toner K contained in the toner container 13 on the surface, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 11 by the optical writing head. The image of the black toner K is developed on the

  The primary transfer roller 14 is in pressure contact with the lower portion of the photosensitive drum 11 via the transfer belt 6 to form a primary transfer portion. A bias voltage is supplied to the primary transfer roller 14 from a bias power supply (not shown).

  The primary transfer roller 14 applies a bias voltage supplied from a bias power supply to the transfer belt 6 at the primary transfer portion to transfer the image of the black toner K developed on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 11. Transfer to

  The secondary transfer roller 15 is in pressure contact with the driven roller 8 across the right end portion of the transfer belt 6 shown in FIG. 5 via the transfer belt 6, and a secondary transfer portion is formed there. A bias voltage is supplied to the secondary transfer roller 15 from a bias power supply (not shown).

  The secondary transfer roller 15 applies a bias voltage supplied from a bias power supply to the transfer belt 6 at the secondary transfer portion, and the image of the black toner K primarily transferred to the transfer belt 6 is formed into an image forming conveyance path As shown by the arrows along the line 16, the image is transferred to the medium M conveyed from the lower side of FIG.

  The medium M is stacked and stored in a sheet storage unit 18 having a sheet feeding cassette, and the uppermost sheet is taken out by a sheet feeding roller (not shown) or the like and sent out to the image forming conveyance path 16. Further, the medium M is conveyed through the image forming conveyance path 19, and the image of the black toner K is transferred while passing through the above-described secondary transfer portion.

  The medium M which has passed the secondary transfer portion while the image of the black toner K is transferred is conveyed to the fixing portion 21 along the fixing conveyance path 19. The heating roller 22 and the pressing roller 23 of the fixing unit 21 sandwich the medium M and convey the medium M while applying heat and pressure.

  The medium M is further conveyed by the heating roller 22 and the pressing roller 23, and the conveyance is taken over by the fixing unit discharge roller pair 24, and the medium M is discharged to the upper ink jet printer unit 3. Here, since the conveyance speed of the medium M in the fixing unit 21 is relatively high, the amount of expansion of the black toner printed portion of the medium M can be ignored by the heating of the heating roller 22.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the inkjet printer unit 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The inkjet printer unit 3 shown in FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 6 between the conveyance paths c and d shown in FIG. 5 and between the conveyance path e and the medium discharge port 28 provided with the paper discharge tray 29 externally. An inner frame 37 shown is arranged. The inkjet printer unit 3 performs the above-described first density difference suppression portion forming step S2 and the first image forming step S3 between the transport paths c and d, and the transport path e and the medium discharge port 28 In the meantime, the above-mentioned second density difference suppression portion forming step S5 and the second image forming step S6 are performed.

  The inkjet printer unit 3 includes a carriage 31 provided so as to be reciprocally movable in a direction indicated by a double arrow g orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction. Attached to the carriage 31 are a print head 32 for executing printing and an ink cartridge 33 (33w, 33c, 33m, 33y) containing ink.

  The cartridges 33w, 33c, 33m and 33y contain white W, cyan C, magenta M and yellow Y color inks, respectively. These cartridges are configured individually or each ink chamber is integrated in a single case, and are connected to a print head 32 having nozzles for discharging ink of each color.

  Further, the carriage 31 is slidably supported by the guide rails 34 on one side, and is fixed to the toothed drive belt 35 on the other side. Thus, the print head 32 and the ink cartridge 33 (33w, 33c, 33m, 33y) are reciprocated with the carriage 31 in the direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction indicated by the double arrow g in FIG. Ru.

  A flexible communication cable 36 is connected between the print head 32 and a control unit, which will be described later, of the three-dimensional image forming system 1 via an internal frame 37. Print data and control signals are sent to the print head 32 from the control unit through the flexible communication cable 36.

Further, a platen 38 which faces the print head 32 and extends in the main scanning direction of the print head 32 and which constitutes a part of the sheet conveyance path is disposed at the lower end portion of the inner frame 37.
Also, the medium M contacts the platen 38 and the feed roller pair 39 (the lower roller is behind the medium M and can not be seen in FIG. 6) and the discharge roller pair 41 (the lower roller is not visible similarly) Thus, the sheet is intermittently transported in the printing sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow h in FIG.

  While the intermittent conveyance of the medium M is stopped, the print head 32 is driven by the motor 42 via the toothed drive belt 35 and the carriage 31 and ejects ink droplets in the state of being close to the medium M to print on the paper Do. As described above, the printing of the first white ink layer W1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 3A is first performed on the entire surface of the medium M by repeating the intermittent conveyance of the medium M and the printing at the time of reciprocating movement by the print head 32.

  Thereafter, printing of the first color ink layer C1 is performed. For example, the medium M on which the first white ink layer W1 is formed is reversely conveyed in the direction opposite to the printing sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow h, and printing of the first color ink layer C1 is carried again while being conveyed again in the arrow h direction. You can do it.

  The ink jet printer unit 3 is expanded and expanded in a thermal expansion processing unit 4 described later, and the second white ink is applied to the medium M-1 (see FIG. 1B) conveyed along the conveyance path e shown in FIG. The printing of the layer W2 and the second color ink layer C2 is also performed. The medium M-1 on which the second white ink layer W2 and the second color ink layer C2 are formed is discharged from the medium discharge port 28 to the paper discharge tray 29 along the conveyance path f shown in FIG.

  The thermal expansion processing unit 4 has a medium transport path 25 formed on the top, and four pairs of transport rollers 26 (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) are arranged along the medium transport path 25. The light source unit 27 is disposed below the substantially central portion of the medium transport path 25.

  The light source unit 27 has an elongated halogen lamp 27a, and a reflecting mirror 27b having a substantially semicircular cross section surrounding the lower half of the halogen lamp 27a, and the medium M can be made in the entire depth direction in FIG. Heat over.

  For example, as the halogen lamp 27a, a 900 W lamp is used, which is disposed at a position 4 cm away from the surface of the medium M to be conveyed through the medium conveyance path 25. The conveyance speed of the conveyance roller pair 26 for conveying the medium M is 20 mm / sec. Under this condition, the medium M is heated to 100 ° C. to 110 ° C., and the portion of the foamed resin layer 102 of the medium M shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, on which the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is printed, thermally expands.

  The medium M-1 in which the foamed resin layer 102 located on the back surface side of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 in the thermal expansion processing unit 4 is thermally expanded and raised is conveyed to the above-described inkjet printer unit 3 along the conveyance path e. .

FIG. 7 is a circuit block diagram including a control unit of the stereoscopic image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 7, the circuit block is centered on a CPU (central processing unit) 45, and sends data to the CPU 45 via an I / F_CONT (interface controller) 46 and a PR_CONT (printer controller) 47, respectively. The image cutting unit 48 is connected.

  A printer printing unit 49 is connected to the above-mentioned PR_CONT 47. The image cropping unit 48 is also connected to the I / F_CONT 46 on the other hand. An image processing application similar to that installed in a personal computer or the like is installed in the image clipping unit 48.

  In addition, the CPU 45 includes a read only memory (ROM) 51, an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) 52, an operation panel 53 of the main body operation unit, and a sensor unit 54 to which an output from a sensor disposed in each unit is input. It is connected. The ROM 51 stores a system program. The operation panel 53 has a touch display screen.

The CPU 45 reads a system program stored in the ROM 51, and controls each part in accordance with the read system program to perform processing.
That is, in each part, first, the I / F_CONT 46 converts print data supplied from a host device such as a personal computer, for example, into bit map data, and develops it in the frame memory 55.

  In the frame memory 55, storage areas corresponding to print data of black toner K, print data of white W, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y are set, and the image of each color is stored in this storage area. The print data of is expanded. The expanded data is output to the PR_CONT 47, and is output from the PR_CONT 47 to the printer printing unit 49.

  The printer printing unit 49 is an engine unit, and under the control of the PR_CONT 47, a rotary drive system including the photosensitive drum 11 and the primary transfer roller 14 of the black toner printing unit 2 shown in FIG. The application voltage of the image forming unit 9 having a driven part such as an initialization charger and an optical writing head, and drive output to a process load such as driving of the transfer belt 6 and the fixing unit 21 are controlled.

  Furthermore, the printer printing unit 49 controls the drive of the four pairs of transport rollers 26 of the thermal expansion processing unit 4 shown in FIG. 5, the light emission drive of the light source unit 27, and the timing thereof. The printer printing unit 49 further controls the operation of each unit of the ink jet printer unit 3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  The image data of the black toner K output from the PR_CONT 47 is supplied from the printer printing unit 49 to an optical writing head (not shown) of the image forming unit 9 of the black toner printing unit 2 shown in FIG. The image data of each of the white W, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y color inks output from the PR_CONT 47 is supplied to the print head 32 of the inkjet printer unit 3 shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment described above, the heat absorbing toner layer 103, which is an example of the heat absorbing portion that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium M, is formed on the medium M that is expanded by the amount of heat absorbed. Heat absorption part formation process S1 shown in FIG. In addition, a first color ink layer C1, which is an example of a first image, is formed in a first area A1 that satisfies a predetermined reference regarding the planned foam expansion height on the surface of the medium M (first image formation Step S3). Further, the medium M is foamed and expanded by radiating the thermal energy to the medium M (thermal energy radiation step S4). In addition, a second color ink layer C2 which is an example of a second image is formed in a second area A2 which does not satisfy the above-described predetermined reference on the surface of the foam-expanded medium M-1 (second Image formation step S6). The predetermined reference includes, for example, that the estimated foaming expansion height is equal to or less than the threshold value ht or that the heat absorption of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is equal to or less than the threshold value.

  Therefore, before the foam expansion of the medium M, the print head 32 of the ink jet printer unit 3 which is an example of the head unit is brought closer to the portion where the foam expansion amount of the medium M is relatively small or the portion not expanded. One color ink layer C1 can be formed. In addition, the second color ink layer C2 can be formed by causing the print head 32 to approach after the bubble expansion of the medium M at a portion where the foam expansion amount of the medium M is relatively large. This can prevent an increase in the distance between the print head 32 and the printing position (image forming position) on the surface of the medium M. That is, in particular, the print head 32 is made closer to the portion where the expansion expansion amount of the medium M is relatively small or the portion where the expansion expansion is not performed compared with the case where the color ink layer is formed after the expansion expansion of the medium M. A color ink layer can be formed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of image formation defects such as ink scattering and printing unevenness. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a high-quality three-dimensional image can be formed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is formed on the surface of the medium M (foamed resin layer 102). Then, after the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is formed, before the first color ink layer C1 is formed, the first density difference which suppresses the density difference of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 in the first area A1 A first white ink layer W1 which is an example of the suppressing portion is formed. In addition, after the thermal energy is radiated to the medium M, before the second color ink layer C2 is formed, the second density difference that suppresses the density difference of the heat absorbing toner layer 103 in the second area A2 The second white ink layer W2, which is an example of the suppression unit, is formed. Therefore, the first white ink layer W1 and the second white ink layer W2 suppress the difference in density of the heat absorbing toner layer 103, for example, in such a manner that the heat absorbing toner layer 103 is covered. The print quality of the color ink layer C1 and the second color ink layer C2 can be enhanced.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof. The invention described in the claims at the beginning of the application of the present application is appended below.

[Supplementary Note 1]
Forming a heat absorbing portion in the medium that foams and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, which is easier to absorb heat energy than the medium;
Forming a first image in a first region that meets a predetermined criteria for a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion surface of the medium;
The medium is foamed and expanded by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion,
Forming a second image in a second area not meeting the predetermined criteria on the foam expanding side of the medium;
A three-dimensional image forming method characterized in that.

[Supplementary Note 2]
The predetermined standard includes that the estimated foaming expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold, or that the heat absorption of the heat absorbing portion determined according to the estimated foaming expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold. The three-dimensional image formation method according to claim 1, characterized in that

[Supplementary Note 3]
In the step of forming the heat absorbing portion, the heat absorbing portion is formed on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
After forming the heat absorbing portion, before forming the first image, a first density difference suppressing portion which suppresses the density difference of the heat absorbing portion is formed in the first region,
After the heat energy is radiated to the medium, before forming the second image, the second density difference suppressing portion which suppresses the density difference of the heat absorbing portion is formed in the second region,
The three-dimensional image forming method according to Additional remark 1 or 2, characterized in that.

[Supplementary Note 4]
In the step of forming the heat absorbing portion, the heat absorbing portion is formed on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
After forming the heat absorbing portion, before forming the first image, a first density difference suppressing portion for suppressing the density difference of the heat absorbing portion, the first area and the second area To form
The three-dimensional image forming method according to Additional remark 1 or 2, characterized in that.

[Supplementary Note 5]
Heat absorbing part forming means for forming a heat absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in a medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed;
A first image forming means for forming a first image in a first area that satisfies a predetermined reference on a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion side of the medium;
Thermal energy emitting means for foaming and expanding the medium by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion of the medium on which the first image is formed;
A second image forming means for forming a second image in a second area which does not satisfy the predetermined standard on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
A three-dimensional image forming system comprising:

Reference Signs List 1 stereoscopic image forming system 2 black toner printing unit 3 inkjet printer unit 4 thermal expansion processing unit 101 base material 102 foamed resin layer 103 heat absorbing toner layer M, M-1 medium C1, C2 first color ink layer, second Color ink layer W1, W2 First white ink layer, second white ink layer

Claims (6)

Forming a heat absorbing portion in the medium that foams and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, which is easier to absorb heat energy than the medium;
The predetermined foam expansion height on the foam-expanding surface of the medium forms a first image in a first area where the foam expansion amount of the medium is relatively small or not foam expansion .
The medium is foamed and expanded by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion,
Forming a second image in a second area different from the first area on the foam expanding side of the medium;
A three-dimensional image forming method characterized in that. Forming a heat absorbing portion in the medium that foams and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed, which is easier to absorb heat energy than the medium;
Forming a first image in a first area where a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion side of the medium satisfies a predetermined standard;
The medium is foamed and expanded by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion,
Forming a second image in a second area not meeting the predetermined criteria on the foam expanding side of the medium;
The predetermined standard includes that the estimated foaming expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold, or that the heat absorption of the heat absorbing portion determined according to the estimated foaming expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold. A three-dimensional image forming method characterized by In the step of forming the heat absorbing portion, the heat absorbing portion is formed on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
After forming the heat absorbing portion, before forming the first image, a first density difference suppressing portion which suppresses the density difference of the heat absorbing portion is formed in the first region,
After the heat energy is radiated to the medium, before forming the second image, the second density difference suppressing portion which suppresses the density difference of the heat absorbing portion is formed in the second region,
The three-dimensional image forming method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the step of forming the heat absorbing portion, the heat absorbing portion is formed on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
After forming the heat absorbing portion, before forming the first image, a first density difference suppressing portion for suppressing the density difference of the heat absorbing portion, the first area and the second area To form
The three-dimensional image forming method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Heat absorbing part forming means for forming a heat absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in a medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed;
A first image is formed on a first area where a predetermined expansion expansion height of the medium on the expansion expansion surface is a part where the expansion expansion amount of the medium is relatively small or an expansion expansion part is not performed . An image forming means,
Thermal energy emitting means for foaming and expanding the medium by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion of the medium on which the first image is formed;
A second image forming means for forming a second image in a second area different from the first area on the surface of the medium on which the foam expands;
A three-dimensional image forming system comprising:   Heat absorbing part forming means for forming a heat absorbing part that absorbs heat energy more easily than the medium in a medium that expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed;
  First image forming means for forming a first image in a first area where a predetermined foam expansion height on the foam expansion side of the medium satisfies a predetermined standard;
  Thermal energy emitting means for foaming and expanding the medium by radiating thermal energy to the heat absorbing portion of the medium on which the first image is formed;
  A second image forming means for forming a second image in a second area which does not satisfy the predetermined standard on the foam-expanding surface of the medium;
  Equipped with
  The predetermined standard includes that the estimated foaming expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold or that the heat absorption of the heat absorbing portion determined according to the estimated foaming expansion height is equal to or less than a threshold.
A three-dimensional image forming system characterized by