JP6782509B1 - Processing equipment and processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the efficiency of an ordering process for mat production. SOLUTION: This is a processing device 1 for designing a pattern to be printed on a mat using a printer. The processing device 1 extracts an input processing unit 11 that receives an image that constitutes at least a part of a matte pattern, extracts colors used in the image, and uses the extracted colors that are not in the printer ink of the printer. An image conversion unit 12 and a second image conversion unit 12 that generate a second image replaced with the ink color and replace a color not found in the printer ink with a pseudo color expressed by combining inks of a plurality of printers. A display unit 13 is provided which switches between an image and a third image for display and accepts selection of an image to be adopted. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to a processing apparatus and a processing method used for producing a mat.

In offices and stores, mats that can be freely designed with original designs are desired. Patent Document 1 describes a device for expressing a pattern drawn on an image on a tufted carpet.

Patent No. 6482881

In Patent Document 1, the resolution is adjusted so that the color image of the pattern drawn on the tufted carpet has a one-to-one correspondence with the pile, and the color image is binarized and reduced in color, so that the color image can be freely designed with a desired color. There was a problem that it was difficult to do.

The pattern is printed on the mat using a dedicated printer. The resolution of the pattern that can be printed on the mat with a dedicated printer is low, and the usable colors are basically about 20 colors. Since the resolution is not high compared to printing on paper, the colors that can be expressed are limited to the colors of the ink. Therefore, when producing a mat with an original design, the customer receives the image data of the design of the mat design, manually processes the image data into data close to the finished product printed on the mat, and the processed data is the customer. After confirming on the side, production has started.

Since there are many processes from the acceptance of the mat design to the start of production, it is desired to reduce the man-hours and the delivery time in the order process for mat production.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of the ordering process for mat production.

The processing device of one aspect of the present invention is a processing device for designing a symbol to be printed on a mat using a printer, and includes a receiving unit that receives an image constituting at least a part of the symbol and the image. An extraction unit that extracts the colors used, and a second image in which the extracted colors that are not in the printer's ink are replaced with the printer's ink colors are generated, and the colors that are not in the printer's ink are generated. An image conversion unit that generates a third image replaced with a pseudo color expressed by combining the ink colors of a plurality of printers, and an image that is displayed by switching between the second image and the third image and adopted for the design. It is provided with a display unit that accepts the selection of the above and an output unit that outputs control data for printing the symbol on the mat using the printer.

The processing method of one aspect of the present invention is a processing method for designing a symbol to be printed on a mat using a printer, and includes a step of receiving an image constituting at least a part of the symbol by a computer and the above. A step of extracting the colors used in the image, a second image in which the extracted colors that are not in the ink of the printer are replaced with the colors of the ink of the printer are generated, and the colors that are not in the ink of the printer are generated. A step of generating a third image in which is replaced with a pseudo color expressed by combining the ink colors of a plurality of printers, and a step of switching between the second image and the third image and displaying the image to be adopted as the design. It includes a step of accepting selection and a process of outputting control data for printing the symbol on a mat using the printer.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the ordering process for mat production.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the processing device of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen. FIG. 3 is an example of a window for selecting a color. FIG. 4 is an example of pseudo colors expressed by combining the colors of a plurality of inks. FIG. 5 is an example of a window for selecting a figure. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the processing apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing for generating data for replacing the colors of an image to be printed on a mat. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an associative array in which coordinates and pixel values are linked. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the extracted color data. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a color palette. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence table between the original color and the color after replacement. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of color replacement data for replacing colors in an image. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process of replacing the color of the image with the color of the color palette. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing for applying pseudo colors expressed by combining ink colors. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the difference in hue, saturation, and lightness between the original RGB value and the new RGB value, and the RGB values of the scattered colors. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing for presenting an image in which colors are replaced to a user.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Processing device configuration]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the processing device 1 of the present embodiment. The processing device 1 provides a user interface for designing a mat, displays the mat designed by the user on the screen with a pattern close to the finished product of the actual mat, and controls a dedicated printer for the mat. Output the control data of.

The processing device 1 includes an input processing unit 11, an image conversion unit 12, a display unit 13, an output unit 14, and a storage unit 15. Each part included in the processing device 1 may be configured by a computer provided with an arithmetic processing unit, a storage device, and the like, and the processing of each part may be executed by a program. This program is stored in a storage device included in the processing device 1, and can be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or can be provided through a network. The processing device 1 may be operated in a virtual environment of the cloud. Hereinafter, each part included in the processing device 1 will be described.

The input processing unit 11 inputs operation information from the user and executes processing according to the input.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation screen 100 operated by the user. The operation screen 100 shown in the figure includes a drawing area 110 for displaying a pattern printed on the mat and a tool area 120 for inputting an operation by the user. The user operates various buttons 121 to 125 in the tool area 120 to design the mat. The operation screen 100 of FIG. 2 is an example and is not limited to this. On the operation screen 100, the size and type of the mat to be printed may be specified, or the operation screen 100 may have a function of a general drawing tool.

The tool area 120 includes a button 121 for changing the background color, a button 122 for arranging text on the drawing area 110, a button 123 for arranging a figure on the drawing area 110, and a button 123 for reading and drawing an image. A button 124 for arranging the area 110 and a button 125 for outputting control data for controlling the printer are provided.

When the button 121 for changing the background color is operated, the input processing unit 11 displays a window 200 for selecting a color as shown in FIG. 3 and accepts the color selection. The user selects a desired color from the window 200 and determines the base color of the matte. In the window 200, not only the colors of the ink set in the printer (for example, 23 colors) but also pseudo colors that can be expressed by combining the colors of a plurality of inks are arranged so as to be selectable. The pseudo color here is a color expressed by arranging pixels of another ink color scattered in an area painted with a certain ink color. The mat is laid on the floor and is often viewed from a distance above the height of human eyes. Therefore, when another ink color (scattering color) is scattered and arranged in the area painted with one ink color (basic color), the scattered color is not recognized as a dot and is combined with the basic color. In some cases, scattered colors are recognized (illusion) as a mixed color. The processing device 1 makes such a color a color that can be selected as a pseudo color.

For example, when gray and pearl gray are present in the ink color and light gray, which is brighter than gray and darker than pearl gray, is not present in the ink color, light gray is set to gray 50 as shown in FIG. The pearl gray 51 is scattered in the painted area. Gray 50 is the basic color, and pearl gray 51 is the scattered color. Each of the grids in FIG. 4 is one pixel. The printer ejects ink on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Ink is ejected in a size of about 1.5 to 2 mm square at one time. When the mat is viewed from eye level, the gray 50 and the pearl gray 51 are mixed and recognized as a light gray slightly brighter than the gray 50. The color to be scattered is not limited to one color, and may be two or more colors.

In the drawing area 110, the area painted with the pseudo color may be drawn with a color scattered from the basic color, or may be drawn with the RGB value of the pseudo color to be expressed. For example, when the pseudo color light gray is selected as the background color, the background of the drawing area 110 is drawn in two colors, gray and pearl gray, which are ink colors, similar to the pixels printed on the matte. It may be painted with an RGB value of light gray, which is a pseudo color that is not in the color of the ink.

In this embodiment, not only the ink color of the printer but also a pseudo color that can be expressed by combining the colors of a plurality of inks can be selected, so that a matte design can be performed with a color exceeding the color limit of the printer. It becomes. Pseudo-colors can also be used for texts and figures described later.

When the text button 122 is operated, the input processing unit 11 accepts the input of the text from the user and arranges the text 112 in the drawing area 110. Text 112 can specify position, size, font type, and color.

When the button 123 of the figure is operated, the input processing unit 11 displays a window 300 for selecting the figure as shown in FIG. 5 and accepts the selection of the figure. When the user selects a figure, the input processing unit 11 arranges the figure 113 in the drawing area 110. The position, size, and color of the figure 113 can be specified.

When the image button 124 is operated, the input processing unit 11 reads the designated image file and transmits it to the image conversion unit 12. The input processing unit 11 arranges the image 114 converted by the image conversion unit 12 in the drawing area 110. Image 114 can specify position, size, and color replacement methods.

When the output button 125 is operated, the output unit 14 outputs control data for printing a mat designed by the user.

The image conversion unit 12 extracts the colors used in the input image, converts the colors not included in the ink colors into the colors of similar inks, or converts them into pseudo colors that combine the colors of a plurality of inks. Or something. The details of the processing of the image conversion unit 12 will be described later.

The display unit 13 displays the operation screen 100 and the like.

The output unit 14 outputs control data for printing the mat with the printer.

The storage unit 15 temporarily stores data during work, a matte design completed image, and control data related thereto. The matte design finished image includes a smooth image for customer viewing and a pixel art for the printer. The storage unit 15 may store a figure / text box / icon or the like to be displayed on the operation screen 100, or may store information on a color palette and information on pseudo colors, which will be described later.

[Operation of processing device]
Next, the processing flow of the processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

When the processing device 1 is started, the operation screen 100 is displayed, waits for the input of the user's operation, and the processing of FIG. 6 is started.

In step S11, the processing device 1 inputs an operation from the user.

In step S12, the processing device 1 determines whether or not the operation content is pasting an image. Pasting an image is an operation of reading an image file and arranging it in the drawing area 110.

If the operation content is not pasting an image, the processing device 1 proceeds to the process in step S14.

When the operation content is pasting an image, the processing device 1 performs an image conversion process in step S13. The details of the image conversion process will be described later.

In step S14, the processing device 1 updates the drawing area 110 to reflect the operation from the user.

In step S15, the processing device 1 determines whether or not the output button 125 has been operated. When the output button 125 is not operated, the process returns to step S11 and waits for the input of the operation from the user.

When the output button 125 is operated, in step S16, the processing device 1 outputs control data for printing the symbol of the drawing area 110 on the mat. After outputting the control data, the process may return to step S11 to further modify the mat design. The control data may be stored in the storage unit 15, stored in a removable storage medium, or transmitted to the printer via the network.

[Image conversion process]
Next, the flow of the image conversion process will be described. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is executed after the user specifies the image file to be pasted.

In step S101, the image conversion unit 12 receives the image specified by the user. Hereinafter, this image will be referred to as image 1.

In step S102, the image conversion unit 12 extracts the color used in the image 1. For example, the image conversion unit 12 scans pixels in order from the upper left pixel to the lower right pixel of the image 1, and acquires coordinates (X, Y) and pixel values (R, G, B) for each pixel. , Generates an associative array with pixel values associated with the coordinates. FIG. 8 shows an example of an associative array in which pixel values are associated with coordinates. Transparent color pixels need not be included in the associative array by excluding them from processing. In the drawing area 110, the transparent color pixels are the background color or the color of the underlying pattern. The image conversion unit 12 aggregates the pixel values of the associative array and extracts the color used in the image 1. FIG. 9 shows an example of the extracted color data. In the example of FIG. 9, three colors (R, G, B) = (87,197,195), (255,0,27), and (72,0,73) were extracted. Hereinafter, (87,197,195) will be referred to as color 1, (255,0,27) will be referred to as color 2, and (72,0,73) will be referred to as color 3.

The image conversion unit 12 executes the processes of steps S103 and S104 for all the colors extracted in step S102.

In step S103, the image conversion unit 12 determines whether or not the same color as the color being processed (original color) exists in the color palette. A color palette is a set of printer ink colors. FIG. 10 shows an example of a color palette. The color palette holds the RGB values of each of the ink colors. The image conversion unit 12 compares the RGB values of the original color with the RGB values of all the colors in the color palette, and determines whether or not a color having the same RGB value as the original color exists in the color palette. To do. For example, although color 1 and color 3 in FIG. 9 do not exist in the color palette, the RGB values of color 2 are the same as the RGB values of red in the color palette of FIG. 10, so that the image conversion unit 12 has the same color 2. Judges that the color of is present in the color palette. If the same color as the original color exists in the color palette, the image conversion unit 12 proceeds to the next color processing.

If the same color as the original color does not exist in the color palette, in step S104, the image conversion unit 12 selects the color closest to the original color from the color palette, and the original color and the color of the color palette (replacement). Create a table that corresponds to the later color). FIG. 11 shows an example of a correspondence table between the original color and the replaced color. In the example of the figure, the color after replacement of color 1 is light blue in the color palette of FIG. 10, and the color after replacement of color 3 is burgundy in the color palette of FIG. Since the same color exists in the color palette for color 2, the corresponding table is not created.

Color distance (color difference) can be used to select the color closest to the original color. For example, the image conversion unit 12 calculates the color distance between the original color and all the colors in the color palette, and selects the color in the color palette having the closest color distance as the color closest to the original color. .. Existing methods can be used to calculate the color distance.

The image conversion unit 12 selects the next color and repeats the processes of steps S103 and S104 until all the extracted colors are processed.

After processing all the extracted colors, in step S105, the image conversion unit 12 extracts the original color of each pixel of the image 1 from the associative array in which the pixel values are associated with the corresponding table and the coordinates created in step S102. Create color replacement data to replace with the colors in the color palette. For example, the image conversion unit 12 acquires a set of coordinates and pixel values one by one from the associative array created in step S102, and when the acquired pixel values are RGB values of the original colors of the corresponding table, the corresponding table for the coordinates. Add the set associated with the new RGB values of the color after replacement to the color replacement data. FIG. 12 shows an example of color replacement data for replacing the color of each pixel of the image 1 with the color of the color palette. In the example of the figure, in the associative array of FIG. 8, the coordinates associated with the color 1 are associated with the RGB values of light blue corresponding to the color 1, and the coordinates associated with the color 3 correspond to the color 3. The RGB values of the burgundy to be used are linked. Since color 2 is not replaced, it is not included in the color replacement data of FIG. 12, but a pair of color 2 and coordinates that are not replaced may be included in the color replacement data.

By the processing up to this point, the color replacement data for replacing the pixels of the image 1 with the colors of the color palette is completed.

Subsequently, the image conversion unit 12 executes the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 to create the image 2 in which the color of the image 1 is replaced with the color of the color palette.

In step S201, the image conversion unit 12 copies the image 1 to create the image 2. Each pixel of the image 2 at this point has the same RGB value as each pixel of the image 1.

In step S202, the image conversion unit 12 replaces the color of each pixel of the image 2 with the color of the color palette based on the color replacement data. For example, the image conversion unit 12 acquires a set of coordinates and pixel values one by one from the color replacement data, and replaces the pixel values of the corresponding coordinates of the image 2 with the pixel values obtained from the color replacement data. When the replacement is completed for all the elements included in the color replacement data, all the pixels of the image 2 become one of the colors in the color palette.

Subsequently, the image conversion unit 12 executes the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, and applies a pseudo color expressed by combining ink colors to the image 2. Specifically, pixels of another ink color are scattered and arranged in the area painted with the color after replacement in the image 2.

The image conversion unit 12 executes the processes of steps S301 and S302 for all the sets of the original color and the replaced color of the corresponding table. As for the color in which the difference between the original color and the color after replacement is within the permissible range, the color after replacement may be left as it is without scattering the colors of other inks.

In step S301, the image conversion unit 12 calculates the difference in hue, saturation, and lightness of the color after replacement from the original color.

In step S302, the image conversion unit 12 calculates the colors to be scattered from the difference in hue, saturation, and lightness. FIG. 15 shows an example of the RGB values of the original color of the image 1, the new RGB values of the replaced color, the difference in hue / saturation / brightness, and the RGB values of the scattered colors.

After calculating the colors to be scattered for all the colors in the corresponding table, in step S303, the image conversion unit 12 copies the image 2 to create the image 3. Each pixel of the image 3 at this point has the same RGB value as each pixel of the image 2.

In step S304, the image conversion unit 12 disperses and arranges the scattered colors obtained in step S302 in a region represented by the pseudo colors of the image 3 at a predetermined ratio. The arrangement of the scattered colors is determined according to the pseudo color to be expressed. It should be noted that it may be determined whether or not to arrange the scattered colors in the area based on the size of the area in which the scattered colors are arranged. For example, when a certain area is smaller than the reference, it is not necessary to arrange the scattered colors in the area, and when it is larger than the reference, the scattered colors may be conspicuous as dots, so the colors scattered in the area. Does not have to be placed.

By the above processing, an image 2 in which the image 1 is replaced with the color of the color palette and an image 3 in which the image 2 is represented by a pseudo color can be obtained.

The method of determining and arranging the colors to be scattered is not limited to the above. For example, a pseudo color palette that holds the apparent RGB values of pseudo colors (RGB values that humans perceive from color combinations), and the basic colors, scattered colors, and arrangements for expressing each of the pseudo colors. Prepare pseudo color data that defines the pattern. The pseudo color closest to the color of the image 1 is searched from the pseudo color palette, and the pseudo color is applied to the image 1 or the image 2 based on the pseudo color data to generate the image 3.

Subsequently, the image conversion unit 12 executes the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16 and presents the image 2 and the image 3 to the user.

In step S401, the image conversion unit 12 transmits the image 2 and the image 3 to the input processing unit 11.

In step S402, the input processing unit 11 switches and displays the image 2 and the image 3 in the drawing area 110, and accepts the user to select the image 2 or the image 3 to be adopted. The input processing unit 11 arranges either the image 2 or the image 3 selected by the user in the drawing area 110.

As described above, the processing device 1 of the present embodiment is a device for designing a symbol to be printed on a mat using a printer, and is an input process for receiving an image constituting at least a part of the mat symbol. Part 11 and the colors used in the image are extracted to generate a second image in which the colors that are not in the printer ink are replaced with the colors that are not in the printer ink, and the colors that are not in the printer ink are generated. An image conversion unit 12 that generates a third image replaced with a pseudo color expressed by combining inks of a plurality of printers, and a display unit that switches between the second image and the third image for display and accepts selection of an image to be adopted. 13 is provided. As a result, the user can freely design a pattern to be printed on the mat within the limits of the printer, so that the efficiency of the ordering process for mat production can be improved.

Since the processing device 1 of the present embodiment expresses a color that is not in the ink of the printer by combining the colors of the inks of a plurality of printers, the user can design a matte of a desired shade.

1 ... Processing device 11 ... Input processing unit 12 ... Image conversion unit 13 ... Display unit 14 ... Output unit 15 ... Storage unit

Claims (6)

It is a processing device for designing a pattern to be printed on a mat using a printer.
A receiver that receives an image that constitutes at least a part of the symbol, and
An extraction unit that extracts the colors used in the image,
A second image was generated in which the extracted colors that were not in the ink of the printer were replaced with the colors of the ink of the printer, and the colors that were not in the ink of the printer were expressed by combining the ink colors of a plurality of printers. An image conversion unit that generates a third image replaced with pseudo color, and
A display unit that switches between the second image and the third image for display and accepts selection of an image to be used for the design.
A processing device including an output unit that outputs control data for printing the symbol on a mat using the printer. The processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The image conversion unit holds a color palette composed of the colors of the ink of the printer, calculates the color distance between the colors not found in the ink of the printer and the colors of the color palette, and calculates the ink of the printer. A processing device that replaces colors that are not in the list with the colors in the closest color palette. The processing apparatus according to claim 2.
The image converter calculates the difference in hue, saturation, and lightness between the color not in the ink of the printer and the color in the closest color palette, and the difference in hue, saturation, and lightness is the most important. A processing device that determines the color of ink to combine with colors in a similar color palette. It is a processing method for designing a pattern to be printed on a mat using a printer.
By computer
The process of receiving an image that constitutes at least a part of the symbol, and
The process of extracting the colors used in the image and
A second image was generated in which the extracted colors that were not in the ink of the printer were replaced with the colors of the ink of the printer, and the colors that were not in the ink of the printer were expressed by combining the ink colors of a plurality of printers. Processing to generate a third image replaced with pseudo color,
A process of switching between the second image and the third image and displaying the image to accept selection of an image to be used for the design.
A processing method including a process of outputting control data for printing the pattern on a mat using the printer. The processing method according to claim 4.
The process of generating the second image holds a color palette composed of the colors of the ink of the printer, calculates the color distance between the colors not in the ink of the printer and the colors of the color palette, respectively. A processing method that replaces a color that is not in the ink of the printer with a color of the nearest color palette. The processing method according to claim 5.
The process of generating the third image calculates the difference in hue, saturation, and lightness between the color not in the ink of the printer and the color of the closest color palette, and determines the hue, saturation, and lightness. A processing method for determining the color of ink to be combined with the color of the nearest color palette from the difference.

Images