JP6836861B2 - Image formation system, image data processing device, image data processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image data processing apparatus, an image data processing method, and a program for processing an image formed on a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium.

Conventionally, banners, banners, tapestries and the like (hereinafter referred to as banners) used for indoor and outdoor advertisements have been known. These streamers are made by printing images such as advertisements on a highly flexible cloth base material so that when the wind is received outdoors, the force of the wind can be received. It is common. Further, the streamer or the like is usually manufactured by using a base material having a relatively high translucency so that the printed image can be visually recognized from both the front and back sides. Therefore, there has been a demand for a technique for printing a show-through image so that there is no unevenness.

Utility Model Registration No. 3120312

However, in the above-mentioned conventional streamers and the like, the degree of freedom of production is limited because the base material is cloth. For example, it was not possible to use the actual blue sky as the background for the characters in the advertisement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system, an image data processing apparatus, an image data processing method, and a program capable of improving the degree of freedom of production by a medium on which an image is formed. It is one of the purposes.

The present invention for solving the problems of the above-mentioned conventional example includes an image data processing device that generates image data relating to an image formed on a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium. This image data processing device displays first image data representing an image viewed from one side of a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium and an image viewed from the other side of the medium. When the receiving means that accepts the input of the second image data to be represented and the first image data and the second image data are formed on the medium, at least the first image data and the second image are formed. A means for generating mask image data in which pixels at positions corresponding to pixels in which any of the data is significant pixels are set as significant pixels, the first and second image data, and the mask image data, respectively. It has a means for outputting.

According to the present invention, the degree of freedom of production by the medium on which the image is formed can be improved.

It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the outline example of the printed matter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the image formed on the printed matter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the mask image formed on the printed matter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of the image formation system which produces the printed matter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the layout example at the time of printing of the printed matter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of the image data processing apparatus which produces the printed matter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the generation operation of the mask image by the image data processing apparatus which generates the printed matter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the mask image formed on the printed matter which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printed matter produced by the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention has an image formed on a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium 1 such as polypropylene. It is in.

Specifically, this printed matter is in a state in which a first image to be visually recognized from the other surface side is formed on one surface of the medium 1, as conceptually illustrated in FIG. A second formation in which a forming layer 100, a mask forming layer 200 in which a mask image having a light-shielding property is formed, and a second image to be visually recognized from one surface side of the medium 1 are formed. The layers 300 are laminated in this order.

Here, the first and second images are formed based on so-called vector format image data such as an illustrator (registered trademark) format file of Adobe Corporation in the United States. The first and second image data may be image data representing the same image as illustrated in FIG. 2 (a), or one of them may be a mirror image as illustrated in FIG. 2 (b). It may be inverted to. Further, as in the example of FIG. 2C, the first and second image data may be completely different (not symmetrical). In the example of FIG. 2A, the image viewed from the back surface (the other surface side) is mirror-inverted in the same manner as a normal streamer or the like. Further, in the examples of FIGS. 2B and 2C, both the image viewed from the back surface (the other surface side) and the image viewed from the front surface (one surface side) are normal images.

Further, the mask image is obtained by adjusting the positions when the first and second image data are formed, binarizing each image data, and calculating the logical sum of the significant parts, and the first image. When rasterizing (converting to a bitmap image) the data and the second image data to form on the target medium, at least one of the first image data and the second image data is a significant pixel. The pixel at the position corresponding to the pixel is set as a significant pixel. Here, the significant portion or the significant pixel means a portion where the brightness is below a predetermined threshold value, or a pixel whose brightness is a pixel value below a predetermined threshold value.

Specifically, the mask images corresponding to the example of FIG. 2A show the first and second images as illustrated in FIG. 3A when the first and second images are formed at the same positions. The same image as the image of is binarized, and the significant part is shaded. Further, in the mask image corresponding to the example of FIG. 2 (b), as illustrated in FIG. 3 (b), one of the first and second images having a mirror image relationship with each other has a predetermined brightness. It is an image that blocks the part below the value. Similar to the example of FIG. 2A, the mask image corresponding to the example of FIG. 2C is also an image in which the same image as the first and second images is binarized and the significant portion is shaded. (Fig. 3 (c)).

In general, when an image is simply formed on a translucent medium, the image is poorly visible due to a decrease in color due to light transmission from the back surface. In the present embodiment, by arranging a mask image having a light-shielding property on the back surface of the first and second images, the transparent portion and the image portion (the portion to be recognized) are distinguished and transmitted. This is an effect that makes the first and second images stand out against the background.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an image data processing device 10 and a printer 20 as a printing device. The image data processing device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and an interface unit 15.

Here, the control unit 11 is a program control device such as a CPU, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 inputs input of first image data representing an image viewed from one side of the target medium and second image data representing an image viewed from the other side. Accept. These image data are as illustrated in FIGS. 2 (a), (b), and (c), and are so-called vector format image data such as an illustrator (registered trademark) format file of Adobe Corporation in the United States. Good.

When the control unit 11 rasterizes (converts to a bitmap image) the first image data and the second image data in order to form them on the target medium, at least the first image data and the second image data The mask image data in which the pixel at the position corresponding to the pixel in which any of the above is a significant pixel is set as the significant pixel is generated. Then, the control unit 11 outputs the first and second image data and the mask image data, respectively. The operation of the control unit 11 will be described in detail later.

The storage unit 12 is a memory device or the like, and holds a program executed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 11. The operation unit 13 is a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, and receives an input of a user's instruction operation and outputs information indicating the content of the instruction operation to the control unit 11. The display unit 14 is a display or the like, and displays information according to an instruction input from the control unit 11.

The interface unit 15 includes a network interface and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The interface unit 15 inputs various data such as a first image data and a second image data from another computer connected via a network, a DVD drive connected via a USB interface, or the like. It receives it and outputs it to the control unit 11. Further, the interface unit 15 outputs various data such as image data and mask image data to an external device such as a printer 20 according to an instruction input from the control unit 11.

The printer 20 forms an image on a flexible and translucent medium such as polypropylene. In the present embodiment, the printer 20 superimposes an image represented by the first image data, an image represented by the mask image data, and an image represented by the second image data on one surface of the medium in this order. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the printer 20 forms an image on a medium having a size A slightly larger than a size S such as a streamer which is a final product, and a streamer or the like which is a final product. Cut to size S. Further, it is common to form an image represented by the first and second image data in the designable area D of a predetermined size included in the size S of the streamer or the like.

Next, the operation of the control unit 11 will be described. By executing the program stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 of the present embodiment functionally exhibits the data receiving unit 31, the image arranging unit 32, and the mask image as illustrated in FIG. It is configured to include a generation unit 33 and an output unit 34.

The data receiving unit 31 accepts input of first image data representing an image viewed from one side of the target medium and second image data representing an image viewed from the other side of the target medium. , Is output to the mask image generation unit 33.

The image arranging unit 32 sets the positions where the first image data and the second image data are arranged within the print range on the target medium, respectively. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the designable area D is set on the target medium, the image arranging unit sets the first image data and the second image data in the designable area D. Set the range to place each. That is, each of the first and second image data so that the circumscribing rectangle of the image represented by the first image data and the circumscribing rectangle of the image represented by the second image data are included in the designable area. Determine the placement position. Since this process is widely known as an image data layout process, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

When the mask image generation unit 33 forms the first image data and the second image data at the positions determined by the image arrangement unit 32 on the target medium, at least the first image data and the second image data Mask image data is generated in which pixels at positions corresponding to pixels in which any of the image data is significant pixels are set as significant pixels. Specifically, the mask image generation unit 33 is generated as follows.

The mask image generation unit 33 receives the input of the first image data and the second image data, and stores these image data in the storage unit 12. Further, the mask image generation unit 33 initializes the image data corresponding to the size S of the target medium. Then, the mask image generation unit 33 generates image data (first binarized data) obtained by binarizing the first image data. Specifically, the image data has the same size as the first image data, and for each pixel included in the image data, the brightness represented by the value of the pixel in the corresponding first image data is a predetermined brightness. Image data is generated in which pixels below the value are set to "1" and pixels other than the value are set to "0". Further, the mask image generation unit 33 also generates image data (second binarized data) obtained by binarizing the second image data.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the mask image generation unit 33 first binarizes the image data initialized at a position determined by the image arrangement unit 32 to arrange the first image data. Arrange the data (S11). Further, the mask image generation unit 33 arranges the second binarized data at a position determined by the image arrangement unit 32 to arrange the second image data (S12).

In the mask image generation unit 33, among the pixels in the initialized image data, one of the corresponding pixel of the first binarized data and the corresponding pixel of the second binarized data is "1". The (significant) pixel is "1". That is, the mask image generation unit 33 generates the binarized data (synthetic binarized data: B in FIG. 7) which is the result of the logical sum calculation of the first binarized data and the second binarized data. (S13). The mask image generation unit 33 outputs the composite binarized data thus generated to the output unit 34 as mask image data. That is, the mask image generation unit 33 sets the pixel corresponding to the pixel in which the corresponding binarized data is significant after aligning the relative positions at the time of forming the first and second image data as the significant pixel. Generates and outputs mask image data.

The output unit 34 outputs the first image data, the second image data, the information indicating the arrangement position of the first and second image data, and the mask image data.

[motion]
This image forming system has the above configuration and operates as follows. As an example, when the image data processing device 10 receives the first and second image data to be mirror images of each other as illustrated in FIG. 2B, these image data are stored in the storage unit 12. Further, the image data processing device 10 displays, for example, an image representing the outer shape of the target medium on the display unit 14, and causes the user to specify the respective arrangement positions of the first and second image data.

When the user specifies the arrangement position of each of the first and second image data on the image corresponding to the target medium displayed on the display unit 14, the image data processing device 10 accepts the designation and accepts the designation. The mask image data generation process is started.

The image data processing device 10 first initializes the image data (called mask image data) corresponding to the size S of the target medium (all pixels are set to "0" (not significant)), and the first image data. The binarized image data (first binarized data) and the binarized image data of the second image data (second binarized data) are generated.

The image data processing device 10 arranges the first binarized data at a position corresponding to the arrangement position designated as the position where the first image data is arranged on the mask image data, and arranges the first binarization data to the first binary value. The pixels on the mask image data corresponding to the pixels that are significant in the binarized data are set to "1" (significant pixels). Further, the second binarized data is arranged at the position on the mask image data corresponding to the arranged position designated as the position where the second image data is arranged, and becomes significant in the second binarized data. The pixel on the mask image data corresponding to the pixel is set to "1" (significant pixel). As a result, the pixels of the mask image data corresponding to the pixels in which either the first binarized data or the second binarized data is significant are set as significant pixels. The image data processing device 10 outputs the mask image data together with the first and second image data.

In an example of this embodiment, the image data processing device 10 outputs mask image data as a plate to be formed in a color having a light-shielding property. This plate may be a plate to be formed in an achromatic color such as white or gray, or a plate or a special color plate having a chromatic color but not used in the first and second image data. May be good. Further, the image data processing device 10 transmits these data to the printer 20 including an instruction to form a mask image data plate sandwiched between the first image data plate and the second image data plate. It may be output.

In the printer 20, a plate of first image data that is on one surface of a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium 1 and should be visually recognized from the other surface side at a designated position. A first image is formed based on the above, and the first cambium 100 is formed. At this time, the image may be formed by using a plurality of color plates.

Next, the printer 20 uses the mask image data to form, for example, a white mask image having a light-shielding property at a designated position on the sheet-shaped medium 1, and the mask forming layer 200 is used as the first forming layer 100. It is formed by stacking. In this example of this embodiment, the mask image hides the first image.

Further, the printer 20 forms a second image based on the plate of the second image data at a designated position on the sheet-like medium 1, and forms the second forming layer 300 by laminating it on the mask forming layer 200. To do. As a result, the printed matter of the present embodiment can be obtained.

[Other examples of mask images]
Further, in the explanation so far, the mask image is described as an image in which the same image as the first and second images is binarized and aligned, and the portion where any of the images is significant is shaded. However, as long as the significant portion can be shielded from light and a portion having transparency can be left on the medium 1, the mask image can cover the significant portion of the first or second image. It may include and include parts other than the significant parts of the first or second image.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the mask image generation unit 33 generates basic mask image data in which pixels corresponding to significant portions of the first or second image are significant pixels, and then the basic mask image. The mask image data may be generated by using the significant pixels of the data as significant pixels (so-called thickening processing) up to a range widened outward by a predetermined amount. FIG. 8 shows an example of a mask image obtained by thickening the mask image of FIG. 3C as an image represented by the basic mask image data. Further, the mask image generation unit 33 uses as mask image data, image data in which a rectangular portion circumscribing a significant portion of the first or second image is a significant pixel, or the rectangular significant pixel portion is outward. Image data may be obtained in which a range widened by a predetermined amount is used as significant pixels.

[Multi-value mask image]
Further, in the above description, the mask image is assumed to be a binary image, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. The mask image may include parts having different shading rates. As an example, the mask image may have a portion where the shading rate changes stepwise.

In this example, the mask image generation unit 33 generates multi-valued (grayscale) image data as mask image data. In this example, each pixel represents the shading rate (light transmittance). Specifically, when each pixel of the mask image is represented by an 8-bit scale from 0 to 255, a light-shielding color (for example, white) is not formed in the portion where the pixel value is "0" (that is,). The part where the shading rate is 0% and the light transmittance is 100%) and the pixel value is "255" forms white at the maximum density (that is, the shading rate is α% and the light transmittance is α%). (100-α)%, but α> 0). Further, if the pixel value is a value x between these, a color having a light-shielding property such as white is formed at a density (x / 255 (denominator is the maximum value of the pixel value)) corresponding to the value. May be good.

As an example, the mask image generation unit 33 generates basic mask image data in which the pixels corresponding to the significant parts of the first or second image are significant pixels, and then displays and outputs the basic mask image data to the display unit 14. Then, a part of the pixel values of the basic mask image data is set to a value between 0 and 255 by the user's instruction operation. For example, when the user instructs the image data to gradually change the pixel value of the mask image data from "255" to "0" toward the upper side, the mask image generation unit 33 performs the mask image generation unit 33 from below according to the instruction. The pixel value changes stepwise from "255" to "0" toward the upper side, and mask image data representing an image having the same outer shape as the basic mask image data is obtained. Since this instruction operation and processing is the same as the instruction operation and processing for generating a gradation image with general image processing software, detailed description here will be omitted.

According to this example, for example, it is possible to give a sense of transparency to a part of the first and second images and to produce an effect that blends into the background.

[Example of forming a part that does not overlap with the mask image]
Further, in the examples so far, the mask image has a shape including the entire significant portion of the first and second images, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, there may be a portion where the mask image is not superimposed on the significant portion of either the first or second image.

In this example, the mask image generation unit 33 generates basic mask image data in which the pixels corresponding to the significant parts of the first or second image are significant pixels, and then displays the basic mask image data on the display unit 14. Output and delete some significant pixels of the basic mask image data (set to non-significant pixels) according to the user's instruction operation.

As a result, a part of the significant part of the first image does not overlap with the mask image. At this time, a part of the first image (and a part of the second image at the corresponding position) is transparent, and the light transmission from the back surface reduces the color feeling and is visually recognized. On the other hand, of the significant portion of the first image, the portion that overlaps with the mask image is visually transmitted without reducing the color feeling because the light transmission from the back surface is blocked by the mask image. In this example, for example, the mask image is superimposed on the character portion, and the first image is formed without superimposing the mask image on the background (for the second image, the mask image is formed over the entire significant portion. (Assuming that the mask images are formed so as to overlap each other), it is possible to produce an effect in which the character part appears to stand out on a transparent background. Further, at this time, if the mask image is set as a multi-valued image, it is possible to apply a gradation of a sense of sheerness to the background portion.

Further, the image that does not overlap with the mask image (referred to as a transparent image) may be formed on the medium as a plate different from the first and second images. In this case, the transparent image may be formed at any stage of forming each of the first image, the mask image, and the second image. For example, the transparent image may be formed before the first image. It may also be formed at the end (after the formation of the second image).

[Example of climbing]
The printed matter of the present embodiment may be any printed matter as long as it is required to produce a transparent feeling, but unlike a printed matter in which a plurality of media are superposed, a sheet-shaped medium is used alone (as long as it is used). It can be effectively used in, for example, banners, banners, banners, etc. (using one medium alone).

When used as a banner, banner, or banner, a portion through which a rod or the like is passed (so-called chichi or the like) is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the medium 1. At this time, the chichi may be formed by using a material having translucency. In addition, the chichi is attached by a method using fasteners such as sewing or hooks and rivets, and the part where the chichi of the medium is provided is cut into a convex shape, the convex shape is bent, and the tip portion is fused to the main body side of the medium. Various methods can be adopted.

[Effect of Embodiment]
According to the printed matter of the present embodiment, the visibility of the formed image can be improved while maintaining the translucency, the transparent image can be partially formed, and the gradation can be applied, so that the printed matter can be freely produced. The degree can be improved. Furthermore, by leaving a translucent range, for example, the outer wall of the building or trees can be used as it is in the background, and signs and the like are not obscured, so that the degree of freedom of the installation location can be increased.

1 medium, 10 image data processing device, 11 control unit, 12 storage unit, 13 operation unit, 14 display unit, 15 interface unit, 20 printer, 31 data receiving unit, 32 image arrangement unit, 33 mask image generation unit, 34 output Part, 100 first cambium, 200 mask cambium, 300 second cambium.

Claims (7)

An image forming system that forms an image on a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium.
Including an image data processing device and a printing device,
The image data processing device is
A receiving means that accepts inputs of a first image data representing an image viewed from one side of the medium and a second image data representing an image viewed from the other side of the medium.
The first binarization data obtained by binarizing the first image data and the second binarization data obtained by binarizing the second image data are generated, and the first binarization is performed. The composite binarization data, which is the result of the logical sum calculation of the data and the second binarization data, is used as the basic mask image data, and the shading rate of some pixel values of this basic mask image data is used in addition to the basic mask image data. When the first image data and the second image data are formed on the medium with a difference from the pixel value of the portion, at least one of the first image data and the second image data. A means for generating multi-valued mask image data in which the pixels at positions corresponding to the pixels in which are significant pixels are set as significant pixels,
A means for outputting the first and second image data and the mask image data, respectively.
Have,
The printing device is
An image represented by the first image data, an image represented by the mask image data, and an image represented by the second image data are displayed on the other side of the flexible and translucent sheet-like medium. An image forming system that is formed by stacking in order. An image data processing device that generates image data related to an image formed on a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium.
A receiving means that accepts inputs of a first image data representing an image viewed from one side of the medium and a second image data representing an image viewed from the other side of the medium.
The first binarization data obtained by binarizing the first image data and the second binarization data obtained by binarizing the second image data are generated, and the first binarization is performed. The composite binarization data, which is the result of the logical sum calculation of the data and the second binarization data, is used as the basic mask image data, and based on this basic mask image data, the first image data and the second image data are combined. Is formed on the medium, mask image data is generated in which pixels at positions corresponding to pixels in which at least one of the first image data and the second image data is a significant pixel are set as significant pixels. Mask image generation means and
An output means for outputting the first and second image data and the mask image data, respectively.
Image data processing device having. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 2.
The mask image generation means sets a pixel in which either the corresponding pixel on the aligned first image data or the corresponding pixel on the second image data is a significant pixel as a significant pixel. , An image data processing device that sets a predetermined number of pixels adjacent to the pixels set as the significant pixels as significant pixels. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.
An image data processing device in which the output means outputs the mask image data as a plate to be formed in a color having a light-shielding property. The image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
The mask image generation means is an image data processing device that generates multi-valued mask image data by making the shading rate of a part of the pixel values of the basic mask image data different from the pixel values of other parts of the basic mask image data. .. An image data processing method for generating image data relating to an image formed on a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium.
Using the first image data representing an image viewed from one side of the medium and the second image data representing an image viewed from the other side of the medium,
The first binarization data obtained by binarizing the first image data and the second binarization data obtained by binarizing the second image data are generated, and the first binarization is performed. The composite binarization data, which is the result of the logical sum calculation of the data and the second binarization data, is used as the basic mask image data, and based on this basic mask image data, the first image data and the second image data are combined. Is formed on the medium, mask image data is generated in which pixels at positions corresponding to pixels in which at least one of the first image data and the second image data is a significant pixel are set as significant pixels. And the process to do
A step of outputting the first and second image data and the mask image data, respectively.
Image data processing method having. A program that causes a computer to generate image data related to an image formed on a flexible and translucent sheet-like medium.
A means for accepting inputs of a first image data representing an image viewed from one side of the medium and a second image data representing an image viewed from the other side of the medium.
The first binarization data obtained by binarizing the first image data and the second binarization data obtained by binarizing the second image data are generated, and the first binarization is performed. The composite binarization data, which is the result of the logical sum calculation of the data and the second binarization data, is used as the basic mask image data, and based on this basic mask image data, the first image data and the second image data are combined. Is formed on the medium, mask image data is generated in which pixels at positions corresponding to pixels in which at least one of the first image data and the second image data is a significant pixel are set as significant pixels. Means to do and
A program that causes a computer to function as an output means for outputting the first and second assigned images and the mask image data, respectively.

Images