JP6844243B2 - Stereoscopic image formation system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a stereoscopic image forming system and a program.

Conventionally, a medium called a heat-expandable sheet (or a foamable sheet) having an expansion layer inside that expands (foams) according to the amount of heat absorbed is known. Then, there is known a stereoscopic image forming system that partially expands a heat-expandable sheet to form a stereoscopic image on the heat-expandable sheet (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The stereoscopic image forming system includes a print data creation device (computer), a printer, and a light irradiation unit. The print data creation device is a device that creates print data (print image data) of a shade image for forming a stereoscopic image. The printer is a device that prints a shade image containing carbon black on a heat-expandable sheet based on the print data created by the data creation device. The light irradiation unit is a unit that irradiates an electromagnetic wave on a heat-expandable sheet on which a shade image is printed. The shade image printed on the heat-expandable sheet contains carbon black and functions as an electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer that converts electromagnetic waves into heat. The stereoscopic image forming system irradiates the heat-expandable sheet with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves) by a light irradiation unit. Then, the shade image printed on the heat-expandable sheet converts the near-infrared light (electromagnetic wave) into heat. Inside the heat-expandable sheet, the expansion layer of the print area on which the grayscale image is printed expands and rises in response to the heat. As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system forms a stereoscopic image on the heat-expandable sheet.

Such a stereoscopic image forming system can also create a stereoscopic image of a point diagram, for example, as follows. The point diagram is a figure formed by a convex point (convex portion) or a convex point (convex portion) and a concave point (concave portion). The stereoscopic image forming system acquires the point diagram data prepared for printing the point diagram from the outside with a braille printer or the like as the original data, and prints the grayscale image of the point diagram based on the acquired point diagram data. Create print data for. Then, the stereoscopic image forming system prints a shade image containing carbon black on a heat-expandable sheet with a printer based on the created print data, and emits visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves) with a light irradiation unit. Irradiate the heat-expandable sheet. As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system creates a stereoscopic image of the point diagram.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-150812

However, in the conventional stereoscopic image forming system, it has been desired to create a point diagram in which each point is suitably expressed as described below.

For example, the point diagram data, which is the original data, is created on the premise that the point diagram is represented by a convex portion having a constant height and a concave portion having a constant depth. In the conventional stereoscopic image forming system, print data is created using the point diagram data as it is without performing any special processing on the point diagram data. At that time, the conventional stereoscopic image forming system creates print data in which the convex portion is represented by a plurality of heights, and the concave portion cannot be represented.

Further, in the conventional stereoscopic image forming system, the print data is created by using the point diagram data as it is without performing any special processing on the point diagram data. Therefore, in the conventional stereoscopic image forming system, in a place where a plurality of points are densely packed, hyperexpansion may occur due to the points being close to each other.

Due to these factors, the conventional stereoscopic image forming system may not be able to create a point diagram in which each point is appropriately expressed.

An object of the present invention is to create a point diagram in which each point is preferably expressed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the stereoscopic image forming system of the present invention provides a print data creating means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet. When the print data creating means creates print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point. In addition, for each point constituting the point diagram, the area around the point is set as a density adjustment area for adjusting the density over a predetermined range, and the distance between the two points is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. The density adjustment region is set so that the portion of the other point that overlaps the density adjustment region of one point is partially chipped with respect to one point.

According to the present invention, it is possible to create a point diagram in which each point is preferably expressed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the stereoscopic image formation system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the shading image of a point diagram and a stereoscopic image. It is a figure explaining the density adjustment area used for forming the stereoscopic image of a point diagram. It is a figure which shows an example of the shading image and the stereoscopic image of a point diagram. It is a figure which shows the formation process of the 3D image of a point diagram. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the point diagram data, the object data, and the print data. It is a figure which shows an example of the object data. It is a figure (1) which shows an example of the pattern of the point which constitutes a point diagram. It is a figure (2) which shows an example of the pattern of the point which constitutes a point figure. It is a figure (3) which shows an example of the pattern of the point which constitutes a point diagram. It is a figure (4) which shows an example of the pattern of the point which constitutes a point diagram. It is a flowchart (1) which shows the operation of the stereoscopic image formation system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart (2) which shows the operation of the stereoscopic image formation system which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each figure is merely schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. Further, in each figure, common components and similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

[Embodiment]
<Structure of stereoscopic image formation system>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the stereoscopic image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment. The stereoscopic image forming system 1 is a system for forming a stereoscopic image in a predetermined region of a paper called a heat-expandable sheet (or a foamable sheet). The heat-expandable sheet is a sheet having an expansion layer inside that expands according to the amount of heat absorbed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a computer 2, a display means 3, an input means 4, a printer 5, and a light irradiation unit 6. In the present embodiment, the case where the stereoscopic image forming system 1 creates a stereoscopic image of a point diagram will be described. As shown in FIG. 2B, the point diagram is a convex point (convex portion) or a figure formed by a convex point (convex portion) and a concave point (concave portion).

The computer 2 includes a calculation means 10 and a storage means 20, and controls an input means 4, a printer 5, and a light irradiation unit 6. The calculation means 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage means 20 is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like.
In this embodiment, the computer 2 functions as the following three devices.
(1) A print data creation device that creates print data (print image data) of a grayscale image.
(2) A printing command device that operates a printer 5 to print a shade image on a heat-expandable sheet.
(3) A unit command device that operates the light irradiation unit 6 to form a stereoscopic image on a heat-expandable sheet.

The computer 2 has a print data creating means 11 for creating print data of a grayscale image in the calculation means 10. The print data creating means 11 acquires the point diagram data 25 to be described later from the outside via the input means 4 as the original data, and the acquired point diagram data 25 and the density adjustment area to be described later stored in the storage means 20 in advance. The object data 26 described later is created based on the setting data 21. After that, the print data creating means 11 creates the print data 27 for printing the grayscale image of the point diagram based on the object data 26.

Here, the "braille diagram data 25" is data prepared for printing a braille diagram with a braille printer or the like. The point diagram data 25 is created on the premise that the point diagram is represented by a convex portion having a constant height and a concave portion having a constant depth. The point diagram data 25 can be created, for example, by using "EDEL", which is well-known as point diagram creation software. The point diagram data created by the point diagram creation software "EDEL" is used as file data in the XPS (registered trademark) (XML Page Specification) format. In the point diagram data created by the point diagram creation software "EDEL", one point (dot) is described as one object, the convex part is expressed as a black point, and the concave part is expressed as a white point inside. ing. In the point diagram creation software "EDEL", for example, the following sizes can be set for each point.

Further, the “object” means an image to be printed used when forming a stereoscopic image on a heat-expandable sheet. Further, the "object data 26" means image data to be printed.

The storage means 20 stores in advance the control program PR, the density adjustment area setting data 21, and the like. Further, the storage means 20 stores the point diagram data (original data) 25 and the object data 26. The control program PR is a program that defines the operation of the print data creating means 11. The density adjustment area setting data 21 is data for setting a density adjustment area around each point constituting the point diagram.

Here, the "concentration adjustment region" means a region for adjusting the density over a predetermined range in the region around each point. In the density adjustment region, a shade image having a density corresponding to the desired height so that the expansion height of the region becomes a desired height (for example, zero or a height appropriately set according to the operation). Is set. Here, assuming a case where the expansion height of the density adjustment region is set to zero, an invisible white shade image (a shade image having zero density) is set in the density adjustment region. In this case, the density adjustment region functions as a mask region that masks the density in the region to zero.

The display means 3 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. A touch panel 4d of the input means 4 is attached to the surface of the display means 3. As a result, the display means 3 functions as a touch panel display.

The input means 4 is composed of a keyboard 4a, a mouse 4b, an image input means 4c, a touch panel 4d, and the like. The image input means 4c is a device for inputting object data 26 into the computer 2. The image input means 4c is composed of, for example, a card reader or drive device that reads data from a card-shaped storage medium or a disk-shaped storage medium, a scanner device that optically reads an image of printed matter, a communication device that communicates with other devices, and the like. ing.

The printer 5 is composed of, for example, an inkjet printer. As the electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer, the printer 5 prints a shade image of carbon black on either or both of the front surface and the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet. In the present embodiment, the printer 5 will be described as printing a grayscale image of a point diagram on the surface of a heat-expandable sheet.

The light irradiation unit 6 is a unit that irradiates the heat-expandable sheet with visible light and near-infrared light while transporting the heat-expandable sheet. The heat-expandable sheet is a medium having an expansion layer inside that expands according to the amount of heat absorbed. When visible light and near-infrared light are irradiated from the light irradiation unit 6 to the print area on which the shade image of the heat-expandable sheet is printed, the near-infrared light is converted into heat in the print area and heat is generated. .. In response to this, the expansion layer of the print area expands and rises, and as a result, a stereoscopic image is formed.

<Structure of 3D image of point diagram>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the three-dimensional image of the point diagram will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the shading image of the point diagram and the stereoscopic image. FIG. 2A shows an example of a shade image of a point diagram. FIG. 2B shows an example of a three-dimensional image of a point diagram. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a density adjustment region used for forming a stereoscopic image of a point diagram. FIG. 3A shows an example of a stereoscopic image of the points constituting the point diagram. FIG. 3B shows the structure of the shade image used in the conventional method. FIG. 3C shows the configuration of the shade image used in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a shade image and a stereoscopic image of a point diagram. FIG. 4A shows an example of a shade image of a portion where points are densely packed. FIG. 4B shows an example of a stereoscopic image of a portion where points are densely packed.

In the example shown in FIG. 2A, a shade image of a point diagram composed of four objects OBA, OBB, OBC, and OBD is printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40. The overall shape of each object OBA, OBB, OBC, and OBD is a rectangular shape, a circular shape, a triangular shape, and a line graph shape, respectively. The user can create objects of various shapes according to the operation.

Each object OBA, OBB, OBC, OBD is composed of a large number of points. FIG. 2A shows, as an example, the three points D1, D2, and D3 that make up the object OBA. A gray shade image is printed on the surface of each point with an ink containing carbon black. For example, gray shade images D1s, D2s, and D3s are printed on the surfaces of the points D1, D2, and D3.

However, in the present embodiment, the gray shade image of each point (for example, in the example shown in FIG. 2A, the shade images D1s, D2s, D3s) is a visible apparent shade image. The true shading image of each point is a gray shading image (see, for example, the shading image D1s shown in FIG. 3C) and a density adjusting region around it (for example, the density adjusting region D1m shown in FIG. 3C). An image of the density set in (see) for setting the expansion height of the density adjustment region to a desired height (for example, when the expansion height of the density adjustment region is set to zero, an invisible white shade image (for example). White image)) and.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the heat-expandable sheet 40 is irradiated with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves), the expansion layer 72 (expansion layer 72) of the print area on which gray shade images of each point are printed (See FIG. 5) expands. As a result, a stereoscopic image OB is formed in the print area. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2A, the stereoscopic images OB1, OB2, OB3 of the points D1, D2, D3 are formed in the print area of the gray shade images D1s, D2s, D3s of the points D1, D2, D3. ing. Hereinafter, an aggregate of three-dimensional images (three-dimensional images OB1, OB2, OB3 in the illustrated example) formed on the heat-expandable sheet 40 may be referred to as a "three-dimensional portion".

The configuration of the stereoscopic image OB is as follows.
In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the stereoscopic image OB1 at the point D1 is shown. The stereoscopic image OB1 at the point D1 has a columnar shape having a diameter R and an expansion height H. A gray shade image D1s is printed on the surface of the stereoscopic image OB1 at the point D1. The gray shade image D1s is printed with an ink containing carbon black, and its density is a density corresponding to the expansion height H.

As shown in FIG. 3B, in the prior art, the formation of the stereoscopic image OB1 at the point D1 is performed by printing the gray shade image D1s on the heat-expandable sheet 40. The diameter of the gray shade image D1s is the same as that of the stereoscopic image OB at the point D1.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3C, in the present embodiment, the stereoscopic image OB1 at the point D1 is formed by printing the image of the object data MD1 on the heat-expandable sheet 40. The image of the object data MD1 is configured to include a visible gray shade image D1s and an invisible white shade image (white image) set in the density adjustment region D1m that functions as a mask region.

The density adjustment region D1m is a region for adjusting the density around the gray shade image D1s with a white shade image (white image). The density adjustment region D1m has a hollow circular shape excluding the point D1 of the setting symmetry. The width W of the density adjustment region D1m represents the thickness of the outer line surrounding the gray shade image D1s in the object data MD1. The width W of the density adjustment region D1 m is defined based on the inter-point distance defined by the Braille standard and the close distance at which the stereoscopic image OB does not overexpand.

As described above, here, assuming that the expansion height of the density adjustment region D1m is set to zero, an invisible white shading image (shading image with zero density) is set in the density adjusting region D1m. It is explained as if it is. However, when the expansion height of the density adjustment region D1m is made higher than zero, a shade image having a density corresponding to the height is set in the density adjustment region D1m.

In the present embodiment, when a three-dimensional image OB of a point diagram in which a plurality of points are densely formed is formed, the three-dimensional image OB has, for example, the following shape.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, it is assumed that points D1, D2, and D3 are densely packed. Priority is set for each point D1, D2, D3. Then, the other point having a low priority arranged so as to overlap the density adjustment area of one point having a high priority has a shape in which the part of the density adjustment area of the one point having a high priority is partially missing. .. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4A, points D3, D2, and D1 are in the order from the highest priority. As a result, the point D2 arranged so as to overlap the concentration adjustment area D3m of the point D3 having the highest priority has a perfect circular shape, and the portion overlapping the concentration adjustment area D3m of the point D3 is partially arcuate. It has a shape lacking in. Similarly, the point D1 arranged so as to overlap the concentration adjustment area D2m of the point D2 having the next highest priority after the point D3 has a perfect circular shape, and the portion overlapping the concentration adjustment area D2m of the point D2 is a circle. It has a shape that is partially chipped in an arc shape.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the top view shape of the stereoscopic images OB1, OB2, OB3 of each point D1, D2, D3 shown in FIG. 4A is such that the stereoscopic image OB3 has a perfect circular shape. The stereoscopic images OB1 and OB2 are partially chipped in an arc shape from a perfect circular shape.

<Process of forming a stereoscopic image of a point diagram>
Hereinafter, the process of forming the three-dimensional image OB of the point diagram will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process of forming a three-dimensional image OB of a point diagram. FIG. 5A shows the cross-sectional shape of the heat-expandable sheet 40 before heating (before irradiating with light). FIG. 5B shows the cross-sectional shape of the heat-expandable sheet 40 after the surface is heated (after the surface is irradiated with light).

As shown in FIG. 5A, in the heat-expandable sheet 40, the base material 71, the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72, and the ink receiving layer 73 are laminated in this order.
The base material 71 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 expansion layer (foaming resin layer) 72, heat-expandable microcapsules (thermal foaming agents) are dispersed and arranged in a binder which is a thermoplastic resin provided on the base material 71. As a result, the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72 expands and expands according to the amount of heat absorbed.

The ink receiving layer 73 is formed to have a thickness of, for example, 10 μm so as to cover the entire upper surface of the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72. The ink receiving layer 73 receives and fixes the printing ink used in an inkjet printer, the printing toner used in a laser printer, the ink of a ball pen or a fountain pen, the graphite of a pencil, and the like on the surface thereof. Consists of suitable materials for this purpose.

In the example shown in FIG. 5A, gray shade images D1s and D2s of points D1 and D2 are printed on a part of the surface (ink receiving layer 73 side) of the heat-expandable sheet 40 with ink containing carbon black. ing. The gray shade image D1s at the point D1 has a density adjustment region D1m set around it. Further, in the gray shade image D2s of the point D2, a density adjustment region D2m is set around the gray shade image D2s. Since FIG. 5A shows a state before heating (before irradiating with light), the thickness of the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72 in the heat-expandable sheet 40 is uniform.

The gray shade images D1s and D2s of the points D1 and D2 are images for forming a three-dimensional pattern. The gray shade images D1s and D2s at points D1 and D2 contain carbon black and function as an electromagnetic wave heat conversion layer that converts electromagnetic waves into heat.

The heat-expandable sheet 40 is set in the light irradiation unit 6 (see FIG. 1), and the surface is irradiated with visible light or near-infrared light (electromagnetic waves). Then, the gray shade images D1s and D2s of the points D1 and D2 printed on the heat-expandable sheet 40 convert the near-infrared light (electromagnetic wave) into heat. Inside the heat-expandable sheet 40, the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72 in the printing area on which the gray shade images D1s and D2s of points D1 and D2 are printed expands and rises according to the heat (FIG. 5). See (b)).

As shown in FIG. 5B, the ink receiving layer 73 and the gray shade images D1s and D2s at points D1 and D2 each have elasticity and follow the expansion of the expansion layer (foamed resin layer) 72. And transform. As a result, the stereoscopic images OB1 and OB2 of the gray shade images D1s and D2s at the points D1 and D2 are formed.

<Relationship between point diagram data, object data, and print data>
Hereinafter, the relationship between the point diagram data 25, the object data 26, and the print data 27 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the point diagram data 25, the object data 26, and the print data 27.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, when the computer 2 functions as a print data creation device, the computer 2 creates object data 26 based on the point diagram data 25 which is the original data, and based on the object data 26. Print data 27 is created.

The point diagram data 25 is data for printing a point diagram with a braille printer or the like created by, for example, the point diagram creation software “EDEL” or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the point diagram data 25 has a format for printing the images of the points D1, D2, D3, ... With a Braille printer or the like.

The computer 2 creates the object data 26 based on the point diagram data 25. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the object data 26 has a configuration including the object data MD1, MD2, MD3, ... Of the points D1, D2, D3, ... The object data MD1, MD2, and MD3 are configured to include gray shade images D1s, D2s, and D3s at points D1, D2, and D3, and white images of density adjustment regions D1m, D2m, and D3m, respectively.

<Structure of object data>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the object data 26 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the object data 26.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the object data 26 has a configuration including the object data MD1, MD2, ... Of the points D1, D2, .... The object data MD1 of the point D1 includes the paper X size data 101a, the paper Y size data 101b, the center position data 101c, the point size (R) data 101d, the expansion height (%) data 101e, and the density adjustment area. The configuration includes size data 101f and zero expansion height (0%) data 101g. Similarly, the object data MD2 of the point D2 includes the paper X size data 102a, the paper Y size data 102b, the center position data 102c, the point size (R) data 102d, and the expansion height (%) data 102e. The configuration includes the density adjustment region size data 102f and the expansion height zero (0%) data 102g. The object data MD of the other point D (for example, the object data MD3 of the point D3) has the same configuration.

The paper X size data 101a and 102a are data representing the size of the heat-expandable sheet 40 (paper) in the X direction.
The paper Y size data 101b and 102b are data representing the size of the heat-expandable sheet 40 (paper) in the Y direction.
The center position data 101c and 102c are data representing the center position of the point.
The point size (R) data 101d and 102d are data representing the size of the diameter of the point (see, for example, the diameter R shown in FIG. 3A).
The expansion height (%) data 101e and 102e are data representing the density (%) of the gray shade image corresponding to the expansion height of the point (see, for example, the expansion height H shown in FIG. 3A). ..
The density adjustment region size data 101f and 102f are data representing the size of the density adjustment region (see, for example, the width W of the density adjustment region shown in FIG. 3C).
The expansion height zero (0%) data 101g and 102g are data for making the expansion height of the concentration adjusting region zero. In the expansion height zero (0%) data 101g and 102g, the density adjustment region is set by setting the density of the shading image of the density adjustment region to zero (K0) (that is, setting the color of the density adjustment region to white). The expansion height of is set to zero. However, when the expansion height of the density adjustment region is set to an arbitrary height, the density of the shading image in the density adjustment region corresponds to the height instead of the expansion height zero (0%) data 101g and 102g. Data is used to set the concentration to be used.

<Point patterns that make up the point diagram>
Hereinafter, the pattern of points constituting the point diagram will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. 8 to 11 are diagrams showing an example of a pattern of points constituting the point diagram, respectively. 8 to 11 show the first to fourth patterns as the pattern of the points constituting the point diagram, respectively.

In the present embodiment, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 forms a stereoscopic image OB of a point diagram with any of the first to fourth patterns depending on the operation. The user can appropriately select which pattern constitutes the stereoscopic image OB of the point diagram.

Each pattern is composed of convex points (convex portions) and concave points (concave portions) in the point diagram. However, the "recessed portion" means a portion that is relatively low with respect to the convex portion, and does not necessarily mean a portion that is recessed in a groove shape.

There are two types of convex parts, one with a large diameter, one with a medium diameter, and one with a small diameter, depending on the size of the diameter. Further, the type of the concave portion also has a large diameter, a medium diameter, and a small diameter, depending on the size of the diameter. However, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 may use only the convex portions and the concave portions having an arbitrary diameter depending on the operation.

The expansion height of the convex portion and the concave portion is determined by the density of the gray shade image. In the present embodiment, at the point of the maximum expansion height (the point where the expansion height is the maximum), the density of the gray shade image is, for example, 80% density (K80), which is higher than that. In terms of low expansion height, it will be described, for example, as having a concentration of 25,50% (K25, K50).

(First pattern)
The first pattern shown in FIG. 8 is a pattern for expressing convex portions and concave portions by changing the size (diameter) of points. The first pattern includes a first convex point as a convex point in the point diagram and a second convex point having a diameter smaller than that of the first convex point as a concave point in the point diagram. It has become.

Specifically, the first pattern has a large-diameter convex point (large-diameter convex portion A11), a medium-diameter convex point (medium-diameter convex portion A12), and a small-diameter convex point as the first convex points, respectively. The configuration corresponds to a stereoscopic image including a shaped point (small diameter convex portion A13) and a small diameter concave point (small diameter concave portion B11) as a second convex point. The large-diameter convex portion A11, the medium-diameter convex portion A12, and the small-diameter convex portion A13 have the same expansion height h11, respectively. Further, the small-diameter concave portion B11 has the same expansion height h11 as the small-diameter convex portion A13, and has a smaller diameter than the small-diameter convex portion A13. In such a first pattern, the size (diameter) of the convex portion of the object data 26 is set to be substantially the same as the size (diameter) of the convex portion of the point diagram data 25, and the size (diameter) of the concave portion of the object data 26. ) Is smaller than the size (diameter) of the recess of the point diagram data 25.

FIG. 8A shows the side view shape of each point in the first pattern. Further, FIG. 8B shows the perspective shape of each point in the first pattern. As shown in FIG. 8B, in the first pattern, the shapes of the convex portions A11, A12, A13 and the concave portion B11 are columnar. On the upper surfaces of the convex portions A11, A12, A13 and the concave portion B11, gray shade images DA11s, DA12s, DA13s, respectively, have a density corresponding to the set expansion height (expansion height h11 in the illustrated example). DB11s are printed.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the expansion heights of the large-diameter convex portion A11, the medium-diameter convex portion A12, the small-diameter convex portion A13, and the small-diameter concave portion B11 are the same height h11, respectively. It has become. Further, the sizes (diameters) of the large-diameter convex portion A11, the medium-diameter convex portion A12, and the small-diameter convex portion A13 are r1, r2, and r3 in order from the largest.

The expansion height h11 can be set to a desired value according to the operation.
The size (diameter) r1 of the large-diameter convex portion A11, the size (diameter) r2 of the medium-diameter convex portion A12, and the size (diameter) r3 of the small-diameter convex portion A13 are printed by a Braille printer (not shown). It has the same size (diameter) as a point. The size (diameter) r4 of the small-diameter concave portion B11 is smaller than that of the small-diameter convex portion A13. The size (diameter) r4 of the small-diameter recess B11 can be set to a desired value according to the operation.

Density adjustment regions DA11m, DA12m, DA13m, and DB11m (see FIG. 8B) are set around the convex portions A11, A12, A13, and the concave portion B11. The widths of the respective concentration adjustment regions DA11m, DA12m, DA13m, and DB11m are the same width w (see FIG. 8A).

The expansion height h11 of the convex portions A11, A12, A13 and the concave portion B11 is reflected in the expansion height (%) data 101e, 102e, ... (See FIG. 7) of the object data 26.
Further, the sizes (diameters) r1, r2, r3, and r4 of the convex portions A11, A12, A13 and the concave portion B11 are reflected in the expansion height (%) data 101d, 102d, ... (See FIG. 7) of the object data 26. Will be done.
Further, the width w of each density adjustment area DA11m, DA12m, DA13m, DB11m is reflected in the density adjustment area size (W) data 101f, 102f, ... (See FIG. 7) of the object data 26.

In the first pattern, the densities of the respective concentration adjusting regions DA11m, DA12m, DA13m, and DB11m are set to invisible white values (K0) so that the expansion height of the regions becomes zero.

(Second pattern)
The second pattern shown in FIG. 9 is a pattern in which the height of the convex portion of the object data 26 is relatively high and the height of the concave portion of the object data 26 is lower than that of the convex portion. The second pattern includes a first convex point as a convex point in the point diagram and a second convex point as a concave point in the point diagram, which is lower in height than the first convex point. It is configured to include.

Specifically, the second pattern has a large-diameter convex point (large-diameter convex portion A21), a medium-diameter convex point (medium-diameter convex portion A22), and a small-diameter convex point as the first convex points, respectively. Shaped points (small-diameter convex portion A23), large-diameter concave points (large-diameter concave B21), medium-diameter concave points (medium-diameter concave B22), and small-diameter concave points, respectively, as second convex points. It has a configuration corresponding to a stereoscopic image including (small diameter recess B23). The large-diameter convex portion A21, the medium-diameter convex portion A22, and the small-diameter convex portion A23 have the same expansion height h21, respectively. Further, the large-diameter recess B21, the medium-diameter recess B22, and the small-diameter recess B23 each have the same expansion height h22, and the expansion height h22 is lower than the expansion height h21 of the convex portion.

FIG. 9A shows the side view shape of each point in the second pattern. Further, FIG. 9B shows the perspective shape of each point in the second pattern. As shown in FIG. 9B, in the second pattern, the shapes of the convex portions A21, A22, A23 and the concave portions B21, B22, B23 are cylindrical. The upper surfaces of the convex portions A21, A22, A23 and the concave portions B21, B22, B23 are each gray at a density corresponding to the set expansion height (expansion height h21 or expansion height h22 in the illustrated example). The shading images DA21s, DA22s, DA23s, DB21s, DB22s, and DB23s are printed.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the expansion heights of the large-diameter convex portion A21, the medium-diameter convex portion A22, and the small-diameter convex portion A23 are the same height h21, respectively. Further, the expansion heights of the large-diameter recess B21, the medium-diameter recess B22, and the small-diameter recess B23 are the same height h22, which is lower than the height h21, respectively. Further, the sizes (diameters) of the large-diameter convex portion A21, the medium-diameter convex portion A22, and the small-diameter convex portion A23 are r1, r2, and r3 in order from the largest. The sizes (diameters) of the large-diameter recess B21, the medium-diameter recess B22, and the small-diameter recess B23 are r1, r2, and r3 in order from the largest.

The expansion heights h21, 22 can be set to a desired value according to the operation.
The size (diameter) r1 of the large-diameter convex portion A21 and the large-diameter concave portion B21, the size (diameter) r2 of the medium-diameter convex portion A22 and the medium-diameter concave portion B22, and the size (diameter) r3 of the small-diameter convex portion A23 and the small-diameter concave portion B23. Is the same size (diameter) as the dots printed by a Braille printer (not shown).

Density adjustment regions DA21m, DA22m, DA23m, DB21m, DB22m, and DB23m (see FIG. 9B) are set around the convex portions A21, A22, A23 and the concave portions B21, B22, and B23. The widths of the respective concentration adjustment regions DA21m, DA22m, DA23m, DB21m, DB22m, and DB23m are the same width w (see FIG. 9A).

The expansion height h21 of the convex portions A21, A22, A23 and the expansion height h22 of the concave portions B21, B22, B23 are reflected in the expansion height (%) data 101e, 102e, ... (See FIG. 7) of the object data 26. Will be done.
Further, the size (diameter) r1, r2, r3 of each convex portion A21, A22, A23 and the size (diameter) r1, r2, r3 of the concave portions B21, B22, B23 are the expansion height (%) data of the object data 26. It is reflected in 101d, 102d, ... (See FIG. 7).
Further, the width w of each density adjustment area DA21m, DA22m, DA23m, DB21m, DB22m, DB23m is reflected in the density adjustment area size (W) data 101f, 102f, ... (See FIG. 7) of the object data 26.

In the second pattern, the densities of the respective density adjustment regions DA21m, DA22m, DA23m, DB21m, DB22m, and DB23m are set to invisible white values (K0) so that the expansion height of the regions becomes zero. ..

(Third pattern)
The third pattern shown in FIG. 10 is a pattern in which the entire background portion of the object data 26 is raised as a base, the convex portion is arranged so as to protrude above the base, and the concave portion is arranged so as to be recessed in the base. is there. The third pattern is a base, a first point arranged so as to project above the base as a convex point in the point diagram, and a third point arranged so as to be recessed in the base as a concave point in the point diagram. It is configured to include two points.

Specifically, the third pattern is a base C, a large-diameter convex point (large-diameter convex portion A31) and a medium-diameter convex point (large-diameter convex portion A31) as first points arranged on the base C, respectively. Medium-diameter convex portion A32) and small-diameter convex point (small-diameter convex portion A33), and large-diameter concave point (large-diameter concave portion B31) and medium-diameter as second points arranged in the base C, respectively. The configuration corresponds to a stereoscopic image including a concave point (medium diameter concave portion B32) and a small diameter concave point (small diameter concave portion B33). The base C has an expansion height of h32. The large-diameter convex portion A31, the medium-diameter convex portion A32, and the small-diameter convex portion A33 each have the same expansion height h31, and project from the surface of the base C by (h31-h32). The large-diameter recess B31, the medium-diameter recess B32, and the small-diameter recess B33 are unexpanded portions having an expansion height of zero, and are recessed by (0-h32) from the surface of the base C.

FIG. 10A shows the side view shape of each point in the third pattern. Further, FIG. 10B shows the perspective shape of each point in the third pattern. As shown in FIG. 10B, in the third pattern, the shapes of the convex portions A31, A32, and A33 are columnar. Further, the shapes of the recesses B31, B32, and B33 are circular grooves. Gray shade images DA31s, DA32s, and DA33s are printed on the upper surfaces of the convex portions A31, A32, and A33 at a density corresponding to the set expansion height (expansion height h31 in the illustrated example), respectively. There is. Further, white shading images DB31s, DB32s, and DB33s are printed on the upper surfaces of the recesses B31, B32, and B33 so that the expansion height of the region becomes an unexpanded portion of zero, respectively. Further, on the base C serving as the background portion, gray shade images DCs are printed at a density corresponding to the set expansion height (expansion height h32 in the illustrated example).

As shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the expansion height of the base C is the height h32. Further, the expansion heights of the large-diameter convex portion A31 including the base C, the medium-diameter convex portion A32, and the small-diameter convex portion A33 are the same height h31, respectively. The expansion heights of the large-diameter recess B31, the medium-diameter recess B32, and the small-diameter recess B33 are zero, respectively. In other words, the large-diameter recess B31, the medium-diameter recess B32, and the small-diameter recess B33 are grooves having a depth of h32 with respect to the base C, respectively. Further, the sizes (diameters) of the large-diameter recess B31, the medium-diameter recess B32, and the small-diameter recess B33 are r1, r2, and r3 in order from the largest. Further, the sizes (diameters) of the large-diameter convex portion A31, the medium-diameter convex portion A32, and the small-diameter convex portion A33 are r1, r2, and r3 in order from the largest.

The expansion heights h31 and h32 can be set to desired values according to the operation.
The size (diameter) r1 of the large-diameter convex portion A31 and the large-diameter concave portion B31, the size (diameter) r2 of the medium-diameter convex portion A32 and the medium-diameter concave portion B32, and the size (diameter) r3 of the small-diameter convex portion A33 and the small-diameter concave portion B33. Is the same size (diameter) as the dots printed by a Braille printer (not shown).

Density adjustment regions DA31m, DA32m, DA33m, DB31m, DB32m, and DB33m (see FIG. 10B) are set around the convex portions A31, A32, A33 and the concave portions B31, B32, and B33. The widths of the respective concentration adjustment regions DA31m, DA32m, DA33m, DB31m, DB32m, and DB33m are the same width w (see FIG. 10A).

The expansion height h31 of the convex portions A31, A32, A33 including the base C and the expansion height h32 of the concave portions B31, B32, B33 are the expansion height (%) data 101e, 102e, ... (See Fig. 7).
Further, the size (diameter) r1, r2, r3 of each convex portion A31, A32, A33 and the size (diameter) r1, r2, r3 of the concave portions B31, B32, B33 are the expansion height (%) data of the object data 26. It is reflected in 101d, 102d, ... (See FIG. 7).
Further, the width w of each density adjustment area DA31m, DA32m, DA33m, DB31m, DB32m, DB33m is reflected in the density adjustment area size (W) data 101f, 102f, ... (See FIG. 7) of the object data 26.

In the third pattern, the densities of the respective density adjustment regions DA31m, DA32m, DA33m, DB31m, DB32m, and DB33m are set to desired gray values so that the expansion height of the regions is the same height h32 as the base C. Has been done.

(4th pattern)
The fourth pattern shown in FIG. 11 is a pattern represented by a truncated cone having a hollow inside as concave points in the point diagram. That is, the fourth pattern is a pattern in which the concave portion of the object data 26 is represented by a truncated cone having a hollow inside.

Specifically, the fourth pattern includes a large-diameter convex point (large-diameter convex portion A41), a medium-diameter convex point (medium-diameter convex portion A42), and a small-diameter convex point (small-diameter convex portion A43). The configuration corresponds to a stereoscopic image including a large-diameter concave point (large-diameter concave portion B41), a medium-diameter concave point (medium-diameter concave portion B42), and a small-diameter concave point (small-diameter concave portion B43). The large-diameter convex portion A41, the medium-diameter convex portion A42, the small-diameter convex portion A43, the large-diameter concave portion B41, the medium-diameter concave portion B42, and the small-diameter concave portion B43 have the same expansion height h41, respectively.

FIG. 11A shows the pattern of the point diagram data 25 which is the original data in the fourth pattern. FIG. 11B shows the side view shape of each point in the fourth pattern corresponding to the point diagram data 25 shown in FIG. 11A. Further, FIG. 11C shows the perspective shape of each point in the fourth pattern. As shown in FIG. 11C, in the fourth pattern, the shapes of the convex portions A41, A42, and A43 are columnar. On the other hand, the recesses B41, B42, and B43 have a truncated cone shape with a hollow inside (that is, a truncated cone shape having a circular groove inside the slope). Gray shade images DA41s, DA42s, and DA43s are printed on the upper surfaces of the convex portions A41, A42, and A43 at a density corresponding to the set expansion height (expansion height h41 in the illustrated example), respectively. There is. On the other hand, on the slopes of each of the recesses B41, B42, and B43, a gradation-like gray color is formed so that the height of the top thereof has a density corresponding to the set expansion height (expansion height h41 in the illustrated example). The shade images DB41m, DB42m, and DB43m are printed. Further, on the inside of the slopes of the recesses B41, B42, and B43, white shade images DB41s, DB42s, and DB43s are printed so that the expansion height of the region becomes an unexpanded portion of zero, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, the expansion height of the large-diameter convex portion A41, the medium-diameter convex portion A42, the small-diameter convex portion A43, the large-diameter concave portion B41, the medium-diameter concave portion B42, and the small-diameter concave portion B43. The diameters are the same, h41. Further, the sizes (diameters) of the large-diameter convex portion A41, the medium-diameter convex portion A42, and the small-diameter convex portion A43 are r1, r2, and r3 in order from the largest. The sizes (diameters) of the large-diameter recess B41, the medium-diameter recess B42, and the small-diameter recess B43 are r1, r2, and r3 in order from the largest.

The expansion height h41 can be set to a desired value according to the operation.
The size (diameter) r1 of the large-diameter convex portion A41 and the large-diameter concave portion B41, the size (diameter) r2 of the medium-diameter convex portion A42 and the medium-diameter concave portion B42, and the size (diameter) r3 of the small-diameter convex portion A43 and the small-diameter concave portion B43. Is the same size (diameter) as the dots printed by a Braille printer (not shown).

Concentration adjustment regions DA41m, DA42m, DA43m, DB41m, DB42m, and DB43m (see FIG. 11C) are set around the convex portions A41, A42, A43 and the concave portions B41, B42, and B43. The widths of the density adjustment regions DA41m, DA42m, DA43m, DB41m, DB42m, and DB43m are the same width w (see FIG. 11B).

The expansion height h41 of the convex portions A41, A42, A43 and the concave portions B41, B42, B43 is reflected in the expansion height (%) data 101e, 102e, ... (See FIG. 7) of the object data 26.
Further, the size (diameter) r1, r2, r3 of each convex portion A41, A42, A43 and the size (diameter) r1, r2, r3 of the concave portions B41, B42, B43 are the expansion height (%) data of the object data 26. It is reflected in 101d, 102d, ... (See FIG. 7).
Further, the width w of each density adjustment area DA41m, DA42m, DA43m, DB41m, DB42m, DB43m is reflected in the density adjustment area size (W) data 101f, 102f, ... (See FIG. 7) of the object data 26.

In the fourth pattern, the densities of the respective concentration adjusting regions DA41m, DA42m, and DA43m are set to invisible white values (K0) so that the expansion height of the regions becomes zero. On the other hand, the densities of the respective density adjustment regions DB41m, DB42m, and DB43m are set to gray values that change in a gradation shape according to the height of the top.

When the computer 2 creates the object data 26 (see FIG. 6), the computer 2 print data having a configuration suitable for the pattern selected by the user among the first to fourth patterns based on the object data 26 (see FIG. 6). 27 (see FIG. 6) is created. At that time, the user can select one or more patterns from the first to fourth patterns. That is, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can create a stereoscopic image by using one of the first to fourth patterns alone or by mixing a plurality of patterns.

<Operation of stereoscopic image formation system>
Hereinafter, the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 at the time of printing an image (shade image and color image) and at the time of forming a stereoscopic image will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1, respectively. FIG. 12 shows the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 before forming the stereoscopic image. Further, FIG. 13 shows the operation of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 at the time of forming a stereoscopic image. The operations described below are mainly performed by the computer 2 (see FIG. 1). Here, it is assumed that the point diagram data 25 acquired from the outside via the input means 4 is stored in the storage means 20 in advance.

As shown in FIG. 12, before forming the stereoscopic image, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 reads the point diagram data 25 from the storage means 20 as the original data (step S105), and based on the read point diagram data 25. , The printing order of each point, which is an individual object constituting the point diagram, is specified (step S110).

Next, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 sets a density adjustment region for each point and creates object data 26 (step S115). After that, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 creates print data 27 based on the created object data 26 (step S120). Then, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 stores the created print data 27 in the storage means 20 (step S125).
As a result, the process before forming the stereoscopic image shown in FIG. 12 is completed.

After that, the process at the time of forming the stereoscopic image shown in FIG. 13 is performed.
As shown in FIG. 13, at the time of forming a stereoscopic image, first, the computer 2 of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 outputs the bitmap data of the grayscale image of the point diagram to the printer 5, and points on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40. The grayscale image of the figure is printed (step S205). As a result, the heat-expandable sheet 40 is in the state shown in FIG. 5 (a).

After that, the user installs the heat-expandable sheet 40 in the light irradiation unit 6 with the surface facing up (step S210). Then, the light irradiation unit 6 irradiates the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 40 with light to partially expand the region on which the shading image is printed on the surface (step S215). That is, the light irradiation unit 6 forms a stereoscopic image based on the grayscale image of the point diagram printed on the surface. As a result, the heat-expandable sheet 40 is in the state shown in FIG. 5 (b).
As a result, the process at the time of forming the stereoscopic image shown in FIG. 13 is completed.

<Main features of stereoscopic image formation system>
The stereoscopic image forming system 1 has the following features.
(1) The stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment is based on the point diagram data 25 prepared for printing the point diagram from the outside with a braille printer or the like via the image input means 4c (see FIG. 1) or the like. Get as data. Then, unlike the conventional stereoscopic image forming system, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 does not create print data using the acquired point diagram data as it is, but creates object data 26 based on the point diagram data 25. create. After that, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 creates the print data 27 of the shade image of the point diagram based on the created object data 26. At that time, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 performs the following processing on a point-by-point basis for each point (dot) constituting the point diagram represented by the point diagram data 25 which is the original data.

For example, in the stereoscopic image forming system 1, the convex or concave portion in the point diagram is formed by any of the first to fourth patterns (see FIGS. 8 to 11) at each point D1, D2, D3, ... (FIG. 8). 4). At that time, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 adjusts the density of each point D1, D2, D3, ... (See FIG. 4) over a predetermined range in the surrounding area. ... Is performed (concentration adjustment area setting process) (see FIG. 4).

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 uses the convex portions or concave portions in the point diagram as points D1, D2, D3, ... (See FIG. 4) in the first pattern (see FIG. 8). expressing.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the density adjustment regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Have a hollow circular shape excluding the points D1, D2, D3, ... Of the setting target. The width W of the density adjustment regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ... (See FIG. 3C) is defined based on the inter-point distance defined by the Braille standard and the proximity distance at which the stereoscopic image OB does not overexpand. There is. The density of the shading image of the density adjustment areas D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Is set so that the expansion height of the area becomes a desired height (for example, zero or a height appropriately set according to the operation). The concentration is set according to the desired height. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the expansion height is set to zero, the density of the shading image of the density adjustment regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Is set to zero (K0), which is white. There is.

When the density adjustment area setting process described above is performed, the print area of the grayscale image of each point D1, D2, D3 ... And the density adjustment area D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Therefore, the above-mentioned density adjustment area setting process expands the print area of the grayscale image of each point D1, D2, D3, ... From "each point's own area" to "each point's own area + density adjustment area". It is a process.

The density adjustment regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Functions as outlines of the respective points D1, D2, D3, .... Each point D1, D2, D3, ... Is because the concentration adjustment regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ..., Which are the outlines of the points D1, D2, D3, ..., Set the expansion height of the region to a desired height. (For example, a white image when the expansion height of the region is set to zero), and the regions inside the density adjustment regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Are gray shade images D1s, D2s. , D3s, ...

In such a stereoscopic image forming system 1, by performing the density adjustment area setting process described above, the print areas of the points D1, D2, D3, ... Are converted into the areas to which the density adjustment areas D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Are added. Performs enlargement processing. Further, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 sets the densities of the gray shade images D1s, D2s, D3s, ... At each point D1, D2, D3 ... The color of the density adjustment regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ..., Which are the outlines of the points D1, D2, D3, ... If the expansion height of is set to zero, set it to white).

Then, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 includes gray shading images D1s, D2s, D3s, ... Of each point D1, D2, D3, ... And a density adjustment region D1m which is an outline of each point D1, D2, D3, ... , D2m, D3m, ... Is printed on the heat-expandable sheet 40 and heated. As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 expands the portion on which the gray shade images D1s, D2s, D3s, ... Are printed, and forms the stereoscopic portion of the point diagram on the heat-expandable sheet 40.

(2) When the print data creating means 11 of the stereoscopic image forming system 1 creates the print data 27 of the grayscale image of the point diagram, the surroundings of the points D1, D2, D3, ... The density adjustment areas D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Priority is set for each point D1, D2, D3, ... The density adjustment regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Function to partially lack low priority points.

In such a stereoscopic image forming system 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the densities of all the points D1, D2, D3, ... Adjustment areas D1m, D2m, D3m, ... Can be set. As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 has, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, stereoscopic images OB1, OB2, etc. of points having a partially missing shape in a place where a plurality of points are densely packed (close). Can be formed. As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can suppress overexpansion at a place where a plurality of points are densely packed (close). As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can flatten the expansion height of the stereoscopic image. As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can create a point diagram in which each point is suitably expressed.

Moreover, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can express a point having an appropriate height and an appropriate size by a simple conversion process in units of points (the above-mentioned density adjustment area setting process). Further, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 sets the density of the shading image of the density adjusting regions D1m, D2m, D3m, ... To zero (K0) (that is, sets the color of the density adjusting region to white) to obtain the density. Set the expansion height of the adjustment area to zero. Such a stereoscopic image forming system 1 can form a stereoscopic image of a point where an edge is standing and is easy to identify. As a result, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can also create a point diagram in which each point is suitably expressed.

Further, such a stereoscopic image forming system 1 can create a point diagram in which each point is suitably expressed in a short time for the following reasons.
For example, it is generally difficult to analyze an image to predict an over-expanded portion (a portion that is over-expanded) because the amount of calculation becomes enormous and the calculation takes time.
On the other hand, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment simply performs the density adjustment area setting process for all the points without considering the attributes of the points constituting the point diagram. In the density adjustment area setting process, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 sets a density adjustment area around each point, sets the color of the point itself to gray, and sets the color of the density adjustment area provided around the point. Is set to white. Such a stereoscopic image forming system 1 can perform processing with a small amount of calculation. Therefore, the stereoscopic image forming system 1 can create a point diagram in which each point is suitably expressed in a short time.

The stereoscopic image forming system 1 forms a three-dimensional image OB of a point diagram with any of the first to fourth patterns according to the operation, thereby forming a convex portion having a height of a plurality of steps specified by the user. It can be expressed as a recess.
Such a stereoscopic image forming system 1 has, for example, three types of convex portions having the same size and different heights, and the same size and the same size as the most expressive Braille printer currently on the market. , Three types of recesses with different depths can be expressed.

The three-dimensional structure having the three-dimensional image formed by the three-dimensional image forming system 1 has the following configuration.
That is, the three-dimensional structure is composed of a shading image used for thermally expanding a desired region of the heat-expandable sheet 40 and a stereoscopic image formed based on the printed region on which the shading image is printed. It has a three-dimensional part in the figure. Then, the shade image of each point constituting the point diagram includes a shade image of the points partially disappearing in an arc shape.

As described above, according to the stereoscopic image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to create a point diagram in which each point is suitably expressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail in order to explain the gist of the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all the components described above. In addition, the present invention can add other components to a certain component, or change some components to other components. In addition, the present invention can also delete some components.

In the above-described embodiment, the shade image of the point diagram is printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet. However, the shade image of the point diagram can also be printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet depending on the operation. However, when the shading image is printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet, the edges of the stereoscopic image can be raised (that is, the corners of the stereoscopic image can be formed at substantially right angles), so that the heat-expandable sheet It is preferable to print a shading image on the front surface rather than on the back surface.

The inventions described in the claims originally attached to the application of this application are added below. The claims in the appendix are as specified in the claims originally attached to the application for this application.
[Additional Notes]
<< Claim 1 >>
It has a print data creation means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet.
When the print data creating means creates print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point, the print data creating means said. A stereoscopic image forming system characterized in that, for each point constituting a point diagram, a region around the point is set as a density adjustment region for adjusting the density over a predetermined range.
<< Claim 2 >>
Further, it has a printer that prints an image on the heat-expandable sheet.
The printer has a shape in which the portion of the other point that overlaps the density adjustment region of one point is partially missing from the two points whose distance between the two points is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a shading image is printed in the above.
<< Claim 3 >>
The density adjustment region has a hollow circular shape excluding the point of setting symmetry.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the shape of the portion lacking the other point is an arc shape.
<< Claim 4 >>
The shading image of the point diagram is a shading image that forms a first convex point as a convex point in the point diagram, and a second shade image having a diameter smaller than that of the first convex point as a concave point in the point diagram. It is configured to include a shading image that forms two convex points.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print data has contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point.
<< Claim 5 >>
The light and shade image of the point diagram has a light and shade image that forms a first convex point as a convex point in the point diagram and a height higher than that of the first convex point as a concave point in the point diagram. It is configured to include a shade image that forms a low second convex point.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print data has contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point.
<< Claim 6 >>
The shade image of the point diagram includes a shade image forming a base, a shade image forming a first point arranged so as to protrude on the base as a convex point in the point diagram, and a point diagram. It is configured to include a light and shade image forming a second point arranged so as to be recessed in the base as a concave point.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print data has contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point.
<< Claim 7 >>
The light and shade image of the point diagram is configured to include a light and shade image that forms the shape of a truncated cone with a hollow inside as concave points in the point diagram.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the print data has contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point.
<< Claim 8 >>
Computer,
A program that functions as a print data creation means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet.
When creating print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point on the print data creating means, the said A program characterized in that for each point constituting a point diagram, a region around the point is set as a density adjustment region for adjusting the density over a predetermined range.
<< Claim 9 >>
The shade image used to thermally expand the desired area of the thermally expandable sheet,
A three-dimensional portion of a point diagram composed of a three-dimensional image formed based on a print area on which the grayscale image is printed is provided.
A three-dimensional structure characterized in that the shade image of each point constituting the point diagram includes a shade image of points partially disappeared in an arc shape.

1 Stereoscopic image formation system 2 Computer (print data creation device)
25-point diagram data (original data)
26 (MD1, MD2m, MD3, ...) Object data 27 Print data D1s shade image (visible gray shade image)
D1m density adjustment region (area in which a shading image of a density corresponding to a desired expansion height (for example, an invisible white shading image when the expansion height is zero) is set)

Claims (11)

It has a print data creation means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet.
When the print data creating means creates print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point, the print data creating means said. For each point constituting the point diagram, the area around the point is set as a density adjustment area for adjusting the density over a predetermined range .
The density is such that the portion of the other point that overlaps the density adjustment region of one point is partially missing from the two points whose distance between the two points is less than or equal to a predetermined distance. A stereoscopic image forming system characterized by setting an adjustment area. The density adjustment region has a hollow circular shape excluding the point of setting symmetry.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the shape of the portion lacking the other point is an arc shape. The shading image of the point diagram is a shading image that forms a first convex point as a convex point in the point diagram, and a second shade image having a diameter smaller than that of the first convex point as a concave point in the point diagram. It is configured to include a light and shade image that forms two convex points.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the print data has the contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point. The light and shade image of the point diagram has a light and shade image that forms a first convex point as a convex point in the point diagram and a height higher than that of the first convex point as a concave point in the point diagram. It is configured to include a shade image that forms a low second convex point.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the print data has the contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point. The shade image of the point diagram includes a shade image forming a base, a shade image forming a first point arranged so as to protrude on the base as a convex point in the point diagram, and a point diagram. It is configured to include a light and shade image forming a second point arranged so as to be recessed in the base as a concave point.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the print data has the contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point. The light and shade image of the point diagram is configured to include a light and shade image that forms the shape of a truncated cone with a hollow inside as concave points in the point diagram.
The stereoscopic image forming system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the print data has the contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point. Computer,
A program that functions as a print data creation means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet.
When creating print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point on the print data creating means, the above-mentioned For each point constituting the point diagram, the area around the point is set as a density adjustment area for adjusting the density over a predetermined range .
The density is such that the portion of the other point that overlaps the density adjustment region of one point is partially missing from the two points whose distance between the two points is less than or equal to a predetermined distance. A program characterized by setting an adjustment area. It has a print data creation means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet.
When the print data creating means creates print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point, the print data creating means said. For each point constituting the point diagram, the area around the point is set as a density adjustment area for adjusting the density over a predetermined range.
The shade image of the point diagram includes a shade image forming a base, a shade image forming a first point arranged so as to protrude on the base as a convex point in the point diagram, and a point diagram. It is configured to include a light and shade image forming a second point arranged so as to be recessed in the base as a concave point.
The three-dimensional image forming system is characterized in that the print data has the contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point. Computer,
A program that functions as a print data creation means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet.
When creating print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point on the print data creating means, the above-mentioned For each point constituting the point diagram, the area around the point is set as a density adjustment area for adjusting the density over a predetermined range.
The shade image of the point diagram includes a shade image forming a base, a shade image forming a first point arranged so as to protrude on the base as a convex point in the point diagram, and a point diagram. It is configured to include a light and shade image forming a second point arranged so as to be recessed in the base as a concave point.
The print data is a program characterized in that the density adjustment area is set around each point. It has a print data creation means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet.
When the print data creating means creates print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point, the print data creating means said. For each point constituting the point diagram, the area around the point is set as a density adjustment area for adjusting the density over a predetermined range.
The light and shade image of the point diagram is configured to include a light and shade image that forms the shape of a truncated cone with a hollow inside as concave points in the point diagram.
The three-dimensional image forming system is characterized in that the print data has the contents in which the density adjustment region is set around each point. Computer,
A program that functions as a print data creation means for creating print data for printing a grayscale image used for thermally expanding a desired region of a heat-expandable sheet.
When creating print data for printing the shading image corresponding to a convex point or a point diagram formed by a convex point and a concave point on the print data creating means, the above-mentioned For each point constituting the point diagram, the area around the point is set as a density adjustment area for adjusting the density over a predetermined range.
The light and shade image of the point diagram is configured to include a light and shade image that forms the shape of a truncated cone with a hollow inside as concave points in the point diagram.
The print data is a program characterized in that the density adjustment area is set around each point.

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