JP6855293B2 - Image processing equipment, image processing methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing technique for outputting a printed matter whose brightness changes when the observation angle is changed.

Woven fabrics such as satin fabrics and embroidery and metal surfaces with hairline processing have anisotropy in which the appearance changes greatly when the observation angle is changed due to the complicated fine shape of the surface. .. An example of a printed matter that reproduces this anisotropy is one that uses a lenticular lens. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique capable of simultaneously forming an image and a lenticular lens to be superimposed on the image by using a UV curable inkjet printer capable of forming arbitrary irregularities with an ink containing a photocurable resin.

Patent No. 3555420

However, in the method using a lenticular lens as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to print an image with high resolution in order to smoothly change the brightness and color when the observation angle is changed. Further, it is difficult to accurately form the curved surface shape of the lens with high resolution by using an inkjet printer.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image process for obtaining a printed matter having anisotropy more easily than before.

In order to solve the above problems, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that generates data for forming a layer in which a plurality of unit regions having protrusions are arranged on a recording medium, and is the first image processing apparatus. and brightness of the object in the viewing direction, depending on the the brightness of the object in a second viewing direction elevation angle is a direction different from the first observation direction, and obtaining means for obtaining brightness information on the brightness information A generation means for generating recording amount data representing a recording amount of a recording material for forming the layer on the recording medium so that at least one of the width of the unit region and the height of the convex portion is different. It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, a printed matter having anisotropy can be obtained more easily than before.

Block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the image processing device 1 Block diagram showing a configuration example of the printer 12 Schematic diagram illustrating an operation of the printer 12 forming an uneven layer and an image layer. Schematic diagram for explaining the uneven layer Schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of ink amount data Schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the formed printed matter Schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism by which elevation anisotropy is expressed by the formed printed matter. Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image processing device 1 Schematic diagram showing the structure of image data Schematic diagram showing how the objects to be reproduced are imaged under a plurality of different geometric conditions. Diagram showing an example of a LUT to be referenced The figure explaining the relationship between w / d and the shape of an unevenness The figure which shows the example of CL ink amount data Flow chart showing the operation of the image processing device 1 Schematic diagram for explaining rotation processing Schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism by which azimuth anisotropy is expressed by the formed printed matter. The figure for demonstrating the change of the shade area according to the change of the height of the formed convex part.

[Example 1]
In this embodiment, image data having color information representing the color of the image and information on the amount of change in brightness when the observation angle is changed in the elevation angle direction is acquired. Then, the colored ink amount data (colored ink recording amount data) and the CL ink amount data (CL ink recording amount data) are generated based on the acquired image data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the image processing device 1. In FIG. 1, the image processing device 1 is, for example, a computer, and includes a microprocessor (CPU) 101 and a memory 102 such as a random access memory. The CPU 101 uses the memory 102 as a work memory to execute an operating system (OS) and various programs stored in the hard disk drive (HDD) 103. Then, each configuration is controlled via the system bus 106. An input device 11 such as a mouse or keyboard and a printer 12 are connected to the general-purpose interface (I / F) 104. A monitor 13 is connected to the video interface (I / F) 105. The CPU 101 displays the screen of the user interface (UI) provided by the program on the monitor 13, and receives the user's instruction via the input device 11.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the printer 12. As the printer 12, an inkjet printer that forms irregularities and records colors using ink is assumed. The head cartridge 801 has a recording head composed of a plurality of ejection ports, an ink tank for supplying ink to the recording head, and a connector for receiving a signal or the like for driving each ejection port of the recording head. It is provided. Hereinafter, the unevenness and the color layer formed by the ink will be referred to as an unevenness layer and an image layer, respectively. The ink tank contains clear (CL) ink for forming an uneven layer and colored inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) for forming an image layer. A total of 5 types of ink are provided independently. These inks are UV curable inks that are cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays. The head cartridge 801 is positioned on the carriage 802 and mounted in a replaceable manner, and the carriage 802 is provided with a connector holder for transmitting a drive signal or the like to the head cartridge 801 via a connector. Further, the carriage 802 is equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) irradiation device 815, which is controlled to cure the ejected ink and fix it on a recording medium. The carriage 802 can reciprocate along the guide shaft 803. Specifically, the carriage 802 is driven by a drive mechanism such as a motor pulley 805, a driven pulley 806, and a timing belt 807 with the main scanning motor 804 as a drive source, and its position and movement are controlled. In this embodiment, the movement of the carriage 802 along the guide shaft 803 is referred to as "main scanning", and the moving direction is referred to as "main scanning direction". A recording medium 808 such as printing paper is mounted on an auto sheet feeder (ASF) 810. At the time of image formation, the pickup roller 812 is rotated via the gear by the drive of the paper feed motor 811, and the recording media 808 are separated from the ASF 810 one by one and fed. Further, the recording medium 808 is conveyed to the recording start position facing the discharge port surface of the head cartridge 801 on the carriage 802 by the rotation of the transfer roller 809. The transfer roller 809 is driven via gears using the line feed (LF) motor 813 as a drive source. Whether or not the recording medium 808 has been fed is determined and the position at the time of feeding is determined when the recording medium 808 passes through the paper end sensor 814. The head cartridge 801 mounted on the carriage 802 is held so that the discharge port surface projects downward from the carriage 802 and is parallel to the recording medium 808. The control unit 820 is composed of a CPU, storage means, and the like, and controls the operation of each part of the printer 12.

Hereinafter, the operation of forming the uneven layer and the image layer in the printer 12 will be described. First, when the recording medium 808 is conveyed to the recording start position in order to form the uneven layer, the carriage 802 moves on the recording medium 808 along the guide shaft 803, and the discharge port of the recording head is moved during the movement. More ink is ejected. The ultraviolet irradiation device 815 irradiates ultraviolet rays in accordance with the movement of the recording head to cure the discharged CL ink and fix it on the recording medium. Then, when the carriage 802 moves to one end of the guide shaft 803, the transport roller 809 conveys the recording medium 808 by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the carriage 802. In this embodiment, the transport of the recording medium 808 is referred to as "paper feed" or "sub-scanning", and this transport direction is referred to as "paper feed direction" or "sub-scanning direction". When the transfer of the predetermined amount of the recording medium 808 is completed, the carriage 802 moves along the guide shaft 803 again. In this way, the uneven layer is formed on the entire recording medium 808 by repeating the scanning by the carriage 802 of the recording head and the paper feed. After the concavo-convex layer is formed, the transport roller 809 returns the recording medium 808 to the recording start position, and in the same process as the concavo-convex layer formation, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colored inks are ejected onto the concavo-convex layer. Form an image layer.

For the sake of simplicity, the recording head in this embodiment is represented by binary control of whether or not to eject ink droplets. This is the same for CL ink and colored ink. In this embodiment, it is assumed that whether or not to eject ink droplets for each pixel defined by the printer resolution of the printer 12 is controlled, and the state in which it is determined to eject ink droplets to all pixels in a unit area is determined as the amount of ink (recording). Amount) shall be treated as 100%. A recording head in which the amount of ink ejected can be modulated is generally used, but it can be applied by extending the above-mentioned binarization process to a multi-valued process to multiple levels that can be modulated. It is not limited to the value.

In the formation of the uneven layer of this embodiment, the height is controlled for each position using the above-mentioned concept of ink amount. When a substantially uniform layer is formed with an ink amount of 100% in the uneven layer formation, the layer has a certain thickness (height) according to the volume of the ejected ink. For example, when the layer formed with 100% ink amount has a thickness of 15 μm, the layers may be stacked five times in order to reproduce the thickness of 75 μm. That is, the amount of ink to be applied to a position where a height of 75 μm is required is 500%.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation of forming an uneven layer and an image layer by scanning the recording medium 808 with a recording head. A layer is formed by the width L of the recording head by the main scanning by the carriage 802, and the recording medium 808 is conveyed by a distance L in the sub-scanning direction each time the recording of one line is completed. Here, one line is an area where recording is performed in one scan. For the sake of simplicity, the printer 12 in this embodiment can only eject ink up to 100% of the ink amount in one scan, and in the case of layer formation exceeding 100% of the ink amount, the ink is not conveyed. Scan the same area multiple times. For example, when the amount of ink to be applied is up to 500%, the same line is scanned five times. Explaining with reference to FIG. 3, after scanning the area A five times with the recording head (FIG. 3A), the recording medium 808 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, and the main scanning of the area B is repeated five times (FIG. 3). (B))

In order to suppress image quality deterioration such as periodic unevenness due to the driving accuracy of the recording head, so-called multi-pass printing, in which scanning is performed a plurality of times even when the ink amount is 100% or less, may be performed. FIGS. 3 (c) to 3 (e) show an example of 2-pass printing. In this example, an image is formed by the width L of the recording head by the main scanning by the carriage 802, and the recording medium 808 is conveyed by a distance L / 2 in the sub-scanning direction each time the recording of one line is completed. Area A is recorded by the m-th main scan of the recording head (FIG. 3 (c)) and m + 1-th main scan (FIG. 3 (d)), and region B is recorded by the m + 1-th main scan of the recording head (FIG. 3 (FIG. 3 (d)). It is recorded by d))) and m + the second main scan (FIG. 3 (e)). Here, the operation of 2-pass recording has been described, but the number of passes to be recorded can be changed according to the desired accuracy. When performing n-pass recording, for example, the recording medium 808 is conveyed by a distance of L / n in the sub-scanning direction each time the recording of one line is completed. In this case, even if the amount of ink is 100% or less, the print pattern is divided into a plurality of print patterns, and the recording head mainly scans the same line of the recording medium n times to form an uneven layer and an image layer. In this embodiment, in order to prevent confusion between the above-mentioned scanning by multi-pass printing and scanning for injecting 100% or more ink, multi-pass printing is not performed, and multiple scanning is performed because layers are laminated. It will be explained as a thing. The recording medium is not particularly limited, and various materials such as paper and plastic film can be used as long as they can support image formation by the recording head.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the uneven layer and the image layer formed by the printer 12. FIG. 4A shows CL ink amount data. The unit area represented by the broken line is periodically arranged, and the unit area is composed of a convex portion (a region for ejecting CL ink) and a concave portion (a region for not ejecting CL ink). The unit area can be periodically arranged in the same way as a general halftone dot screen, and can have an arbitrary angle other than shown in the figure. Further, the height of the convex portion can take a different value for each place.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a cross-sectional structure of CL ink amount data and colored ink amount data. In this embodiment, the printer resolution is 600 dpi and the width of one dot is 40 μm. Since the unit area having a width of 8 dots is repeatedly arranged, one structure is about 320 μm. Further, the thickness of one layer in this embodiment is 15 μm, and the height of the convex portion is controlled by changing the number of laminated dots. In addition, an image layer is formed on the surface of the uneven layer. In this embodiment, the thickness of the image layer is ignored for the sake of simplicity. Such minute uneven layers and image layers are almost invisible to the observer and appear to be a flat printed matter such as paper or cloth.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the cross-sectional structure of the printed matter output by the printer 12 based on the ink amount data shown in FIG. In the process of forming the uneven layer by the printer 12, the ejected CL ink wets and spreads in the surface direction of the recording medium from landing to curing by UV irradiation. Therefore, the finally formed unevenness has a smooth shape as shown in FIG. The uneven shape shown in FIG. 6 is an example. For example, by using a high-viscosity ink that does not easily spread when wet, it is possible to form an uneven shape similar to that shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism by which anisotropy is exhibited by the printed matter formed in this embodiment. The illumination and observation angles can be expressed by the azimuth θ and the elevation angle φ. In this embodiment, the direction parallel to the x-axis in FIG. 7 will be described assuming that the azimuth angle θ = 0 °. FIG. 7A is a schematic view illustrating the shadow generated when the elevation angle φ of the illumination position changes. The height h of the convex portion shown in FIG. 7A is 1/2 of the width ws of the unit region. When the elevation angle φ of the illumination position is 0 °, light hits both the convex portion and the concave portion in the unit area, so that no shadow is generated. When the elevation angle φ of the illumination position exceeds 0 °, a shadow is generated, and when φ exceeds 45 °, all the recesses are shaded. Such a change in the area of the shadow is recognized as elevation anisotropy. Therefore, in this embodiment, the elevation anisotropy of the printed matter is controlled by controlling the height h of the convex portion in the unit region. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a change in the shaded area according to a change in the height of the convex portion formed in the present embodiment. FIG. 17A is a diagram when the height of the convex portion is 2 dots (30 μm), and FIG. 17B is a diagram when the height of the convex portion is 4 dots (60 μm). As shown in the figure, since the area of the shadow generated by changing the height of the convex portion changes, the elevation anisotropy can be controlled by controlling the height of the convex portion.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image processing device 1 in this embodiment. The acquisition unit 701 acquires image data having color information representing the color of the image and information on the amount of change in brightness when the observation angle is changed in the azimuth direction as information on anisotropy. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of image data acquired by the acquisition unit 701. The image data has an arbitrary resolution, and each information is recorded in four different channels. RGB values representing the color information of the object to be reproduced are stored in channels 1 to 3. Here, it is assumed that the RGB value is defined by the standard sRGB. In addition, RGB values defined by AdobeRGB, L * a * b * values defined by CIELAB, and the like can be used. Further, in the fourth channel, the amount of change in brightness ΔL when the object to be reproduced is observed under different geometric conditions is stored.

Here, an example of generating image data will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state in which the objects to be reproduced are imaged under a plurality of different geometric conditions. First, the RGB values of the first imaging data obtained by imaging under geometric condition 1 with an observation angle φ = 0 ° and an illumination angle φ = 60 ° are stored in channels 1 to 3 of the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 701. It can be used as an RGB value to be used. Subsequently, as the geometric condition 2, only the illumination angle is changed to φ = 20 °, the object to be reproduced is imaged, and the second imaged data is obtained. The brightness change amount information of the second imaging data can be acquired by taking the difference in brightness from the first imaging data of each pixel. In this embodiment, as the brightness, the RGB value of the imaging data is converted into the L * a * b * value defined in the CIELAB space, and the L * value is the brightness L _{φ = 60 ° of the first imaging data. ,} Brightness L _{φ = 20 °} . _{The brightness change amount ΔL, which is the difference between the brightness L φ = 60 °} and L _{φ = 20 °} , calculated as in the equation (1), is stored in the fourth channel of the image data.

ΔL = L _{φ = 60 °} −L _{φ = 20 °}・ ・ ・ Equation (1)
In this embodiment, the brightness change amount ΔL as described above is used, but in addition, the brightness ratio L _{φ = 60 °} / L _{φ = 20 °} , the change amount of the RGB average value represented by the equation (2), etc. It is also possible to use.

ここで、ＲＧＢ上部の横棒状の記号バーはＲＧＢ値の平均を表す。また、取得するデータを第１撮像データ及び第２撮像データとし、装置内部の上記方法を用いた演算により明るさ変化量ΔＬに変換する方法も考えられる。

Here, the horizontal bar-shaped symbol bar at the top of RGB represents the average of RGB values. Further, it is also conceivable to use the acquired data as the first imaging data and the second imaging data and convert them into the brightness change amount ΔL by the calculation using the above method inside the apparatus.

The conversion unit 702 performs resolution conversion processing on R, G, B, and ΔL stored in each pixel of the image data acquired by the acquisition unit 701, and converts the image data into image data having the same resolution as the printer resolution of the printer 12. Let R, G, B, and ΔL after the resolution conversion process be R', G', B', and ΔL', respectively. As the resolution conversion process, a known method such as the nearest neighbor method or the bilinear method can be used.

The first generation unit 703 generates colored ink amount data representing the CMYK ink amount used for printing from the R'G'B'value after the resolution conversion. For conversion from RGB values to CMYK values, a known conversion method using a LUT (look-up table) or the like can be used.

The second generation unit 704 generates CL ink amount data representing the CL ink amount for forming the convex portion in the unit region by using the ΔL'value after the resolution conversion. As described above, in this embodiment, the printer resolution is 600 dpi and the width of one dot is 40 μm. In this embodiment, the depth ds and the width ws of the unit area will be described as 8 dots each. This corresponds to a halftone dot with a screen angle of 0 ° and a screen line number of 75 lpi. The convex portion in the unit region in this embodiment is a rectangular parallelepiped having a width w of 4 dots, a depth d of 8 dots, and a height h in terms of data. Second generating unit 704 calculates an average value [Delta] L _ave of [Delta] L 'per unit area, relative to each other in the width ws of the height h and the unit area of the convex portion by using a LUT illustrated in FIG. 11 (a) Calculate the length ratio (hereinafter referred to as height / width ratio). In the LUT of FIG. 11A, the amount of CL ink is determined from the height / width ratio and the width and depth of the convex portions, and a plurality of convex portions having different height / width ratios are formed on the recording medium in advance. However, it can be created by measuring the brightness.

The formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to form the uneven layer and the image layer based on the colored ink amount data and the CL ink amount data.

FIG. 13 is an example of a unit area in the CL ink amount data generated based on the height / width ratio calculated using the LUT illustrated in FIG. 11A. FIG. 13A is an example when the height / width ratio is 1: 8, and FIG. 13B is an example when the height / width ratio is 1: 4. In the example of FIG. 13, the convex portion of the unevenness is left-justified in the unit area, but it may be right-justified or centered. Further, although the CL ink amount data in this embodiment is generated based on the height / width ratio, it may be acquired by holding it in a storage device such as HDD 103 in advance and associating it with the height / width ratio. good. The formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to form an uneven layer using CL ink based on the CL ink amount data received from the second generation unit 704. Further, the formation control unit 705 performs known path decomposition processing and halftone processing based on the colored ink amount data received from the first generation unit 703, and uses the colored ink on the previously formed uneven layer. The image layer is formed on the printer 12.

FIG. 14A is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment. Hereinafter, each step (step) is represented by adding S before the reference numeral.

In S201, the acquisition unit 701 acquires image data in which the color information R, G, B of the object to be reproduced and the brightness change amount information ΔL representing the elevation anisotropy are stored in each pixel, and the R, G, B, The ΔL value is output to the conversion unit 702. In S202, the conversion unit 702 performs resolution conversion processing on the R, G, B, and ΔL values, calculates R', G', B', and ΔL', and sets the R', G', and B'values to the first. The ΔL'value is output to the generation unit 703 and to the second generation unit 704.

In S203, the first generation unit 703 generates colored ink amount data representing the CMYK ink amount from the R', G', and B'values, and outputs the colored ink amount data to the printer 12. In S204, the second generation unit 704 calculates the _ave '[Delta] L by averaging the' [Delta] L for each unit area, it calculates the height-width ratio h / ws in the unit area from the [Delta] L _'ave value. Further, the second generation unit 704 generates CL ink amount data representing the CL ink amount of the CL ink for forming the uneven layer based on the calculated h / ws, and outputs the CL ink amount data to the printer 12.

In S205, the formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to form an uneven layer using CL ink based on the CL ink amount data. In S206, the formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to form an image layer using the colored ink on the uneven layer formed in S205 based on the colored ink amount data.

As described above, it is possible to form a printed matter in which a plurality of the unit regions are arranged side by side so that the height of the convex portion and the arrangement cycle of the unit region having the convex portion change according to the amount of change in brightness, and the formed printed matter is desired. Expresses anisotropy. Further, since the shape of the structure is controlled using only the height / width ratio h / ws, there is an advantage that the calculation is easy and the uneven shape can be flexibly formed even with an arbitrary number of screen lines.

Further, although the UV curable inkjet method is taken as an example of the printer 12, a method such as an electrophotographic method may be used as long as it can form an uneven layer and an image layer according to the generated ink amount data.

Further, in this embodiment, as the image data to be acquired, image data having color information and brightness change amount information when the observation angle is changed is acquired, but the image data is not limited to the above example. The first image data representing the color information under a certain geometric condition (for example, the illumination angle φ = 60 °) and the color information under the geometric condition different from the first image data (for example, the illumination angle φ = 20 °) are represented. The second image data may be acquired separately, and the amount of change in brightness when the geometric conditions change may be calculated. CL ink amount data is generated based on the calculated brightness change amount. In this case, as the image data used to generate the colored ink amount data, either the first image data or the second image data may be selected and used, or the average value of the two image data is used for calculation. Can also be used.

Further, in this embodiment, the L * value calculated from the RGB value is used as the brightness, but the reflection intensity (reflectance) with respect to the incident light obtained by the measuring instrument of the spectral radiance may also be used.

Further, in this embodiment, the difference in brightness is used as the amount of change in brightness, but the present invention is not limited to the above example. For example, the ratio of brightness may be used as the amount of change in brightness.

Further, in this embodiment, in order to obtain the height / width ratio, a LUT in which the average value of the amount of change in brightness and the height / width ratio are associated with each other is used, but the present invention is not limited to the above example. It suffices if the information on brightness (brightness information) under a plurality of different geometric conditions is associated with the height / width ratio. For example, a LUT in which the brightness under the first geometric condition (illumination angle φ = 60 °) and the brightness under the second geometric condition (illumination angle φ = 20 °) are associated with the height / width ratio. You may use it.

Further, in this embodiment, colored ink and CL ink are used as the recording material for recording on the recording medium, but the present invention is not limited to the above example. As an alternative to the colored ink, a colored material such as a colored toner can be used. Further, instead of CL ink, a recording material such as achromatic white ink or CL toner can be used.

Further, in this embodiment, the height / width ratio h / ws is used to determine the shape of the convex portion, but either value is fixed and the height h of the convex portion or the width ws of the unit region is fixed. Either one of the above may be used to determine the shape of the convex portion or the period for forming the convex portion.

[Example 2]
In Example 1, an example in which the image data has a difference in brightness due to a change in the elevation angle has been described based on the observation at the azimuth angle θ = 0 °. In this embodiment, a method of controlling the anisotropy of the elevation angle at a desired angle by using the image data in which the observation angle in the azimuth direction is stored in each pixel will be described. The configuration and operation of the image processing device 1 in this embodiment are the same as those shown in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and will be omitted.

The processing flow of the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14A.

In S201, the acquisition unit 701 refers to the color information R, G, and B of the reproduced object, the azimuth angle θ of the position that looks brightest when observed, and the elevation angle that represents the change in brightness between the position that looks brightest and the position that looks darkest. Image data in which the amount of change in brightness in the direction ΔL is stored in each pixel is acquired. In the image data, the R, G, B, θ, and ΔL values are recorded in five different channels. Further, the R, G, B, ΔL, and θ values are output to the conversion unit 702. As for the azimuth θ, the azimuth of the object to be reproduced may be imaged under a plurality of geometric conditions in which the azimuth is changed by 15 °, and the azimuth under the condition of maximum brightness L may be stored in each pixel.

In S202, the conversion unit 702 performs resolution conversion processing on the R, G, B, θ, and ΔL values to calculate R', G', B', θ', and ΔL'. Then, R', G', B'are output to the first generation unit 703, and θ', ΔL'are output to the second generation unit 704. When converting a plurality of observation directions φ having a high resolution to a low resolution by resolution conversion, the average of the angles in each direction may be simply obtained. On the contrary, when converting from a low resolution to a high resolution, a known nearest neighbor method or the like may be used.

In S203, the first generation unit 703 generates colored ink amount data representing the CMYK ink amount from R', G', and B'and outputs it to the printer 12. In S204, the second generation part 704 _{'calculates ave,} [Delta] L' _ave and theta '[Delta] L by averaging and theta' [Delta] L per unit area for calculating the height-width ratio h / ws from _ave. Further, the second generation unit 704 generates _{CL ink amount data representing the CL ink amount for forming the uneven layer based on the calculated θ'ave} and the calculated h / ws, and outputs the CL ink amount data to the printer 12. Figure 15 is a schematic view showing a CL ink amount data that is generated based on the theta _'ave and h / ws. h / corresponding to ws and theta _'ave create multiple patterns in advance and held in memory. FIG. 15 is a pattern group corresponding to h / ws = 1/8. Further, each pattern group, 'a plurality of patterns corresponding to the _ave, calculated theta' theta CL ink amount data corresponding an _ave is selected.

In S205, the formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to print with CL ink based on the CL ink amount data to form an uneven layer. In S206, the formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to form an image layer on the formed uneven layer using the colored ink based on the colored ink amount data.

As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment acquires the observation direction as the image data to be acquired, and controls the anisotropy at a desired angle by controlling the direction of the convex portion in the unit region. Printed matter can be obtained.

[Example 3]
In the above-described embodiment, a method for forming a printed matter in which elevation anisotropy is controlled has been described. In this embodiment, a method for forming a printed matter in which the azimuth anisotropy is also controlled will be described. The configuration and operation of the image processing device 1 in this embodiment are the same as those shown in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified, and will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism by which the azimuth anisotropy of the printed matter formed by this embodiment is exhibited. FIG. 16 (a) shows an example of a concave-convex shape pattern when the printed matter is observed from directly above (position at an elevation angle of 90 °), and FIGS. 16 (b) and 16 (c) show FIG. 16 (a). It is a schematic diagram explaining the appearance when the pattern of) is observed from the position of an elevation angle of 45 °. Assuming that the x direction of the printed matter is the azimuth θ = 0 °, FIG. 16 (b) shows the case where the pattern of FIG. 16 (a) is observed from the direction parallel to the x axis, that is, the case where the pattern is observed at the azimuth θ = 0 °. It is a figure of. On the other hand, FIG. 16C is a view when observed from an azimuth angle θ = 90 °. When the illumination angle and the observation angle have a specular reflection relationship with respect to the recording medium surface, the position shown in FIG. 16 (c) is compared with that shown in FIG. 16 (b) due to variations in the reflection direction due to unevenness and the influence of shadows. The amount of light observed is small and it looks dark. In this embodiment, this mechanism is used to control the azimuth anisotropy of the printed matter.

The processing flow of the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14A.

In S201, the acquisition unit 701 acquires image data in which the color information R, G, B of the object to be reproduced, the brightness change amount information ΔLφ of the elevation angle, and the brightness change amount information ΔLθ of the azimuth angle are stored in each pixel, and R , G, B, ΔLφ, ΔLθ values are output to the conversion unit 702. The amount of change in brightness of the azimuth is acquired as in Example 1. The amount of change in brightness of the elevation angle ΔLφ can be obtained by performing an imaging in which the position of the illumination is changed in the elevation angle direction, as shown in the geometric condition 3 and the geometric condition 4 in FIG. _{The amount of change in the brightness of the elevation angle in this embodiment is the brightness Lφ 1} when the azimuth angle of the illumination position is fixed at θ = 0 ° and the elevation angle _{changes from φ 1} = 60 ° to φ ₂ = 20 °. The difference from Lφ _{2 is used.}

In S202, the conversion unit 702 performs resolution conversion processing on the R, G, B, ΔLθ, and ΔLφ values to calculate R', G', B', ΔLθ', and ΔLφ'. R', G', B'are output to the first generation unit 703, and ΔLθ', ΔLφ' are output to the second generation unit 704.

In S203, the first generation unit 703 generates colored ink amount data representing the CMYK ink amount from R', G', and B'and outputs it to the printer 12.

In S204, the second generation unit 704 calculates the _ave 'ΔLθ by averaging _the' Derutaerushita per unit area, using a LUT depicted in FIG. 11 (b), the convex portion of the unit area from ΔLθ _'ave Calculate the width / depth ratio (aspect ratio) w / d of the bottom surface of.

Here, _{the relationship between ΔL'ave} and the shape of the convex portion will be described. 12 (a) is a schematic view showing a brightness variation ΔLθ _'ave representing the degree of anisotropy, the relationship between the width and the depth ratio of the convex portion of the unit region in this embodiment. As described with reference to FIG. 16, anisotropy is manifested by variations in the reflection direction due to unevenness when the observation angle changes and changes in the shade. When the pattern shown in the center of FIG. 12A is repeatedly arranged, the unevenness observed at the azimuth angles θ = 0 ° and θ = 90 ° is the same, so that there is no anisotropy. That is, when ΔL is 0, it is appropriate to use this pattern. On the other hand, the pattern shown at the left end of FIG. 12A has many irregularities when observed at an azimuth angle of θ = 0 ° and few at θ = 90 °. That is, the brightness is L _{θ = 90 °} > L _{θ = 0 °} , and the more positive and larger the value of ΔL, the more appropriate it is to use a pattern closer to the left end. On the contrary, the pattern shown at the right end of FIG. 12A is suitable to be used when the value of ΔL is negative and the value is large.

Further, the second generation part 704, position calculates _ave 'ΔLφ by averaging the' Derutaerufai for each area, from the relationship between the area ratio A of the shade to be changed by ΔLφ _'ave and elevation changes, the convex height Calculate h. Specifically, A is the area ratio of the shaded region to the non-shadowed region in the unit region, and can be expressed by the following equation (3).

ここで、分母は単位領域一つの面積、分子は仰角変化による陰の面積の変化である。ΔＬφ’と面積比率Ａとの関係は予め測定するなどして保持しておけばよい。図１１（ｂ）は、ΔＬφ’_ａｖｅと陰の面積比率Ａとの関係を表すＬＵＴの一例である。実施例１では、凸部の幅ｗと奥行きｄが固定で合ったため、ΔＬφ’から高さｈを簡易に変換することができた。しかし、本実施例では凸部のｗおよびｄが可変であるため、ＬＵＴ中でｈ／ｗｓとして扱っていた値を、変化する陰の面積比率Ａに置き換えて高さｈを算出する。単位領域内の凸部の高さｈは、図１１（ｂ）に例示するＬＵＴと式（４）に表す面積比率Ａとｈとの関係から算出する。

Here, the denominator is the area of one unit region, and the numerator is the change in the shadow area due to the change in elevation angle. The relationship between ΔLφ'and the area ratio A may be maintained by measuring in advance. 11 (b) is an example of a LUT representing the relationship between the area ratio A of ΔLφ _'ave and shade. In the first embodiment, since the width w and the depth d of the convex portion are fixedly matched, the height h can be easily converted from ΔLφ'. However, since w and d of the convex portion are variable in this embodiment, the value treated as h / ws in the LUT is replaced with the changing shade area ratio A to calculate the height h. The height h of the convex portion in the unit region is calculated from the relationship between the LUT illustrated in FIG. 11B and the area ratios A and h represented by the equation (4).

そして、第２生成部７０４は、算出したｗ／ｄ及びｈから、凹凸層を形成するためのＣＬインク量を表すＣＬインク量データを生成し、プリンタ１２へ出力する。

Then, the second generation unit 704 generates CL ink amount data representing the CL ink amount for forming the uneven layer from the calculated w / d and h, and outputs the CL ink amount data to the printer 12.

In S205, the formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to print with CL ink based on the CL ink amount data to form an uneven layer. In S206, the formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to form an image layer on the formed uneven layer using the colored ink based on the colored ink amount data.

As described above, the image processing device 1 in the present embodiment acquires image data in which the amount of change in brightness of the azimuth angle is stored in each pixel, and further controls the width and depth of the convex portion in the unit area. It is possible to obtain a printed matter in which the azimuth anisotropy is controlled in addition to the elevation anisotropy.

In this embodiment, the shape of the convex portion in the unit area is a rectangular parallelepiped, but a three-dimensional shape such as a quadrangle whose bottom surface can be defined by a width w and a depth d, such as a quadrangular pyramid, a roof type, or a semi-cylindrical shape, is used. Shapes can also be used. Further, if the width and the depth are considered as the base and the height of the triangle, respectively, the shape of the convex portion can be a triangular pyramid or a triangular prism.

Further, as in the pattern shown in the center of FIG. 12B, an example in which a convex portion is not formed when anisotropy reproduction is not necessary can be considered.

Further, when unevenness can be formed at a higher resolution, it is possible to use a cylinder, a cone, a hemisphere, or the like having a circular or elliptical bottom surface as illustrated in FIG. 12 (c). In this case, the width / depth ratio w / d can be used, and as an alternative, roundness or the like can be used.

Further, in this embodiment, the width / depth ratio w / d is used to determine the shape of the convex portion, but one of the values is fixed and the convex portion is either the width w or the depth d. The shape of may be determined.

[Example 4]
In Example 3, a method for forming a printed matter in which the anisotropy of the azimuth angle is controlled in addition to the elevation angle has been described. In this embodiment, a method for forming a printed matter in which the elevation anisotropy with respect to color is also controlled will be described. The configuration and operation of the image processing device 1 in this embodiment are the same as those shown in the third embodiment unless otherwise specified, and will be omitted.

FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram for explaining the printed matter formed by this embodiment. In this embodiment, by applying different RGB values to the convex image layer and the concave image layer in the unit region, the image formed on the recording medium is subjected to a change in the elevation angle direction of the observation angle φ. Form printed matter that changes color.

FIG. 14B is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment.

In S301, the acquisition unit 701 includes color information R1, G1, B1 at the first observation angle φ1 in the elevation angle direction of the reproduction object, color information R2, G2, B2 at the second observation angle φ2 in the elevation angle direction, and azimuth brightness. Image data in which the amount of change ΔLθ is stored in each pixel is acquired. Then, the R1, G1, B1, R2, G2, B2, and ΔLθ values are output to the conversion unit 702. In this embodiment, the R1G1B1 value of the imaging data (imaging image 1) obtained by imaging at an elevation angle of φ1 = 45 ° and the R2G2B2 value of the imaging data (imaging image 2) obtained by imaging at φ2 = 0 ° are used. It shall be.

In S302, the conversion unit 702 performs _{resolution conversion processing on the R 1} , G ₁ , B ₁ , R ₂ , G ₂ , B ₂ , and ΔLθ values, and R ₁ ', G ₁ ', B ₁ ', and R ₂ '. , G ₂ ', B ₂ ', ΔLθ'. _{Then, R 1 ', G 1'} , B 1 ', R 2', G 2 ', B 2' of the first generation unit _{703, R 1 ', G 1} ', B 1 ', R 2', G ₂ ', B ₂ ', and ΔLθ'are output to the second generation unit 704. In S303, the first generation unit 703 generates first colored ink amount data representing the ink values C ₁ M ₁ Y ₁ K _{1 from R 1} ', G ₁ ', and B _{1 ', and R 2} ', G ₂ ', _{B 2'} generates a second colored ink amount data representing ink value _C 2 _M 2 _Y 2 _{K 2} from and output to the printer 12.

In S304, the second generation unit 704 calculates the _ave 'ΔLθ by averaging _the' Derutaerushita in unit area, calculating the width and depth ratio w / d of the convex portion of the unit area from ΔLθ _'ave. In S305, the second generation part _{704, R 1 ', G 1'} , B 1 and _{R 2} of the captured image 2 ', _{G 2',} the brightness of the elevation angle by the method described above from the _{B 2} 'of the captured image 1 Calculate the amount of change ΔLφ'.

In S306, the second generation unit 704 calculates the height h of the convex portion in the unit region from ΔLφ ′, as in S204 of the third embodiment. Then, CL ink amount data is generated based on w / d and h and output to the printer 12. Further, the second generation unit 704 generates mask data for determining whether the predetermined region in the unit region is the convex region or the concave region based on the CL ink amount data, and outputs the mask data to the printer 12. In S307, the formation control unit 705 causes the printer 12 to print with CL ink based on the CL ink amount data to form an uneven layer.

In S308, the formation control unit 705 forms an image layer on the region corresponding to the convex portion of the concave-convex layer based on the mask data and the second colored ink amount data input from the second generation unit 704 in the printer 12. Further, based on the mask data input from the second generation unit 704 and the second colored ink amount data, the image layer is formed on the region corresponding to the concave portion of the uneven layer.

As described above, in the formed printed matter, the visible area of the image formed in the concave portion changes according to the elevation angle to be observed. As a result, the color of the captured image 1 and the color of the captured image 2 are mixed at a ratio corresponding to the angle in the elevation angle direction, so that the elevation anisotropy of the color can be controlled in addition to the brightness.

[Other Examples]
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

1 Image processing device 701 Acquisition unit 704 Second generation unit

Claims (13)

An image processing device that generates data for forming a layer in which a plurality of unit regions having convex portions are arranged on a recording medium.
And brightness of the object in the first viewing direction, an acquisition unit wherein the first viewing direction to obtain the brightness of the object in a second viewing direction elevation is different directions, the brightness information about,
A recording amount representing a recording amount of a recording material for forming the layer on the recording medium so that at least one of the width of the unit region and the height of the convex portion is made different according to the brightness information. The generation means to generate the data and
An image processing device characterized by having. The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the generation means generates the recorded amount data so that the ratio of the width of the unit region and the height of the convex portion is made different according to the brightness information. Image processing device. In the printed matter on which the layer is formed, the change in the observed shadow region in response to the change in the elevation angle in the observation direction is controlled by at least one of the width of the unit region and the height of the convex portion. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The brightness information, the brightness of the object in the first viewing direction, any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the difference between the brightness of the object in the second observation direction The image processing apparatus according to. The brightness information according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the brightness information is the brightness of the object in the first observation direction and the brightness of the object in the second observation direction. Image processing equipment. In the brightness information, the brightness of the object in the second observation direction is greater than the brightness of the object in the first viewing direction,
Said generating means, on the basis of the brightness information, so that the brightness of the case where the layer than if the layer is observed from the first observation direction was observed from the second observation direction increases, the recording The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the amount data is generated. The image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the first observation direction is a direction in which the elevation angle is different from that of the second observation direction and the azimuth angle is the same. apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the recording material is a recording material that is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet rays. An image processing device that generates data for forming a layer in which a plurality of unit regions having convex portions are arranged on a recording medium.
An acquisition means for acquiring brightness information regarding the brightness of an object in the first observation direction and the brightness of the object in the second observation direction in which the elevation angle is different from that of the first observation direction.
Based on the brightness information, it has a generation means for generating recording amount data representing the recording amount of the recording material for forming the layer on the recording medium for each pixel.
The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the generation means determines the size of the unit region and the recording amount of the recording material to be recorded in the unit region based on the brightness information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the generation means determines the recording amount of the recording material so that one convex portion is formed in the unit region. An image processing method for generating data for forming a layer in which a plurality of unit regions having convex portions are arranged on a recording medium.
And brightness of the object in the first viewing direction, an acquisition step wherein the first viewing direction to obtain the brightness of the object in a second viewing direction elevation is different directions, the brightness information about,
A recording amount representing a recording amount of a recording material for forming the layer on the recording medium so that at least one of the width of the unit region and the height of the convex portion is made different according to the brightness information. Generation steps to generate data and
An image processing method characterized by having. An image processing method for generating data for forming a layer in which a plurality of unit regions having convex portions are arranged on a recording medium.
An acquisition step for acquiring brightness information regarding the brightness of an object in the first observation direction and the brightness of the object in the second observation direction, which is a direction in which the elevation angle is different from the first observation direction.
Based on the brightness information, it has a generation step of generating recording amount data representing the recording amount of the recording material for forming the layer on the recording medium for each pixel.
An image processing method characterized in that, in the generation step, the size of the unit region and the recording amount of the recording material to be recorded in the unit region are determined based on the brightness information. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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