JPH11258230A - Method and apparatus for forming solid image and printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form simple solid images which require no special tool when observed and no special process when formed. SOLUTION: Two fault image data having a shift of 0.5-1 mm a depthwise direction are read temporarily into a receiving buffer (601). One of the two fault image data in the receiving buffer is transferred to a first print buffer and the other is inverted in a right-left direction with the use of an inversion program and stored in a second print buffer (602). Upon receipt of a printing start command, a transparent printing medium is set (603), and fed to a print position (604) and data of a fault image A in the first print buffer are supplied to a first head, whereby the fault image A is printed to a front face of the transparent printing medium (605). Moreover, data of a fault image B in the second print buffer are supplied to a second head, whereby the fault image B is printed to a backside of the transparent printing medium overlapping the image A (606).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a three-dimensional image forming method and a three-dimensional image forming apparatus for printing a three-dimensional image on a transmitted light observation type printing medium such as an OHP (over head projector) sheet. Alternatively, a three-dimensional image is created by performing double-sided printing on a printed matter obtained by the apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, three-dimensional image creation methods include a method of recording and reproducing a three-dimensional image using a laser interference network such as holography, a two-color image expression method using binocular parallax, and a three-dimensional image using a lenticular. There are a method of creating an image, a method of creating a three-dimensional image using a concave mirror, and the like.

[0003]

However, any of the above-mentioned conventional methods for creating a three-dimensional image require tools for observing the three-dimensional image, or a method for creating a three-dimensional image. Required special treatment.

In view of the above points, a main object of the present invention is to provide a simple and convenient method for observing a stereoscopic image, which does not require any special tool, and which does not require any special processing when creating a stereoscopic image. It is an object of the present invention to provide a three-dimensional image creating method and a three-dimensional image creating device capable of creating a three-dimensional image, and a printed matter obtained by the method or the device.

An object of the present invention is to easily and directly convert a three-dimensional image such as a computed tomography (CT) image by using a transmission light observation type printing medium such as an OHP sheet and predetermined image processing. Is to get it.

Another object of the present invention is to easily and directly form a three-dimensional image from one piece of image data by using a transmission light observation type printing medium such as an OHP sheet and predetermined image processing. Is to get it.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the stereoscopic image forming method according to claim 1 has a depth (in this specification, this is equivalent to "the thickness of the print medium").
A procedure of printing one tomographic image A of two tomographic images having different directions on one surface of a transparent print medium, and a tomographic image obtained by inverting the remaining tomographic image of the two tomographic images. The method includes a step of creating data of B, and a step of printing the tomographic image B on the other surface of the transparent print medium based on the data of the tomographic image B.

Here, the tomographic image can be a tomographic image obtained by CT or MRI.

[0009] The thickness of the transparent printing medium may be set according to the amount of displacement of the tomographic images A and B in the depth direction.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of printing a single tomographic image A on one surface of a transparent printing medium, and a method of printing the tomographic image A with an appropriate value. A procedure of embossing, a procedure of creating data of an image B in which the embossed image is inverted left and right,
Printing the image B on the other surface of the transparent print medium based on the data of the image B.

Here, the image A and the image B may be printed using an ink jet printer.

In order to achieve the above object, a three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention provides a three-dimensional image forming apparatus which prints one tomographic image A of one of two tomographic images having different depth directions on one surface of a transparent printing medium. 1 printing means, data creating means for creating data of a tomographic image B obtained by horizontally inverting the remaining tomographic image of the two tomographic images, and a transparent printing medium based on the tomographic image B data. A second printing unit that prints the tomographic image B on the other surface.

In order to achieve the above object, a three-dimensional image forming apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a first printing unit that prints one tomographic image A on one surface of a transparent print medium, and an appropriate printing of the tomographic image A. Image processing means for embossing with the value, data creating means for creating data of image B obtained by inverting the embossed image to the left and right, and forming the image on the other surface of the transparent print medium based on the data of image B. Second to print image B
Characterized in that it comprises a printing means.

In order to achieve the above object, the printed matter according to the present invention is characterized in that, of two tomographic images having different depth directions, one tomographic image is printed on one surface of a transparent printing medium.
A tomographic image B obtained by inverting the remaining tomographic image of the tomographic images is printed on the other surface of the transparent print medium.

In order to achieve the above object, the printed matter according to the ninth aspect is characterized in that a tomographic image A is printed on one surface of a transparent printing medium, the tomographic image is embossed with an appropriate value, and the embossed image is processed. A left-right inverted image B is printed on the other surface of the transparent print medium.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing an example of a configuration of a two-sided printing apparatus suitable for applying the present invention. Here, reference numerals 101 and 105 denote ink jet recording heads for recording information such as characters and images on a sheet-like printing medium such as paper by discharging a dot-like recording liquid in accordance with an image signal. 103 is a transparent print medium that can be printed on both sides as a sheet-like print medium,
For example, an OHP sheet can be used. One recording head 101 (hereinafter, referred to as a first head) is arranged toward one surface (for convenience, referred to as a front surface) of the transparent print medium 103, and the other surface (for convenience, referred to as a back surface).
, The remaining recording head 105 (hereinafter, referred to as a second head) is disposed. The arrow in FIG.
The transport direction of 03 is shown, and both heads 101 and 105 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the transport direction.

Reference numeral 107 denotes an optical sensor, which is a first head 1
01 is detected by the optical sensor 107, and based on this detection, the second head 105 prints a later-described horizontally inverted image on the back side of the same position. The optical sensor 107 may be mounted very close to the second head 105.

The present invention can be implemented by using a general paper detection sensor for detecting the passage of the transparent print medium 103 in place of the optical sensor 107. In this case, a photocoupler, a microswitch, or the like can be used as the sensor 107. However, this sensor is arranged near the upstream side of the second head 105.

The heads 105 and 107 are assumed to be an on-demand type bubble jet type ink jet head as an example, but may be a continuous jet type.
In the case of an on-demand type, a phase change type or a vibrator type may be used. The present invention can be applied to the heads 105 and 107 for monochrome and color heads.

The first head 101 and the second head 105
The optical sensor 107 is connected to a control unit (controller) 109 which controls the entire apparatus, and operates under the control of the control unit 109.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration in which the transparent print medium 103 is conveyed from above to below. Of course, even when the transparent print medium 103 is conveyed from below to above, FIG. As shown in FIG.
By setting the positions 05 and 107 in the transport direction in the same manner as in FIG. 1, the same operation as in FIG. 1 can be performed.

1 and 2, the heads 101, 1
05, each carriage reciprocating in the horizontal direction, respective carriage motors (hereinafter referred to as CR motors) for driving the respective carriages, respective motor pulleys and timing belts (or lead screws) for transmitting power to the respective carriages. ), Each encoder for detecting the movement position of each carriage, transparent printing medium 1
AFC (auto seed feeder) for automatically feeding the transparent print medium 103, a paper feed motor (hereinafter, referred to as an LF motor) for transporting the sheet 03, a paper feed gear, a paper feed roller, a pinch roller, a spur, a discharge roller, and the like. , Head 101,
Various mechanical components such as a recovery system for recovering the clogging of 105 are very well-known technologies, and are not shown for simplification of description.

Further, the heads 101 and 105 are not necessarily limited to the horizontal arrangement as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but may be arranged obliquely or vertically downward. However, in the case of a head arrangement obliquely or vertically downward, means for deflecting the transport direction of the transparent print medium 103 between the two heads 101 and 105 in a desired direction, for example, a guide plate or a guide roller, or a guide It is necessary to arrange a belt or the like (not shown).

FIG. 3A shows the arrangement of the heads 101 and 105 and the optical sensor 107 viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. Arrows near the heads 101 and 105 indicate the moving direction (main scanning direction) of the heads 101 and 105. Although the heads 101 and 105 of the present embodiment are exemplified by a generally used serial printer type head, a line printer type head which does not need to reciprocate may be used.

FIG. 3B schematically shows the relationship between the images printed on the front and back surfaces of the transparent printing medium 103. As shown in the figure, one image (front image) A of the two tomographic images shifted in the depth direction is the transparent print medium 1.
03 is printed on the surface of the other, one other image (back side image)
Is printed on the back surface of the transparent print medium 103. The image B is printed at a position substantially overlapping the image A. Note that the graphic shown in FIG. 3B schematically shows the concept of the present invention, and is not an actual tomographic image.

In a second embodiment of the present invention described later, one tomographic image A is printed on the surface of the transparent print medium 103, and the tomographic image A is embossed (described later) with an appropriate value. B is a transparent print medium 10
3 is printed on the back side. Also in this case, the image B is printed at a position substantially overlapping the image A.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the control unit 109 of the duplex printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. The control unit 109
I / O (input / output) port 401 on the host side, MPU (microprocessor unit) 40 for controlling the overall operation
3. RAM (random access memory) 200, ROM
It has a (read only memory) 300, a load side I / O port 405, and a bus 430.

The I / O port 401 receives an image signal or the like sent from a host (for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer, or an image signal source such as a scanner), and transmits a response signal or the like to the host. I do.

The RAM 200 has a reception buffer 201, a first
Print buffer 203, second print buffer 20
5, and a work area (work RAM) 207 used for the arithmetic processing of the MPU 403. Receive buffer 201
Stores image data sent from the host through the I / O port 401. The first print buffer 203 stores an image A to be printed on the surface of the transparent print medium 103.
The second print buffer 205 stores the image B to be printed on the back surface of the transparent print medium 103.

The ROM 300 is a font ROM for converting data from the host into a character font when the data is a character code.
301 and a program R for storing necessary control procedures, constants, and the like in the form of programs as shown in FIGS.
OM305.

The I / O ports 405 are connected to the heads 101, 10
5, output to LF motor (paper feed motor) 407, CR motor (carriage motor) 409, 411, display lamp (lamp group) 413, etc., and key (key group) 415,
Sensor group including sensor 107, encoders 417, 41
9 interface.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a circuit board of an engine control unit constituting a main part of the control unit 109. The engine control unit 500 includes an MPU 510, an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) 520, a ROM 530, a DRAM (dynamic RAM) 540, an EEPROM (electrically erasable / writable ROM) 550, a motor driver 560 for a CR motor, and an LF. It has a motor driver 570 for the motor.

The MPU 510 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 511, an A / D (analog / digital) converter 513, a counter 515, and a timer 517, and is connected to the sensor 107, encoders 417 and 419, a motor driver 560, and a ROM 530. I do.

The ASIC 520 is a DRAM controller 5
21, an interface controller 523, and a head controller 525.
0, heads 101 and 105, key 415, lamp 41
3, ROM 530, DRAM 540, EEPROM 55
0 and a connector (not shown) of an ACSI (application specific integrated circuit) control unit via a connector.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the circuit of FIG. 4 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

According to CT (Computer Tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), the depth is set to 0.
A tomographic image having a deviation of 5 mm to 1 mm is obtained. As shown in FIG. 6, the two tomographic image data shifted in the depth direction are transferred to the host (for example, CT, MR,
I, scanner, personal computer, etc.) via the I / O port 401
1 is stored (step 601).

[0038] The MPU 403
One of the tomographic image data is transferred to the first print buffer 203, and the other is subjected to a process of inverting the image left and right as shown in FIG. 2 Store in the print buffer 205. This inversion processing can be performed, for example, by manipulating the write address to the buffer 205 (or the read address from the buffer 203). That is, address control may be performed so that the address setting is reversed left and right (step 60).
2).

Thereafter, when a print start command is received, the transparent print medium 103 capable of double-sided printing is fed to the recording position of the first head 101 (step 603), and a print preparation completion notification is generated (604).

After the completion of the print preparation, the data of the tomographic image A in the first print buffer 203 is supplied to the first head 101 via the head driver, and the tomographic image A is displayed on the front side of the transparent print medium 103. Printing is performed by one head 101 (step 605).

After the detection of the print position by the optical sensor 107, the data of the tomographic image B in the second print buffer 205 is supplied to the second head 105 via the head driver, and the image A of the transparent print medium 103 is supplied. The tomographic image B is printed by the second head 105 on the back side of the location overlapping with (step 606).

FIG. 7 shows a detailed control procedure of step 605 relating to the printing operation by the first head 101, and FIG. 8 shows a detailed control procedure of step 606 relating to the printing operation by the second head 105. The control programs in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described on the assumption that they perform control operations in parallel. In addition, both heads 101, 10
5 and both CR motors 409 and 411 are synchronized.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the printing preparation completion notification is received (step 701), the first CR motor 409 is received.
To activate the first head 1 on a carriage (not shown).
01 is moved to the printing start position (step 702),
When the output of the encoder 417 is confirmed to have reached the print start position (step 703), tomographic image data in the first print buffer 203 (hereinafter, referred to as image A).
Is transferred to the first head 101 via the head controller 525 of FIG. 5, and the ink is discharged from the ink discharge port of the first head 101 toward the surface of the transparent print medium 103 (step 704).

When printing of one line (or one sub-scan) is completed (step 705), the first CR motor 40
9 is stopped (step 706), and then the LF motor 40 is stopped.
7 (Step 707), and stops the LF motor 407 at the timing when the transparent print medium 103 is fed in the transport direction by one line (or one sub-scan) (Step 7).
08), the above processing procedure is repeated until there is no more data in the first print buffer 203, and when there is no more data in the first print buffer 203 (step 70).
9) A print completion notification is issued (step 710), the present process is terminated, and the process returns to the main program (not shown). As a result, the surface of the transparent print medium 103 is
(B), the tomographic image A is printed.

Next, control of the second head 105 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, after waiting for the detection of the optical sensor 107 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, when the optical sensor 107 detects the printing position of the first head 101 on the transparent print medium 103 (step 801), the second CR motor 411 is activated to move the second head 105 on the carriage (not shown) to the print start position (step 802), and when it is confirmed by the output of the encoder 419 that the print start position has been reached (step 803), the second Print buffer 205
5 is transferred to the second head 105 via the head controller 525 of FIG. 5 and the ink is directed from the ink ejection port of the second head 105 to the surface of the transparent print medium 105. (Step 804).

When printing of one line (or one sub-scan) is completed (step 805), the second CR motor 41
1 is stopped (step 806), and it is checked whether the printing completion notification of the first head has been received.
If the printing of the head 101 has not been completed yet (step 807), the process waits for the start and stop of the LF motor 407 in steps 707 and 708 of FIG. The above processing procedure is repeated until there is no more data inside.

On the other hand, it is checked whether the printing completion notification of the first head has been received, and when it is determined that the printing of the first head 101 has been completed (step 807), LF
The motor 407 is started (step 809), and the LF motor 407 is stopped at the timing when the transparent print medium 103 is fed in the transport direction by one line (or one sub-scan) (step 810), and the second print buffer is started. The above procedure is repeated until there is no more data in 205.
When there is no more data in the print buffer 205 (step 811), the paper is discharged (step 812).
This processing ends, and the process returns to the main program (not shown). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, an image B obtained by horizontally inverting one of the two tomographic images is overlapped with the image A on the back side of the transparent print medium 103 (the position setting is reversed). At almost the same location).

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the distance between the first head 101 and the second head 105 is longer than the length of the transparent print medium 103 in the transport direction for the sake of compactness. When the distance between the first head 101 and the second head 105 is set to be longer than the length of the transparent printing medium 103 in the transport direction, the paper feed is set. Since it is not necessary to synchronize the data, steps 807 and 808 are omitted. In the latter case, the control programs in FIGS. 7 and 8 do not need to be controlled in parallel.
The operation may be performed in the order of.

By executing the above printing process, as shown in FIG. 3B, one tomographic image of two tomographic images that are displaced in the depth direction on the surface of the transparent print medium 103. The image A is printed on the front side of the transparent print medium 103, and the tomographic image B obtained by inverting the remaining one image to the left and right overlaps the image A on the back side of the transparent print medium 103 (substantially the same place with the opposite position setting) If printed and transmitted light, the tomographic image A and the tomographic image B, which are displaced in the depth direction, overlap at substantially the same position.

The tomographic images A and B are printed using the transparent printing medium 103 having a thickness substantially equal to the actual displacement amount in the depth direction (for example, 0.5 mm to 1 mm). If the transparent print medium 103 on which B is printed is exposed to light on one surface and the image is observed from the direction of the other surface, as in the case of observation of an X-ray photograph or a computed tomography (CT) photograph, for example, If the transparent print medium 103 is set on an OHP apparatus and the transmitted light is projected on a screen, two tomographic images A and
B will be observed stereoscopically at the actual depth.

A plurality of tomographic screens having adjacent tomographic screens are printed on the front and back of the transparent print medium 103 two by two in the same manner as described above, and substantially no print is made between each of the transparent print media. Insert a transparent sheet of the same thickness (may not be a printing medium, may be glass), and
By observing with strong transmitted light from a P device or the like, four or more tomographic images can be simultaneously three-dimensionally observed. in this case,
It is also preferable to print a marker for positioning a plurality of screens at the time of printing a tomographic screen.

The material of the transparent printing medium is not particularly limited, but is preferably, for example, made of plastic. For example, when an ink jet printer is used, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinyl alcohol is applied to both sides of a transparent plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate. Those on which a hydrophilic layer such as polyalkylene oxide is formed can be suitably used.

In the present embodiment, as described above, a slice image different in the depth direction such as a computed tomography (CT) image is utilized by utilizing a transmission light observation type printing medium such as an OHP sheet and a left-right inversion process of the image. 3D images can be easily and directly obtained, for example, examination of a lesion,
It is easy to specify the location of the lesion during diagnosis and during surgery.

(Modification of the First Embodiment) In the above-described first embodiment of the present invention, a double-sided printing apparatus having two recording heads has been exemplified. However, the present invention relates to a general printing apparatus having only one recording head. It can also be applied to a typical printing device.

Next, a case where the present invention is applied to a single printing apparatus (ink jet printer) having a single ink jet recording head will be described as a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the control system of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
The second head 105, the second CR motor 41
1 and the second encoder 419 are excluded.

The operation of the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the circuit of FIG. 4 and the flowchart of FIG.

Two tomographic image data shifted in the depth direction are transferred from a host (eg, CT, MRI, scanner, personal computer, or the like) to the I / O port 4.
01 and temporarily stored in the reception buffer 201 (step 901).

The MPU 403 has two
One of the tomographic image data is transferred to the first print buffer 203 (step 902), and the other one is inverted right and left of the image as shown in FIG. 3B using an inversion program. The process is performed (Step 903), and stored in the second print buffer 205 (Step 904). This inversion processing is performed, for example, by writing an address to the buffer 205 (or reading an address from the buffer 203).
Can be achieved by operating. That is, the address control may be performed such that the address setting is reversed left and right.

Thereafter, when a print start command is received, the transparent print medium 103 capable of duplex printing is fed to the recording position of the first head 101 (step 905), and the CR motor 40
9, the head 101 is moved to the printing start position, the data of the tomographic image A in the first print buffer 203 is supplied to the first head 101 via the head driver, and the ink is discharged from the ink ejection port of the head 101. The transparent print medium 103 is ejected toward the front side. This gives 1
When the printing of the line (or one sub-scan) is completed, the CR motor 409 is stopped, and then the LF motor 407 is started.
The LF motor 407 is stopped at the timing when the transparent print medium 103 is fed in the transport direction by one line (or one sub-scan) (step 906), and the first print buffer 20 is stopped.
The above processing procedure is repeated until there is no more data in No. 3 (step 907). When there is no more data in the first print buffer 203 (step 907), the paper discharge processing is executed and the printing on the front side is completed because On the monitor screen (not shown) to the effect that the user wants to insert the transparent print medium upside down.

As a result, a tomographic image A is printed on the surface of the transparent print medium 103 as shown in FIG. Then, when the output transparent print medium 103 is turned over by the user and inserted into the printing apparatus (step 908), the printing operation is resumed (step 909),
The paper detection sensor (optical sensor) 107 is the transparent print medium 103
When the leading end of the tomographic image is detected, the CR motor 409 is started to move the head 101 to the printing start position, and the data of the tomographic image B in the second print buffer 205 is transferred to the head 101, and the ink is ejected from the ink ejection port of the head 101. Is discharged toward the surface of the transparent print medium 105. When printing of one line (or one sub-scan) is completed, the CR motor 409 is stopped, the LF motor 407 is started, and
The LF motor 407 is stopped at the timing when the transparent print medium 103 is fed in the transport direction by the number of lines (or one sub-scan) (step 910), and the second print buffer 205
Repeat the above procedure until there is no more data in
When there is no more data in the second print buffer 205 (step 911), a paper discharging process is performed, and the process ends. By executing the above printing process, the image A is printed on the front surface of the transparent print medium 103, and on the back surface,
If the image B is printed and light is transmitted, the image A and the image B almost overlap.

In this modified example, there is the inconvenience that the user needs to insert the inside out manually and the work time is increased. However, the apparatus configuration is simpler than that of the first embodiment, and There is an advantage that the control program according to the present invention can be simply and inexpensively implemented by simply installing the control program according to the present invention using the apparatus described above.

For more accurate positioning of the front and back printing screens, it is considered that the configuration of the double-sided printing apparatus as exemplified in the first embodiment, in which the occurrence of mechanical misalignment is small, is more preferable. The result of printing with a commercially available inkjet printer having a single head configuration used in the present modified example was practically satisfactory. In addition, a predetermined marker (preferably two or more) for positioning at the time of printing on the first front surface is printed near the leading end of the print medium, and when printing on the back surface, the marker is detected by an optical sensor. It is also possible to execute more accurate alignment by detecting.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention described below uses a transmission light observation type printing medium such as an OHP sheet and image processing to be described later to form one sheet. It is intended to easily and directly obtain a stereoscopic image from image data.

After extracting the outline of the image, assuming that the bright portion of the edge protrudes from the dark portion of the edge,
The image processing of arbitrarily giving the amount of projection and creating a shadow created by the amount of projection in an arbitrary direction to create an image having a three-dimensional effect is referred to as emboss processing. Specifically, Robe
When the operator output in only one direction is added (or subtracted) from the rts, Prewitt, or Sobel differential edge detection operator to the original image, the shade at the edge where the edge rises in that direction becomes brighter, and conversely the edge The shade of the area where the color falls is darker. As a result, an effect (referred to as an embossing effect, a relief effect, or a shading effect) is obtained as if light were obliquely applied to the relief. For example, a diagonal difference operator, such as the Roberts edge detection operator, can be used to provide a stereoscopic view as if light were being radiated from the upper left diagonal direction. This embodiment is characterized in that this embossing process is used.

First, as shown in FIG. 10, one tomographic image is transferred from a host (for example, a CT, MRI, scanner, or personal computer) to an I / O port 40.
1 and temporarily stored in the reception buffer 201 (step 1001).

The MPU 403 fetches a tomographic image from the receiving buffer 201 and stores it in the first print buffer 203. In addition, the MPU 403 creates an image in which the tomographic image is embossed with an appropriate value using an image processing program, and further converts this image into an inversion program. Is performed to invert the image left and right as shown in FIG.
05. This inversion processing is performed by, for example, the buffer 20.
5 by manipulating the write address.
That is, address control may be performed so that the address setting is reversed left and right (step 1002).

Thereafter, when a print start command is received, the transparent print medium 103 capable of duplex printing is fed to the recording position of the first head 101 (step 1003), and a print preparation completion notification is generated (1004).

After waiting for the print preparation completion notification, the data of the tomographic image A in the first print buffer 203 is supplied to the first head 101 via the head driver, and the tomographic image A is displayed on the front side of the transparent print medium 103. Printing is performed by one head 101 (step 1005).

After waiting for the detection of the print position by the optical sensor 107, the data of the image B which has been subjected to the emboss processing in the second print buffer 205 and subjected to the left-right reversal processing is transferred to the second head 105 via the head driver. And the image B on the back side of the place where the transparent print medium 103 almost overlaps the image A.
Is printed by the second head 105 (step 100).
6).

The details of the operation of step 1005 are the same as those in FIG. 7 described above, and the details of the operation of step 1006 are the same as those in FIG.

By executing the above printing process, a tomographic image A is printed on the front side of the transparent print medium 103 on the surface of the transparent print medium 103 as shown in FIG.
An image B obtained by embossing the tomographic image is printed at a position overlapping the image A on the back side of the transparent print medium 103 (substantially the same position where the position setting is reversed). If light is transmitted, the image A and the image B are substantially formed. Overlap at the same position. in this way,
The transparent print medium 103 on which the tomographic images A and B are printed is irradiated with light on one surface and observed from the direction of the other surface, for example, in the case of observing an X-ray photograph or a computed tomography (CT) photograph. Or, if the transparent print medium 103 is set on an OHP device and the transmitted light is projected on a screen, for example, the object to be observed is three-dimensionally illuminated as if the light was radiated on the relief obliquely from the upper left. Will be observed. Thus, a thick image can be observed.

(Modification of Second Embodiment) In the above-described second embodiment of the present invention, a double-sided printing apparatus having two recording heads has been illustrated. However, as shown in FIG. The present invention can also be applied to a general printing apparatus having only a head.

First, one tomographic image is sent from the host to the I
The data is temporarily stored in the reception buffer 201 via the / O port 401 (step 1101).

The MPU 403 takes out a tomographic image from the receiving buffer 201 and stores it in the first print buffer 203 (step 1102). The MPU 403 creates an image obtained by embossing the tomographic image with an appropriate value using an image processing program. Using the reversing program, the image is subjected to a process of reversing the left and right of the image as shown in FIG. 3B (step 1103) and stored in the second print buffer 205 (step 1104).

Thereafter, when a print start command is received, a transparent print medium 103 capable of double-sided printing is fed to the recording position of the first head 101 (step 1105), and the CR motor 4
09, the head 101 is moved to the print start position, the data of the image A in the first print buffer 203 is supplied to the first head 101 via the head driver, and the ink is made transparent from the ink ejection port of the head 101. Print medium 1
03 is discharged toward the front side. When printing of one line (or one sub-scan) is completed, the CR motor 409
Is stopped, and then the LF motor 407 is started, and the LF motor 407 is stopped at the timing when the transparent print medium 103 is fed in the transport direction by one line (or one sub-scan) (step 1106). 1 print buffer 203
Repeat the above procedure until there is no more data in
When there is no more data in the first print buffer 203 (step 1107), the paper discharge process is executed and
Since printing on the front side has been completed, a message is displayed on a monitor screen (not shown) indicating that the user wants to insert the transparent print medium upside down for printing on the back side.

As a result, the image A is printed on the surface of the transparent print medium 103 as shown in FIG.
Then, when the output transparent printing medium 103 is turned over by the user and inserted into the printing apparatus (step 1108), the printing operation is restarted (step 1109).
The paper detection sensor (optical sensor) 107 is the transparent print medium 103
When the leading end of the head 101 is detected, the CR motor 409 is started to move the head 101 to the printing start position, the data of the image B in the second print buffer 205 is transferred to the head 101, and the ink is discharged from the ink ejection port of the head 101. The liquid is ejected toward the surface of the transparent print medium 105. This gives 1
When printing of one line (or one sub-scan) is completed, the CR motor 409 is stopped, the LF motor 407 is started, and the transparent print medium 103 is fed in the transport direction by one line (or one sub-scan). The LF motor 407 is stopped at the timing (step 1110), and the second print buffer 205 is stopped.
Repeat the above procedure until there is no more data in
When there is no more data in the second print buffer 205 (step 1111), a paper discharging process is performed and the present process ends. By executing the above printing process, the image A is printed on the front surface of the transparent print medium 103, and on the back surface,
If the image B is printed and light is transmitted, the image A and the image B almost overlap.

(Other Embodiments) First of the present invention described above,
In the second embodiment, an example in which the invention is applied to an ink jet printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as printing can be performed on both sides of a desired transparent recording medium.
For example, the present invention can be applied to an electrophotographic (laser type, LED type, etc.) or thermal recording (transfer recording, direct recording) printer.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer).
The present invention may be applied to a device including two devices (for example, a dedicated output device such as a computer tomographic output device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium (floppy disk or CD-RO) storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment.
M) to a system or device, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device.
Reads the program code stored in the recording medium,
Needless to say, it can also be achieved by executing. In this case, the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.

[0080]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A special tool is not required for observing a stereoscopic image, and special processing is not required for generating a stereoscopic image.

Further, according to the present invention, a three-dimensional image of a slice image such as a computer tomography (CT) image is obtained by utilizing a transmission medium of a transmission light observation method such as an OHP sheet and a process of inverting the image. Can be easily and directly obtained, so that the location of the lesion can be easily specified, for example, when examining and diagnosing the lesion and performing surgery.

Further, according to the present invention, a thick stereoscopic image can be obtained from one piece of image data by using a transmission light observation type printing medium such as an OHP sheet, an embossing process, and an image reversing process. It can be obtained easily and directly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating an example of a configuration of a two-sided printing apparatus suitable for applying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing another example of the configuration of a duplex printing apparatus suitable for applying the present invention.

3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the operation principle of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows an arrangement state of a head and an optical sensor viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. () Is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between two images printed on the front and back surfaces of a transparent print medium.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a control unit of the duplex printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG.

FIG. 5 is a circuit block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit board of an engine control unit that forms a main part of the control unit of the duplex printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an overall control operation including a left-right reversal process of an image according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of front side printing including control of a first head according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a back side printing control operation including a control of a second head according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an overall control operation including a left-right reversal process of an image according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 First head (first inkjet recording head) 103 Transparent print medium (OHP sheet or the like) 105 Second head (second inkjet recording head) 107 Optical sensor 200 RAM 201 Receive buffer 203 First print buffer 205 Second print buffer 207 Work RAM 300 ROM 301 Font ROM 305 Program ROM 401, 405 I / O port 403 MPU 407 LF motor 409, 411 CR motor 413 Lamp 415 Key 417, 419 Encoder

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A procedure in which one tomographic image A of two tomographic images having different depth directions is printed on one surface of a transparent print medium, and a remaining tomographic image of the two tomographic images is provided. A step of creating data of a tomographic image B obtained by inverting the tomographic image B, and a step of printing the tomographic image B on the other surface of the transparent print medium based on the data of the tomographic image B. Image creation method. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tomographic image is a tomographic image obtained by CT (Computer Tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). 3. The three-dimensional image creating method according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the transparent print medium is set in accordance with the amount of displacement of the tomographic images A and B in the depth direction. 4. A procedure for printing one tomographic image A on one surface of a transparent printing medium, a procedure for embossing the tomographic image A with an appropriate value, and reversing the embossed image from side to side. A three-dimensional image creating method, comprising: creating a data of the image B; and printing the image B on the other surface of the transparent print medium based on the data of the image B. 5. The image A and the image B are printed by using an ink jet printer.
5. The method for creating a three-dimensional image according to any one of items 4 to 4. 6. A first printing unit that prints one tomographic image A on one surface of a transparent print medium among two tomographic images having different depth directions, and Data creating means for creating data of a tomographic image B obtained by horizontally inverting the remaining tomographic image; and second printing for printing the tomographic image B on the other surface of the transparent print medium based on the data of the tomographic image B And a means for producing a three-dimensional image. 7. A first printing unit that prints one tomographic image A on one surface of a transparent print medium, an image processing unit that embosses the tomographic image A with an appropriate value, and the embossed image And a second printing unit that prints the image B on the other surface of the transparent print medium based on the data of the image B. Characteristic stereoscopic image creation device. 8. One tomographic image of two tomographic images having different depth directions is printed on one surface of a transparent print medium, and the remaining tomographic images of the two tomographic images are horizontally inverted. A printed tomographic image B printed on the other surface of the transparent print medium. 9. A tomographic image A is printed on one side of a transparent print medium, the tomographic image is embossed with an appropriate value, and an image B obtained by inverting the embossed image left and right is formed on the transparent print medium. Printed matter characterized by being printed on the other surface.