MXPA96004891A - Method to produce litografic separations multidimensional free of interference demo - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing multi-dimensional lithographic separations free of moire and screen interference, comprising the separation of a plurality of segments created from a plurality of electronic frames, with which a multidimensional lithography can be produced, united to a lenticular lens having a predetermined number of lines, and the method consists of the following steps: A: Creating a plurality of electronic frames; B: arranging the frames in a desired sequence; C. Sweep each frame in a non-binary pixel resolution according to the formula resolution = 1 multiplied by c; where I is the number of lenticular lines and c is the number of squares of the lithographic separation; compress each frame, so that each frame is compressed according to the formula compression = 1 / c, where c is the number of frames of the separation; convert the non-binary pixels of the compressed frames to individual color plates of binary pixels; F. interlace the frames in the desired sequence of step (B); G. converting the interlaced frames to an image device, and H. producing a lithographic separation from the step image device

Description

METHOD FOR PRODUCING LITOGRAFIC SEPARATIONS * MULTIDIMENSIONAL FREE MOTION INTERFERENCE - * BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is related to lithography. In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing multidimensional lithographic separations, while in another aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing such free separations. of moiré interference. In still another aspect, the invention relates to the production of lithographic cinematographic films. "- ' Lithography is an old technique well known and widely practiced. In the beginning, lithographs were created by drawing on the surface of a limestone with a wash with oil or oil crayon. Then, the surface was washed with an acid, in such a way that the marked areas of the surfaces rejected the water but retained the ink. Then, the stone was placed in a press and when it came into contact with the paper, it printed the paper with the inked image. Fifty years after this discovery, the metal plates began to replace the limestone. Today, the presses rotary presses have replaced flatbed presses, paper and plates are used ^ t plastic, and the use of color inks is very common.

As the lithography was technically retreating, its diversity of uses also receded. What was originally a printing technique, over time became a popular medium for artists. Although the first images were created by hand, nowadays the images can be created by means of several techniques; for example, photographic, by chemical attack, computer-controlled optical exploration and engraving, digital art, and the like. The lithographs of the modern era are found everywhere in the printing and advertising industry, as well as in many others.

Historically, lithographs were two-dimensional creations like any representation or photograph. The perception in depth depended on the content of the representation itself. However, as described in US Pat. No. 5,266,995 to Quadracci and associates, three-dimensionality can be imparted to an image by first creating the image with a special stereoscopic camera and then coating the image with a lenticular lens sheet. Both stereoscopic cameras and lenticular lens blades are known in the art and can be obtained commercially.

US Patent 5,113,213 to Sandor et al. Teaches a method for preparing three-dimensional lithographs through the use and handling of computer images. In this technique, the images are interleaved in a predetermined number of flat images, and then printed on a spacer with an output image device, and a selected edge of each interleaved image is aligned with a predetermined address of the spacer.

However, in the technique it is still impossible to impart to a static representation the fourth dimension or movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, multidimensional lithographic separations are prepared so that they can transmit the illusion of depth and / or movement. As used herein, "multidimensional lithographic separations" means separations that are three-dimensional (depth) or four-dimensional (motion, with or without depth). These separations are prepared by a method that includes the following steps: A. Creating a plurality of electronic tables; B. Sorting the boxes in a desired sequence; O Sweeping each frame in a non-binary pixel resolution corresponding to the resolution of the number of lines of a lenticular lens multiplied by the number of squares of the lithographic separation; D. Compressing each square, so that the compression of each square is a function of the number of squares existing in the lithographic separation; E. Converting the non-binary pixels of the compressed frames to individual color plates of binary pixels; F. Interlacing the boxes in the desired sequence; G. Transferring the interlaced frames to an imaging device; and H. Producing a lithographic separation of the image device of step G.

The lithographic separations produced by the method of this invention are free of moire and screen interference, and when viewed through the lenticular lenses for which they were designed, they convey to the viewer the illusion of depth and / or movement.

The concept of cinematographic lithography, that is, a lithograph that transmits the illusion of movement, can be explained with reference to cinematographic films.

These films consist of a series of fixed representations, and if these Representations are projected in the appropriate sequence and at the appropriate frequency (24 frames per second), then the illusion of movement is created. The human brain perceives a real movement from a series of fixed representations.

The representations of lithographic movement consist of a series of fixed representations. The individual representations are generally segmented into columns, and then the individual columns are merged together in a desired sequence so as to form a composite representation or image. This segmentation and fusion is achieved using a computer, and then the composite image is processed to a lithographic separation, for example, a film, a test, etc. Once the composite image is transferred to any suitable material, for example paper for printing, a lenticular lens is laminated on its surface. The lens (which generally consists of a set of identical spherically curved surfaces, etched or otherwise shaped on the front surface of a plastic sheet) refracts the light of each representation in sequence, as the angle of perception of the observer changes . The result is the perception of movement from a series of fixed representations. The illusion of depth is created in the same way.

With the lithographs of this invention you can tell a story, show events for a certain time, and a perspective goal. The process of this invention is a direct lithographic process because the creation of intermediate images is not required, and in this way the need to create an intermediate technique which would later need the separation of the final composite image is eliminated. In addition, the process of this invention does not require the use of dimensional cameras or special photographic techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 'i. Figure 1 is an illustration of four base images in sequence.

Figure 2 consists of the sequenced base images of Figure 1, segmented into columns of the same width.

Figure 3 is an illustration of a sequence of frames including segments of the base images illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the tablets of Figure 3, tablets, to exactly match the lenticules of a lenticular lens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The lithographic separations of this invention are a composite of a series of representations or fixed frames. The tables start either as a conventional print or technique, for example, text, photographs, etc., which are converted into electronic data, for example by optical scanning, etc., or are created electronically in the first instance, for example, by the use of a software technique program, a word processing program, etc. Once they are in electronic form, the frames are arranged in a sequence that will convey the desired illusion when the final lithographic impression is attached to a lenticular lens. After sorting, each frame is preferably saved in a software file, for example a POSTSCRIPT ™ file, swept, compressed and then converted from non-binary pixels to binary pixels. Once converted, the frames are interlaced with each other in the desired sequence to form a composite representation or image, and then the composite representation is processed to an image device, preferably a high resolution image device. The resulting product is usually a film or a test that can be used to produce impressions of the composite image that eventually attach to a lenticular lens. The "bond" generally consists in laminating the lenses to the surface of the image, but this invention includes the printing of the composite image on the back or flat face of the lenticular lens itself. In this way, the final lithography can be displayed to a viewer through the use of backlighting.

Lenticular lenses are known and can be obtained in the market. These lenses generally consist of a set of spherically curved identical surfaces etched or shaped in some other way on the front surface of a plastic sheet (although other geometric patterns are known, such as pyramidal, which can also be used in this invention) . Each individual lens or lenticle consists of a long cylinder that generally extends the entire length of the underlying image to which it is laminated. The back surface of the lens, i.e., the surface of the lens that is in contact with the underlying image, is flat. • "-r-¿In the conventional production of lithography or lithographic separation generated by computer, an electronic page is created. The page consists of a series of page elements that are arranged in a predetermined order. The elements can be taken from a variety of sources, for example, photographs, original printed illustrations, types, etc. Then, the electronic page is processed to a half-tone film separation, that is, a film that has the image of the electronic page on a half-tone screen. The screens of half tone consist of a set of points of different sizes in relation to the tonal values of the elements of the page. These conventional lithographs are two-dimensional, that is, they have length and width but have no depth or movement.

Three-dimensional lithography can be produced by photographic or computer-generated interlacing methods, but these methods have the problem of moire and screen interference. These methods are described in more detail in US Patents 5,266,995 and 5,113,213.

Moiré interference is an undesirable configuration that results from superimposing two or more frames including the half-tone points of a film separation.

Screen interference means the broken appearance of details, lines or edges of images caused by halftone dots that are too coarse compared to the line or edge that the halftone dots are drawing. Screen interference is also known as staggering or distortion. The aspect of screen interference within the image is often interpreted as moiré. Images that contain repetitive lines often show this type of interference, for example, fabrics, fabrics of a thousand stripes. The lines created in the interlacing phase of the current three-dimensional methods constitute an important source of moiré and screen interference.

In this invention, stochastic or frequency modulated techniques are employed, and they practically eliminate moire and screen interference. This improvement is the result of a direct pixel to pixel relationship. Stochastic selection produces a resolution that is four times greater than that of the conventional half-tone point, because each quadrant of the conventional half-tone point occurs as an individual point. The stochastic selection eliminates the fusion of four pixels at a single point, the rotation of the screen and the formation of rosette overlays.

In order to convey the illusion of depth and / or movement to a static image, the image must be made of more than one representation or picture. Generally at least three representations, and preferably four or more, are intertwined with each other in any desired sequence in order to form a composite image or representation that, when observed through the lenticular lens, transmits the illusion of depth and / or movement to the viewer. When creating a composite representation, the base images or the fixed representations with which the compound is formed can consist, essentially, of anything that can be reduced to digital information or pixels, or anything that can be created electronically. Illustrative base images include photographs, graphics, types, logos, animation, videos, computer-generated or digital art, vignettes, dyes, dimensional art, graphics, diagrams, and similar information. Information that was not originally in electronic form may be converted to electronic form, as stated above, by any conventional technique.

Once all the information that is going to be included in the composite image is in electronic form or in pixels, an electronic page is created; generally through the use of any software package available in the market, for example, QuarkXPress, which is manufactured and sold by Quarklnc, of Denver Colorado. A page is created for each frame, from which the composite image will be generated. Once each electronic page is assembled, the pages are arranged in the desired sequence, that is, in the sequence that will transmit the desired illusion to the viewer of the composite image once attached to a lenticular lens.

"~ - After the electronic pages are assembled and ordered, each of them is preferably saved in a software file, for example, in a file of the POSTSCRIPT ™ type. Salvage is preferred because many 5-page assembly programs do not allow direct conversion of the page to a scanned file. However, in page assembly programs that allow direct conversion, the salvage step can be skipped.

Then, each mounted page, has been saved or not, is swept, that is, converted to a set of 0 pixels. This process can be achieved through any of the different image processing programs (RIP's), for example, Freedom of Press Pro ™ that is manufactured and sold by Color Age. Each frame is scanned at a resolution of non-binary pixels or at a depth corresponding to the resolution of the number of lenticular lens lines multiplied by the number of frames used to create the lithographic separation, that is, the number of frames or representations with which creates the composite image. This relationship can be expressed as resolution = 1 multiplied by c 0 where 1 is the number of lenticular lens lines and c is the number of squares of the lithographic separation. The number of lenticular lens lines may vary, but generally it is between fifty and two hundred lines per linear inch, preferably about seventy-five lines per linear inch.

"Number of lines" is the number of lenticules per linear inch that the lenticular lens 5 has.

As used herein, the term "non-binary pixels" means pixels having depth of one or more, and which may be expressed as a color black, shades of gray or color, or white. "Binary Pixels" is a subgroup of 0 non-binary pixels, and these have a depth of one and, as such, can only be expressed in white or black, that is, on or off. -s-_ Now, the swept frames are compressed in such a way that the conversion of each frame is a function of the number of frames existing in the lithographic separation. The compression is expressed as the reciprocal value of the number of frames per line or lenticule, that is, Compression = 1 / c where c is the number of frames of the composite image. This technique retains most of the information in the picture, if not all; that is, very little or none of the information in the table is lost (although some part may suffer some minor degradation), and when observed through a lenticule, most of the original information in the table, if not all, the viewer is communicated in an essentially uncompressed state, or, in other words, the state that has been re-expanded to the original size, or almost to that size.

Next, the non-binary pixels of the compressed frames are converted into individual color plates of binary pixels. In the conventional halftone selection, the number of dots per inch remains constant, although the size of the dots may vary in relation to the density of the tonal range of the depth of the pixel they represent. The halftone dots alone are represented by a square set of four pixels, each pixel being a quadrant of the picture. Generally a half-tone point would have 256 possible values, where 256 is the equivalent to zero or clear tone, and zero is the equivalent of pure black. In a half-tone color separation, individual colored plates should be aligned at different angles to avoid moiré interference. Conventional angles are zero for yellow, 45 degrees for magenta, 75 degrees for cyan and 105 degrees for black. Because angles can be interchanged or skewed as a whole, points composed of multiple pixels can create moiré problems (essentially as a result of the repetitive nature of dissimilar pixels).

In addition, the obliqueness of the halftone screens may result in a rosette overlay, which in turn may interfere with the observation through the lens, creating a screen interference.

In stochastic selection, the tonal quality of an image is represented by the frequency of the binary pixels that are all of similar size. The resolution of the stochastic image is adjusted so that each segment of a composite representation is adjusted in the most precise way within the width of the underlying lenticule. This regulated stochastic screen, in which there is a direct relationship between pixels and lenticules, provides qualities of clarity and reproducibility to the composite image. This improvement consists in the absence of fuzzy or gray areas caused by , __ the interpolation of the point structure in places where there is a pixel to pixel transition, as well as the elimination of the rosette overlay, which, as discussed above, is a result of the merging of half-tone points into angles with displacement. As in the stochastic selection method binary pixels are used, in fact the need for an accurate match between the lenticules and the segments of the composite image is eliminated in order to maintain the desired perspective. In other words, the lenticle can be moved to the left or to the right, or up or down, relative to the underlying composite segment, without , -, this impairs the clarity of the image that the viewer sees through the lenticular lens. However, the clarity still requires a precise parallel match between the lenticules and the segments of the compound, for example, in cases where the lenticule is a long cylinder and the composite image is a column, the edges of the lenticule remain parallel with the edges of the column. In addition, because the sequence of the image of the composite image changes pixel by pixel, a transition point is created from one image to another, which in turn transmits to the viewer the illusion of an intermediate image. This illusion of an intermediate image transmits a more fluid movement than if the images were simply observed in sequence, as happens in a movie.

After the non-binary pixels of the compressed tables are converted -ja individual color plates of binary pixels, the individual frames are intertwined in a composite file. Generally the tables are segmented into columns, and the number of segments is a function of the number of lenticules of the lenticular lens that will eventually be laminated into a material that carries the compressed composite image.

There is a correspondence between each column with the segment, and also between each column and the table itself. In other words, if the composite image consists of four base images and each base image is divided into twenty columns, usually each column of each base image of equal width, then the first segment of the composite image will consist of the first column of each base image, the second The segment of the composite image will consist of the second column of each base image, and so on through the twentieth segment of the composite image.

In addition, the sequence of each column within each segment of the composite image 15 is consistent with the sequence of the base images of the composite image. For example, if the sequence of the base images of the composite image were A, B, C and D, then this would be the sequence of ordering of the columns in each individual segment in the composite image. In this way, in the first segment of the composite image, the first column of the base image A goes first, followed by the first column of the base image B, followed by the first column of the base image C, and finally followed by the first column of the base image D.

The entanglement can be achieved by manually manipulating the pixels or by using a software program designed to perform such entanglement. After the composite representation has been assembled, it is passed to a resolution corresponding to its electronic resolution, and to a size corresponding to that of the lenticular lens in which it will eventually overlap. The composite image can be passed to any high-resolution output device, which can eventually create a lithographic separation, for example, a film, a test, etc. Then, this separation can be used to create the impression in which the lenticular lens can be laminated by a conventional technique. In an embodiment of this invention, the composite image is printed directly on the back or back side of the lenticular lens, so that the image is displayed to the viewer when backlight is projected. 5 Although the construction of a table has been described from the perspective of the columns, tables can also be constructed from the perspective of rows or other groups of pixels if you want a particular effect. The digital base image consists of a series of pixels that can be represented by a grid, and any segment of that grid can serve as a building block for a painting. For example, the creation of movement from a set of rows allows the composite image to be displayed in a forward perspective of the viewer, for example, hanging, on a wall or on a board, on a floor panel, etc. As the viewer moves towards the exhibitor, regardless of the angle but preferably from a relatively perpendicular approach, the viewer perceives the movement that is intended to be reproduced.

With this invention, photographic quality lithographs can be produced that transmit to the viewer the illusion of movement and / or depth. These lithographs have 0 many possible applications, such as pages with animation, films, - condensed in series of scenes that can be repeatedly passed to the viewer, and advertising boards that incorporate graphics in movement, images and animation.

As another example of the lithographs of this invention and of the method of its elaboration, reference is made to Fig. 1, in which four base images are illustrated, that is, a circle, a rectangle, a square and a triangle . Each image is converted to digital information or pixels by any conventional technique, and once converted, it can be retouched and manipulated electronically as desired. Then, these images are sequenced and / or merged with other elements such as types, graphs, dyes and similar (not shown) in a composite image, or on an electronic page, by any conventional technique. < N Then, each base image is scanned, compressed and converted from non-binary pixels to binary pixels (these steps are not illustrated in the Figures). Next, each frame is segmented in the manner illustrated in Figure 2, and the individual segments 5 are arranged in segments of the composite image. As illustrated in Figure 3, the first segment of the composite image consists of the first segment of each of the base images in the order in which the base images were sequenced. The second segment of the composite image consists of the second segment of each of the base images, each segment of each base image being placed in the sequence in which the base images were ordered. This model repeats itself to , -. through the composite image.

Figure 4 illustrates that each segment of the composite image is in the compressed state, such that it corresponds to the width of the individual lenticle of the underlying lenticular lens. Then, the compressed composite image is passed to a film or to a digital proof from where the composite image is printed on any suitable material, eg, paper, metal, plastic, etc. Then, the lenticular lens is laminated on the surface of the material where the image is, so that each lenticle coincides substantially parallel with each segment of the lens. base image. Alternatively, the composite image is printed directly on the ~ - reverse or on the back side of the lenticular lens, each lenticle remaining again substantially substantially parallel to each segment of the composite image.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, persons having knowledge of the art will realize that many additions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

Claims (1)

1. Having described the invention, it is considered a novelty and therefore the "" "" content contained in the following is claimed: CLAIMS 5 1. A method to produce multidimensional lithographic separations free of moire and screen interference, consisting of the separation of a plurality of segments created from a plurality of electronic tables, with which a multidimensional lithography, linked to a lens 10 lenticular that has a predetermined number of lines, and the method consists of ,. * -. the following steps: A. The creation of a plurality of electronic tables; B. The arrangement of the tables in a desired sequence; 15 O The sweep of each frame in a non-binary pixel resolution according to the formula resolution = 1 multiplied by c where 1 is the number of lenticular lines and c is the number of squares of the litho separation; 20 D. The compression of each frame, so that each frame is compressed according to the formula compression = 1 / c where c is the number of frames of the separation; E. The conversion of the non-binary pixels of the compressed frames to 25 individual color plates of binary pixels; F. The interlacing of the frames in the desired sequence of step (B); G. The conversion of interlaced frames to an image device; H. The production of a lithographic separation from the image device of step G. The method of claim 1, wherein the lithographic separation is four-dimensional. The method of Claim 1, wherein the lithographic separation is three dimensional. The method of Claim 1, wherein the lithographic separation is both three-dimensional and four-dimensional. The method of Claim 1, further comprising the step of saving each frame of step A in a separate file before sweeping each frame. The method of Claim 1, further comprising the step of printing a multidimensional lithography from the lithographic separation. The method of Claim 6, further comprising the step of laminating the lenticular lens to the impression, so that the segments of the multidimensional lithography coincide in substantially parallel fashion with the lenticules of the lenticular lens. A multidimensional lithographic separation produced by the method of Claim 1. A multidimensional lithography produced by the method of Claim 7. A multidimensional lithography produced by the method of Claim 8.