Image forming method, apparatus, and recording medium

Abstract

An image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and a recording medium are provided. An image forming method forms a viewing image by exposing a photographic photosensitive material using an input image and performing a developing process. The viewing image includes an image (A) of a first image area that is relatively early in a time of image appearance recognition after the developing process starts and an image (B) of a second image area that is relatively late. First, two original images are acquired, and a first original image and a second original image corresponding to the first image area and the second image area, respectively, are determined. A first drawing condition that satisfies a condition of the time of image appearance recognition of the first image area and a second drawing condition that satisfies a condition of the time of image appearance recognition of the second image area are made for the first original image and the second original image, respectively. An input image for forming the viewing image is generated from the first original image and the first drawing condition and the second original image and the second drawing condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an image forming method, apparatus, and recording medium, and more particularly to a technique for forming observation images through a chemical reaction of an image forming material precursor. Background Technology

[0002] Monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material, by integrating silver halide photosensitive material, processing liquid, and pigment image receiving layer within a single film unit, enables general users to process and form images for observation on-site after taking photos. In silver halide photographic photosensitive materials, the faster the time from processing to image completion, the better; there is a strong demand for rapid image observation even when shooting and processing at low temperatures, and further improvements are desired in this regard.

[0003] To address this issue, a system using silver halide photographic materials was designed based on the principle of rapidly transferring various pigments (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-112096

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-113291

[0006] The objective of this invention is to provide an image forming method that, when an image for observation appears due to a chemical reaction of an image forming material precursor such as a monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer silver halide photographic photosensitive material, intentionally sets intervals for the image appearance recognition time according to each region constituting the image for observation, thereby obtaining the effect that the image for observation changes.

[0007] This issue was not recognized in conventional image forming methods that require rapid image formation. That is, in this invention, the effect of obtaining the target is achieved by intentionally slowing down the image appearance and recognition time in a certain area of ​​the image being observed—a method not easily conceived from conventional techniques. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention was made in view of this situation, and its object is to provide an image forming method, apparatus and recording medium that can purposefully set a time difference between the times of image appearance recognition between multiple regions constituting an image for observation, and can impart a time-varying effect to the image for observation.

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the invention involved in the first aspect is an image forming method, which depicts a precursor for forming an image forming material on a carrier in an image manner, and causes the precursor to undergo a chemical reaction to form an image for observation. In this image forming method, the image for observation includes at least one first image region and a second image region with different image appearance recognition times. The image forming method includes: acquiring one or more original images and determining a first image and a second image corresponding to the first image region and the second image region, respectively, for the acquired original images; creating a first depiction condition relative to the first image and satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the first image region; creating a second depiction condition relative to the second image and satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the second image region; and generating an input image for forming the image for observation based on the first image and the first depiction condition and the second image and the second depiction condition.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a first depiction condition is applied to a first image and a second depiction condition is applied to a second image, thereby generating an input image for forming an observation image.

[0011] In the image forming method according to the second aspect of the present invention, an input image is used to depict the forming precursor in an image manner, and an observation image is formed in which the image appearance recognition time is different in the first image region and the second image region. In the observation image thus formed, a time difference can be intentionally set between the first image region and the second image region within the observation image to determine the image appearance recognition time.

[0012] In the image formation method according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the image appearance recognition time represents the time when the highest concentration part of the image region can be identifiable from the start of the chemical reaction, and the difference between the image appearance recognition time of the first image region and the image appearance recognition time of the second image region is 5 seconds or more and 12 hours or less.

[0013] In the image forming method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to form an image for observation by inputting an image into a monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material and performing development processing.

[0014] In the image forming method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material comprises at least a plurality of silver halide emulsion layers with different color sensitivity and a plurality of pigment release layers corresponding to the silver halide emulsion layers, and the pigment released by the developing process is fixed on the pigment image receiving layer to form an image for observation. The amount of pigment per unit area released from the pigment layer closest to the pigment image receiving layer in the highest concentration part of the first image region is greater than the amount of pigment per unit area released from the pigment layer in the highest concentration part of the second image region.

[0015] In the image forming method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first image region preferably satisfies the following formula when the moment when at least one of the three primary colors of the highest concentration portion of the first image region after the start of the development process is set to 0.04 or more is T1, and the moment when at least one of the three primary colors of the highest concentration portion of the first image region is set to 0.08 or more is T2.

[0016] [Formula 1]

[0017] 1 second ≤ T2 - T1 ≤ 15 seconds

[0018] Furthermore, 24 hours after the start of the development process, the highest concentration of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the first image region is 0.40 or higher and less than 3.0. The second image region is the image region whose image appearance and recognition time is later than that of the first image region. If T3 is defined as the time when at least one of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the second image region becomes 0.04 or higher after the start of the development process, then the following formula is satisfied.

[0019] [Formula 2]

[0020] 5 seconds ≤ T3 - T2 ≤ 12 hours

[0021] Furthermore, 24 hours after the start of the development process, the highest concentration of the three primary colors in the highest concentration area of ​​the second image region is 0.08 or higher and less than 2.5.

[0022] In the image forming method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the sum of the concentration values ​​ΣDa of the three primary colors in the highest concentration portion of the first image region 24 hours after the start of the development process satisfies the following formula.

[0023] [Formula 3]

[0024] 0.50≤ΣDa≤8.0

[0025] The sum of the concentration values ​​ΣDb of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the second image area, 24 hours after the start of the development process, satisfies the following formula:

[0026] [Formula 4]

[0027] 0.20≤ΣDb≤3.5

[0028] Furthermore, the difference between the total ΣDa and the total ΣDb satisfies the following formula:

[0029] [Formula 5]

[0030] 0.50≤ΣDa-ΣDb≤7.8.

[0031] In the image forming method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the L* value in the CIELAB color space of the highest concentration portion of the first image region is 5 or more and 70 or less, the L* value in the CIELAB color space of the highest concentration portion of the second image region is 60 or more and 95 or less, and the difference between the L* value of the first image region and the L* value of the second image region is 15 or more and 80 or less.

[0032] In the image forming method according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the hue angle h of the highest concentration portion of the first image region is in any one of the following ranges: 0° or higher and 75° or lower, 95° or higher and 215° or lower, and 235° or higher and 340° or lower. The hue angle h of the highest concentration portion of the second image region is in any one of the following ranges: 0° or higher and 120° or lower, 135° or higher and 235° or lower, and 330° or higher and 360° or lower. The hue angle h is the angle represented by h = arctan(b* / a*) in the CIELAB color space.

[0033] In the image forming method according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the image to be observed is an image in which a solid dispersed anionic dye is treated with an alkaline solution and diffused and transferred to a pigment image receiving layer, and that the anionic dye is used to depict multiple layer regions at different distances from the pigment image receiving layer. In the steps of creating the first depiction condition and the second depiction condition, depiction conditions are created respectively for depicting multiple layer regions at different distances from the pigment image receiving layer by the anionic dye. The chemical reaction is based on the treatment with an alkaline solution, and the amount of pigment per unit area released from the layer containing solid dispersed dye closest to the pigment image receiving layer in the highest concentration part of the first image region is greater than the amount of pigment per unit area released from the layer containing solid dispersed dye in the highest concentration part of the second image region.

[0034] In the image forming method according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to depict an ink composition comprising an oxidative color-developing pigment and a reducing agent capable of oxidation by oxygen on a carrier for observation image, and the reducing agent and pigment are oxidized by oxygen in the ambient gas to form a colored pigment image. In the steps of creating the first depiction conditions and the second depiction conditions, the composition of the ink composition and the depiction conditions are respectively created, the chemical reaction is based on oxidation by oxygen in the ambient gas, and the first image area is depicted as having a lower reducing activity than the second image area.

[0035] In the image forming method according to the 12th aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to observe that the image drawn on the carrier by the ink composition containing silver ions is reduced by the reducing agent to form an image of metallic silver particles. In the steps of preparing the first drawing conditions and the second drawing conditions, the composition of the ink composition that imparts reduction activity and the drawing conditions are prepared respectively, the chemical reaction is reduction, and the first image area is drawn to a state in which the reduction activity is higher than that of the second image area.

[0036] The invention involved in the 13th aspect is a recording medium, which is a non-volatile and computer-readable tangible recording medium, wherein the recording medium records computer instructions that, when read by a computer, cause the computer to execute the image forming method described in any one of the 1st to 12th aspects.

[0037] The invention involved in the 14th aspect is an image forming method, which depicts a precursor for forming an image forming material on a carrier in an image manner, and causes the precursor to undergo a chemical reaction to form an image for observation. In this image forming method, the image for observation includes at least one first image region and a second image region with different image appearance recognition times. The image forming method includes: a step of determining a plurality of regions contained in a subject and including a plurality of regions corresponding to the first and second image regions respectively; a step of adjusting a first photographic environment relative to the first region and satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the first image region; a step of adjusting a second photographic environment relative to the second region and satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the second image region; and a step of photographing the subject in the first and second photographic environments and generating an input image for forming the image for observation.

[0038] According to the 14th aspect of the present invention, by adjusting the photographic environment relative to the first image region and the second image region contained in the subject to the first photographic environment and the second photographic environment respectively, and photographing the subject in the first photographic environment and the second photographic environment, an input image for forming an image for observation can be generated.

[0039] In the image forming method according to the 15th aspect of the present invention, preferably at least one of the first region and the second region is a region where a display exists, and at least one of the steps of adjusting the first photographic environment and adjusting the second photographic environment adjusts the image displayed on the display.

[0040] In the image forming method according to the 16th aspect of the present invention, an input image is used to depict the forming precursor in an image manner, and observation images are formed at different times when the images appear for recognition in the first image region and the second image region.

[0041] In the image formation method according to the 17th aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the image appearance recognition time represents the time when the highest concentration part of the image region can be recognized from the start of the chemical reaction, and the difference between the image appearance recognition time of the first image region and the image appearance recognition time of the second image region is 5 seconds or more and 12 hours or less.

[0042] In the image forming method according to the 18th aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to form an image for observation by inputting an image into a monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material and performing development processing.

[0043] The invention involved in the 19th aspect is a recording medium, which is a non-volatile and computer-readable tangible recording medium, wherein the recording medium records computer instructions that, when read by a computer, cause the computer to execute the image forming method described in any one of the 14th to 18th aspects.

[0044] The invention involved in the 20th aspect is an image forming apparatus that depicts a precursor for forming an image forming material on a carrier in an image manner, and a processor generates an input image for forming an image for observation from an original image, wherein the image for observation includes at least one first image region and a second image region with different image appearance recognition times. The processor performs the following processes: acquiring one or more original images; determining a first image and a second image corresponding to the first image region and the second image region respectively from the acquired original images; creating a first depiction condition relative to the first image and satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the first image region; creating a second depiction condition relative to the second image and satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the second image region; and generating an input image based on the first image and the first depiction condition and the second image and the second depiction condition.

[0045] According to the 20th aspect of the present invention, a first drawing condition is applied to the first image and a second drawing condition is applied to the second image, thereby generating an input image for forming an observation image.

[0046] In the image forming apparatus according to the 21st aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the image appearance recognition time represents the time when the highest concentration part of the image region can be recognized from the start of the chemical reaction, and the difference between the image appearance recognition time of the first image region and the image appearance recognition time of the second image region is 5 seconds or more and 12 hours or less.

[0047] The invention involved in the 22nd aspect is an image forming apparatus that depicts a precursor for forming an image forming material on a carrier in an image-like manner, and a processor generates an input image based on the original image, which is used to form an observation image. In the observation image, the image forming apparatus includes at least one region each of a first image region and a second image region with different image appearance recognition times. The processor performs the following processing: determining a plurality of regions included in the subject, which include a first region and a second region corresponding to the first image region and the second image region, respectively; adjusting a first photographic environment for the first region, which satisfies the condition for the image appearance recognition time of the first image region; adjusting a second photographic environment for the second region, which satisfies the condition for the image appearance recognition time of the second image region; and photographing the subject under the first and second photographic environments to generate the input image.

[0048] Invention Effects

[0049] According to the present invention, a time difference can be intentionally set between multiple regions constituting an image for observation to identify the moment of image appearance, thereby enabling the image to be changed in an animated manner during the formation of the image for observation. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1 This is a chart illustrating an example of the relationship between time and density after the development process of image A (the first image region) and image B (the second image region) appears as images for observation.

[0051] Figure 2 This is a conceptual diagram representing an observational image of Example 1.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a conceptual diagram representing an observation image of Example 2.

[0053] Figure 4It is a chart showing the characteristics of multiple observation image samples corresponding to Example 1 of the observation images.

[0054] Figure 5 It is a chart showing the characteristics of multiple observation image samples corresponding to the observation images of Example 2.

[0055] Figure 6 It is a chart showing the characteristics of multiple observation image samples corresponding to the observation images of Example 3.

[0056] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a smartphone, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[0057] Figure 8 It means Figure 7 The diagram shows the internal structure of a smartphone.

[0058] Symbol Explanation

[0059] 100 - Smartphone, 101 - Main control unit, 102 - Frame, 110 - Wireless communication unit, 120 - Display input unit, 121 - Display panel, 122 - Operation panel, 130 - Talk unit, 131 - Speaker, 132 - Microphone, 140 - Operation unit, 141 - Camera unit, 150 - Storage unit, 151 - Internal storage unit, 152 - External storage unit, 160 - External input / output unit, 170 - GPS receiver, 180 - Motion sensor unit, 190 - Power supply unit, A, B - Image, D - Concentration, Dmin - Minimum concentration, T1 - Image appearance recognition time, T2 - Image appearance recognition time, T3 - Image appearance recognition time, h - Hue angle. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the image forming method, apparatus and program involved in the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] [Definitions of Methods and Terminology]

[0062] Before describing this embodiment, the methods and terms used in this specification will be explained.

[0063] <Image Formation Methods>

[0064] The present invention relates to an image for observation in which a precursor of an image forming material is depicted on a carrier in an image manner, and the precursor is subjected to a chemical reaction to form an image that can be visually observed.

[0065] One method for forming an image for observation is to use a chemical reaction to set an immobilized pigment or its precursor, which is located in a position that is not visible from the outside, into a diffuseable state, and then diffuse it to a position that can be observed to form an image.

[0066] As a specific example, the method involves using the reduction reaction of a silver halide emulsion exposed in an image-like manner to set the immobilized pigment in a layer that is not visible from the outside of the white pigment layer to a state in which the pigment can selectively diffuse in accordance with the exposed image, and to diffuse it to a position that can be observed on the surface side of the white pigment layer, thereby forming an image.

[0067] As another specific example, one could also cite the method described above for diffusing pigment from the inside to the outside of a white pigment layer, in which the pigment is first drawn in an image-like manner, and then the pigment is solubilized and diffused using an alkali.

[0068] Another method for forming images for observation involves chemically reacting a precursor of an image-forming material that is not identifiable as an actual image to create a colorant, and then converting it into an image that can be visually observed by a human.

[0069] As a specific example, there is a method that has the property of being colored if oxidized, and in a reduced state, depicts an actual colorless pigment on a carrier in an image-like manner, and then oxidizes it to color it to form an image.

[0070] <Methods of Formation Depicted in Images>

[0071] In this invention, there are roughly three methods in the "method of depicting the formation in an image manner".

[0072] One approach is to depict the image of the material (substance) itself in a manner corresponding to the observable image that follows a chemical reaction.

[0073] Another approach is not to depict the direct precursor of the image-forming substance itself in an image-like manner, but rather to depict the chemical substance that induces the reaction within the system in an image-like manner, such as a method of depicting a reducing agent in an image-like manner.

[0074] Another method is not to depict the direct precursor of the image-forming substance itself in an image-like manner, but rather to trigger the reaction by causing the image-forming substance to undergo the desired chemical reaction in an image-like manner, such as by introducing other chemical substances in the system into the image as a trigger, for example, by exposing silver halide emulsions.

[0075] When depicting images, known coating and printing techniques can be used when using ink compositions. For depicting finer images, inkjet printing is preferred. When depicting silver halide photographic materials, known exposure methods can be used.

[0076] <Chemical Reactions>

[0077] In this invention, from the viewpoint of easy control of reactions, "chemical reaction" can include oxidation and reduction of pigment precursors, chromophore formation reactions, coloring caused by reduction of metal ions, and release of immobilized pigments. Preferably, during a chemical reaction, irreversible material changes, such as the consumption of reducing or oxidizing agents, are also involved.

[0078] The start of a chemical reaction refers to the point at which the precursors of the image-forming substance and the components required for the chemical reaction begin to be supplied to the carrier. For example, in the case of development, it is the point at which the developing solution comes into contact with the photosensitive material; in the case of oxidation based on air, it is the point at which all the necessary components are coated onto the carrier and exposed to air.

[0079] <Image appearance recognition time>

[0080] The image used for observation is a visually observable image that enables the precursor to undergo a chemical reaction. Here, the moment when the image can be recognized (hereinafter referred to as the "image appearance recognition moment") refers to the moment when the observer can recognize the highest concentration of the image at that point in time, as the chemical reaction begins on the material being observed and the concentration of the image increases.

[0081] The density of the image that can be identified (=log) 10 The boundary between incident light intensity and reflected light intensity varies depending on the background concentration or fluctuations of the carrier on which the image is formed. For example, in the case of a carrier with fine patterns, such as Japanese paper or fabric with slight fluctuations in reflectivity, it is difficult to recognize the appearance of the image. However, if the image area is 1 mm φ or more, or if the area is a region connected in a line with a width of 0.3 mm or more, it is easy to recognize the area of ​​the high-density region. If we were to give a numerical example, in the case of a carrier with small reflectivity fluctuations and high uniformity, for example, if the concentration difference between the image and its immediate surroundings is 0.04 or more, preferably 0.06 or more, many people can recognize the appearance of the image.

[0082] There are no particular restrictions on the temperature at which the observer observes the image, but for example, it is -10°C to 50°C, preferably 0°C to 40°C, and more preferably room temperature of around 10°C to 30°C.

[0083] <Monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material>

[0084] A single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material comprises a photosensitive film, a transparent cover plate, and an alkali-treated composition spread between them. The material's constituent components include, for example, an alkali, a developer, a light-blocking material, a thickener, a transparent carrier, an image-receiving layer, a white reflective layer, a pigment image-forming compound, a silver halide emulsion, an anti-mixing agent, a high-boiling-point organic solvent, a neutralizing layer, a surfactant, and a polymer latex, and the constituent components described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can be used.

[0085] Silver halide photographic photosensitive materials preferably comprise multiple layers of silver halide emulsion with different color sensitivities. Generally, photosensitive materials that are photosensitive to the three primary colors of light (R, G, and B) and reproduced using subtractive color reproduction with pigments of the three primary colors of color (Y, M, and C). For example, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can be used. Furthermore, photosensitive materials for "CHECK IT" films (i.e., instax mini developing film (trade name)) incorporating these techniques can also be used.

[0086] [First Embodiment of the Image Forming Method]

[0087] The following description is based on a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, in this invention and this specification, the numerical range indicated by "~" represents the range encompassed by the values ​​described before and after "~" as a lower limit and an upper limit value.

[0088] The first embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention uses a monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material.

[0089] An input image is generated by inputting an image (light) into the monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material through the following steps, and then a development process is performed to form an observation image. That is, by inputting an input image into the monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material, the precursor of the image-forming material is depicted in an image-like manner. Furthermore, the development process corresponds to a chemical reaction.

[0090] The observation image obtained by this image formation includes at least one first image region and a second image region with different image appearance recognition times. In this example, the first image region in the observation image is the image region where the image appears relatively quickly after the development process begins, compared to the second image region.

[0091] An input image for forming an observation image, comprising a first image region and a second image region having the aforementioned characteristics, is generated through the following steps.

[0092] (1) Obtain one or more original images, and determine the first image and the second image corresponding to the first image region and the second image region respectively for the obtained original images (step (1)).

[0093] (2) Create a first depiction condition relative to the first image and satisfy the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the first image region (step (2)).

[0094] (3) Create a second depiction condition relative to the second image and satisfy the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the second image region (step (3)).

[0095] (4) Based on the first image and the first drawing conditions, and the second image and the second drawing conditions, generate an input image for forming an observation image (step (4)).

[0096] Here, the image appearance recognition time refers to the time when the highest concentration of the image region can be identifiable from the start of the chemical reaction, and the difference between the image appearance recognition time of the first image region and the image appearance recognition time of the second image region is preferably 5 seconds or more and 12 hours or less.

[0097] Specifically, the image appearance recognition time refers to the moment when, after the development process, which is the start of a chemical reaction, occurs in the image being observed, at least one of the concentrations of the three colors (blue (B), green (G), and red (R) – the three primary colors of light) in the highest concentration region exceeds 0.04. In this invention, the B, G, and R concentrations represent the concentrations measured under the D65 light source and the filtering conditions of state A.

[0098] Furthermore, when T1 is defined as the moment when at least one of the B, G, and R concentrations in the highest concentration region of the first image region becomes 0.04 or higher after the development process begins, and T2 is defined as the moment when at least one of the B, G, and R concentrations in the highest concentration region of the first image region becomes 0.08 or higher, the first image region satisfies the following formula:

[0099] [Formula 1]

[0100] 1 second ≤ T2 - T1 ≤ 15 seconds

[0101] Furthermore, 24 hours after the start of the development process, the highest concentration among the B, G, and R concentrations in the highest concentration region of the first image area becomes a region with a concentration of 0.40 or higher and less than 3.0.

[0102] There is no particular limitation on the image appearance recognition time T1 for the first image region, but it is, for example, 5 to 90 seconds, preferably 10 to 80 seconds, and more preferably 10 to 70 seconds. At time T1, when the image density is 0.04, it is possible to recognize that the image has appeared, but it is still somewhat difficult to understand the content of the image instantly. At time T2, when the image density becomes 0.08, due to the increase in density and the elapsed time from T1, the content of the image can be fully recognized.

[0103] Furthermore, the difference between the image recognition times T1 and T2 (T2-T1) is not limited to the range represented by [Equation 1], and can preferably be set to 2 to 12 seconds, more preferably to 2 to 8 seconds.

[0104] On the other hand, the second image region is the image region whose image appearance recognition time is later than that of the first image region. When T3 is set as the time when at least one of the B, G, and R concentrations in the highest concentration part of the second image region becomes 0.04 or higher after the development process begins, the following formula is satisfied.

[0105] [Formula 2]

[0106] 5 seconds ≤ T3 - T2 ≤ 12 hours

[0107] Furthermore, 24 hours after the start of the development process, the highest concentration among the B, G, and R concentrations in the highest concentration area of ​​the second image region becomes a region with a concentration greater than 0.08 and less than 2.5.

[0108] Furthermore, the difference between the image recognition times T2 and T3 (T3-T2) is not limited to the range represented by [Equation 2], and can preferably be set to 5 seconds to 30 minutes, more preferably to 6 seconds to 20 minutes.

[0109] Thus, by observing that each image in the first and second image regions of the image satisfies the range represented by the above [Equation 1] and [Equation 2], a sufficient and appropriate time interval can be obtained until the image in the second image region (Image B) can be identified after the image in the first image region (Image A) is identified.

[0110] The inventors have noted that in pigment-releasing diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic materials, the timing of image recognition is not necessarily the same depending on the combination or concentration region of each pigment color. Conversely, if a final observation image is created based on the characteristics of the pigment-releasing diffusion transfer type photographic material and the visual characteristics of the observer, it is believed that a significant difference can be assigned to the image appearance recognition time for each image. For example, it is believed that by having images of multiple regions within the observation image appear at time intervals, and by having messages based on each image appear sequentially, an animation effect can be obtained.

[0111] The animation effects include the images in the first and second image regions, such as the effect of recognizing the second frame for the first time after recognizing the first frame in a 2-frame comic, the effect of gradually focusing on a specific part even within the same frame, and the effect of the information in the first image being covered by the information in the second image over time.

[0112] In the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the times T1, T2, T3, exposure of the silver halide photographic photosensitive material, development processing, and observation associated with image appearance are values ​​performed at 25°C. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the image for observation is an image formed by fixing transfer pigment onto a pigment image receiving layer on a monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material.

[0113] Furthermore, when the image recognition time is set, the lowest concentration at that time is set as Dmin, and the concentrations of B, G, and R are set using the difference between the image and the lowest concentration Dmin. Additionally, the lowest concentration mentioned here refers to the concentration of the portion of the image surface of the photosensitive material where pigment-based coloring is intentionally avoided. This is because during the development process, the processing solution penetrates the photosensitive material, followed by drying and other processes, thus the reflection and scattering conditions change over time, and the lowest concentration of the image for observation changes with the time elapsed since the start of the development process.

[0114] <Recognition time associated with image appearance>

[0115] Figure 1 This is a chart illustrating an example of the relationship between time and density after the development process of image A (the first image region) and image B (the second image region) appears as images for observation.

[0116] exist Figure 1 In the image A of the first image region, represented by the solid curve, at time T1 after development, at least one of the concentrations of B, G, and R in the highest concentration part of the first image region reaches a concentration of 0.04. On the other hand, in the image B of the second image region, represented by the dashed curve, at time T3 after development, at least one of the concentrations of B, G, and R in the highest concentration part of the second image region reaches a concentration of 0.04.

[0117] Furthermore, at time T2 after development, the concentration of at least one of B, G, and R in the highest concentration region of the first image region, represented by the solid curve, reaches a concentration of 0.08.

[0118] Regarding the image density of the first image region, at time T1 when the image density is 0.04, it is possible to identify that image A has appeared, but it is still somewhat difficult to understand the content of image A instantaneously. At time T2 when the image density becomes 0.08, due to the increase in density and the elapsed time from T1, the content of image A can be fully identified.

[0119] Furthermore, by ensuring that the difference between the image appearance recognition times T2 and T3 (T3-T2) from the image appearance recognition time T2 to the image appearance recognition time T3 satisfies the range represented by [Equation 2], after recognizing image A in the first image region, image B in the second image region can be recognized, thus obtaining a sufficient and appropriate time interval.

[0120] The appearance of the image in the second image region, for example, requires the maximum value of 12 hours of the range represented by [Equation 2]. When there is a relationship like "question" and "answer" between the image A in the first image region and the image B in the second image region, there is a consideration period of about one night until an "answer" is obtained.

[0121] The concentration D (at T3) of at least one of the concentrations of B, G, and R in the highest concentration portion of the first image region is preferably 0.15 to 3.0, more preferably 0.25 to 2.60, and most preferably 0.30 to 2.40. At the moment T3 when the image in the second image region is recognized, since there is a sufficient difference in concentration between image A in the first image region and image B in the second image region, image A in the first image region can be clearly identified. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the instant the processing solution comes into contact with the film surface of the photosensitive material is set as the starting point of the development process.

[0122] Furthermore, regarding the image appearance recognition time, it is necessary to divide it into at least two stages: a first image region with a relatively earlier appearance recognition time and a second image region with a relatively later appearance recognition time. However, it is also possible to further include a region in the second image region where the image appearance recognition time is significantly later. In this case, the appearance of each image with different appearance recognition times can be set to three stages or more.

[0123] The first image region can also be composed of multiple image regions that have roughly the same image appearance recognition time.

[0124] Similarly, the second image region can also be composed of multiple image regions that have approximately the same image appearance recognition time.

[0125] <Control of the timing of image appearance recognition>

[0126] As one aspect of the invention, the spectral sensitivity distribution of the human eye when an observer identifies it as an image is also taken into consideration. If the hue of the image has a higher G or R concentration, the visual recognition is higher, and image A, which is preferably used as the first image region, is preferred. Conversely, for image B, which is used as the second image region, a hue with a lower G or R concentration and a higher B concentration is preferred.

[0127] Furthermore, image A in the first image region needs to be quickly identified as a pigment image. If the amount of diffused pigment is to be increased, it is more effective to increase the concentration gradient of pigment in the photosensitive material. Therefore, it is preferable to increase the amount of pigment generated.

[0128] In this embodiment, a preferred method for recognizing the appearance time of the image in the first image region and the second image region will be described.

[0129] Specifically, the image density is preferably set in such a way that the sum ΣDa of the concentration values ​​(R, G, B concentration values) of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the first image area 24 hours after the start of image development for observation satisfies the following formula.

[0130] [Formula 3]

[0131] 0.50≤ΣDa≤8.0

[0132] The sum ΣDb of the concentration values ​​(R, G, B concentration values) of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the second image area 24 hours after the start of development process satisfies the following formula:

[0133] [Formula 4]

[0134] 0.20≤ΣDb≤3.5

[0135] Furthermore, the difference between the total ΣDa and the total ΣDb satisfies the following formula:

[0136] [Formula 5]

[0137] 0.50≤ΣDa-ΣDb≤7.8.

[0138] Here, as shown in [Equation 3], ΣDa is preferably 0.50 to 8.0, more preferably 0.80 to 8.0, and most preferably 1.2 to 7.00. By setting it within this range, the image appearance recognition time of the first image region can be set to a desired earlier time, which is therefore preferred.

[0139] Furthermore, as shown in [Equation 4], ΣDb is preferably 0.20 to 3.50, more preferably 0.60 to 3.0, and most preferably 0.70 to 2.8. By setting it within this range, the image B, which ultimately becomes the second image region 24 hours later, also has sufficient density to a certain extent, which allows the image to appear at a recognition time T3 delay value or more, and is therefore preferred.

[0140] Furthermore, as shown in [Equation 5], ΣDa-ΣDb is preferably 0.50 to 7.80, more preferably 0.70 to 6.5, and most preferably 1.00 to 5.50. By setting it within this range, T3-T2 can be controlled within a specified range, and the difference in the appearance recognition time of image A in the first image region and image B in the second image region can be consciously perceived.

[0141] Furthermore, the impression an observer has when recognizing an image is greatly affected by the image brightness. Therefore, in the images observed 24 hours after the start of the development process, the L* value in the CIELAB color space of the highest concentration portion of image A in the first image region is 5 or more and 70 or less, the L* value in the highest concentration portion of image B in the second image region is 60 or more and 95 or less, and the difference between the L* value of image A in the first image region and the L* value of image B in the second image region (ΔL* value = L* value of image B - L* value of image A) is preferably 15 or more and 80 or less.

[0142] Here, the ΔL* value is more preferably 20 to 80, and most preferably 30 to 75. Based on satisfying the condition of the ΔL* value, the L* value of the highest concentration part of image A is preferably 5 to 70, more preferably 5 to 60, and most preferably 5 to 55, and the L* value of the highest concentration part of image B is preferably 60 to 95, more preferably 70 to 90, and most preferably 75 to 85.

[0143] By using the L* value within this range, it becomes easy to clearly attach the time difference between the appearance of image A and the appearance of image B, and the image after its appearance can also be set to a concentration that is easy to visually recognize.

[0144] In this embodiment, the chromaticity values ​​represent values ​​expressed in the CIE1976 L*a*b* color space (hereinafter referred to as the "CIELAB color space"). Detailed information about the CIELAB color space is available on page 354 of "Fine Imaging and Color Hard Copying," edited by the Photographic Society of Japan and the Image Society of Japan (1999, Corona Publishing Co., Ltd.). In this embodiment, the chromaticity values ​​represent the chromaticity values ​​of the image itself without removing the white background of the photographic material.

[0145] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the images observed 24 hours after the start of the development process, in addition to satisfying the above-mentioned L* value condition, the hue angle of the highest concentration portion of images A and B is further preferably satisfied with the following condition.

[0146] Specifically, the hue angle h of the highest concentration portion of image A in the first image region is preferably within any one of the following ranges: 0° or higher and 75° or lower, 95° or higher and 215° or lower, and 235° or higher and 340° or lower. The hue angle h of the highest concentration portion of image B in the second image region is preferably within any one of the following ranges: 0° or higher and 120° or lower, 135° or higher and 235° or lower, and 330° or higher and 360° or lower.

[0147] Here, the hue angle h refers to the angle represented by h = arctan(b* / a*) in the CIELAB color space.

[0148] If we use a simplified diagram to illustrate the above scope, image A represents a hue encompassing red, green, and blue tones. This hue is achieved by mixing two colors, preferably three, in a photosensitive material that uses a subtractive color reproduction process employing yellow, magenta, and cyan pigments. Furthermore, image B represents a hue centered on a single yellow color mixed with a portion of magenta or cyan, or a hue centered on a single cyan color mixed with yellow and magenta, or a single magenta color. By using such combinations of pigments, the visual recognizability of the final image can be improved, while simultaneously maximizing the time lag in image recognition.

[0149] <Control of Pigment Release Layer>

[0150] The monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material to which this invention is applicable comprises at least multiple silver halide emulsion layers with different color sensitivity and multiple pigment release layers corresponding to each silver halide emulsion layer, and the pigment released during the development process is fixed on the pigment image receiving layer to form the final image for observation.

[0151] The amount of pigment released per unit area from the pigment layer closest to the pigment image receiving layer in the highest concentration section of the first image region of the image for observation is preferably greater than the amount of pigment released per unit area from the pigment layer in the highest concentration section of the second image region. By configuring it in this way, the difference in the time of image appearance recognition between image A in the first image region and image B in the second image region of the image for observation can be increased.

[0152] Furthermore, the input image corresponding to image A of the first image region of the observation image is preferably an image that releases pigment mainly from the pigment release layer closest to the pigment image receiving layer through development processing, and the input image corresponding to image B of the second image region is preferably an image that releases pigment mainly from the pigment release layer farthest from the pigment image receiving layer through development processing.

[0153] If we describe the case where the pigment releasing layer consists of three layers—the bottom layer, the middle layer, and the top layer—then, as a practical type of color photosensitive material, we can exemplify a structure where the bottom layer is a cyan pigment releasing layer, the middle layer is a magenta pigment releasing layer, and the top layer is a yellow pigment releasing layer.

[0154] From the viewpoint of achieving a higher final image density and improved visual recognition, the pigment supply layer for image A, which constitutes the first image region, is preferably three layers, more preferably two layers, and may also be one layer, allowing for rapid identification of the image from the start of the development process.

[0155] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of a shorter diffusion distance of the pigment, the most preferred position is bottom layer + middle layer + top layer, the most preferred position is bottom layer + middle layer and bottom layer + top layer, and it can also be middle layer + top layer, bottom layer only and middle layer only.

[0156] Furthermore, the pigment supply layer for image B, which constitutes the second image region that appears relatively late in the image, is preferably one layer, but may also be two layers, and is not limited to three layers.

[0157] Furthermore, its position is preferably only the top layer, also preferably the top layer + middle layer, or the top layer + bottom layer, only the middle layer, or only the bottom layer.

[0158] However, the optical concentration in the final image derived from the pigment released from the bottom layer must satisfy the condition that image A > image B.

[0159] As a type of monolithic pigment-releasing diffusion transfer silver halide photosensitive material, a diffusion transfer silver halide photographic photosensitive material that is photosensitive in the wavelength regions of the three colors R, G, and B, and substantially imparts a monochrome image for observation, is also known. This can be achieved, for example, by independently setting silver halide emulsion layers that are photosensitive in the respective wavelength regions of the three colors B, G, and R, and mixing yellow, magenta, and cyan pigments into each photosensitive layer and enabling their release, a black and white image can be substantially formed using a mixture of the three colors of pigments. Furthermore, it is preferable to use a photosensitive material for "CHECK IT" film (CHECKIT dedicated monochrome film (trade name)) that incorporates this technology.

[0160] Even with monochromatic photosensitive materials using this method, by controlling the exposure wavelengths of R, G, and B, the developing emulsion layer can be selected, thereby allowing for the appropriate setting of the pigment-releasing layer. For example, the following structure can be cited as a way to significantly reduce the recognition speed of image appearance.

[0161] The layer that releases the pigment of image A in the first image region for forming the image for observation is preferably the bottom layer + middle layer + top layer, but it can also be the bottom layer + middle layer or only the bottom layer.

[0162] Furthermore, the layer that releases the pigment of image B, which forms the second image region for observation, is preferably only the uppermost layer, but may also be only the middle layer.

[0163] <Methods for generating input images>

[0164] In the image forming method of the first embodiment, an image for input is input to a photosensitive material, and a development process is performed to form an image for observation. When the photosensitive material is digitally exposed, as a conventional color management system, the exposure conditions are determined in a manner that maps within a color gamut that can reproduce the original image through the photosensitive material and forms an image within that color gamut.

[0165] First, as a preferred first method, we will explain the case where multiple original images are combined to generate an input image.

[0166] In this case, in step (1), multiple original images are acquired, and a first image and a second image corresponding to the first image region and the second image region are determined respectively for the acquired original images.

[0167] Now, when generating an input image using two original images, it is possible to identify one of the original images as the first image and the other original image as the second image.

[0168] Which of the two original images is used as the first image region or the second image region can be set in such a way that the user, while assuming the final output image for observation, determines the relative order of the image appearance at the time of recognition based on the relative order of the distances between the subjects in the image or the "meaning context" within the image.

[0169] Examples of combinations of "meaning context" include [question vs. answer], [announcement vs. answer], [title vs. details], [the early stage vs. the later stage of time], [the first line vs. the second line of a short song], [applicable vs. not applicable], etc., but are not limited to these.

[0170] The original image can be a photograph of a person or landscape, but it can also be an image created using image software, such as an illustration, icon, or character information.

[0171] When generating an input image from multiple original images, it is possible to combine multiple images, such as images or character information drawn by adjusting the recognition time of each image individually, into one image and set it as the final input image.

[0172] In addition, in this example, by receiving commands from the user, it is possible to determine a first image (first original image) corresponding to a first image region and a second image (second original image) corresponding to a second image region from multiple original images. It is also possible to determine a first original image suitable for image A in the first image region and a second original image suitable for image B in the second image region through artificial intelligence (AI).

[0173] As AI, for example, it is possible to use a learned pattern based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). In this case, a learned pattern can be constructed by pairing the original image with a set of learning data that correctly indicates whether the original image is suitable for image A in the first image region or image B in the second image region, and by performing machine learning on the CNN.

[0174] Next, using the first original image determined as the first image and the second original image determined as the second image, an input image is generated through the following steps (2) to (4).

[0175] In step (2), a first drawing condition is created relative to the first image and satisfies the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the first image region.

[0176] In step (2), considering the image's concentration or hue and the pigment-generating layer within the photosensitive material of the diffusion transfer type pigment, a first drawing condition can be created relative to the first image A suitable for the first image region (as the first original image determined by the first image). In relation to step (3) described later, it is necessary to create a first drawing condition where the image appearance recognition time is relatively earlier.

[0177] As a method, in order to form image A of the first image region, it is preferable to create a first depiction condition relative to the first original image, which is a high-concentration image with a large amount of pigment and a color centered on cyan or magenta. For example, in the first original image, the image concentration can be converted to high concentration, or the brightness or hue can be adjusted. Furthermore, as the first original image, it is also preferable to use character information centered on black, blue, and red.

[0178] By processing the first original image according to the first depiction conditions thus created and generating an input image corresponding to the first image region, the recognition time of the image of the first image region in the input image becomes relatively earlier.

[0179] In step (3), a second depiction condition is created relative to the second image and satisfies the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the second image region.

[0180] In step (3), the above step (2) is performed to create a second drawing condition relative to the second image (the second original image determined as the second image) in such a way that the appearance time of the second image region within the input image is relatively later. Taking into account the density, brightness, hue of the second image and the pigment-generating layer in the photosensitive material of the diffusion transfer type pigment, a second drawing condition relative to the second image B suitable for the second image region can be created. In relation to the aforementioned step (2), the second drawing condition relative to the second image is preferably set as an image condition that forms an image centered on yellow.

[0181] In step (4), an input image for forming an observation image is generated based on the first image and the first drawing conditions, and the second image and the second drawing conditions.

[0182] In step (4), the first image (first original image) and the second image (second original image) determined in step (1) are subjected to image processing to adjust the image density or hue according to the first drawing conditions and the second drawing conditions created in steps (2) and (3) respectively, and the processed images are combined to generate the final input image.

[0183] When synthesizing images as input, the processed images of the first and second image regions can be arranged vertically or horizontally to synthesize the images. Alternatively, character information can be superimposed on image B in the second image region to serve as image A in the first image region.

[0184] Alternatively, a single original image can be used as the source to form the input image.

[0185] When generating an input image from an original image, for example, the images in each region of the original image that correspond to the first image region and the second image region respectively are determined as the first image and the second image (step (1)).

[0186] For example, in step (1), when determining the first and second image regions, as a basis for distinguishing and identifying each region within the original image that forms the origin, positional information ([left vs. right], [center vs. periphery], [top vs. bottom], [foreground vs. background], etc.), density or hue information ([high density vs. low density], [blue system hue vs. yellow system hue], etc.), and meaning information ([foreground vs. background], [person vs. background], [character information vs. background]) within the original image can be applied to methods (AI, etc.) for extracting and identifying specific regions from an image using known techniques.

[0187] In order to adjust the recognition time of each image, a first depiction condition and a second depiction condition are made for the first image, which is the region determined by the first image region within an original image, and the second image, which is the region determined by the second image region. However, these first depiction conditions and second depiction conditions can be made by process (2) and process (3) in the same way as in the case of multiple original images.

[0188] That is, the first and second depiction conditions are created by adjusting the color space conditions (image density or hue conditions) in a way that satisfies the image appearance recognition time of the first and second image regions respectively.

[0189] In step (4), an input image for forming an observation image is generated based on the first image and the first drawing conditions, and the second image and the second drawing conditions. However, the first image and the second image at this time are images corresponding to the first image region and the second image region in the original image, respectively. Therefore, the images A and B that have undergone image processing under the first drawing conditions and the second drawing conditions do not need to be combined into one.

[0190] [Second Embodiment of the Image Forming Method]

[0191] The second embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention is a method in which the input image is essentially composed only of an image of a photographed subject, the photographic environment is adjusted to prepare the subject, and the input image is obtained by photographing the prepared subject.

[0192] The second embodiment of the image forming method is the same as the first embodiment in that an image for observation is formed by inputting an input image into a monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material and performing development processing, but the method for generating the input image is different from the first embodiment.

[0193] In the second embodiment, the input image for forming an observation image, which includes a first image region and a second image region, is generated through the following steps.

[0194] (11) Determine multiple regions contained in the subject and multiple regions containing the first region and the second region respectively corresponding to the first image region and the second image region (step 11).

[0195] (12) Adjust the first photographic environment relative to the first region and satisfy the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the first image region (step 12).

[0196] (13) Adjust the second photographic environment relative to the second region and satisfy the condition of the image appearance recognition time of the second image region (step 13).

[0197] (14) The subject is photographed in the first and second photographic environments to generate an input image for forming an image for observation (step 14).

[0198] In step (11), in the final image for observation, at least the first image region and the second image region are defined within the image area. Alternatively, areas other than the first image region and the second image region that are not specifically defined may also be defined.

[0199] In step (11), multiple regions are determined for the subject to be photographed, including the first region and the second region, which correspond to the first image region and the second image region, respectively.

[0200] The difference between steps (12) and (13) of the second embodiment and steps (2) and (3) of the first embodiment is that the latter creates depiction conditions such as adjusting the density, brightness, and hue of the image in a manner that makes the existing image (original image) represent the desired image. In contrast, the former adjusts the photographic environment on the subject side in a manner that makes the image of the subject to be photographed represent the desired image.

[0201] Specifically, in steps (12) and (13), the photographic environment is adjusted by adjusting the coloring, filling, and lighting conditions (spectrum, intensity) of the subject itself according to the first and second regions of the subject, respectively.

[0202] For example, it is also preferable to use an image that displays the desired image after adjusting the density, brightness, hue, etc. on a monitor on a portion of the subject or the background (the first or second area of ​​the subject). Furthermore, it is also possible to project an image with adjusted density, brightness, hue, etc. onto a white wall or screen.

[0203] Step (14) generates (acquires) an input image for forming an image for observation by photographing the subject whose photographic environment has been adjusted by steps (11), (12) and (13).

[0204] In a second embodiment of the image forming method, the input of the image to the silver halide photographic photosensitive material can be performed using either digital or analog methods.

[0205] One method involves pre-setting the exposure conditions according to the exposure system and the color management system based on the characteristics of the photosensitive material, and then exposing a digital image of the input image onto a silver halide photographic photosensitive material via an exposure head. In this case, a digital image of the subject captured by a digital camera, smartphone camera, or similar device can be directly set as the input image.

[0206] Another method is to photograph the subject itself using the camera's optical system with silver halide photographic material and use the resulting image as input.

[0207] <Exposure of Photosensitive Materials>

[0208] In one aspect of the present invention, the input image is prepared as a digital image, and the photosensitive material is exposed as photosensitive light information.

[0209] The preferred exposure method for the photographic photosensitive material of the present invention is an exposure method using an exposure head with multiple light sources having different wavelengths. For example, it can be performed according to the method described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-344772, etc. As these exposure heads, LED lamp heads, organic EL (Electroluminescence) lamp heads, and inorganic EL lamp heads are preferred, with organic EL lamp heads being particularly preferred. Furthermore, the light-emitting surface of the display can be provided in close contact with the photosensitive material, and planar exposure can be performed. In this case, liquid crystal displays, organic EL displays, and inorganic EL displays can be used. When the photosensitive material is of positive or negative type, an input image can be generated based on the spectral sensitivity of the photosensitive material.

[0210] In another aspect of the invention, the subject can be directly photographed through an optical lens, and the photosensitive material can be exposed in a simulated manner.

[0211] <Input Image>

[0212] In this invention, the original image used to generate the input image can be multiple images, such as images of people, landscapes, local photographs, illustrations, icons, text, and QR codes (registered trademark), used individually or in combination.

[0213] The first image (first original image) corresponding to the first image region of the final observation image from among the multiple original images is image-processed according to the first drawing conditions created by step (2) to create a portion (first part) of the input image corresponding to the first image region. Similarly, the second image (second original image) corresponding to the second image region of the final observation image from among the multiple original images is image-processed according to the second drawing conditions created by step (3) to create a portion (second part) of the input image corresponding to the second image region. These first and second parts can be set as templates. These templates can be used at any time, and when creating an input image corresponding to the required observation image, multiple templates containing the first and second parts can be combined to form a template.

[0214] The first image region (Image A) and the second image region (Image B) of the image for observation can be set to one or more. The input image can be generated (composite) in a way that the boundary regions of Image A and Image B are seamlessly connected in the final image.

[0215] When the photosensitive material is of positive film type, it is preferred to have a point that can produce an input image in which the positive / negative film will not be reversed in the input image and the final observation image.

[0216] Furthermore, as long as image A of the first image region and image B of the second image region are determined, images in regions that are not particularly significant within the final observation image can also exist without specifically adjusting the image appearance recognition time.

[0217] <Photography>

[0218] In the image forming method of the present invention, the captured image can be used as part or all of the aforementioned original image. There are no limitations on the method of shooting, but it is preferable to use a digital camera or a smartphone camera.

[0219] <Developing Process>

[0220] In this invention, the photosensitive material is subjected to a developing process. The developing agent used in this process typically contains an alkali, a thickener, a light-blocking agent, a developing agent, a developing accelerator, a developing inhibitor, and an antioxidant. There are no particular limitations on the developing temperature; for example, it is 0°C to 40°C, preferably 10°C to 30°C. When calculating the developing time or the image appearance recognition time, this invention uses measurements taken at 25°C.

[0221] The present invention will be further described in detail through the following embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0222] <Example 1>

[0223] The input image is prepared by following these steps: the input image is input into a single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material, and then developed to form an observation image.

[0224] The photosensitive material uses the photosensitive element No. 103 described in Patent Document 1, an alkaline treatment composition (developer) filled in a container that can be broken by pressure, and a cover plate. It is combined with a single-sheet type pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material according to the method described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-159931 to form an image for observation with a length of 6.1cm and a width of 4.5cm.

[0225] The pigment-releasing layer of the photosensitive material is arranged in a sequence close to that of the pigment image receiving layer: cyan pigment-releasing layer (lower layer), magenta pigment-releasing layer (middle layer), and yellow pigment-releasing layer (upper layer).

[0226] [Image creation for input]

[0227] The images used for observation are mainly based on divination. When asked what the lucky charm is, the answer is displayed as an icon image.

[0228] Figure 2 This is a conceptual diagram representing an observational image of Example 1.

[0229] First, as step (1), the following steps were performed.

[0230] From multiple original images, the character information image "Lucky item divination" was selected as image A, and the icon image "banana" was selected as image B. The images used in image A and image B were then determined.

[0231] Next, as step (2), the following steps were performed.

[0232] For image A, using the text message "What is today's lucky charm?", the density, brightness, and hue characteristics of the final observation image were set to meet the conditions of times T1 and T2 required for image A to appear. An input image for the photosensitive material was then created by imparting this set final image density to the photosensitive material.

[0233] Specifically, the character information is defined as bold text in MSP bold with a slightly dark blue tint, and it meets the following conditions.

[0234] T2-T1 4 seconds

[0235] D 1.50 (R concentration)

[0236] ΣDa 4.40

[0237] L* 21

[0238] h 270°

[0239] Next, as step (3), the following steps were performed.

[0240] For image B, using the "banana" icon image, the density, brightness, and hue characteristics of the final observation image were set in a way that satisfies the condition of time T3 required for image B to appear. An input image for the photosensitive material was then created by imparting this set final image density to the photosensitive material.

[0241] Specifically, the banana icon is set to a dark yellow of a specified concentration, and meets the following conditions.

[0242] T3-T1 13 seconds

[0243] D 1.00 (B concentration)

[0244] ΣDa 1.47

[0245] L* 77

[0246] h 90°

[0247] Next, as step (4), the following steps were performed.

[0248] The images obtained in step (2) and step (3) are arranged and composited in a manner that makes them the appropriate size and positional relationship in the image viewing screen to create an image for input to the photosensitive material.

[0249] [Formation of observation image sample 101 using photosensitive material]

[0250] Using a multi-light-emitting head that arranges light-emitting diodes of the three colors R, G, and B along the main scanning direction as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-344772, the input obtained in this way is input as an image into the aforementioned monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material.

[0251] The developing solution was spread at 25°C with a thickness of 62 μm for developing, and the input image information was converted into pigment image information to form an image sample 101 for observation.

[0252] [Formation of observation image samples 102-108 using photosensitive materials]

[0253] Figure 4 It is a chart showing the characteristics of multiple observation image samples corresponding to Example 1 of the observation images.

[0254] In the formation of the above-mentioned image sample 101 for observation, with Figure 4 The method changed the timing required for the images of processes (2) and (3) to appear. Figure 4 The image also displays the characteristic values ​​of density, brightness, and hue for each image at this time.

[0255] [Formation of images for comparative observation of specimens 110-111]

[0256] The comparative image formation method will be explained using the formation of image samples 110-111 as an example.

[0257] In the preparation of the specimen 110 for observation of the image, such as Figure 4 As shown, conditions are set where the moment of image recognition does not meet the scope of this invention. Figure 4 The image also displays the characteristic values ​​of density, brightness, and hue for each image at this time.

[0258] [Sensory evaluation of the image's appearance]

[0259] In the formation of these observation image samples 101 to 111, the appearance of the images after the start of development was observed. Ten test subjects were used to evaluate whether the appearance of images A and B could be clearly distinguished and identified using the following four levels.

[0260] Level 4: Images in sections A and B are sufficiently and accurately distinguished and identified, image B also has sufficiently high density, and the final image is clear. (4 points)

[0261] Level 3: Images A and B are distinguishable and identifiable, image B also has sufficiently high density, and the final image is clear. (3 points)

[0262] Level 2: Images in parts A and B are distinguishable and identifiable, but part B has low density and is barely acceptable as an image. (2 points)

[0263] Level 1: Causes the impression of parts A and B of an image to be formed consecutively, making it difficult to distinguish and identify the two images. (1 point)

[0264] The average value of 10 people is shown as the evaluation value. Figure 4 middle.

[0265] Based on the above, Figure 4It can be seen that if the image forming method for image A and image B is used according to the present invention, the observation image that changes as development proceeds can be clearly distinguished and identified in the first and second stages.

[0266] <Example 2>

[0267] The following steps are followed to create an input image, which is then input into a single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material and developed to form an image for observation.

[0268] The photosensitive material is a photosensitive material that has undergone the following modifications to the photosensitive material of Example 1 above.

[0269] A liquid coating composition, comprising a yellow material layer, a magenta material layer, and a cyan material layer, is mixed in a ratio to ensure that the coating amounts of the three layers are equal. This mixture is then applied to the respective color material layers. The resulting photosensitive material comprises a red sensitive emulsion layer (lower layer), a green sensitive emulsion layer (middle layer), and a blue sensitive emulsion layer (upper layer) in order close to the pigment image receiving layer. The development of the photosensitive silver halide emulsions of each color causes the simultaneous transfer of the three pigments (yellow, magenta, and cyan), thus forming a photosensitive material with a roughly black-and-white monochromatic hue.

[0270] [Input Image Generation]

[0271] Figure 3 This is a conceptual diagram representing an observation image of Example 2. Figure 3 The images shown are presented in the form of "question" and "answer".

[0272] Question: What will the weather be like tomorrow?

[0273] Answer: The cloud icon.

[0274] First, as step (1), the following steps were performed.

[0275] From multiple original images, the image containing the text "What will the weather be like tomorrow?" was selected as image A, and the image containing the cloud icon was selected as image B. The images used in image A and image B were thus determined.

[0276] Next, as step (2), the following steps were performed.

[0277] For image A, the text message "What's the weather like tomorrow?" is used to set the layer to be developed in a way that satisfies the conditions T1 and T2 required for the image of image A to appear. This development method is used to create an input image for the photosensitive material.

[0278] Specifically, the character information is set to bold text in MSP boldface, and meets the following conditions.

[0279] T2-T1 4 seconds

[0280] D 1.50 (G concentration)

[0281] upper / middle / lower layers of the developing layer

[0282] Based on the contribution of each of the three photosensitive layers to the concentration, each was set to 0.5. Specifically, a condition was determined to impart a concentration of 0.50 through exposure and development of the lower layer. Then, in addition, a condition was determined to achieve a concentration of 1.0 through exposure and development of the middle layer, and furthermore, exposure conditions were sequentially set to achieve a concentration of 1.5 through exposure and development of the upper layer. Similarly, in other samples, when multiple layers were developed to form an image, the exposure conditions were determined sequentially from the lower layer.

[0283] Next, as step (3), the following steps were performed.

[0284] For image B, the layer to be developed is set in a way that satisfies the condition of time T3 required for the appearance of image B, and image information for input to the photosensitive material is created in this way.

[0285] T3-T2 10 seconds

[0286] D 0.50 (G concentration)

[0287] Developing layer

[0288] Upper layer only

[0289] Next, as step (4), the following steps were performed.

[0290] The images obtained in step (2) and step (3) are arranged and composited in a manner that makes them the appropriate size and positional relationship in the image viewing screen to create an image for input to the photosensitive material.

[0291] [Formation of the observation image sample 201 using photosensitive material]

[0292] Using a multi-light-emitting head that arranges light-emitting diodes of the three colors R, G, and B along the main scanning direction as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-344772, the input obtained in this way is input as an image into the aforementioned monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material.

[0293] The developing solution was spread at 25°C with a thickness of 62 μm for developing, and the input image information was converted into pigment image information to form an image sample 201 for observation.

[0294] [Formation of observation image samples 202-204 using photosensitive materials]

[0295] Figure 5 It is a chart showing the characteristics of multiple observation image samples corresponding to the observation images of Example 2.

[0296] In the formation of the above-mentioned image sample 201 for observation, with Figure 5 The method changed the timing required for the images of processes (2) and (3) to appear. Figure 5 The image also shows the density and developing layer of each image at this time.

[0297] [Formation of specimen 205 for comparative observation]

[0298] In the preparation of sample 205 for observation images, with Figure 5 The method shown sets conditions where the moment of image appearance recognition does not meet the scope of this invention. Figure 5 The image also shows the density and developing layer of each image at this time.

[0299] In the formation of these observation image samples 201-205, the appearance of the images after the start of development was observed, and the appearance of images A and B was clearly distinguished and identified using 10 test subjects according to the same evaluation criteria as in Example 1. The average value of the 10 subjects is shown as the evaluation value. Figure 5 middle.

[0300] Based on the above, Figure 5 It is understood that if the image forming method according to the present invention is used to control the position of the pigment release layer in which pigment is released through the development process and to set the time required for the appearance of images A and B, then the messages read from the observation images that change as development proceeds can be clearly distinguished and identified in the first and second stages.

[0301] <Example 3>

[0302] The input image is prepared by following these steps: the input image is input into a single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material, and then developed to form an observation image.

[0303] The photosensitive material used was the same as the photosensitive material used in Example 1.

[0304] [Image creation for input]

[0305] The landscape photograph was used as a raw image (origin image), and the origin image underwent input image processing including the following steps. The origin image is an image of the outline of a Japanese temple building against a background of blooming cherry blossoms.

[0306] For the origin image, firstly, as step (1), the following steps were performed.

[0307] From the origin image, the "outline of Japanese temple buildings" section is selected as the image area for image A, and the "blooming cherry blossoms" section is selected as the image area for image B. It is then determined which image, image A or image B, is used to identify the image.

[0308] Next, as step (2), the following steps were performed.

[0309] For the "outline of Japanese temple buildings" portion of image A, the density, brightness, and hue characteristics of the final observation image were set in a manner that satisfies the conditions T1 and T2 required for the appearance of image A. An input image for the photosensitive material was then created by imparting this set final image density to the photosensitive material.

[0310] Specifically, the origin image is a slightly brownish gray with an L* value of 58, but it is set to increase the saturation to a dark gray with an L* value of 21 while maintaining the hue angle.

[0311] Next, as step (3), the following steps were performed.

[0312] For the "blooming cherry blossoms" portion of image B, the density, brightness, and hue characteristics of the final observation image were set in a manner that satisfies the condition of time T3 required for the appearance of image B. An input image for the photosensitive material was then created by imparting this set final image density to the photosensitive material.

[0313] Specifically, the origin image is pink with an L* value of 60 and clearly colored, but it is set to increase brightness while maintaining the hue angle, and the L* value becomes 65.

[0314] Next, as step (4), the following steps were performed.

[0315] The image obtained in step (2) and the image obtained in step (3) are synthesized again to generate an image for input to the photosensitive material.

[0316] [Formation of observation image sample 301 using photosensitive material]

[0317] Figure 6 It is a chart showing the characteristics of multiple observation image samples corresponding to the observation images of Example 3.

[0318] Using a multi-light-emitting head with R, G, and B light-emitting diodes arranged along the main scanning direction as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-344772, the above-obtained input image is input into a direct positive film type monolithic pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material.

[0319] The developing solution was developed at 25°C, and the input image information was converted into pigment image information to form an image sample 301 for observation. Figure 6 The image also displays the characteristic values ​​of density, hue, and brightness of each image at this time.

[0320] [Formation of the comparative observation image of sample 302]

[0321] In addition to using the origin image directly as the input image, the observation image sample 302 was formed in the same manner. Figure 6 The image also displays the characteristic values ​​of density, hue, and brightness of each image at this time.

[0322] In the formation of these observation image samples 301-302, the appearance of the images after the start of development was observed. Ten test subjects were used, and the ability to clearly distinguish and identify the appearance of images A and B was evaluated using the method described in Example 1. The average value of the ten subjects is shown as the evaluation value. Figure 6 middle.

[0323] Based on the above, Figure 6 It is known that when the origin image is used directly, no special effect is seen in the appearance of the image. However, if the image forming method of the present invention is used, the observation image that changes with the development process can be clearly distinguished and identified in the first and second stages.

[0324] In the above embodiments, steps (1) to (4) are performed sequentially. However, when reading the information of the origin image, the validity of the image is determined in advance, and these steps can also be performed simultaneously by mapping the color gamut of the image that satisfies the conditions of image A and image B.

[0325] <Example 4>

[0326] The following are examples of creating images of riddles and their answers.

[0327] As the original image, using a template, the image information consists of text and images.

[0328] [Example of a riddle]

[0329] (a) Question: What temple was built by Prince Shotoku?

[0330] (b) Correct answer: Horyuji Temple

[0331] <Additional Images>

[0332] (c) Portrait of Prince Shotoku

[0333] (d) Additional character information

[0334] (e)Photograph of the five-story pagoda of Horyuji Temple

[0335] <Image Collection>

[0336] The images and text information described in (a) to (e) above were prepared. The printing software for controlling the image appearance recognition time was activated, and the image was transmitted to the PC (personal computer).

[0337] <Image Processing Procedures>

[0338] Process (1)

[0339] Following the format of a riddle, “Questioning Part = (a)” is set for image A, which has a faster image recognition speed, and “Correct Solution Part = (b)” is set for image B, which has a slower image recognition speed.

[0340] In the additional image answer section, the image of (c) related to the question is set as image A, and the images of (d) and (e) related to the answer are set as image B.

[0341] It is possible to set this group of images (a) to (e) as a template for a puzzle-style image structure.

[0342] Processes (2) and (3)

[0343] To ensure that images A and B satisfy the image appearance recognition time, the density, brightness, and hue of the images are mapped, and their respective image information is temporarily determined. Based on the temporarily determined image information, a demonstration animation image of the image appearing for observation when output to the photosensitive material can also be displayed.

[0344] Referring to the demonstration animation images, adjustments were made to whether the time difference for image recognition was further increased or decreased. (Alternatively, patterns mapping from past image data can be learned in advance, and typical patterns can be displayed graphically by the system.)

[0345] For example, in the (b), (d), and (e) information assigned to image B in association with the correct solution, the appearance time of image (e) is made later than that of the other images.

[0346] By setting it up in this way, within image B, relative to the text information of Horyuji, the image information representing that text information can appear sequentially, thereby forming a multi-stage image appearance.

[0347] Process (4)

[0348] The above steps were repeated, and the positions of parts of each image in (a) to (e) were adjusted to create the final input image.

[0349] <Output of the image for observation>

[0350] The input image for output is sent from the PC to the instant photo printer. The printer converts the input image into exposure data and exposes the photosensitive material. Then, the photosensitive material is ejected from the printer, at which point the developing solution spreads onto the photosensitive material.

[0351] Users observe the process of an image gradually forming on the viewing surface of the photosensitive material.

[0352] <Example 5>

[0353] With the aim of forming an observation image with the same pattern as the observation image sample 301 of Example 3, an input image was prepared according to the following steps. Otherwise, the observation image was formed in the same manner as the observation image 301 of Example 3, and an evaluation was performed.

[0354] [Image creation for input]

[0355] The following steps were followed: a large LCD screen was set up against a wooden panel background; the photographic environment was adjusted to prepare the subject; the subject was photographed to create an input image.

[0356] First, as step (1), the following steps were performed.

[0357] As the image region for image A, the "outline of Japanese temple buildings" section is selected, and as the image region for image B, the "blooming cherry blossoms" section is selected. It is then determined which image region is used in image A or image B.

[0358] Next, as step (2), the following steps were performed.

[0359] To ensure that the conditions for image A are met when the image appears, a wooden panel representing the outline of a Japanese temple building was created, and appropriate coloring and lighting were applied.

[0360] Next, as step (3), the following steps were performed.

[0361] The "blooming cherry blossoms" portion of image B is used to display the image on the LCD screen in a way that the appearance of the image meets the conditions of image B, and the hue, density, and brightness are adjusted.

[0362] Next, as step (4), the following steps were performed.

[0363] Using the wooden panel set in step (2) as a background, the liquid crystal display prepared in step (3) was appropriately arranged, and fine adjustments were made to the lighting, etc., to determine the conditions of the subject for final photography.

[0364] Take a picture of the prepared subject with a digital camera and set it as an input image.

[0365] According to the above method, it can be seen that the results of forming and evaluating images using the input images clearly distinguish and identify the observation images that change as development progresses in the first and second stages.

[0366] Furthermore, if a program containing commands for capturing and outputting images from this series of photos is included as a smartphone application, then the process can be easily handled with a smartphone.

[0367] [Third Embodiment of the Image Forming Method]

[0368] In a third embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention, the image to be observed is an image in which a solid dispersed anionic dye is treated with an alkaline solution and diffused and transferred to a pigment image receiving layer, and the anionic dye is used to depict multiple layer regions at different distances from the pigment image receiving layer.

[0369] In steps (2) and (3) of creating the first and second depiction conditions for depicting the precursor of the image-forming material in an image-like manner, depiction conditions are created by depicting multiple regions (the first image region and the second image region) at different distances from the image receiving layer of each pigment using anionic dyes. Furthermore, the "chemical reaction" that causes the precursor to undergo a chemical reaction to form an image for observation is based on the treatment of an alkaline solution.

[0370] The characteristic is that the amount of pigment released per unit area from the layer containing solid dispersed pigment closest to the pigment image receiving layer in the highest concentration part of image A in the first image region is greater than the amount of pigment released per unit area from the layer containing solid dispersed pigment in the highest concentration part of image B in the second image region.

[0371] Here, the solid-dispersed anionic dye is in a solid or amorphous state at room temperature, and dyes with a spherical diameter of approximately 0.05 μm to 1.0 μm can be used. By having this size, the diffusion of molecules in the medium in the solid dispersion state is suppressed. For example, materials described in Japanese Patent Nos. 3619288, 3545680, 3264587, and JP 6-148802 can be used for such solid-dispersed dyes.

[0372] For example, as a solid-dispersed anionic dye, the exemplary compound I-1 disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3619288 can be used; dye (1); dye (2); dyes 1 and 11 disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3545680; dyes 1, 4, 5, 6, and 20 disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3264587, etc.

[0373] The diffusion rate can be adjusted based on the molecular weight, hydrophilicity / hydrophobicity, and core structure of the pigment.

[0374] In this method, the diffusion distance to the pigment image receiving layer can be adjusted by drawing an image at multiple locations at different distances from the pigment image receiving layer using solid disperse dyes. To adjust the diffusion distance, an intermediate layer of varying thickness is purposefully applied to the surface initially drawn with solid disperse dyes using an adhesive such as gelatin, according to a predetermined thickness or area. A second drawing is then performed on the surface of this layer using solid disperse dyes, thereby enabling adjustment. The diffusion distance can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the intermediate layer. Multiple intermediate layers can be provided for this diffusion distance adjustment, and solid disperse dyes can be applied to the surface each time. Preferably, multiple solid disperse dyes of different colors are used.

[0375] Furthermore, the rate at which the dye dissolves from a solid dispersion to a unimolecular state can be adjusted by the particle size of the solid dispersed dye. That is, the dissociation and dissolution of the dye occur on the particle surface; therefore, by reducing the particle size, the surface area per unit amount of pigment can be increased, thereby improving the dissolution rate. Moreover, the dissolution rate can be controlled by adding adsorbent substances to the particle surface.

[0376] The following describes a specific structural example of this method.

[0377] In Patent Document 1, Photosensitive Element No. 101, a fifth layer is applied to a substrate coated from the back layer to the fourth layer, such that the gelatin coating amount is 0.29 g / m². 2 An intermediate layer with the same composition as the third layer is provided, and image A of the first image area is drawn on it using the aforementioned solid disperse dye (exemplary compound I-1 as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3619288) via an inkjet printer. A sixth layer is then applied thereon with a gelatin coating amount of 2.50 g / m³. 2 An intermediate layer with the same composition as the third layer was set up. Image B of the second image area was drawn on it using the aforementioned solid disperse dye via an inkjet printer. On top of this, a seventh layer was applied with a gelatin coating amount of 2.50 g / m². 2 An intermediate layer with the same composition as the third layer was provided. An alkaline treatment solution with potassium sulfite removed was filled into a container that could be destroyed by pressure, and a single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer material was assembled according to the method described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-159931.

[0378] If the alkaline treatment solution is developed at 25°C with a thickness of 62 μm and the appearance of the image is observed, then image A in the first image region will appear first, and image B in the second image region will appear later than image A.

[0379] [Fourth Embodiment of the Image Forming Method]

[0380] In a fourth embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention, an ink composition comprising an oxidative color-developing pigment and a reducing agent capable of oxidation by oxygen is depicted on a carrier for observation image formation, and the reducing agent and pigment are oxidized by oxygen in the ambient gas to form a colored pigment image.

[0381] In steps (2) and (3) of creating the first and second depiction conditions for depicting the precursor of the image forming material in an image-like manner, the composition of the ink composition and the conditions for depiction are respectively prepared. Furthermore, the "chemical reaction" that causes the precursor to undergo a chemical reaction to form an image for observation is based on the oxidation of oxygen in the ambient gas.

[0382] Image A in the first image region is depicted as having a lower reduction activity than image B in the second image region.

[0383] Examples of oxidized color-developing pigments that can be used as image forming material precursors in this method include materials that change from practically colorless to colored through oxidation, or materials that change from colored to other colors through oxidation. When the carrier in which the image is formed is colored even without the image forming material precursor, the image forming material precursor can be made inconspicuous to some extent, even if the material before oxidation is colored. If a material with less coloring in the pre-oxidation state is preferred, the whiteness of the carrier can be improved, thereby enabling the formation of an image for observation with a large concentration variation. As an oxidized color-developing pigment, a pigment whose concentration in the visible region becomes 2 times or more, more preferably 3 times or more, is preferred. Here, the concentration in the visible region represents the total concentration of B, G, and R, and represents the concentration measured under the D65 light source and the filtering conditions of state A.

[0384] This material can be made from materials known as colorless dyes. Examples of colorless dyes that can be used in this method include indigo aniline-based colorless dyes, indamine-based colorless dyes, triphenylmethane-based colorless dyes, triarylmethane-based colorless dyes, styrene-based colorless dyes, N-acyloxazine-based colorless dyes, N-acylthiazine-based colorless dyes, N-acyldiazine-based colorless dyes, and xanthan-based colorless dyes.

[0385] Furthermore, as pigments whose color changes through oxidation-reduction, methylene blue, neomethylene blue, phenolic saffron, romaine violet, methylene green, neutral red, indigo carmine, acid red, saffron T, decacyanine blue, Nile blue, diphenylamine, xylene blue, nitrodiphenylamine, pheromones, and N-phenyl-o-aminobenzoic acid can be used. Methylene blue and phenolic saffron, which are colorless in the reduced state, are particularly preferred.

[0386] In addition to the organic materials mentioned above, inorganic materials or metal complex materials are also used as oxidative colorimetric pigments. Examples of inorganic materials include NiO (nickel oxide), Cr2O3 (chromium(III) oxide), MnO2 (manganese dioxide), or CoO (cobalt oxide). Examples of metal complex materials include ferrocene, Prussian blue, or tungstic acid complexes.

[0387] In this method, an image for observation is formed by oxidizing the aforementioned image-forming material precursor. However, the methods of oxidation can be broadly divided into the following two methods.

[0388] Examples of methods include oxidation driven by oxygen in the ambient gas near the image forming material, and oxidation driven by chemically reacting an oxidizing material near the image forming material. From the viewpoint of the safety of the image forming material or the simplification of the system, oxidation using oxygen from the air is preferred.

[0389] In order to control the oxidation rate of the image forming material precursor on the carrier and control the speed of image formation, one method is to slow down the oxidation reaction by adjusting the amount or type of reducing compound that slows down the oxidation of oxygen based on ambient gas, thereby enabling control.

[0390] As representative reducing agents, dihydroxybenzenes (e.g., hydroquinone, hydroquinone monosulfonate), 3-pyrazolones (e.g., 1-phenyl-3-pyrazolone, 1-phenyl-4-methyl-4-hydroxymethyl-3-pyrazolone), aminophenols (e.g., N-methyl-p-aminophenol, N-methyl-3-methyl-p-aminophenol), ascorbic acid and its isomers or derivatives can be used alone or in combination.

[0391] The preferred ingredients are ascorbic acid, potassium hydroquinone sulfate, or sodium hydroquinone sulfate.

[0392] Furthermore, preservatives that can be used in conjunction with or alone with the aforementioned reducing agents, or that are themselves reducing agents, such as sodium sulfite, hydroxylamines, sugars, o-hydroxy ketones, and hydrazines, are also suitable. From a safety perspective, sugars are preferred, and rutin or its derivatives, known as flavonoid compounds, are particularly preferred.

[0393] By coexisting these reducing compounds with the image forming material precursor, an ink composition is prepared that remains in a non-oxidized state, and this ink composition can be applied to a carrier. As a method to control the oxidation rate of the image forming material precursor by varying the reducing activity for each image region, this can be achieved by using multiple ink compositions with different amounts or types of reducing compounds in the ink composition for each image region. Furthermore, by applying an ink composition containing only the reducing compound and not the image forming material precursor to the carrier in an image-like manner, and controlling the amount or type of reducing agent applied, the reducing activity can be varied according to the image region. When using an ink composition that does not contain the image forming material precursor to control the reducing activity according to the image region, the application time to the carrier can be any time before, simultaneously, or after applying the ink composition containing the image forming material precursor.

[0394] In addition to air oxidation as described above, to control the oxidation rate of the image forming material precursor on the carrier and the speed at which the image appears, the amount of oxidant supplied to the carrier or the amount of catalyst that alters the activity of the oxidation reaction can be changed. For example, these components can be changed for each image area on the carrier before coating. Hydrogen peroxide (water) is preferred as an oxidant because it does not leave any coloring or hazardous substances after the reaction when it remains on the carrier. To change the activity of the oxidation reaction, it is preferable to use an acid or base and adjust the pH for each image area.

[0395] The following describes structural examples related to specific materials.

[0396] The following are examples of how changing the amount of reducing agent that prevents oxidation of pigments in the air imparts a difference in the rate of oxidation of pigments that develop color through oxidation.

[0397] The image was drawn using a paper carrier and two types of ink: one for image rendering with a fast image rendering speed and the other for image rendering with a slow image rendering speed, using an inkjet printer.

[0398] Ascorbic acid was added to the ink of image A in the first image area until the color of the oxidant disappeared in the methylene blue aqueous solution, and a solution was used to further add the same amount of ascorbic acid as needed for the color to disappear. In image B in the second image area, a solution containing three times the amount of ascorbic acid used in the ink of image A was used. The drawn images were observed indoors, and it was observed that image B appeared after image A, indicating two areas with different rates of image appearance.

[0399] [Fifth Embodiment of the Image Forming Method]

[0400] In a fifth embodiment of the image forming method of the present invention, an image formed into metallic silver particles is observed by restoring an image drawn on a carrier by an ink composition containing silver ions using a reducing agent.

[0401] In steps (2) and (3) of preparing the first and second painting conditions for depicting the precursor of the image forming material in an image-like manner, the composition of the ink composition that imparts reduction activity and the painting conditions are prepared respectively. Furthermore, the "chemical reaction" in which the precursor undergoes a chemical reaction to form an image for observation is reduction.

[0402] Image A in the first image region is depicted as having a higher reduction activity than image B in the second image region.

[0403] The image forming material of this method will be explained.

[0404] As a material for inks containing silver ions according to this method, an aqueous solution of silver nitrate can be used. Furthermore, Tollens' reagent, prepared by adding ammonia to an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, can also be used.

[0405] These materials are colorless and transparent, and do not show color immediately after being applied to the carrier, therefore they are preferred. As a reducing agent for silver ions, the reducing agents described in the fourth embodiment of the image forming method described above can be preferred. Among these, ascorbic acid, potassium hydroquinone sulfate, or sodium hydroquinone sulfate are preferred. Furthermore, when Tollens' reagent is used, reducing sugars can be preferred.

[0406] As a method to change the reducing activity for each image region, it can be achieved by using multiple ink compositions with varying amounts or types of reducing compounds in the ink composition for each image region, or by changing the coating amount. When using these ink compositions, the coating time on the carrier can be any time before, simultaneously with, or after coating the ink composition containing the image forming material precursor. Furthermore, if the mixing time of silver ions and the reducing agent in the liquid state is longer, the reaction proceeds faster. From this point of view, increasing the absolute amount of water coating, or using a humectant to delay water evaporation, can also be a method to improve the reducing activity.

[0407] The following describes structural examples related to specific image-forming materials.

[0408] The following is an example of how, when silver ions in silver nitrate are reduced to black, the reduction activity is varied according to each image region to create a time lag in the recognition of the image.

[0409] Based on the final observation, two regions with different appearance rates (the first image region and the second image region) were segmented from the image as candidates.

[0410] The ink, which uses ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and rutin, a flavonoid, as a stabilizer for ascorbic acid, was adjusted. When the adjusted ink was applied to a paper carrier using an inkjet printer, the application amount was adjusted in image A, where the image appears relatively quickly, to ensure a higher concentration of ascorbic acid than in image B. This resulted in two regions with different reducing activities.

[0411] Then, using silver nitrate aqueous solution ink, images for observation were drawn on a paper carrier containing a reducing agent using an inkjet printer.

[0412] The images were observed after the depiction. As a result, a silver image gradually darkened from a white background. After image A appeared, image B appeared. Two regions with different appearance rates were observed.

[0413] In this invention, the fourth and fifth embodiments of the image forming method can also be used in combination. For example, the silver nitrate ink of the fifth embodiment can be used for image A, and the methylene blue ink of the fourth embodiment can be used for image B.

[0414] [Image forming apparatus]

[0415] The image forming apparatus involved in this invention can be used in the form of smartphones, digital cameras, mobile information terminals with cameras, gaming devices, and tablet terminals.

[0416] The following explanation will focus on the use of a smartphone as an image forming apparatus.

[0417] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the appearance of a smartphone, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[0418] Figure 7 The smartphone 100 shown has a flat frame 102. A display input unit 120, which is an integral part of a display panel 121 (as a display unit) and an operation panel 122 (as an input unit), is provided on one side of the frame 102. Furthermore, the frame 102 includes a speaker 131, a microphone 132, an operation unit 140, and a camera unit 141.

[0419] Figure 8 It means Figure 7 The diagram shows the internal structure of a smartphone.

[0420] like Figure 8 As shown, the main components of the smartphone 100 include a wireless communication unit 110, a display input unit 120, a call unit 130, an operation unit 140, a camera unit 141, a storage unit 150, an external input / output unit 160 (output unit), a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 170, a motion sensor unit 180, a power supply unit 190, and a main control unit 101. Furthermore, as a primary function of the smartphone 100, it possesses wireless communication capabilities, enabling mobile wireless communication via a base station device and a mobile communication network.

[0421] The wireless communication unit 110 performs wireless communication with base station devices connected to the mobile communication network according to the command of the main control unit 101. Using this wireless communication, it sends and receives various types of file data such as audio and image data, as well as email data, and receives network data or streaming data.

[0422] The display input unit 120 is a so-called touch panel that includes an operation panel 122 disposed on the screen of the display panel 121. Under the control of the main control unit 101, it displays images (static images and dynamic images) or character information and visually conveys information to the user, and detects the user's operation on the displayed information. For convenience, the operation panel 122 is also referred to as a touch panel.

[0423] Display panel 121 uses an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or OELD (Organic Electro-Luminescence Display) as a display device. Operation panel 122 is configured to visually recognize the state of an image displayed on the display surface of display panel 121 and detect one or more coordinates operated by a user's finger or stylus. If the device is operated by a user's finger or stylus, operation panel 122 outputs a detection signal generated by the operation to main control unit 101. Then, main control unit 101 detects the operation position (coordinates) on display panel 121 based on the received detection signal.

[0424] Figure 7 The illustrated smartphone 100 integrates a display panel 121 and an operation panel 122 to form a display input unit 120, and is configured such that the operation panel 122 completely covers the display panel 121. When this configuration is adopted, the operation panel 122 can also detect user operations in areas outside the display panel 121.

[0425] The intercom unit 130 includes a speaker 131 and a microphone 132. It converts user audio input via the microphone 132 into audio data that can be processed by the main control unit 101 and outputs it to the main control unit 101. Alternatively, it decodes audio data received via the wireless communication unit 110 or the external input / output unit 160 and outputs it from the speaker 131. Furthermore, as... Figure 7 As shown, for example, the speaker 131 and microphone 132 can be mounted on the same surface as the surface where the display input section 120 is provided.

[0426] The operation unit 140 uses hardware keys such as push-button switches and receives commands from the user. For example, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the operation unit 140 is mounted on the side of the frame 102 of the smartphone 100, and is a button-type switch that is turned on when pressed with a finger or the like, and turned off when the finger is released due to the rebound force of a spring or the like.

[0427] The storage unit 150 stores the control program or control data of the main control unit 101, various application software including the image forming program involved in the present invention, address data that establishes corresponding associations for the names or phone numbers of communication objects, data of sent and received emails, network data downloaded through network browsing and downloaded content data, and temporarily stores streaming data, etc.

[0428] Furthermore, the storage unit 150 consists of an internal storage unit 151 built into the smartphone and an external storage unit 152 with a removable external memory slot. Additionally, the internal storage unit 151 and the external storage unit 152 constituting the storage unit 150 are implemented using storage media such as flash memory, hard disk, micro multimedia card, card-type memory, RAM (Random Access Memory), or ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0429] The external input / output unit 160 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the smartphone 100, and can be directly or indirectly connected to other external devices via communication (e.g., USB, IEEE 1394, etc.) or networks (e.g., Internet, Wireless LAN, Bluetooth).

[0430] External devices connected to the smartphone 100 may include, for example, a memory card or SIM (Subscriber Identity Module Card) / UIM (User Identity Module Card) card connected via a card slot, a wired / wireless printer (including a printer that outputs the observation images involved in this invention), a smartphone, a personal computer, and headphones. The external input / output unit 160 may also be configured to transmit data received from such external devices to the various components inside the smartphone 100, or to transmit data inside the smartphone 100 to external devices.

[0431] According to the command of the main control unit 101, the GPS receiver 170 receives GPS signals transmitted from GPS satellites ST1, ST2 to STn, performs positioning calculations based on the received multiple GPS signals, and obtains the location information (GPS information) of the smartphone 100 determined by latitude, longitude and altitude.

[0432] The motion sensor unit 180 includes, for example, a three-axis accelerometer, and detects the physical movement of the smartphone 100 according to commands from the main control unit 101. By detecting the physical movement of the smartphone 100, the direction of movement or acceleration of the smartphone 100 is detected. The detection results are output to the main control unit 101.

[0433] The power supply unit 190 supplies power stored in the battery (not shown) to each part of the smartphone 100 according to the command of the main control unit 101.

[0434] The main control unit 101 is equipped with a microprocessor and operates according to the control program or control data stored in the storage unit 150, and uniformly controls all parts of the smartphone 100. Furthermore, the main control unit 101 has mobile communication control functions and application processing functions for controlling various parts of the communication system in order to conduct audio and data communication via the wireless communication unit 110.

[0435] The application processing function is implemented by the main control unit 101 operating according to the application stored in the storage unit 150. Examples of application processing functions include infrared communication function for data communication with the opposing device by controlling the external input / output unit 160, email function for sending and receiving emails, web browsing function for viewing web pages, and image creation function as described in this invention.

[0436] Furthermore, the main control unit 101 has an image processing function, such as displaying images on the display input unit 120 based on received data or downloaded streaming data (data of static or dynamic images). The image processing function refers to the function of the main control unit 101 decoding the aforementioned image data, performing image processing on the decoding result, and displaying the image obtained through the image processing on the display input unit 120.

[0437] Furthermore, the main control unit 101 performs display control on the display panel 121 and operation detection control for detecting user operations via the operation unit 140 or the operation panel 122.

[0438] By executing display control, the main control unit 101 displays software keys such as icons or scroll bars for launching application software, or displays a window for creating emails.

[0439] Furthermore, by performing operation detection control, the main control unit 101 detects user operations through the operation unit 140, or receives operations on the aforementioned icons or input of strings into the input fields of the aforementioned windows through the operation panel 122, or receives scrolling requests for the displayed images through the scroll bar.

[0440] The camera unit 141, under the control of the main control unit 101, can convert image data acquired through shooting into compressed image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), record the image data in the storage unit 150, or output it through the external input / output unit 160 or the wireless communication unit 110. Figure 7As shown, in the smartphone 100, the camera unit 141 is mounted on the same surface as the display input unit 120, but the mounting position of the camera unit 141 is not limited to this. The camera unit 141 may also be mounted on the back of the frame 102 instead of on the surface of the frame 102 where the display input unit 120 is located, or multiple camera units 141 may be mounted on the frame 102.

[0441] Furthermore, the camera unit 141 can be used with various functions of the smartphone 100. For example, the image acquired by the camera unit 141 can be set as the original image for forming an observation image according to the present invention. In addition, text information input through the operation unit 140, location information acquired through the GPS receiver 170, and audio information acquired through the microphone 132 (which may also be text information converted from audio to text by the main control unit, etc.) can be recorded in the storage unit 150, or output through the external input / output unit 160 or the wireless communication unit 110.

[0442] Therefore, the smartphone 100 with the above structure executes the image forming program (image appearance recognition time control printing application software) of the present invention downloaded from the server not shown in the figure through the main control unit 101, and has the following functions.

[0443] <Photography and Data Transmission>

[0444] Take a photo using your smartphone 100. Launch the image recognition and printing application (hereinafter referred to as "this application") and send the photo to this application.

[0445] <Image Processing Procedures>

[0446] The original photo image is displayed on the smartphone 100.

[0447] Process (1)

[0448] This application identifies the subject in a photograph and segments it into regions. Based on pre-learned patterns for each segmented region, it creates approximately six patterns to determine which part of the photograph image is selected as a candidate combination for image A and image B. The application then suggests two patterns based on the patterns used most frequently.

[0449] The user temporarily selects one of two patterns. If the user wishes to select a pattern different from the one suggested in the application, two next candidates are presented each time, and the user selects the desired pattern from the suggestions. If the desired pattern is not found in the previous six rounds, the user is given a choice between image A and image B, based on images partitioned into regions within the photographed image.

[0450] Process (2), Process (3)

[0451] Regarding the selected pattern, in a way that satisfies the image appearance speed, the chromaticity points of the image within each partition are mapped to create version 1 of the final image for observation.

[0452] Regarding this version 1 image, a demo image animation is displayed. Referring to the demo animation, you can choose whether to further increase or decrease the image's appearance speed difference, or adjust the hue, etc. (= Assigning density differences, etc., through mapping of the photographic image).

[0453] Repeat the adjustments until the requirements are met, then each part is complete.

[0454] As an optional append function, it allows you to add titles or insert template information to the output image. Regarding the appended information, you can appropriately choose whether it's for image A or image B.

[0455] Process (4)

[0456] The input image is completed by combining image A and image B, and adding image titles as needed.

[0457] <Output of the image for observation>

[0458] An input image is transmitted from a smartphone 100 to a printer that displays instant photos. The printer converts the input image into exposure data and exposes the photosensitive material. Then, the photosensitive material is ejected from the printer, at which point the developing solution spreads onto the photosensitive material.

[0459] Users observe the process of an image gradually forming on the viewing surface of the photosensitive material.

[0460] [other]

[0461] The hardware for implementing the image forming apparatus according to this invention can be composed of various processors. These processors include general-purpose processors that execute programs and function as various processing units, such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and other processors whose circuit structures can be modified after manufacturing, such as Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), and ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), which have circuit structures specifically designed for performing specific processes, i.e., dedicated electrical circuits.

[0462] A processing unit constituting an image forming apparatus can be composed of one of the aforementioned processors, or it can be composed of two or more processors of the same or different types. For example, a processing unit can also be composed of multiple FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA. Furthermore, multiple processing units can also be composed of a single processor. As examples of composing multiple processing units with a single processor, firstly, such as in a computer like a client or server, a processor is composed of a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Secondly, such as in a System-on-Chip (SoC), a processor is used that implements the functions of the entire system containing multiple processing units using a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip. Thus, various processing units are constructed as hardware structures using one or more of the aforementioned processors. Moreover, more specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines semiconductor elements and other circuit elements.

[0463] Furthermore, the present invention includes an image forming program that enables a computer to function as an image forming apparatus according to the present invention by being installed on a computer, and a recording medium on which the image forming program is recorded.

[0464] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An image forming method comprising depicting a precursor for forming an image forming material on a carrier in an image-like manner, and subjecting the precursor to a chemical reaction to form an image for observation, wherein in the image forming method, In the observed image, at least one region is included in each of the first image region and the second image region, which have different recognition times. The image forming method includes the following steps: One or more original images are acquired, and for each acquired original image, a first image and a second image are determined that correspond to the first image region and the second image region, respectively. Create a first depiction condition for the first image, the first depiction condition satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time in the region of the first image; A second depiction condition is created for the second image, the second depiction condition satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time in the region of the second image; Based on the first image and the first drawing conditions, and the second image and the second drawing conditions, an input image for forming the observation image is generated; as well as The image for observation is formed by inputting the input image into a single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material and performing development processing.

2. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein, Using the input image, the precursor is depicted in an image-like manner, and observation images are formed in the first image region and the second image region at different times of image appearance recognition.

3. The image forming method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The image appearance recognition time indicates the moment when the highest concentration in the image region can be identifiable from the start of the chemical reaction. The difference between the image appearance recognition time of the first image region and the image appearance recognition time of the second image region is more than 5 seconds and less than 12 hours.

4. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein, The monolithic pigment-releasing diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material comprises at least multiple silver halide emulsion layers with different color sensitivities and multiple pigment-releasing layers corresponding to the silver halide emulsion layers. The pigment released during the development process is fixed in the pigment image receiving layer to form the image for observation. The amount of pigment released per unit area from the pigment layer closest to the pigment image receiving layer in the highest concentration portion of the first image region is greater than the amount of pigment released per unit area from the pigment layer in the highest concentration portion of the second image region.

5. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein, In the first image region, The moment when at least one of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the first image area becomes 0.04 or higher after the development process begins is defined as T1. When T2 is set to the moment when at least one of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the first image area becomes 0.08 or higher, the following equation is satisfied: [Formula 1] 1 second ≤ T2 - T1 ≤ 15 seconds Furthermore, 24 hours after the start of the development process, the highest concentration of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the first image area is 0.40 or higher and less than 3.

0. The second image region is the image region whose appearance and recognition time is later than that of the first image region. When T3 is defined as the moment when at least one of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the second image area becomes 0.04 or higher from the start of the development process, the following equation is satisfied: [Formula 2] 5 seconds ≤ T3 - T2 ≤ 12 hours Furthermore, 24 hours after the start of the development process, the highest concentration of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the second image area is 0.08 or higher and less than 2.

5.

6. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein, The sum of the concentration values ​​ΣDa of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the first image area 24 hours after the start of the development process satisfies the following formula. [Formula 3] 0.50≤ΣDa≤8.0 The sum of the concentration values ​​ΣDb of the three primary colors in the highest concentration region of the second image area 24 hours after the start of the development process satisfies the following formula. [Formula 4] 0.20≤ΣDb≤3.5 Furthermore, the difference between the total ΣDa and the total ΣDb satisfies the following formula: [Formula 5] 0.50≤ΣDa-ΣDb≤7.

8.

7. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein, The highest concentration region of the first image area contains L in the CIELAB color space. A value between 5 and 70 The highest concentration region of the second image area contains L in the CIELAB color space. A value between 60 and 95 The L in the first image region The value of L in the second image region The difference in values ​​is greater than 15 and less than 80.

8. The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein, The hue angle h of the highest concentration portion of the first image region is within any one of the following ranges: 0° to 75°, 95° to 215°, and 235° to 340°. The hue angle h of the highest concentration portion of the second image region is within any one of the following ranges: 0° to 120°, 135° to 235°, and 330° to 360°. The hue angle h is given by h = arctan(b) in the CIELAB color space. / a ( ) represents the angle.

9. An image forming method comprising depicting a precursor for forming an image forming material on a carrier in an image-like manner, and subjecting the precursor to a chemical reaction to form an image for observation, wherein in the image forming method, In the observed image, at least one region is included in each of the first image region and the second image region, which have different recognition times. The image forming method includes the following steps: One or more original images are acquired, and for each acquired original image, a first image and a second image are determined that correspond to the first image region and the second image region, respectively. Create a first depiction condition for the first image, the first depiction condition satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time in the region of the first image; A second depiction condition is created for the second image, the second depiction condition satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time in the region of the second image; as well as Based on the first image and the first drawing conditions, and the second image and the second drawing conditions, an input image for forming the observation image is generated. The observation image is an image fixed by treating a solid-dispersed anionic dye with an alkaline solution and diffusing it onto a pigment image receiving layer, and is drawn by the anionic dye in multiple layer regions at different distances from the pigment image receiving layer. In the process of creating the first and second painting conditions, painting conditions are respectively created for painting in multiple layer regions at different distances from the pigment image receiving layer using the anionic dye. The chemical reaction is based on the treatment of the alkaline solution. The amount of pigment released per unit area from the layer containing solid dispersed pigment closest to the pigment image receiving layer in the highest concentration region of the first image region is greater than the amount of pigment released per unit area from the layer containing the solid dispersed pigment in the highest concentration region of the second image region.

10. An image forming method comprising depicting a precursor for forming an image forming material on a carrier in an image-like manner, and subjecting the precursor to a chemical reaction to form an image for observation, wherein in the image forming method, In the observed image, at least one region is included in each of the first image region and the second image region, which have different recognition times. The image forming method includes the following steps: One or more original images are acquired, and for each acquired original image, a first image and a second image are determined that correspond to the first image region and the second image region, respectively. Create a first depiction condition for the first image, the first depiction condition satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time in the region of the first image; A second depiction condition is created for the second image, the second depiction condition satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time in the region of the second image; as well as Based on the first image and the first depiction conditions, and the second image and the second depiction conditions, an input image for forming the observation image is generated. The image for observation is formed by reducing an image drawn on a carrier using an ink composition containing silver ions with a reducing agent to create an image of metallic silver particles. In the process of preparing the first and second painting conditions, the composition of the ink composition that imparts reducing activity and the painting conditions are respectively prepared. The chemical reaction is a reduction reaction. The first image region is depicted as having a higher reduction activity than the second image region.

11. A recording medium that is a non-volatile and computer-readable tangible recording medium, wherein, The recording medium records the following computer instructions, which, when read by a computer, cause the computer to execute the image forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. An image forming method comprising depicting a precursor for forming an image forming material on a carrier in an image-like manner, and subjecting the precursor to a chemical reaction to form an image for observation, wherein in the image forming method, In the observed image, at least one region is included in each of the first image region and the second image region, which have different recognition times. The image forming method includes the following steps: Determine multiple regions contained in the subject, the multiple regions including a first region and a second region respectively corresponding to the first image region and the second image region; Adjust the first imaging environment for the first region, wherein the first imaging environment satisfies the condition for the image appearance recognition time of the first image region; Adjust the second imaging environment for the second region, wherein the second imaging environment satisfies the condition for the image appearance recognition time of the second image region; The subject is photographed in the first and second photographic environments to generate an input image for use in the formation of the observation image; as well as The image for observation is formed by inputting the input image into a single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material and performing development processing.

13. The image forming method according to claim 12, wherein, At least one of the first and second regions is a region where a display is located. In at least one of the steps of adjusting the first photographic environment and adjusting the second photographic environment, the image displayed on the monitor is adjusted.

14. The image forming method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, Using the input image, the precursor is depicted in an image-like manner, and observation images are formed in the first image region and the second image region at different times of image appearance recognition.

15. The image forming method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, The image appearance recognition time indicates the moment when the highest concentration in the image region can be identifiable from the start of the chemical reaction. The difference between the image appearance recognition time of the first image region and the image appearance recognition time of the second image region is more than 5 seconds and less than 12 hours.

16. A recording medium that is a non-volatile and computer-readable tangible recording medium, wherein, The recording medium records the following computer instructions, which, when read by a computer, cause the computer to execute the image forming method according to any one of claims 12 to 15.

17. An image forming apparatus in which a processor generates an input image based on a raw image, the input image being used for forming an image for observation, wherein, In the image forming apparatus, a precursor for forming an image material is depicted on a carrier in an image-like manner, and a chemical reaction of the precursor occurs to produce the image for observation. In the observed image, at least one region is included in each of the first image region and the second image region, which have different recognition times. The processor performs the following processing: Acquire one or more of the original images; From the acquired original image, determine the first image and the second image corresponding to the first image region and the second image region, respectively; Create a first depiction condition for the first image, the first depiction condition satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time in the region of the first image; A second depiction condition is created for the second image, the second depiction condition satisfying the condition of the image appearance recognition time in the region of the second image; The input image is generated based on the first image and the first drawing conditions, and the second image and the second drawing conditions; as well as The image for observation is formed by inputting the input image into a single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material and performing development processing.

18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein, The image appearance recognition time indicates the moment when the highest concentration in the image region can be identifiable from the start of the chemical reaction. The difference between the image appearance recognition time of the first image region and the image appearance recognition time of the second image region is more than 5 seconds and less than 12 hours.

19. An image forming apparatus in which a processor generates an input image based on a raw image, the input image being used for forming an image for observation, wherein, In the image forming apparatus, a precursor for forming an image material is depicted on a carrier in an image-like manner, and a chemical reaction of the precursor occurs to produce the image for observation. In the observed image, at least one region is included in each of the first image region and the second image region, which have different recognition times. The processor performs the following processing: Determine multiple regions contained in the subject, the multiple regions including a first region and a second region respectively corresponding to the first image region and the second image region; Adjust the first imaging environment for the first region, wherein the first imaging environment satisfies the condition for the image appearance recognition time of the first image region; Adjust the second imaging environment for the second region, wherein the second imaging environment satisfies the condition for the image appearance recognition time of the second image region; The subject is photographed in both the first and second photographic environments to generate an input image; as well as The image for observation is formed by inputting the input image into a single-sheet pigment release diffusion transfer type silver halide photographic photosensitive material and performing development processing.

Images