Image processing device. image processing method and program

Abstract

To control a three-dimensional shape by a highly convenient method when forming a solid body on a recording medium.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 301 forms a solid body by printing an image on a recording medium. The recording medium includes a foaming layer. The image formation apparatus 301 includes a recording medium identification unit 212 configured to identify the recording medium. The image formation apparatus 301 acquires a predetermined standard related to the three-dimensional shape to be formed on the recording medium, and specifies a print data value representing the application amount of foam-promoting ink to be printed on the basis of the recording medium identified by the recording medium identification unit 212 and the acquired predetermined standard.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In an inkjet printer using liquid ink, ink is ejected onto a sheet-like recording medium to record an image and fix it. Conventional inkjet printers are intended to print two-dimensional images, and the print processing parameters are settings for printing high-quality two-dimensional images. In recent years, there are printers that can perform convex printing using an inkjet printer that prints such two-dimensional images. For example, as a technique for forming convex portions on a recording medium, an inkjet printer using ultraviolet curable ink (hereinafter referred to as UV ink) is known. Patent Document 1 describes that a convex portion is formed by ejecting UV ink onto a recording medium and irradiating it with ultraviolet rays to cure the UV ink.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, in order for the UV ink to form a certain convex portion on the recording medium, it is necessary to perform printing with control parameters and printing operations different from those of normal two-dimensional image printing, and the convenience is low.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to perform control of a three-dimensional shape in a highly convenient manner when forming a three-dimensional object on a recording medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention is an image processing apparatus for performing three-dimensional formation by printing an image on a recording medium, comprising: identification means for identifying the recording medium; acquisition means for acquiring a predetermined standard regarding the three-dimensional shape to be formed on the recording medium; and specification means for specifying print data representing the amount of ink to be applied, based on the recording medium identified by the identification means and the predetermined standard.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, when forming a three-dimensional object on a recording medium, it is possible to control the three-dimensional shape in a highly convenient manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention related to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 301 includes an operation panel 101, a roll feeding device 102, a print control device 103, a drying device 104, and a roll winding device 105. The roll feeding device 102 has a feeding unit 106 around which an unprinted recording medium 110 is wound in a roll shape. The roll feeding device 102 pulls out the recording medium 110 from the feeding unit 106. The print control device 103 has a print head 107 that discharges ink. The print control device 103 performs printing on the recording medium 110 sent out from the roll feeding device 102 with the print head 107. The drying device 104 has a dryer 108 that applies heat and air. The drying device 104 dries the printed recording medium 110 (printed matter) with the dryer 108. The roll winding device 105 has a winding unit 109 around which the printed matter is wound in a roll shape. The roll winding device 105 winds the dried printed matter around the winding unit 109.

[0011] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 301 includes a control unit 201, a conveyance unit 202, an image forming unit 203, a communication unit 204, an operation display unit 205, a storage unit 208, a paper feeding unit 209, a winding unit 210, a drying unit 211, and a recording medium identification unit 212. The image forming apparatus 301 is an inkjet printer.

[0012] The control unit 201 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 201 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 301. The CPU of the control unit 201 reads out various programs such as a system program and a processing program stored in the storage unit 208 and expands them in the RAM. By executing the programs expanded in the RAM by the CPU of the control unit 201, image forming processing according to a user's instruction is realized.

[0013] The conveyance unit 202 conveys the recording medium 110. The conveyance unit 202 has a plurality of conveyance rollers and conveys the recording medium 110 sent out from the roll feeding device 102 to the roll winding device 105 via the print control device 103 and the drying device 104.

[0014] The image forming unit 203 controls the print control device 103 to form an image on the recording medium 110 based on print data.

[0015] The communication unit 204 is composed of a communication control device such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card. The communication unit 204 performs transmission and reception of various data with an external device (for example, the external computer 300 in FIG. 3) connected to a network such as a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network) (for example, the communication network 302 in FIG. 3).

[0016] The operation display unit 205 includes a display unit 206 and an operation unit 207. The operation display unit 205 is realized by the operation panel 101 and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel. The display unit 206 displays various information according to the display control signal input from the control unit 201. The operation unit 207 includes input devices such as a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse, accepts various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 201.

[0017] The storage unit 208 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The storage unit 208 stores various programs such as system programs and processing programs executed by the control unit 201, and various data necessary for the execution of these programs.

[0018] The paper feeding unit 209 controls the roll feeding device 102 and feeds the recording medium 110 wound in a roll for printing by the printing control device 103. The winding unit 210 controls the roll winding device 105 and winds up the recording medium 110 printed by the printing control device 103 and dried by the drying device 104 in a roll. Winding up in a roll facilitates the management and delivery of the printed products.

[0019] The drying unit 211 controls the drying device 104. The drying unit 211 controls a dryer 108 that blows out hot air and a heater having a heating element that becomes hot. Since the ink in the portion printed by the printing control device 103 is not sufficiently dried, if it is wound by the roll winding device 105 as it is, the undried ink will be retransferred to the recording medium 110, so it is necessary to dry it sufficiently. The drying unit 211 controls the temperature and the air volume applied to the printed matter according to the characteristics of the recording medium and the ink. If the set temperature is too high, the recording medium 110 may be deformed, and if it is too low, the printed surface will not be sufficiently dried. In the present embodiment, since a foaming layer is formed on the surface of the recording medium 110, by printing with a foam promoting ink and heating with the drying device 104, a three-dimensional shape is formed in the portion printed with the foam promoting ink. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 8. The three-dimensional height changes depending on the application amount of the foam promoting ink and the heating amount. Under the condition that the heating amount is constant, the three-dimensional height formed can be controlled by the application amount of the printed foam promoting ink.

[0020] The recording medium identification unit 212 identifies the type of the recording medium 110 set in the image forming apparatus 301. The recording medium identification unit 212 has a sensor that measures the characteristics of the recording medium, and when the recording medium 110 is set in the image forming apparatus 301, it identifies the type of the recording medium 110 from the sensor value. Further, the recording medium identification unit 212 may display a pull-down menu or the like on a setting screen displayed on the operation panel 101 or the like, and the user may operate the pull-down menu to select the type of the recording medium for identification. The three-dimensional height with respect to the application amount of the foam promoting ink varies depending on the type of the recording medium 110. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 301 identifies the type of the recording medium 110 by the recording medium identification unit 212, and specifies the application amount of the foam promoting ink to be printed from the relationship between the application amount of the foam promoting ink and the convex shape height in the recording medium 110.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows an example of the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming system includes an external computer 300 and an image forming apparatus 301. The external computer 300 and the image forming apparatus 301 are connected via a communication network 302 and perform transmission and reception of various data with each other. In FIG. 3, the external computer 300 and the image forming apparatus 301 are each configured by one unit, but they may be configured by a plurality of units. The external computer 300 generates image data according to a user's instruction, and transmits the generated image data, print settings, and print quantity settings as a print job to the image forming apparatus 301 via the communication network 302. The control unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 301 receives the data of the print job transmitted from the external computer 300 via the communication unit 204. The control unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 301 stores the received data of the print job in the storage unit 208.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a print job. The setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 206 under the control of the control unit 201. In the setting screen 400, the data of the print jobs transmitted from the external computer 300 are listed in the order of transmission. In the example shown in FIG. 4, data such as document name, number of pages, number of copies, and paper type are listed. By operating the operation unit 207 by the user, the listed print jobs can be selected. The display item 401 represents the selected print job. The delete button 402 is a button for deleting the data of the selected print job from the storage unit 208. The print button 403 is a button for starting printing of the selected print job.

[0023] In the present embodiment, a method of performing printing with a foam promoting ink on a recording medium and forming the dots of braille as convex portions will be described. Fig. 5(a) shows the arrangement of Braille dots. As shown in Fig. 5(a), Braille dots consist of a total of six dots arranged in three rows and two columns within one cell 501, representing one character. The interval between two horizontally adjacent dots within one cell is called the horizontal dot interval, and the interval between two vertically adjacent dots is called the vertical dot interval. Also, the horizontal interval between cells is called the cell interval, and the vertical interval between cells is called the line interval. Fig. 5(b) shows the cross-sectional shape of a dot. Dot 502 represents a dot of Braille. The height of dot 502 is called the dot height, and the diameter of dot 502 is called the dot diameter. The values of the horizontal dot interval, vertical dot interval, cell interval, line interval, dot diameter, and dot height shown in Figs. 5(a) and 5(b) are standardized in countries and regions around the world, and Braille printing is performed in accordance with these Braille standards. The formation of the convex portions of Braille is an example of three-dimensional formation. In this embodiment, an example of forming the convex portions of Braille in accordance with the Braille standards will be described.

[0024] Fig. 6 shows Braille standards. Braille standards in which the values of the dot interval, vertical dot interval, cell interval, line interval, dot diameter, and dot height, as shown in Specifications A to F of Fig. 6, are defined are provided in countries and regions around the world. The Braille standards shown in Specifications A to F of Fig. 6 are stored in the storage unit 208 in a database format. The Braille standards are an example of the standard information for three-dimensional printing. Note that the standard information for three-dimensional printing is not limited to the Braille standards, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a standard related to the three-dimensional shape formed on the recording medium.

[0025] Next, the flow of image processing according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. An image creation software 700 is installed in the external computer 300. The 2D printing image data 701 and the 3D printing image data 702 are created by the image creation software 700. The 2D printing image data 701 is a planar printing image such as a poster image, a label image, or a photo image. The 3D printing image data 702 is a three-dimensional printing image such as a braille or a convex decorative image. The created printing image data is transmitted from the interface unit 703 of the external computer 300 to the interface unit 704 of the image forming apparatus 301 via the communication network 302. The interface unit 704 is realized by the communication unit 204 of the image forming apparatus 301.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 301 includes a color conversion unit 705, a gamma processing unit 706, and a binary processing unit 707. By executing a program stored in the storage unit 208 by the control unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 301, the functions of the color conversion unit 705, the gamma processing unit 706, and the binary processing unit 707 are realized. Further, the storage unit 208 of the image forming apparatus 301 stores 3D printing standard information 708.

[0027] The color conversion unit 705 performs color conversion processing on the printing image data received by the interface unit 704. For the 2D printing image data 701, the color conversion unit 705 performs a process of converting the signal value of the color of each pixel into a printing data value representing the amount of ink application for each of YMCK corresponding to the color ink (for example, YMCK) used in the image forming apparatus 301. Specifically, a look-up table for realizing a target color is used. For the three-dimensional printing image data 702, the color conversion unit 705 first reads the Braille standard selected by the user from the three-dimensional printing standard information 708 stored in the storage unit 208. Then, using the data describing the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink applied per recording medium and the convex shape height, the amount of foaming promoting ink to achieve the dot height of the selected Braille standard, that is, the print data value, is obtained. And the three-dimensional printing image data 702 is processed to be converted into the amount of foaming promoting ink to achieve the dot height of the selected Braille standard, that is, the print data value.

[0028] The gamma processing unit 706 performs gamma processing on the two-dimensional printing image data and the three-dimensional printing image data that have been subjected to the conversion processing by the color conversion unit 705. The binary processing unit 707 generates print data to be printed by the print head 107 from the two-dimensional printing image data and the three-dimensional printing image data that have been subjected to the gamma processing by the gamma processing unit 706. And the control unit 201 controls the image forming unit 203 to perform printing based on the generated print data. Here, the printing is performed simultaneously with two-dimensional printing using color ink and three-dimensional printing using foaming promoting ink. In three-dimensional printing, convex portions are formed on the recording medium 110.

[0029] The mechanism for forming the convex portions will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 schematically shows an enlarged cross section of the recording medium 110. The recording medium 110 includes a base material 801 and a foaming layer 802 provided on the base material 801. The foaming layer 802 is applied with a foaming promoting ink 803 having a different composition from the color ink for two-dimensional printing and expands when heated. The foaming layer 802 contains particulate foaming material. In three-dimensional printing, the foaming promoting ink 803 is ejected from the print head 107 and penetrates into the foaming layer 802. Then, when heated, in the foaming layer 802 into which the foaming promoting ink 803 has penetrated, the foaming material 804 expands and convex portions are formed as shown. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the foaming promoting ink is colorless and does not affect the color of the two-dimensional image even when used simultaneously with two-dimensional printing using color ink, but the foaming promoting ink may be colored.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink applied and the height of the convex shape (three-dimensional height) on a certain recording medium. In the graph shown in FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents the amount of foaming promoting ink applied to the recording medium, and the vertical axis represents the height of the convex shape formed on the recording medium. The shape of the illustrated curve varies depending on conditions such as the type of recording medium and the drying time.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of specifying a print data value from the graph shown in FIG. 9. Information on the amount of foaming promoting ink applied, that is, the print data value 1004, corresponding to the intersection of the value 1002 of the dot height defined by the braille standard selected by the user and the curve 1001 is read. Since the shape of the curve 1001 varies depending on the recording medium and the drying conditions, even if the selected braille standard is the same, if the recording medium and the drying conditions are different, the print data value for realizing the dot height of that braille standard, that is, the amount of foaming promoting ink applied, also differs.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink applied and the height of the convex shape in a plurality of recording media. The graphs shown in FIGS. 11(a) to (d) are examples of the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink applied and the height of the convex shape for each recording medium. FIGS. 11(a) to (d) show the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink applied and the height of the convex shape in substrates A to D. Substrates A to D are printing substrates provided with a foaming layer, and the properties (for example, expansion rate) of the foaming layers are different from each other. That is, the reaction to the amount of foaming promoting ink applied is different for substrates A to D. When specifying information on the amount of foaming promoting ink applied, that is, the print data value, from the value of the dot height defined by the braille standard selected by the user, even when the same dot height is to be realized, the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink applied and the height of the convex shape differs for each recording medium. Therefore, the print data value varies depending on the type of recording medium.

[0033] FIG. 12 shows a one-dimensional look-up table (hereinafter abbreviated as LUT) representing the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink applied and the height of the convex shape shown in FIG. 9. By using this LUT, the amount of foaming promoting ink applied, that is, the print data value, can be specified from the value of the dot height defined by the braille standard selected by the user. For example, in a certain braille standard, when the value of the dot height is 0.94 mm, the amount of foaming promoting ink corresponding to the convex shape height of 0.94 mm is 0xa0 in hexadecimal notation. Therefore, by performing printing with the print data value of 0xa0, it is possible to print braille with a dot height of 0.94 mm on this recording medium. In the present embodiment, the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink applied and the height of the convex shape for each recording medium as shown in FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) is stored in the storage unit 208 in the form of a LUT.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the image forming process. The control unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 301 executes a program stored in the storage unit 208, whereby the processes of this flowchart are realized. Note that an external computer may function as an image processing apparatus and execute the processes of this flowchart, or another image processing apparatus may share a part of the processes of this flowchart. In the following description, the notation of the steps (steps) is omitted by prefixing each step (step) with S.

[0035] The process of this flowchart is executed when printing of a print job is instructed and the 3D print image data is included in the instructed print job. First, in S1301, the control unit 201 uses the recording medium identification unit 212 to identify the type of the recording medium to be printed. Note that the type of the recording medium may be specified by the user, or may be determined from the sensor value measured by a sensor that measures the characteristics of the recording medium.

[0036] In S1302, the control unit 201 reads out the braille standard (braille standard data) database-ized from the storage unit 208. In S1303, the control unit 201 presents the braille standard data read in S1302 to the user. The control unit 201 selects the braille standard to be used for 3D printing according to the operation of the operation unit 207 by the user.

[0037] FIG. 14 shows an example of a UI for selecting a braille standard. The UI 1400 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the display unit 206 under the control of the control unit 201. The UI 1400 is provided with 3D printing settings 1401 for performing 3D printing settings. In the 3D printing settings 1401, specifications of braille standards (braille specifications) selectable in the pull-down menu 1402 are listed. The user operates the operation unit 207 to select a desired braille standard specification from the specifications listed in the pull-down menu 1402. Note that, in order for the user to correctly select a braille standard, the braille specifications in the 3D printing settings 1401 may be sorted and displayed for each country or region. Also, using current location information or the like, only some of the braille specifications may be displayed, or the display order of the braille specifications may be changed.

[0038] In S1304, the control unit 201 obtains the value of the dot height to be realized from the information on the braille standard selected in S1303.

[0039] In S1305, the control unit 201 specifies the information on the amount of foaming promoting ink application, that is, the print data value, which realizes the value of the dot height of the selected braille standard, using the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink application and the convex shape height in the type of recording medium identified in S1301. In the present embodiment, a LUT (see FIG. 12) representing the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink application and the convex shape height for each recording medium is held in the storage unit 208. The control unit 201 reads out the LUT corresponding to the type of the identified recording medium, and uses the read LUT to specify the information on the amount of foaming promoting ink application, that is, the print data value, corresponding to the value of the dot height of the selected braille standard. Note that the control unit 201 may calculate the necessary print data value using data in which the relationship between the amount of foaming promoting ink application and the convex shape height is formulated, without using the LUT.

[0040] In S1306, the control unit 201 performs color matching processing on the two-dimensional print image data so that the print result of the two-dimensional print image data becomes a target color, for example, a color compliant with the Japan Color or ISO standard. For the three-dimensional print image data, the control unit 201 performs a process of converting it into the print data value specified in S1305. That is, in this step, the control unit 201 performs a conversion process for realizing the dot height of the braille standard on the three-dimensional print image data in the same manner as performing color conversion processing for realizing the target color on the two-dimensional print image data.

[0041] In S1307, the control unit 201 controls the image forming unit 203 to print the three-dimensional print image data subjected to the conversion process on the recording medium 110 provided with a foaming layer using the foaming promotion ink. A figure (a circle in the case of braille) is printed on the recording medium 110 based on the data after the conversion process. Since the diameter of the ink droplets to be printed is very small compared to the dot diameter of the braille, a plurality of ink droplets form the circle of the braille. The ink layer printed on the braille portion undergoes a predetermined drying process, and convex portions are formed by the effect of the foaming promotion ink to become braille. Also, simultaneously with the printing of the braille (three-dimensional printing), the two-dimensional print image data subjected to the conversion process in S1306 is also printed (two-dimensional printing) using color ink, and the image is also dried in the drying process to realize a desired color development. After that, a series of processes of this flowchart are completed.

[0042] According to the present embodiment as described above, when performing three-dimensional image printing using an image forming apparatus that performs two-dimensional image printing, the three-dimensional shape on the recording medium can be controlled in accordance with a predetermined standard regarding the three-dimensional shape in the same mechanism as the color conversion performed in two-dimensional high-quality printing.

[0043] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1, a method for specifying the print data value to be printed was described by paying attention to the dot height of the braille standard. In this embodiment, a method for correcting the dot diameter to be printed in accordance with the dot diameter of the braille standard will be described. Hereinafter, descriptions of the same parts as those in Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0044] FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the dot diameter and the print dot. The braille bottom surface 1501 represents the bottom surface of the dots constituting the braille and has the dot diameter of the braille standard. The braille bottom surface 1501 is circular. The print pixel 1502 represents the size of one pixel to be printed by the image forming apparatus 301. The print pixel 1502 is determined by the print resolution of the image forming apparatus 301. The print dot 1503 represents the dot formed by the ink droplet ejected from the print head 107 on the recording medium 110. By forming the print dot 1503 at the position of the pixel and printing so as to cover the inside of the braille bottom surface 1501 with the print dot 1503, a circle is realized. The size of the dot diameter varies according to the braille standard as described in FIG. 6. The number of print pixels N is represented by the following formula (1) using the dot diameter D (mm) and the print resolution X (dpi). Note that 1 inch = 25.4 mm.

[0045] N = X / 25.4 × D ···(1)

[0046] If printing is performed with normal ink, the print dot 1503 may be formed so as to fill the diameter of the circle with N pixels at the position of each dot constituting the braille in accordance with the dot diameter of the braille standard using the above formula (1). On the other hand, when forming the convex portions of the braille with the foam promoting ink, since the spread of the print dot 1503 occurs due to the expansion of the foam promoting ink, when printing so as to fill the diameter of the circle with N pixels at the position of each dot constituting the braille, convex portions larger than the dot diameter D of the braille standard are formed.

[0047] FIG. 16 shows the relationship between the printing size considering expansion and the braille standard. In order to obtain the size of the desired braille bottom surface 1501, it is necessary to perform printing slightly smaller than the braille bottom surface 1501, such as the printing size 1601, considering the expansion by the foam-promoting ink. If the diameter of the printing size 1601 is defined as the printing dot diameter, the printing dot diameter is represented by the following formula (2).

[0048] Printing dot diameter = dot diameter of the braille standard × correction coefficient ··· Formula (2)

[0049] Here, the correction coefficient is a value of 1.0 or less. The correction coefficient is a value calculated from the type of the recording medium and the information on the amount of the foam-promoting ink applied to achieve the predetermined dot height described in Embodiment 1, that is, the expansion rate determined by the combination of the print data values. Note that the correction coefficient may be determined in advance according to the type of the recording medium and the like. In FIG. 15, the size ratio of the printing dots to the dot diameter is described larger than the actual size for the purpose of explanation. Also, a part of the printed printing dots is omitted in the description.

[0050] Next, the flow of the image processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17. In the present embodiment, a step of correcting the dot diameter is added as compared with Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from FIG. 7. FIG. 17 is different from FIG. 7 in that the image forming apparatus 301 includes a dot diameter correction unit 1701 and a dot image data generation unit 1702.

[0051] The dot diameter correction unit 1701 reads the braille standard selected by the user from the 3D printing standard information 708 stored in the storage unit 208, and performs correction processing on the value of the dot diameter of the read braille standard. The above formula (2) is used for the correction processing.

[0052] The dot image data generation unit 1702 calculates the number of pixels constituting the dots of the braille to be printed from the printing dot diameter, which is the dot diameter corrected by the dot diameter correction unit 1701, and the information on the printing resolution, and generates dot image data. Note that the above formula (1) is used for calculating the number of pixels of the dots of the braille to be printed. The color conversion unit 705 converts the dot image data generated by the dot image data generation unit 1702 into dot image data for realizing the dot height of the selected braille standard, using the relationship between the amount of foaming promotion ink application and the convex shape height in the identified type of recording medium.

[0053] In this embodiment, the same processing as the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is executed. Hereinafter, differences from Embodiment 1 will be described. In S1304, the control unit 201 acquires the value of the dot diameter together with the dot height to be realized from the information of the braille standard selected in S1303. In S1305, the control unit 201 performs correction processing according to information such as the identified type of recording medium for the selected dot diameter value. As a result, a printed dot diameter slightly smaller than the dot diameter is calculated. Then, dot image data is generated from the calculated printed dot diameter and the information of the printing resolution. Next, the control unit 201 uses the relationship between the amount of foaming promotion ink application and the convex shape height in the identified type of recording medium to specify the information on the amount of foaming promotion ink application for realizing the value of the dot height of the selected braille standard, that is, the print data value. In S1306, the control unit 201 performs processing of converting the three-dimensional printing image data into the dot image data generated in S1305 and then converting it into the print data value specified in S1305.

[0054] According to this embodiment as described above, when performing braille printing using an image forming apparatus that performs two-dimensional image printing, in the same mechanism as the color conversion performed in two-dimensional high-quality printing, the three-dimensional shape formed on the recording medium can be controlled according to the dot height and dot diameter of the braille standard.

[0055] In Embodiment 2, an example is shown in which the number of circular pixels to be printed is N pixels both vertically and horizontally. However, depending on the printing method and the hardware configuration, it is not necessary to have the same number of pixels vertically and horizontally.

[0056] [Embodiment 3] In this embodiment, a method for forming a dot shape that is easy for braille users to identify will be described. Since braille users rely on touch to identify characters, easy-to-identify braille is desirable. For example, since they identify by touching the surface, a material for braille that is somewhat slippery is used. Also, those with non-uniform dot sizes or sharp-angled dot vertices are not preferable. FIG. 18 shows the cross-sectional shape of a dot of braille described in Embodiment 3. In FIG. 18, the vertical cross-sectional shape of a dot 1802 formed on a recording medium 1801 is shown. If the cross-sectional shape of a dot of braille is circular or semi-dome-shaped, the area of contact with the skin is small, so the feel when touched by hand becomes hard, and it cannot be said that it is easy to identify. Therefore, as shown in the figure, by flattening a part of the central portion (apex portion) of the convex portion of the dot, the area when touched by hand can be enlarged to improve the feel, and a more easily identifiable dot shape can be obtained. Hereinafter, a method for flattening a part of the apex portion of the dot will be described. Hereinafter, descriptions of the same parts as in Embodiment 2 will be omitted.

[0057] FIG. 19 shows the relationship between the printing size considering expansion and the area size for flattening the apex portion of the dot. In this embodiment, as in Embodiment 2, in order to obtain the size of the desired braille bottom surface 1501, printing is performed slightly smaller than the printing size 1601, like the braille bottom surface 1501, considering the expansion by the foam-promoting ink. The area size 1901 represents the size for flattening the apex portion of the dot. The area size 1901 is determined from the performance of the image forming apparatus 301, the type of recording medium, the ease of identifying braille when actually touched by hand, and the like. The diameter of the area size 1901 is referred to as the flat portion diameter. The flat portion diameter may be selected as an appropriate value for each recording medium based on the results of tests performed in advance by combining various conditions, or an appropriate value may be determined based on the results calculated by combining parameters. The method for determining the value of the flat portion diameter is not particularly limited.

[0058] FIG. 20 describes a method for forming a flat portion at the apex portion of the dot. As described in Embodiment 2, FIG. 20(a) shows a state where the inside of the printing dot diameter 1601 is uniformly printed with printing dots 2010. As shown on the right side of FIG. 20(a), the shape of the braille dot 2002 formed on the recording medium 2001 is dome-shaped in cross-section. FIG. 20(b) shows a state where, in order to form a flat portion at the apex of the dot, for the printing dots (the dot pattern printing dots 2011) inside the flat portion diameter 1901, not all are printed but are printed in a sampled manner. Thereby, the amount of the foam-promoting ink applied inside the flat portion diameter 1901 can be reduced. As shown on the right side of FIG. 20(b), the braille dot 2003 formed on the recording medium 2001 has a shape in which the swelling at the apex of the convex portion is suppressed. In addition, in FIG. 20, the size ratio of the printing dots to the dot diameter is described larger than the actual for the purpose of explanation. Also, a part of the printing dots to be printed is omitted in the description.

[0059] In this embodiment, the same processing as the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is executed. Hereinafter, the differences from Embodiment 2 will be described. In S1305, the control unit 201 generates dot image data from the printing dot diameter calculated by performing correction processing on the value of the selected dot diameter and the information on the printing resolution. At this time, the control unit 201 does not fill the entire inside of the printing dot diameter uniformly with printing dots, but samples the printing dots for the inside of the flat portion diameter.

[0060] According to the present embodiment as described above, when performing braille printing using an image forming apparatus that performs two-dimensional image printing, by making a part of the apex of the dot flat, the braille can be made easier to identify.

[0061] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, three-dimensional image printing is performed using the foam-promoting ink, but other inks such as ultraviolet curable ink (UV ink) may be used as long as the ink can form a three-dimensional shape on the recording medium. In the case of UV ink, the recording medium may be any printing substrate on which the UV ink can be fixed, such as a PET film or a PP film.

[0062] (Other Embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0063] The disclosure of each of the above embodiments includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) An image processing apparatus for performing three-dimensional formation by printing an image on a recording medium, identifying means for identifying a recording medium; acquiring means for acquiring a predetermined standard regarding a three-dimensional shape to be formed on the recording medium; specifying means for specifying print data representing the amount of ink to be applied for printing based on the recording medium identified by the identifying means and the predetermined standard; An image processing apparatus, characterized by comprising the above. (Configuration 2) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, further comprising conversion means for performing conversion of the image using the print data specified by the specifying means. (Configuration 3) When the image is a two-dimensional image, the conversion means performs conversion using print data representing the amount of color ink to be applied to make the image the target color, and when the image is a three-dimensional image, the conversion means performs conversion using the print data specified by the specifying means. The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 2, characterized by this. (Configuration 4) The image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined standard is a Braille standard. (Configuration 5) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 4, wherein the Braille standard includes the dot height of Braille. (Configuration 6) The specific means specifies the print data based on the relationship between the amount of ink applied on the recording medium identified by the identification means and the three-dimensional height to be formed, and the dot height. The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 5. (Configuration 7) It further has holding means for holding a look-up table representing the relationship between the amount of ink applied for each recording medium and the three-dimensional height to be formed. The specific means specifies the print data using the look-up table read from the holding means. The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 6. (Configuration 8) The ink to be printed is a foam-promoting ink. The recording medium is provided with a foam layer. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7. (Configuration 9) The ink to be printed is an ultraviolet curable ink. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8. (Configuration 10) The acquisition means acquires the predetermined standard selected by the user. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9. (Configuration 11) The Braille standard further includes the dot diameter of Braille. Correction means for correcting the dot diameter according to the recording medium identified by the identification means. Generation means for generating dot image data based on the corrected dot diameter and the printing resolution. Conversion means for converting the dot image data using the print data specified by the specific means. It further has the above features. The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 6. (Configuration 12) The generation means thins out the print dots printed in a predetermined area of the central portion at the corrected dot diameter. The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 11. (Configuration 13) It further has printing means for printing the image by an inkjet method. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 12. (Method) An image processing method for performing three-dimensional formation by printing an image on a recording medium, identifying means for identifying the recording medium, acquiring means for acquiring a predetermined standard regarding a three-dimensional shape to be formed on the recording medium, specifying means for specifying print data representing an amount of ink to be printed based on the recording medium identified by the identifying means and the predetermined standard, The image processing method characterized by comprising the above. (Program) A program for causing a computer of an image processing apparatus for performing three-dimensional formation by printing an image on a recording medium to function as identifying means for identifying the recording medium, acquiring means for acquiring a predetermined standard regarding a three-dimensional shape to be formed on the recording medium, specifying means for specifying print data representing an amount of ink to be printed based on the recording medium identified by the identifying means and the predetermined standard,

Explanation of Signs

[0064] 300: External computer, 301: Image forming apparatus​

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus for performing three-dimensional formation by printing an image on a recording medium, identification means for identifying the recording medium, acquisition means for acquiring a predetermined standard regarding the three-dimensional shape to be formed on the recording medium, specifying means for specifying print data representing the amount of ink to be applied, based on the recording medium identified by the identifying means and the predetermined standard, An image processing apparatus, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising conversion means for converting the image using the print data specified by the specifying means.

3. When the image is a two-dimensional image, the conversion means performs conversion using print data representing the amount of color ink to be applied to make the image the target color. When the image is a three-dimensional image, the conversion means performs conversion using the print data specified by the specifying means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by this.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined standard is a Braille standard.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the Braille standard includes the dot height of Braille.

6. The specifying means specifies the print data based on the relationship between the ink application amount and the three-dimensional height formed on the recording medium identified by the identifying means and the dot height. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by this.

7. Further comprising holding means for holding a look-up table representing the relationship between the ink application amount for each recording medium and the three-dimensional height formed, The specifying means specifies the print data using the look-up table read from the holding means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by this.

8. The ink to be printed is a foam-promoting ink, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the recording medium is provided with a foam layer.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ink to be printed is an ultraviolet curable ink.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires the predetermined standard selected by the user.

11. The Braille standard further includes the dot diameter of the Braille, Correction means for correcting the dot diameter according to the recording medium identified by the identification means, Generation means for generating dot image data based on the corrected dot diameter and the printing resolution, Conversion means for converting the dot image data using the print data specified by the specifying means, The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the generation means thins out the print dots printed in a predetermined area of the central portion at the corrected dot diameter.

13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising printing means for printing the image by an inkjet method.

14. An image processing method for performing three-dimensional formation by printing an image on a recording medium, Identification means for identifying a recording medium, Acquisition means for acquiring a predetermined standard regarding a three-dimensional shape to be formed on the recording medium, Specifying means for specifying print data representing the application amount of the ink to be printed based on the recording medium identified by the identification means and the predetermined standard, An image processing method, characterized by comprising:

15. A computer of an image processing apparatus for performing three-dimensional formation by printing an image on a recording medium, identifying means for identifying the recording medium, acquiring means for acquiring a predetermined standard regarding a three-dimensional shape to be formed on the recording medium, specifying means for specifying print data representing an amount of ink to be printed based on the recording medium identified by the identifying means and the predetermined standard, a program for causing the computer to function as such.

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