Duplex Printing on Transmissive Media for Viewpoint Image Reproduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light field printing techniques face challenges in efficiently reproducing images that change with the viewpoint, often requiring complex bonding of transparent layers and are prone to image deterioration due to positional deviations and inadequate reproducibility of multiple viewpoints.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and printing system that generate and duplex print images on transmissive transfer media, optimizing front-side and back-side images to minimize errors across viewpoints, allowing for image layers on both sides of a single or multiple transmissive transfer media to create a print where images change with the viewpoint, reducing the need for layer bonding and minimizing positional deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple transparent layers are bonded to reproduce light field images, then image reproduction capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and positional deviation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage reproduction accuracyVSAvoidlayer bonding complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple transparent layers into a single transmissive transfer medium. By printing image layers directly on both the front and back surfaces of one medium, the system eliminates the need for bonding multiple layers together, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the capability to reproduce light field images with multiple viewpoints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the image content into multiple image layers that are printed on different surfaces of the same transmissive transfer medium. This segmentation allows each layer to correspond to specific viewpoints, enabling light field reproduction without requiring physical bonding of separate transparent layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If transparent layers are bonded to create stereoscopic print, then viewpoint reproduction is improved, but image deterioration due to positional deviation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewpoint reproduction capabilityVSAvoidpositional alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple image layers onto a single transmissive transfer medium through duplex printing, the patent eliminates positional deviations that occur during the bonding of multiple transparent layers. The front-side and back-side images are printed in precise registration on the same medium, ensuring accurate viewpoint reproduction without image deterioration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transparent layers are used, then light field printing capability is improved, but reliability due to air and adhesive issues worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight field printing capabilityVSAvoidimage quality stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple image layers into a single transmissive transfer medium, eliminating the adhesive bonding process entirely. This removes the source of reliability issues such as air bubbles, adhesive residue, and bonding failures, while maintaining full light field printing capability through duplex printing on both surfaces of the medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If duplex printing on transmissive medium is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but image layer alignment precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process simplicityVSAvoidimage layer alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the printing of front-side and back-side images into a single duplex printing operation on a transmissive transfer medium. The printing system inherently maintains alignment between the two sides, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring precise image layer alignment without requiring additional bonding or alignment steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11858284B2Information processing apparatus, printing system, image processing method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus, system, method, and a control program stored in a non-transitory recording medium, each of which: receives a plurality of input images corresponding to respective viewpoints; generates, based on the plurality of input images, a first output image and a second output image that are to be printed by duplex printing on at least one transmissive transfer medium having image layers on both sides thereof, so as to reproduce at least part of one of the input images corresponding to each of the viewpoints on the transmissive transfer medium; and instructs a printer to print the first output image and the second output image by duplex printing.