Image data generation method, structure formation method, structure formation apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017195522-A1
Application number	US-201615372361-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 7, 2016
Priority date	Jan 5, 2016
Publication date	Jul 6, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A computer 10 generates image data of a density image to be printed on a print medium M including an expansion layer M 1 that expands by heating. First density image data for printing on one surface FS of the print medium M to expand the expansion layer M 1 is prepared first. The first density image data is then converted so that the density of a part of a target region having the same density included in a first density image P 1 represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of the other part of the target region, to generate third density image data.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An image data generation method in a structure formation apparatus, comprising:
preparing first density image data for printing on a surface of a print medium including an expansion layer to expand the expansion layer, the surface being on a side of the print medium where the expansion layer is located, and the expansion layer expanding by heating; and converting the first density image data so that density of a part of a target region having same density in a first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than density of an other part of the target region, to generate third density image data.

2 . The image data generation method according to claim 1 , comprising
preparing second density image data for printing on a surface of the print medium opposite to the side where the expansion layer is located to expand the expansion layer, wherein the first density image includes information of a finer structure than a second density image represented by the second density image data.

3 . The image data generation method according to claim 1 , wherein the first density image data is converted so that the density of the part of the target region is higher than the same density, to generate the third density image data.

4 . The image data generation method according to claim 3 , wherein the first density image data is converted so that the density of the part of the target region is twice or more the same density, to generate the third density image data.

5 . The image data generation method according to claim 4 , wherein the first density image data is converted so that the density of the part of the target region is twice or more the same density to generate the third density image data, in the case where the same density is lower than predetermined density.

6 . The image data generation method according to claim 1 , wherein the part of the target region is surrounded by the other part of the target region.

7 . The image data generation method according to claim 1 , wherein the part of the target region is at a center of the target region having the same density.

8 . The image data generation method according to claim 1 , wherein the part of the target region is half in size of the target region having the same density.

9 . The image data generation method according to claim 1 , wherein the target region is a line-shaped or dot-shaped region.

10 . The image data generation method according to claim 1 , comprising:
forming a first pattern on a first surface of the print medium closer to the expansion layer, based on the third density image data; and irradiating the first surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves.

11 . The image data generation method according to claim 1 , comprising:
forming a second pattern representing a rougher structure than the first pattern on a second surface of the print medium farther from the expansion layer, based on second density image data prepared for printing on a surface of the print medium opposite to the side where the expansion layer is located to expand the expansion layer; and irradiating the second surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves, after irradiating the first surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves.

12 . A structure formation apparatus comprising a control unit configured to:
prepare first density image data for printing on a surface of a print medium including an expansion layer to expand the expansion layer, the surface being on a side of the print medium where the expansion layer is located, and the expansion layer expanding by heating; and convert the first density image data so that density of a part of a target region having same density in a first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than density of an other part of the target region, to generate third density image data.

13 . The structure formation apparatus according to claim 12 , comprising:
a printing unit configured to form a first pattern on a first surface of the print medium closer to the expansion layer, based on the third density image data; and an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the first surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves.

14 . The structure formation apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the printing unit is configured to form a second pattern representing a rougher structure than the first pattern on a second surface of the print medium farther from the expansion layer, based on second density image data prepared for printing on a surface of the print medium opposite to the side where the expansion layer is located to expand the expansion layer; and
the irradiation unit is configured to irradiate the second surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves.

15 . The structure formation apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the irradiation unit is configured to irradiate the second surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves, after irradiating the first surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves.

16 . The structure formation apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the part of the target region is surrounded by the other part of the target region.

17 . A computer-readable storage medium for controlling a structure formation apparatus including a control unit, comprising:
a process of preparing first density image data for printing on a surface of a print medium including an expansion layer to expand the expansion layer, the surface being on a side of the print medium where the expansion layer is located, and the expansion layer expanding by heating; and a process of converting the first density image data so that density of a part of a target region having same density in a first density image represented by the first density image data is higher than density of an other part of the target region, to generate third density image data.

18 . The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17 , comprising:
a process of forming a first pattern on a first surface of the print medium closer to the expansion layer, based on the third density image data; and a process of irradiating the first surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves.

19 . The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17 , comprising:
a process of forming a second pattern representing a rougher structure than the first pattern on a second surface of the print medium farther from the expansion layer, based on second density image data prepared for printing on a surface of the print medium opposite to the side where the expansion layer is located to expand the expansion layer; and a process of irradiating the second surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves.

20 . The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17 , wherein the part of the target region is surrounded by the other part of the target region.

Assignees

• Casio Computer Co Ltd

Inventors

• Suzuki Katsunori
• Fujimoto Hitomi

Classifications

• B41M3/16

  Braille printing (typewriters or selective printing mechanisms for Braille printing B41J3/32) · CPC title

• G03G15/224

  Machines for forming tactile or three dimensional images by electrographic means, e.g. braille, 3d printing · CPC title

• B41J2/2054

  by the variation of dot disposition or characteristics, e.g. dot number density, dot shape · CPC title

• B41J3/32 Primary

  for printing in Braille or with keyboards specially adapted for use by blind or disabled persons · CPC title

• B29C64/386

  Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing · CPC title