JP6840941B2 - Liquid discharge device, image processing device, program and liquid discharge method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid discharge device, an image processing device, a program, and a liquid discharge method.

Conventionally, there has been disclosed a three-dimensional object forming technique by an inkjet method that realizes a three-dimensional shape by repeatedly ejecting and curing ink on a recording medium and laminating the formed images.

According to the conventional three-dimensional object forming technique by the inkjet method, the area gradation method (parallel color mixing method) in which the shading is expressed by the coverage rate of the dots in which ink is dropped on the recording medium is mainly used. More specifically, the ink dots are arranged coarsely for the expression of light colors, and the ink dots are arranged densely for the expression of dark colors. Further, not only the colors to be expressed are dark and light, but also when a plurality of colors of ink are combined, the colors are expressed by using the colors that are roughly arranged and the colors that are densely arranged in combination.

By the way, when forming a three-dimensional object by repeatedly ejecting and curing ink on a recording medium and laminating the formed images, small ink droplets take too much time, so large ink droplets are often used. Factors that take too much time for small ink droplets include the fact that a large number of ink droplets must be arranged in order to form a layer-forming image, and that the thickness of the one layer is thin.

However, when a large ink droplet is used, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain high-definition quality because a fine difference in shade cannot be expressed by the juxtaposed color mixing method in which the shade is expressed by the density of ink dots.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid discharge device, an image processing device, a program, and a liquid discharge method capable of obtaining high-definition quality without impairing productivity. To do.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the liquid ejection device of the present invention includes an ink ejection unit that repeatedly ejects and cures ink on a recording medium to stack three-dimensional images, and the ink ejection unit. On the other hand, the ink supply unit that supplies the ink and the image data are acquired, in which the influence of the color of the stereoscopic image located below the stacking direction of the stereoscopic image appears in the stereoscopic image located above the stacking direction. Based on the acquisition means and the image data acquired by the acquisition means, the color of the ink and the color of the ink in order to express the shade or color of the stack of a plurality of layers in a predetermined region as viewed from above in the stacking direction in multiple stages. A stacking order determining means for determining the stacking order and a halftone process are applied to each of the stereoscopic images according to the color and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means to generate the ink drip data. It is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the repetition of ejection and curing of the ink in the ink ejection unit according to the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain high-definition quality without impairing productivity.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a recording head. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing image formation by the area gradation method (parallel color mixing method). FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a multi-step shading expression method by the juxtaposed color mixing method. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of layers of ink and the density. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the storage means. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming processing unit. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of liquid discharge processing in the image forming processing unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a liquid discharge process. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a side cross section of a three-dimensional object. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of controlling the stacking order of inks in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid discharge device, an image processing device, a program, and a liquid discharge method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 which is a liquid discharging apparatus includes an image forming processing unit 20 which is an image processing apparatus and an image forming unit 30. The image forming processing unit 20 and the image forming unit 30 are communicably connected to each other. Here, as the image forming unit 30, a serial type inkjet recording device will be taken as an example.

The image forming processing unit 20 is connected to the host. The image forming processing unit 20 prints the image data on the base material 101 (see FIG. 2) installed on the support 100 according to the instruction from the host to generate the formed image 200 (see FIG. 2). Execute the instructions of. The host is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer, an image reading device such as an image scanner, an imaging device such as a digital camera, or the like.

Further, the image forming unit 20 controls the image forming unit 30 based on the instruction for generating the formed image 200.

Here, the image forming unit 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 30 includes a recording head 31, an operating stage 32, and a driving unit 33.

The recording head 31 includes a plurality of nozzles 311 that are ink ejection units. Further, the recording head 31 includes an ink supply unit 312 that supplies ink to the nozzle 311. The recording head 31 records dots by ejecting droplets of ink of a plurality of colors supplied from the ink supply unit 312 from each of the plurality of nozzles 311. The nozzle 311 is provided on the surface of the recording head 31 facing the operating stage 32.

The recording head 31 of the present embodiment has a configuration in which ink of each color is switched from one head to eject droplets, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of heads for each color may be mounted, and an aggregate thereof may be used as a recording head 31.

The operation stage 32 holds the support 100. The drive unit 33 sets the recording head 31 and the operation stage 32 in the vertical direction (in FIG. 1, the arrow Z direction), the main scanning direction X perpendicular to the vertical direction Z, and the subs perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and the main scanning direction X. It is moved relatively in the scanning direction Y.

In the present embodiment, the plane composed of the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y corresponds to the XY plane along the surface facing the recording head 31 in the operating stage 32.

The drive unit 33 includes a first drive unit 331 and a second drive unit 332. The first drive unit 331 moves the recording head 31 in the vertical direction Z, the main scanning direction X, and the sub scanning direction Y. The second drive unit 332 moves the operation stage 32 in the vertical direction Z, the main scanning direction X, and the sub scanning direction Y. The image forming unit 30 may be configured to include either the first driving unit 331 or the second driving unit 332.

Next, the recording head 31 will be described.

In the present embodiment, the droplets of ink of a plurality of colors supplied from the ink supply unit 312 and ejected from the nozzle 311 include at least one of the ink droplet and the additional droplet. The ink droplets are droplets of ink containing a coloring material used for image formation (for example, four color inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K)). That is, in the present embodiment, the image means an image formed by ink.

Additional droplets are droplets of a color that does not affect the image. The additional droplets are, for example, white (W) or transparent. Further, the additional droplet may have a color similar to that of the base material 101 to be image-formed. The base material 101 is a recording medium that is an object for forming an image by ink droplets. The base material 101 is, for example, a recording medium. Further, the base material 101 may be formed by ejecting droplets by using an inkjet method or the like.

The color and number of inks are not limited to those described above. For example, it may be changed to another color ink such as Red ink, or another color ink such as Red ink may be added.

The ink droplets and additional droplets are irritating and curable. The stimulus is, for example, light (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.), heat, electricity, and the like. In the present embodiment, the case where the ink droplet and the additional droplet have ultraviolet curability will be described as an example. The ink droplet and the additional droplet are not limited to the form having ultraviolet curability.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the recording head 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 31 has a configuration in which a plurality of nozzles 311 are arranged in the main scanning direction X. Each nozzle 311 has ink droplets 40A (40K, 40C, 40M, 40Y), additional droplets 40B (40W, 40T), or a mixed solution of ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B as droplets 40 (in FIG. 2). Discharge (not shown). The configuration for ejecting the nozzle 311 and the droplet 40 is the same as that of a known inkjet method. The types of ink are not limited to the six types shown in FIG.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 31 is provided with an irradiation unit 313 on a surface facing the operating stage 32. The irradiation unit 313 is a curing irradiation lamp that irradiates light for curing the ink droplet 40A and the additional droplet 40B ejected from the nozzle 311. In the present embodiment, the irradiation unit 313 irradiates ultraviolet rays. The number and position of the irradiation units 313 are not limited to those shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, by installing an irradiation unit 313 that irradiates ultraviolet rays in the vicinity of the nozzle 311 that ejects the ultraviolet curable ink droplets 40A and the additional droplets 40B, the ink droplets 40A and the additional droplets 40B can be treated. The time from landing to curing is shortened. As a result, the ink droplets 40A can be cured before they are united with each other, so that a higher-definition image can be formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support 100 supports the base material 101 on which the ink droplet 40A and the additional droplet 40B ejected from the nozzle 311 are landed. The base material 101 may have a planar shape or a three-dimensional structure depending on the shape of the image to be finally formed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 31 forms a layer (formed image) 200 on the support 100 by ejecting and curing the ink droplets 40A and the additional droplets 40B having ultraviolet curability. Can be done. The image forming unit 30 forms a three-dimensional object by laminating the layers (formed images) 200 one after another.

In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B are superimposed in one square (square area) in the juxtaposed color mixing method described later to express a multi-step shade or color. ing. Therefore, although the details will be described later, in order to express a multi-step shade or color by superimposing a plurality of ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B, the formed image located in the lower layer is placed in the upper layer under certain conditions. It needs to be transparent in the formed image in which it is located.

Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming processing unit 20 includes an acquisition means 21, a stacking order determining means 22, a control means 23, and a storage means 24.

The acquisition means 21 acquires the image data of the formed image formed on the support 100.

The stacking order determining means 22 is viewed from the stacking direction at a predetermined height in a square region composed of one partition length (unit length) per pixel of the recording resolution based on the image data acquired by the acquiring means 21. Expresses shades or colors in multiple stages. Further, the stacking order determining means 22 adds an area gradation expression by applying a halftone process to each layer of the formed image 200 based on the image data acquired by the acquiring means 21, and determines the stacking order of the inks. To do.

Here, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing image formation by the area gradation method (parallel color mixing method). As shown in FIG. 4, in general printing by an inkjet method, an image is formed by an area gradation method (parallel color mixing method) by arranging ink droplets 40A on a recording medium.

At this time, if the arrangement of the ink droplets 40A per unit area is rough, a thin image can be formed, and if the arrangement is dense, a dark image can be formed. For example, cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow ( In the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment equipped with four color inks of Y) and black (K), the image of B is obtained by using C and M at the same time, and the image of R is obtained by using M and Y at the same time. The color of the image can be changed by mixing colors such as.

Here, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a multi-step shading expression method by the juxtaposed color mixing method. For example, when one drop of ink droplet 40A or additional droplet 40B is dropped on one square in a 4 × 4 region as shown in FIG. 5A, a total of 16 drops of ink droplet 40A or additional droplet is added. 40B can be dropped. That is, in this case, 16 levels of shading can be expressed in the shading expression method by the juxtaposed color mixing method.

In order to express a finer shade difference, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, it is conceivable to reduce the size of the ink droplet 40A and the additional droplet 40B to perform high-resolution recording. In this case, it is possible to express a finer shade difference in the same area as the area shown in FIG. 5A, and it is possible to obtain high-definition quality.

However, when the size of the ink droplet 40A or the additional droplet 40B is reduced to perform high-resolution recording, there is a problem that it takes time to form one layer because the small ink droplet 40A or the additional droplet 40B is used. There is. In particular, when a three-dimensional object is formed by laminating as shown in FIG. 2, the higher the stacking height, the longer the time required.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned juxtaposed color mixing method, a plurality of drops of ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B are superposed on one square (square area) in the juxtaposed color mixing method to achieve multi-step shading. I try to express. This point will be described in detail below.

In order to express multiple levels of shading by superimposing multiple ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B, the density of each ink is reduced, and multiple layers of images formed by ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B are laminated. , It is necessary to make the color of the formed image located in the lower layer affect the color of the formed image located in the upper layer. Therefore, in the ink of the present embodiment, the density of each ink is reduced so that the influence of the color of the formed image located below the stacking direction of the formed image appears in the formed image located above the stacking direction. ..

Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of overlapping inks and the density. As shown in FIG. 6, the density of the ink of the present embodiment increases as a plurality of layers of images formed by the same ink droplets 40A are laminated. By doing so, it is possible to express multiple levels of shading.

As described above, when only the images formed by the ink droplets 40A in the same ink are laminated, the shade difference of the same color is obtained. On the other hand, it is also possible to express fine color changes in multiple stages by superimposing images formed by ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B of different colors. For example, by stacking three layers of magenta ink and one layer of cyan ink, a slightly bluish magenta color can be expressed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink of the present embodiment has an ink density that saturates when the height (thickness) becomes “a”. For example, the height (thickness) a is the section length (unit length) per pixel of the recording resolution of one horizontal x vertical plane layer when forming a three-dimensional object consisting of horizontal × vertical × height. is there. That is, the height (thickness) a is about 42 μm in one section length (unit length) if one horizontal × vertical plane layer is formed at 600 × 600 dpi. This makes it possible to form a shaped object (formed image) having the same density when viewed from any direction, horizontal, vertical, and height, which is ideal for forming a three-dimensional object.

The stacking order determining means 22 changes the type of ink applied to the formed images stacked in one square (square area) in the juxtaposed color mixing method within a predetermined height (for example, height (thickness) a). Further, the stacking order determining means 22 changes the order of the inks applied to the formed images stacked in one square (square area) in the juxtaposed color mixing method within a predetermined height (for example, height (thickness) a). .. Further, the stacking order determining means 22 changes the number of ink droplets on the formed images stacked in one square (square area) in the juxtaposed color mixing method within a predetermined height (for example, height (thickness) a). To do.

Further, the stacking order determining means 22 includes at least one of the above-mentioned ink type, ink order, and number of ink droplets, and a predetermined height (for example, height) in one square (square area) in the juxtaposed color mixing method. In the (thickness) a), the stacking order is determined with reference to the storage means 24 associated with the shade or color seen from the stacking direction.

The storage means 24 has at least one of the type of ink, the order of ink, and the number of ink droplets, and a predetermined height (for example, height (thickness) a) in one square (square area) in the juxtaposed color mixing method. ) Is a LUT (Look Up Table) in which shades or colors viewed from the stacking direction are associated with each other.

Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the storage means 24. As shown in FIG. 7, the storage means 24 stores at least one of the type, order, and number of droplets of the ink in association with the shade or the color (RGB value). For example, in the case of "R = 102, G = 51, B = 90", the number of layers is set to "4", K ink x 1 drop, C ink x 1 drop, and M ink x 2 drops in order from the bottom. Determine the stacking order.

The stacking order determining means 22 sets the size of the ink droplets 40A of the ink on the formed images stacked in one square (square region) in the juxtaposed color mixing method to a predetermined height (for example, height (thickness) a). ) May be changed. In this case, the storage means 24 stores at least one of the type and order of the ink, the number of droplets, and the size of the ink droplet 40A in association with the shade or the color (RGB value).

The control means 23 controls the repetition of ink ejection and curing in the recording head 31 according to the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means 22. More specifically, the control means 23 determines an image formation instruction including the ink ejection timing of the nozzle 311 and the ultraviolet irradiation timing of the irradiation unit 313 based on the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means 22. Then, the control means 23 transmits this image formation instruction to the recording head 31. The recording head 31 executes the processing of each part according to this instruction.

Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming processing unit 20 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming processing unit 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the image forming processing unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) 204. , A non-volatile memory 205, and a host I / F 206.

The CPU 201 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. The ROM 202 is a rewritable non-volatile memory for holding data even while the power of the image forming apparatus 10 is cut off, and stores a program executed by the CPU 201 and other fixed data. The RAM 203 temporarily stores image data, print data, and the like.

The ASIC 204 processes various signal processing for image data or print data, image processing for sorting, etc., or input / output signals for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 10.

The non-volatile memory 205 stores a storage means 24 or the like which is a LUT. As the non-volatile memory 205, for example, a NAND flash memory or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) can be used.

The host I / F 206 sends and receives data and signals to and from the host side.

The functions of the acquisition means 21, the stacking order determination means 22, and the control means 23 in FIG. 3 are realized, for example, by the CPU 201 executing a program in which each process is described. Further, the function of the stacking order determining means 22 in FIG. 3 may be realized by, for example, ASIC204.

An outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 having such a configuration will be described.

The image forming processing unit 20 receives print data or the like from the host side via the host I / F 206 via a cable or a network.

Then, the CPU 201 acquires the print data in the receive buffer included in the host I / F 206.

Subsequently, the ASIC 204 performs necessary image processing, a process of determining the ink stacking order, and the like, and transfers the processed data (image data) to the recording head 31.

Then, the CPU 201 controls the recording head 31 based on the stacking order of the inks determined by the ASIC 204.

Note that the dot pattern data for forming the image may be generated by storing the font data in the ROM 202, for example, or expanding the image data into the bitmap data by the printer driver on the host side to form the image. It may be transferred to the 10 side.

Next, the liquid discharge process in the image forming processing unit 20 will be described.

Here, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the liquid discharge process in the image forming processing unit 20, and FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the liquid discharge process. As shown in FIG. 9, the acquisition means 21 acquires color data (RGB values) as image data (step S1). As shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that the color data (RGB values) of the image acquired by the acquisition means 21 includes the color data of “R = 184, G = 28, B = 0”.

Next, the stacking order determining means 22 acquires the color data (RGB values) of the image and then converts it into the stacking order data of each color ink with reference to the storage means 24 (step S2). As shown in FIG. 10, in the image data of "R = 184, G = 28, B = 0", for example, white ink x 1 drop, M ink x 1 drop, Y ink x 1 drop, M in order from the bottom. Ink x 1 drop, and the ink stacking order is determined.

In the present embodiment, the data is converted by referring to the storage means 24 which is one LUT, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, data may be converted by referring to a plurality of LUTs. Further, the data may be converted by deriving by a numerical calculation formula without referring to the LUT.

Subsequently, the overlay order determining means 22 adds an area gradation expression by applying a halftone process for each layer of the formed image 200, and converts it into drip data of each ink (step S3). As a halftone processing method, a dither method, an error diffusion method, or the like is used.

As shown in FIG. 10, the stacking order determining means 22 adds an area gradation expression by applying a halftone process to each layer (1st to 4th layers), and together with the data for dropping each ink. To do. However, determining the presence or absence of the ink droplet 40A is an area gradation method halftone processing, but in the present embodiment, in order to keep the stacking height constant, the address where the ink droplet 40A is "absent". It is also necessary to drip ink. For example, it is desirable to drip white ink or transparent ink.

When the area gradation method is combined, the dot arrangement pattern is determined by the halftone processing, so the vertical and horizontal directions of the ink stacking order in the height direction are controlled by a square area composed of one section length per pixel. Can be difficult. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the stacking order determining means 22 determines the stacking order of the inks according to the shade or color within a predetermined range (area). In the example shown in FIG. 10, the stacking order is determined with a square area of 4 pixels × 4 pixels as a predetermined range (area).

After that, the control means 23 executes the ink ejection process according to the generated drip data of each layer in order from the lower layer (step S4). As a result, the recording head 31 forms a three-dimensional object by landing the ink droplet 40A and the additional droplet 40B at a preset position on the base material 101 and laminating them.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a side cross section of a three-dimensional object. FIG. 11A shows a side cross section of a conventional three-dimensional object. As shown in FIG. 11 (a), conventionally, a three-dimensional object is formed by laminating a plurality of layers of white ink and laminating and coloring a color ink on the uppermost surface thereof.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is a base material for expressing a multi-step shade or color by superimposing a plurality of ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B. Lamination of the white ink constituting 101 is completed at an early stage, and a plurality of ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B are laminated.

As described above, the number of ink droplets 40A to be laminated, the hierarchical relationship with other inks, and the like are not limited to those shown in the figure, and it is desirable to optimize them.

Further, the white ink laminated on the lower layer of FIG. 11 is not limited to the white ink, and may be formed by a color ink or a transparent ink.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a three-dimensional object is formed by repeatedly ejecting and curing ink on a recording medium to superimpose the formed images, one section length per pixel of the recording resolution is obtained. In addition to expressing the shades or colors seen from the stacking direction in multiple stages at a predetermined height in the square area composed of, the area gradation expression is added by applying halftone processing to each layer of the formed image. Determine the ink stacking order. As a result, fine shading differences can be expressed by laminating large ink droplets 40A instead of small ink droplets 40A, and high-definition quality can be obtained without impairing productivity.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, a multi-step shade or color is expressed by superimposing an image formed by ink droplets 40A and additional droplets 40B. In addition to this, in the second embodiment, finer adjustment is possible by further controlling the stacking order of the formed images by the ink droplets 40A and the additional droplets 40B.

Here, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of controlling the stacking order of inks in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment. Note that FIG. 12 exemplifies the stacking order in the four-layer formation image. As a variation of the stacking order of the image formed by the color ink and the image formed by the white ink, the stacking order shown in FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (g) can be mentioned. The variations in the stacking order are not limited to these.

For example, FIG. 12A shows a state in which a three-layer formed image made of white ink is laminated on a one-layer formed image made of color ink. Further, FIG. 12E shows a state in which the formed image of one layer of colored ink is laminated on the outermost surface of the formed image of three layers of white ink. Comparing FIG. 12 (a) and FIG. 12 (e), the influence of the color ink is stronger in FIG. 12 (e) than in FIG. 12 (a).

Further, FIG. 12D shows a state in which the process of laminating the one-layer formed image of the white ink on the one-layer formed image of the color ink is repeated twice. Comparing FIG. 12 (d) and FIG. 12 (e), the influence of the color ink is stronger in FIG. 12 (e) than in FIG. 12 (d) because the color ink is on the outermost surface. However, in some cases, FIG. 12D is better in consideration of the stacking position of the color inks of other adjacent pixels.

The degree of influence of the color ink in the stacking order shown in FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (g) is as shown below.
(A) <(b) <(c) <(d) <(e) <(f) <(g)

In FIG. 12, an example of controlling the stacking order of the color ink and the white ink is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the stacking order of the color inks may be controlled as described above, or a combination of transparent inks and the like may be used. May be good. Further, in FIG. 12, the stacking order in the four-layer formation image is illustrated as an example, but the stacking order is not limited to this, and it is desirable to stack the optimum number of layers according to the ink component used.

The information in the stacking order as described above is stored in the storage means 24 which is a LUT in association with the shading or the color (RGB value).

The program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It is recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium.

Further, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network. Further, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided by incorporating it into a ROM or the like in advance.

The program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-mentioned parts (acquisition means 21, stacking order determination means 22, control means 23), and the actual hardware is a CPU. When the (processor) reads the program from the storage medium and executes it, each of the above parts is loaded on the main storage device, and the acquisition means 21, the stacking order determination means 22, and the control means 23 are generated on the main storage device. It has become.

10 Liquid ejection device 20 Image processing device 21 Acquisition means 22 Stacking order determination means 23 Control means 101 Recording medium 200 Formed image 311 Ink ejection unit 312 Ink supply unit

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-119244

Claims (10)

An ink ejection unit that repeatedly ejects and cures ink onto a recording medium to stack stereoscopic images, and an ink ejection unit.
An ink supply unit that supplies ink that is affected by the color of the stereoscopic image located below the stacking direction of the stereoscopic image and appears in the stereoscopic image located above the stacking direction with respect to the ink ejection unit.
Acquisition method for acquiring image data and
Based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means, the color and the stacking order of the ink are determined in order to express the shade or color of the plurality of layers in a predetermined region as viewed from above in the stacking direction in multiple stages. Means for determining the stacking order and
According to the color and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means, halftone processing is applied to each of the stereoscopic images to generate data for dropping the ink, and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means. Correspondingly, a control means for controlling the repetition of ejection and curing of the ink in the ink ejection unit, and
A liquid discharge device comprising. The stacking order determining means changes the type of ink applied to the stereoscopic image laminated in the predetermined region within a predetermined height.
The liquid discharge device according to claim 1. The stacking order determining means changes the order of the inks on the stereoscopic images stacked in the predetermined region within a predetermined height.
The liquid discharge device according to claim 1 or 2. The stacking order determining means changes the number of droplets of the ink on the stereoscopic image laminated in the predetermined region within a predetermined height.
The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid discharge device is characterized. The stacking order determining means changes the size of ink droplets of the ink on the stereoscopic image laminated in the predetermined region within a predetermined height.
The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the liquid discharge device is characterized. The stacking order determining means includes at least one of the type of ink, the order of the ink, the number of drops of the ink, and the size of the ink droplets of the ink, and the stacking at the predetermined height in the predetermined region. The color and the stacking order are determined with reference to a LUT (Look Up Table) in which the shade or the color is associated with each other when viewed from the direction.
The liquid discharge device according to claim 5. The ink has a density at which the shading change or color change of the upper surface of the stereoscopic image in the stacking direction is saturated when a predetermined height is one section length.
The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the liquid discharge device is characterized. An acquisition means for acquiring image data in which stereoscopic images are laminated by repeatedly ejecting and curing ink on a recording medium, and
The influence of the color of the stereoscopic image located below the stacking direction of the stereoscopic image determines the stacking order of the inks appearing in the stereoscopic image located above the stacking direction, and was acquired by the acquisition means. A stacking order determining means for determining the color and stacking order of the ink in order to express the shading or color of the plurality of layers in a predetermined region as viewed from above in the stacking direction in multiple stages based on the image data. ,
According to the color and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means, halftone processing is applied to each of the stereoscopic images to generate data for dropping the ink, and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means. Correspondingly, a control means for controlling the repetition of ejection and curing of the ink in the ink ejection unit, and
An image processing device comprising. Computer,
An acquisition means for acquiring image data in which stereoscopic images are laminated by repeatedly ejecting and curing ink on a recording medium, and
The influence of the color of the stereoscopic image located below the stacking direction of the stereoscopic image determines the stacking order of the inks appearing in the stereoscopic image located above the stacking direction, and was acquired by the acquisition means. A stacking order determining means for determining the color and stacking order of the ink in order to express the shading or color of the plurality of layers in a predetermined region as viewed from above in the stacking direction in multiple stages based on the image data. ,
According to the color and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means, halftone processing is applied to each of the stereoscopic images to generate data for dropping the ink, and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining means. Correspondingly, a control means for controlling the repetition of ejection and curing of the ink in the ink ejection unit, and
A program to function as. The influence of the color of the stereoscopic image located below the stacking direction of the stereoscopic image on the ink ejection portion that stacks the three-dimensional images by repeatedly ejecting and curing the ink on the recording medium and the ink ejection portion. A liquid ejection method in a liquid ejection device including an ink supply unit for supplying the ink appearing in the stereoscopic image located above the stacking direction.
The acquisition process to acquire image data and
Based on the image data acquired in the acquisition step, the color and stacking order of the ink are determined in order to express the shade or color of the plurality of layers in a predetermined region as viewed from above in the stacking direction in multiple stages. The stacking order determination process and
According to the color and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining step, halftone processing is applied to each of the stereoscopic images to generate the ink drip data, and the stacking order determined by the stacking order determining step is generated. Correspondingly, a control step of controlling the repetition of ejection and curing of the ink in the ink ejection unit, and
A liquid discharge method comprising.

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