The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program for forming structures on a print medium, the structures being configured to artificially express a metallic texture.
There has been a demand for a technique to artificially express metallic textures to be used for packages, catalogs, and samples of precious metal products and the like. A texture called a sense of sparkle is one of such metallic textures. The sense of sparkle is feeling induced when microscopic sparkle points less than 1 mm on each side and present on the surface of a metallic object change in position, size, number, and the like with change in illumination angle or observation angle. A person observing such a metallic object can visually recognize a texture peculiar to the sense of sparkle such as a glittering texture or a grainy texture when the sparkle points present on the surface of the object change in position, size, number, and the like with change in illumination angle or observation angle.
In order to form an image expressing the sense of sparkle as described above, a record apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 forms an image on which regions differing in glossiness are arranged in a checkered pattern. By arranging the regions differing in glossiness in the checkered pattern, regions with high glossiness and regions with low glossiness sit next to each other. Thus, an image exhibiting a design effect resembling the sense of sparkle can be obtained (Patent Literature 1).
[PTL 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-051211
The record apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 forms an image on which regions differing in glossiness are arranged in a checkered pattern. Here, regions with high glossiness (hereinafter, referred to as “high-glossiness regions”) are visually recognized as sparkle points. However, on the print product outputted from this record apparatus, the positions of the high-glossiness regions do not change and thus are fixed even when the illumination angle or the observation angle is changed. For this reason, the print product cannot express a texture peculiar to the sense of sparkle such as a glittering texture or a grainy texture, which the object expresses by changing the positions and number of the sparkle points present on the surface of the object with change in illumination angle or observation angle.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program for forming structures for artificially expressing the sense of sparkle.
An image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus for forming structures on a print medium, the structures being configured to express such a characteristic that sparkle points change in position with change in angle of observation, the image processing apparatus including a generation unit configured to generate arrangement data based on information on a characteristic of sparkle points, the arrangement data specifying arrangement of the structures of two or more types that are capable of being formed on the print medium and at least include one or more first structures associated with a first inclination angle and one or more second structures associated with a second inclination angle different from the first inclination angle.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that constituent components described in these embodiments are mere examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
First, the sense of sparkle to be reproduced in the following embodiments will be described with reference to schematic diagrams in
In a case where an illumination 103 illuminates the sample 101 at an illumination angle θ1, the observation unit 102 observes a captured image 104 containing sparkle points as shown in
An embodiment for forming structures for artificially expressing the sense of sparkle will be described below. This embodiment focuses on the size of sparkle points on a target object, and description will be given of an example where characteristics of structures to be formed on a print medium are derived based on inputted information indicating a characteristic of the sparkle points.
(Schematic Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus)
(Software Function Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus)
(Operation of Image Processing Apparatus)
The flowchart shown in
Here, the size of sparkle points obtained by observing the target object can be used as the sparkle point information. The image processing apparatus 1 receives the sparkle point information inputted into the input region 501 by the user. Using the size of the sparkle points obtained by observing the target object, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment performs control such that structures having only a small difference from the size of the sparkle points can be formed on the print medium. In this way, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can cause the printing device 24 to form structures that expresses the sense of sparkle reproducing the sense of sparkle of the target object with a certain level of quality.
In this embodiment, the area of the sparkle points present on the target object is preferably used as the size of the sparkle points. The area of the sparkle points can be obtained, for example, from a captured image of the target object illuminated from a predetermined angle and imaged from a normal direction thereto, as shown in
s1=N×(25400/R)̂2 (1)
In this embodiment, the light receiving direction for obtaining a captured image has been described as the normal direction to the target object, but this is an example. The sparkle point area s1 can be calculated by the process using Mathematical Formula (1) from a captured image obtained by imaging from a different light receiving angle by performing perspective correction such as projective transformation on the captured image. Also, in this embodiment, the approach in which the user input region 501 receives input of the sparkle point area s1 (S10) has been described, but the type of data to be inputted into the user input region 501 is not limited to this. For example, assuming that the shape of the sparkle points present on the target object is square, the user input region 501 may receive input of the length of one side. The type of data to be inputted is not limited to the value indicating the area of the sparkle points, and may be any type as long as the area of the sparkle points present on the target object can be calculated with it. Note that, in this embodiment, the area of the sparkle points present on the target object is assumed not to vary by the illumination angle. However, in a case where the area of the sparkle points present on the target is assumed to vary by the illumination angle, the process using Mathematical Formula (1) may be performed for each angular condition. In this way, it is possible to calculate the area of the sparkle points present on the target object for each illumination angle.
Referring back to
Referring back to
(Content of Control of Structure-Characteristic Derivation Unit)
First, the characteristics of a single structure in this embodiment will be described with reference to
More specific description will be given with reference to
Now, details of the process of deriving the characteristics of the structures (S30) will be described with reference to
The relation between a structure base area and a plurality of inclination angles that can be formed on structures with that base area will be described with reference to
The inclined surfaces 907 to 911, which are shown in
Next, how the printing device 24 forms a structure on a print medium will be described with reference to
Further, the formation of the ink laminate shown in
As an alternative embodiment, the printing device 24 may further laminate an ink different from the UV curable ink onto the structures. For example, the printing device 24 maybe equipped with a metallic color ink containing a sparkly material in addition to the UV curable ink, and apply this metallic color ink on top of or under the structure 1001 to form a layer with high specular glossiness. The enhancement in specular glossiness of the structure makes it easier to visually recognize change in sparkle point characteristics such as the number of sparkle points, which are characteristic features of the sense of sparkle mentioned above, with change in angular condition. Alternatively, it is also possible to employ an approach in which the printing device 24 may use a high-viscosity UV curable ink to form the structure 1001 and additionally laminate a low-viscosity UV curable ink onto the structure 1001.
To describe this alternative embodiment with reference to
Now, the process of deriving the characteristics of the structures (S30) will be described with reference to
In S33, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives inclination angles θ of the structures to be formed by the printing device 24, based on the result of the reference to the structure characteristic table 801 (S31) and the result of the derivation of the structure base area s2 (S32). In this embodiment, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives, for example, values of 0 degree, 14.0 degrees, 26.6 degrees, 36.9 degrees, and 45 degrees which are associated with the structure base area s2 in the structure characteristic table 801. As described above, by the process in S30 in
(Content of Control of Arrangement-Data Generation Unit)
Next, the process of generating the structure arrangement data (S40) will be described with reference to
In S41, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 generates image data whose two-dimensional coordinates correspond to those on the surface of the print medium, and divides the image data into rectangular blocks each having the area s2 derived in S30.
In S42, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 determines the numbers of structures with the inclination angles derived in S30. In this embodiment, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 determines the numbers of structures with the inclination angles by referring to the structure number table 802, which is stored in the data storage unit 306 in advance.
The content of the structure number table 802 will now be described with reference to
In S43, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates the structures associated with the given inclination angles to the rectangular blocks in the image data divided in S41, to thereby generate structure arrangement data specifying the arrangement of the structures. In this embodiment, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 generates structure arrangement data specifying the arrangement of a combination of the two or more types of structures with the different inclination angles derived in S30.
Specifically, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 arranges the structures by the following method. In this embodiment, an example of arranging the structures into the image data 1101 divided in 25 blocks (5×5) will be described. First, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 numbers all the 25 blocks from 1 to 25 based on random numbers. Then, with N1 to Nm denoting the numbers of structures corresponding to inclination angles θ1 to θm, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 arranges the structures associated with the inclination angle θ1 into the blocks numbered from 1 to N1. In the example in
ΣΣ|θ(x, t)−θ(x+1, y+1)| (2)
Meanwhile, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 may redefine the numbers of structures to be arranged into the image data 1101, in a case where the total number of structures to be arranged is greater than the number of blocks into which the image data 1101 is divided and not all the structures obtained in S42 can be arranged into the image data 1101. In this case, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 can redefine the numbers of structures to be arranged by calculating the proportions of the numbers of structures to be arranged, and multiplying the number of blocks in the image data 1101 by the calculated proportions of the numbers of structures. As described above, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 can generate structure arrangement data by the process in S40 in
(Content of Control of Printing-Apparatus Control Unit)
Then in S50, the printing-device control unit 305 determines the number of laminations at each coordinate based on the structure arrangement data, sends that information to the printing device 24, and instructs the printing device 24 to perform image forming operation. The process performed by the printing-apparatus control unit (S50) will be described with reference to
In S51, based on the structure arrangement data derived in S40, the printing-device control unit 305 generates data in which the number of laminations of the UV curable ink is set for each coordinate in each block in the image data 1101 in accordance with the inclination angle of the structure to be arranged in the block. For example, in a case of forming a structure based on the UV-curable ink laminate 906 in
In S52, the printing-device control unit 305 sends the printing device 24 the data in which the number of laminations of the UV curable ink is set for each pixel in S51, and instructs the printing apparatus to perform image forming operation to be described later. Note that it is also possible to employ an approach in which the sub-process described in S51 is performed inside the printing device 24, and the structure arrangement data derived in S40 is sent directly thereto. Alternatively, in a case where the printing device 24 is equipped with a different ink in addition to the transparent UV curable ink mentioned above, and the ink to be used for the structure formation can be changed, it is also possible to employ an approach in which information specifying the type of ink is additionally sent to the printing device 24 along with the data mentioned above.
(Image Forming Operation by Printing Apparatus)
The image forming operation by the printing device 24 based on the information determined by the printing-device control unit 305 will be described. First, the configuration of the printing device 24 will be described by using
Print medium materials 1208 for printing are placed on an automatic sheet feeder (ASF) 1210. In forming an image on a print medium 1208, pickup rollers 1212 are rotated by driving of a sheet feed motor 1211, so that the print mediums 1208 are separately fed one by one from the ASF 1210. Further, each print medium material 1208 is conveyed by rotation of a conveyance roller 1209 to a record start position at which the print medium 1208 faces the ejection-port face of the head cartridge 1201 on the carriage 1202. The conveyance roller 1209 is configured to be driven by a line feed motor 1213 as a driven source through gears. Whether or not the print medium 1208 is fed is determined and whether or not the print medium 1208 is at a fed position is confirmed when the print medium 1208 passes an end sensor 1214. The head cartridge 1201, which is mounted on the carriage 1202, is held such that its ejection-port face projects downward from the carriage 1202 and is in parallel to the print medium 1208. A control unit 1220 is configured to control the operation of each part of the printing device 24 based on the number of laminations of the transparent UV curable ink at each coordinate derived in S50. The printing device 24 in this embodiment will be described as a bilevel printing apparatus configured to control whether or not to eject the ink at a predetermined resolution, for the sake of simple description. It is of course possible to use a method capable of changing the size of each ink droplet to be ejected.
Next, the image forming operation by the printing device 24 will be described. After a print medium 1208 is conveyed to the predetermined record start position, the carriage 1202 is moved over the print medium 1208 along the guide shafts 1203. While the carriage 1202 is moved, the ink is ejected from the ejection ports of the record head. Immediately after the ink ejection, the UV lamp 1221 is turned on, thereby curing the UV curable ink. After the carriage 1202 is moved to one end of the guide shafts 1203, the conveyance roller 1209 conveys the print medium 1208 by a predetermined amount in a direction perpendicular to the scan direction of the carriage 1202. This conveyance of the print medium 1208 will be referred to as “paper feed” or “sub scan,” and the direction of this conveyance will be referred to as the “paper feed direction” or “sub scan direction.” After the print medium 1208 finishes being conveyed by the predetermined amount in the sub scan direction, the carriage 1202 is moved along the guide shafts 1203 again. By repeating the scan of the record head by the carriage 1202 and the paper feed as described above, structures for expressing the sense of sparkle are formed over the print medium 1208. Note that the print medium used in this embodiment may be a medium other than record paper as long as the record head can form structures thereon. Also, although the example where an inkjet method is employed has been presented in this embodiment, a different recording method such as a xerographic method may be used instead. The scan of the carriage 1202 described above is repeated the number of times equal to the number of laminations set in S51, so that the UV curable ink is laminated and the structures are formed on the print medium 1208. Note that, although the image data 1101 is generated in S30 to have the same resolution as the resolution of the printing device 24, a resolution conversion process may be performed as appropriate on the image data 1101 if they have different resolutions. Also, it is also possible to employ an approach in which the printing device 24 is further equipped with a metallic color ink containing a sparkly material in addition to the UV curable ink. In this modification, the printing-device control unit 305 may apply the metallic color ink on top of or under each of the formed structures to form a high gloss layer. In this way, the metallic texture of the structures can be further enhanced. Alternatively, after the process in S50, the printing-device control unit 305 may eject an ink having high wettability onto each of the formed structures to form a smoother inclined surface on top of the structure. With the ink with high wettability ejected onto each of the structures, sparkle points with higher luminance can be expressed on the print medium.
(Example of Formation of Structures Artificially for Expressing The Sense of Sparkle)
Next, an example of structures for artificially expressing the sense of sparkle will be described with reference to
However, if light is applied to the print medium 1208, on which the structures are formed, from different illumination angles, the light is specularly reflected at the same light receiving angle but by structures at different positions. Thus, if one observes the print medium 1208 from a single observation point, he or she will visually recognize change in position of sparkle points as the illumination angle is changed from
As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can artificially express the sense of sparkle by forming a combination of two or more types of structures associated with different inclination angles on a print medium. Moreover, using the size of sparkle points present on the target object as an input parameter, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment performs control such that structures having only a small difference in size from the sparkle points can be formed on the print medium. In this way, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can form structures that express the sense of sparkle reproducing the sense of sparkle of the target object with a certain level of quality. Embodiment 1 has been described by taking as an example the system in which the image processing apparatus 1 is constructed as an apparatus independent of the printing device 24, which actually forms the structures. Note, however, that the image processing apparatus 1 may be incorporated in the printing device 24. In the case of this configuration, the image processing apparatus 1 can be implemented as a dedicated image processing circuit and its functions can be implemented by means of circuits.
Embodiment 1 focuses on the size of sparkle points present on a target object, and the characteristics of structures to be formed on a print medium are derived based on the area of the sparkle points on the target object inputted. This embodiment focuses on the condition for observing the target object, and description will be given of an approach in which the characteristics of the structures to be formed on the print medium are derived based on the angular condition for observing the sparkle points. Note that the hardware configuration and software function configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 in Embodiment 2 are the same as those in Embodiment 1. The differences in processing between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 are a process of displaying a UI by a UI display unit 301 (S10) and a process of deriving the characteristics of the structures by a structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 (S30). Hence, only the contents of these processes will be described below.
In S10, in order that an image processing apparatus 1 can receive input of necessary information, the UI display unit 301 displays a UI prompting the user to input the necessary information on a display 25.
The UI 1400 in this embodiment includes: the input region 1401 to receive input of area s1 of the sparkle points; the input region 1402 to receive input of angular conditions of the sparkle points; and the input region 1403 to receive input of the numbers of sparkle points under the angular conditions. The UI 1400 further includes the input regions 1404 to receive input of instructions as to whether or not the values inputted in the input regions 1402 and 1403 are to be used in the processes in and after S30. Here, the angular conditions in this embodiment refer to the angular conditions for observing the target object, i.e. the angles of illumination to the target object and the angle of light reception at the observation point during the observation of the target object. The number of sparkle points under each angular condition is the number of sparkle points that can be obtained by observing the target object in a state where the angular condition, namely, the illumination angle and the light receiving angle are satisfied. At least some of the sparkle points differ in position from one angular condition to another as a matter of course. In this embodiment, using the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points on the target object, the image processing apparatus 1 performs control such that the difference between the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points on the target object and the angular conditions for visually recognizing the structures formed on the print medium as sparkle points will be small. In this way, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can form structures that express the sense of sparkle reproducing the sense of sparkle of the target object with a certain level of quality. Note that it is not necessary to employ the approach in which the numbers of sparkle points under the angular conditions are directly inputted numerical values as in the UI 1400 in
(Content of Control of Structure-Characteristic Derivation Unit)
Next, the process of deriving the characteristics of the structures (S30) in this embodiment will be described with reference to
In S1532, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 refers to a structure characteristic table 801, which is stored in a data storage unit 306. The data structure of the structure characteristic table 801 is the same as that in Embodiment 1 (
In S1533, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 sets structure base area s2 from the inputted angular conditions (S1531) and the result of the reference to the structure characteristic table 801 (S1532).
In S1534, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 determines whether or not the inclination angles in the target ranges set in S1531 can be formed on structures with the area s2 set in S1533. Description will be given based on a specific example where the target ranges are set to be 0±2 degrees, 10±2 degrees, 20±2 degrees, and 25±2 degrees and the structure area s2 is set to be 90×90 μm̂2 in S1533, for instance. The structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 refers to the structure characteristic table 801 and selects values of 0 degree, 9.5 degrees, 18.4 degree, 26.6 degrees, 33.7 degrees, 39.8 degrees, and 45 degrees as structure inclination angles θ that may be able to be formed with the structure base area s2 of 90×90 μm̂2. In this case, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 can form the inclination angles of 10±2 degrees, 20±2 degrees, and 25±2 degrees among the target ranges. The structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 proceeds to S1536 if determining that there are an inclination angle in any target range that can be formed on a structure with the area s2 (S1534: YES). On the other hand, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 proceeds to S1535 if determining that the inclination angles in the target ranges cannot be formed on structures with the area s2 (S1534: NO). If determining in S1534 that the inclination angles in the target ranges can be formed, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 refers to the structure characteristic table 801 and derives also the structure area s2 associated with the plurality of inclination angles determined to be formable. In this case, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 can derive such structure characteristics that the difference between the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points on the target object and the angular conditions for visually recognizing the structures formed on the print medium as sparkle points will be small.
In S1535, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 updates the structure base area s2. In this embodiment, as shown in the structure characteristic table 801, the number of structure inclination angles that can be formed by the printing device 24 increases the larger the structure base area s2. Thus, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 updates the structure base area s2 set in S1533 to an area that is one size larger, e.g. from a base area s2 of 90×90 μm̂2 to a base area s2 of 120×120 μm̂2.
In S1536, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives the inclination angles θ of the structures to be formed by the printing device 24, from the result of the reference to the structure characteristic table 801 (S1532) and the result of the determination (S1534).
As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can artificially express the sense of sparkle by forming a combination of two or more types of structures with different inclination angles onto a print medium. Moreover, using the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points on the target object as input parameters, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment performs control such that the difference between the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points on the target object and the angular conditions for visually recognizing the structures formed on the print medium as sparkle points will be small. In this way, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can form structures that express the sense of sparkle reproducing the sense of sparkle of the target object with a certain level of quality.
In Embodiment 1, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 derives the numbers of structures corresponding to different inclination angles by referring to the structure number table 802 (
(Content of Control of Arrangement-Data Generation Unit)
The process of deriving the arrangement of structures (S40) in this embodiment will be described with reference to
In S1642, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 derives the numbers of structures corresponding to different inclination angles from inputted angular conditions of sparkle points and numbers Mx of sparkle points under these angular conditions. Note that, in this embodiment, too, it is possible to receive the values of the angular conditions for observing sparkle points and the numbers of sparkle points observed under these angular conditions through input regions 1402 and 1403 in a UI 1400 (
First, from each of the inputted angular conditions, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 derives a structure inclination angle θx at which the observation point and the direction of specular reflection of applied light coincide with each other. In the following description, θx represents a target angle. In this embodiment, as shown in
My=M1+(M2−M1)×(θx−θx1)/(θx2−θx1) (3)
Besides the method of estimating the number My of structures by the linear interpolation using Mathematical Formula 3 above, it is also possible to use a different method in which, for example, the difference between each of the inclination angles derived in S30 and the target angle θx is figured out, and the number of sparkle points corresponding to the inclination angle with the smallest difference is estimated as My.
In S1643, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates the structures associated with the given inclination angles to the rectangular blocks in the image data divided in S1641, to thereby generate structure arrangement data specifying the arrangement of the structures. In this embodiment, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 generates structure arrangement data specifying the arrangement of a combination of the two or more types of structures with the different inclination angles derived in S30.
As described above, in this embodiment, the correlations between the angular conditions for observing sparkle points and the numbers of sparkle points observed under these angular conditions is used to perform control such that the numbers of structures corresponding to different inclination angles are formed on a print medium. In this way, the image processing apparatus 1 can form structures that express the sense of sparkle reproducing the sense of sparkle of the target object with a high level of quality.
Embodiment 1 focuses on the size of sparkle points on a target object, and the characteristics of structures to be formed on a print medium are derived based on the area of sparkle points inputted. On the other hand, Embodiment 2 focuses on the conditions for observing the target object, and the characteristics of the structures to be formed on the print medium are derived based on the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points. In this embodiment, description will be given of an example where the method of deriving the characteristics of the structures is switched by determining which one of the area of the sparkle points and the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points has priority over the other. The differences in processing between this embodiment and Embodiments 1 to 3 are a process of displaying a UI by a UI display unit 301 (S1810) and a process of determining priority by a priority determination unit 1701. Hence, only the contents of these processes will be described below.
(Operation of Image Processing Apparatus)
In S1820, a data obtaining unit 302 obtains the sparkle point information and the type of sparkle point information inputted in S1810.
In S1830, the priority determination unit 1701 determines the type of sparkle point information to be preferentially used in deriving the characteristics of the structures, from the type of sparkle point information obtained in S1820.
As shown in
If it is determined in S1830 that the area of the sparkle points has priority (S1830: YES), the procedure proceeds to S1840, in which a structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives the characteristics of the structures to be formed on the print medium, based on the sparkle point area obtained in S1820. Note that details of the process in S1840 are the same as those in S30, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
If it is determined in S1830 that the angular conditions have priority (S1830: NO), the procedure proceeds to S1850, in which the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives the characteristics of the structures to be formed on the print medium, based on the angular conditions obtained in S1820. Note that details of the process in S1850 are the same as those in S1531 to S1536, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
In S1860, an arrangement-data generation unit 304 derives the arrangement of the structures to be formed on the print medium, in accordance with the characteristics of the structures derived in S1840 or S1850. The arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates structures associated with the given inclination angles to rectangular blocks in divided image data, to thereby generate structure arrangement data specifying the arrangement of the structures. Note that details of the process in S1860 are the same as those in S40, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
In S1870, a printing-device control unit 305 instructs the printing device 24 to perform image forming operation, based on the structure arrangement data generated in S1860. Upon receipt of the instruction, the printing device 24 forms the structures on the print medium. Note that details of the process in S1870 are the same as those in S50, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
As described above, in this embodiment, the method of deriving the characteristics of the structures is switched by determining which one of the area of the sparkle points and the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points has priority. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether to give priority to reproduction focusing on the size of the sparkle points in the formation of the structures or to give priority to reproduction focusing on the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points in the formation of the structures, while reflecting the user's intension.
In each of Embodiments 1 to 4, the description has been given of the approach in which the sparkle point information is received as a parameter (s) of a quantitative value (s) inputted into a UI. Description will now be given of an approach in which an image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment receives input of reference images instead of a parameter (s) of a quantitative value (s) inputted into a UI, extracts sparkle point information from the received reference images, and performs processes based on the extracted sparkle point information. This embodiment will be described by using the captured image shown in
(Operation of Image Processing Apparatus)
In S2120, the data obtaining unit 302 obtains reference images from which to extract sparkle point information, from the storage locations inputted in S2110. In S2120, the data obtaining unit 302 obtains image data of each reference image from its storage location or converts each obtained reference image into image data. In doing so, the data obtaining unit 302 also obtains the angular conditions of the reference images. In this embodiment, in a case where each reference image is an image captured by a digital camera or the like, for example, its angular condition is, for example, a capturing condition such as the illumination angle and the light receiving angle in capturing the image.
In S2130, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 extracts the sparkle point information on the target object based on the reference images and the angular conditions of the reference images obtained in S2120. Note that, as in the foregoing embodiments, the sparkle point information indicates the area of sparkle points obtained by observing the target object, the angular conditions for observing the target object, and the numbers of sparkle points under these angular conditions. Details of the process of extracting the sparkle point information will be described later.
In S2140, a structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives the characteristics of structures to be formed on a print medium, based on the sparkle point information extracted in S2130. Note that details of the process in S2140 are the same as those in S30 or S1531 to S1536, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
In S2150, an arrangement-data generation unit 304 derives the arrangement of the structures to be formed on the print medium, in accordance with the characteristics of the structures derived in S2140. The arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates structures associated with the given inclination angles to rectangular blocks in divided image data, to thereby generate structure arrangement data specifying the arrangement of the structures. Note that details of the process in S2150 are the same as those in S40, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
In S2160, a printing-device control unit 305 instructs a printing device 24 to perform image forming operation, based on the structure arrangement data generated in S2150. Upon receipt of the instruction, the printing device 24 forms the structures on the print medium. Note that details of the process in S2160 are the same as those in S50, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
(Content of Control of Sparkle point-Information Extraction Unit)
Next, the process of extracting the sparkle point information (S2130) in this embodiment will be described with reference to
In S2132, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 generates a binary image by binarizing the reference image read in S2131. The sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 performs threshold processing on each pixel of the reference image to replace the pixel values of those pixels at and above a threshold with 255 and replace the pixel values of those pixels below the threshold with 0. The threshold is adaptively determined based on a histogram of the pixel values of the reference image. For example, the threshold can be determined using discriminant analysis. Note that there are many publicly-known binarization techniques such as a mode method in which a pixel value at a valley in a histogram is set as a threshold, and the binarization method is not limited to the above method. In the binary image obtained by the binarization, those regions with a pixel value of 255 correspond to sparkle points.
In S2133, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 performs labeling on the binary image generated in S2132. The sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 performs 4-connected-component labeling on those pixels with a pixel value of 255 in the binary image. As a result, the same label is given to a pixel having a pixel value of 255 and neighboring pixels being adjacent thereto in the top-bottom direction or the right-left direction and having a pixel value of 255. Note that the labeling may be 8-connected-component labeling, in which the same label is given to a pixel having a pixel value of 255 and neighboring pixels adjacent thereto diagonally and having a pixel value of 255, in addition to the neighboring pixels adjacent in the top-bottom direction or the right-left direction.
In S2134, from the result of the labeling in S2133, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 obtains the number of sparkle points in the binary image and the average area of the sparkle points, and associates the number of sparkle points and the average area of the sparkle points thus obtained with the corresponding angular condition inputted in S2110. More specifically, assuming that the shape of the sparkle points obtained in S2133 is square, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 obtains the area of the sparkle points based on the length of one side thereof. From the result of the labeling in S2133, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 obtains the number of labels given to the sparkle points and the average number of pixels among the labeled groups of pixels. Here, the number of labels given to the sparkle points is equal to the number of sparkle points. Moreover, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 performs calculation with Mathematical Formula (1) by using the average number of pixels among the labeled groups of pixels and the resolution of the reference image, to thereby obtain the area sparkle point corresponding to the reference image. Then, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 stores the number of sparkle points and the sparkle point area thus obtained into a data storage unit 306 in association with the corresponding angular condition received in S2110.
In S2135, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 determines whether or not all the reference images have been processed. The sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 proceeds to S2136 if determining that all the reference images have been processed (S2135: YES). The sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 returns to the sub-process in S2131 if determining that not all the reference images have been processed (S2135: NO).
In S2136, the sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 reads the sparkle point areas corresponding to the reference images stored in S2134 out of the data storage unit 306 and obtains the average sparkle point area for all the reference images. The sparkle point-information extraction unit 2001 stores the obtained average sparkle point area for all the reference images into the data storage unit 306. After the sub-process in S2136, the procedure returns to the processing in the flowchart in
As described above, in this embodiment, sparkle point information is extracted from inputted reference images, and the characteristics of the structures are derived based on the extracted sparkle point information. With this configuration, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can easily extract sparkle point information from captured images obtained by imaging the target object or the like, without having the user spend time for complicated work. In this way, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can form structures that express the sense of sparkle reproducing the sense of sparkle of the target object with a certain level of quality.
In the foregoing embodiments, sparkle point information is obtained, and image processing for forming structures on a print medium is performed. In this embodiment, description will be given of an example where color information is obtained in addition to sparkle point information, and a color image and structures are formed. The differences in processing between this embodiment and Embodiments 1 to 5 are a process of displaying a UI by a UI display unit 301 (S2401) to a process of determining the amounts of color inks by a color-ink-amount determination unit 2301 (S2403). Hence, only the contents of these processes will be described below. Note that a printing device 24 is equipped with CMYK inks as the color inks.
(Operation of Image Processing Apparatus)
In S2401, in order that the image processing apparatus 1 can receive input of necessary information, the UI display unit 301 displays a UI prompting the user to input the necessary information on a display 25.
In S2402, a data obtaining unit 302 obtains the reference image, from which to form a color image, from the storage location inputted in S2401. In S2402, the data obtaining unit 302 obtains image data of the reference image from the storage location or converts the obtained reference image into image data. The reference image used in this embodiment is an image of four channels in total in which are recorded RGB values indicating the color information and binary information identifying regions to form structures and regions not to form the structures. Note that the image format is not limited to this format. For example, an image holding CIELab values instead of RGB values may be used. Also, in a case where the regions to form the structures are not set adaptively, a normal image holding only RGB values and not containing the above binary information may be used. Further, in a case where the color information to be expressed is uniform irrespective of the coordinate, such color information can be obtained by inputting a single combination of RGB values into a UI.
In S2403, the color-ink-amount determination unit 2301 reads a color separation table 2302 out of a data storage unit 306 and determines the amounts of color inks corresponding to the RGB values at each coordinate on the reference image. In the color separation table 2302, amounts of CMYK inks are associated with 729 colors in total obtained by slicing RGB into 9 slices, for example. The amounts of CMYK inks corresponding to any RGB values are calculated using a publicly-known interpolation process. Note that the color separation table 2302 is held in the data storage unit 306 in advance.
In S2404, the data obtaining unit 302 obtains the sparkle point information inputted in S2401. Note that details of the process in S2404 are the same as those in S20, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
In S2405, a structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives the characteristics of the structures from the sparkle point information obtained in S2404. Note that details of the process in S2405 are the same as those in S30, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
In S2406, an arrangement-data generation unit 304 generates structure arrangement data in accordance with the characteristics of the structures derived in S2405. Note that details of the process in S2406 are the same as those in S40, and description thereof will therefore be omitted. Here, the image data generated in S41 in this embodiment covers only the regions to form the structures, which are identified by the binary information contained in the color image obtained in S2402.
In S2407, a printing-device control unit 305 sends the printing device 24 the amounts of color inks at each pixel calculated in S2403 and instructs the printing device 24 to perform image forming operation. As mentioned above, CMYK inks are used as the color inks. The printing device 24 forms the color image on a print medium 1208 by controlling the ejection of a record head in accordance with the received amounts of color inks at each pixel.
In S2408, the printing-device control unit 305 determines the number of laminations at each coordinate based on the structure arrangement data generated in S2406, sends the printing device 24 that information and the regions to form the structures, and instructs the printing device 24 to perform image forming operation. Note that details of the process in S2408 and the image forming operation by the printing device 24 are the same as those in S50 and the operation described in Embodiment 1, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
As described above, in this embodiment, a color image is formed, and structures are formed on top of the color image. With this configuration, an image having any metallic color and the sense of sparkle can be formed.
In the foregoing embodiments, the user directly inputs sparkle point information, and the image processing apparatus 1 determines the characteristics of the structures based on the inputted sparkle point information. In this embodiment, description will be given of an approach in which names representing textures differing in the sense of sparkle (hereinafter, referred to as “modes”) are displayed, and the user optionally selects one of these modes to indirectly specify and input sparkle point information. The differences between this embodiment and the foregoing embodiments are a process of displaying a UI by a UI display unit 301 (S10) and a process of obtaining sparkle point information by a data obtaining unit 302 (S20). Hence, only the contents of these processes will be described below.
(Operation of Image Processing Apparatus)
In S10, in order that an image processing apparatus 1 can receive input of necessary information, the UI display unit 301 displays a UI prompting the user to input the necessary information on a display 25.
In S20, the data obtaining unit 302 refers to a table in which the modes and pieces of sparkle point information are associated with each other, and obtains the sparkle point information corresponding to the mode received from the user in S10. In a conceivable example of the correspondence between the modes and the pieces of sparkle point information, the table may hold a lame texture mode and a metallic texture mode, for example, and a larger sparkle point area is set for the lame texture mode than for the metallic texture mode. In an alternative conceivable example of the correspondence between the modes and the pieces of sparkle point information, the table may hold a glaring mode and a glittering mode, and in the glaring mode the degree of variance in a frequency distribution of the inclination angles of the structures to be arranged is high, and change of sparkle points with change in angular condition is visually recognized from structures with a wide range of inclination angles, whereas in the glittering mode the degree of variance is low, and change of sparkle points is visually recognized from structures with a limited, narrow range of inclination angles. Note that the data storage unit 306 or the like holds the table in which the modes and the pieces of sparkle point information are associated with each other.
In S30, a structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives the characteristics of structures to be formed on a print medium, based on the sparkle point information obtained in S20. In S40, an arrangement-data generation unit 304 generates data on the arrangement of the structures to be formed on the print medium, in accordance with the characteristics of the structures derived in S30. In S50, a printing-device control unit 305 determines the number of laminations at each coordinate based on the structure arrangement data generated in S40, sends that information to a printing device 24, and instructs the printing device 24 to perform image forming operation.
As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment holds names representing different textures and corresponding pieces of sparkle point information in advance. The user can easily select between the textures differing in the sense of sparkle by selecting its name, and the texture will be reproduced.
In the foregoing embodiments, the structures for expressing the sense of sparkle are formed based on the size of sparkle points or the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points. In this embodiment, description will be given of an approach in which characteristics of structures to be formed on a print medium are derived by using sparkle point intensity indicating the strength of reflected light from sparkle points. In the following, description will be simplified or omitted for parts that are common to Embodiments 1 to 7 above, and features unique to this embodiment will be mainly described.
(Operation of Image Processing Apparatus)
In S2820, the data obtaining unit 302 obtains the reference images from the storage locations inputted in S2810. The data obtaining unit 302 extracts the sparkle point intensity in the obtained reference images. Instead of extracting the sparkle point intensity in the reference images, the data obtaining unit 302 may receive input of a value indicating sparkle point intensity through the UI 2900. Moreover, as in the foregoing embodiments, the data obtaining unit 302 can also obtain the sparkle point area. In S2820, the data obtaining unit 302 further obtains the print medium information inputted in S2810.
In S2830, a structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives the characteristics of the structures to be formed on the print medium, based on the sparkle point intensity and the print medium information obtained in S2820. Note that details of the process in S2830 will be described later.
In S2840, an arrangement-data generation unit 304 generates structure arrangement data in accordance with the characteristics of the structures derived in S2830. The arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates structures associated with given inclination angles to rectangular blocks in divided image data, to thereby generate structure arrangement data specifying the arrangement of the structures.
Note that details of the process in S2840 are the same as those in S40, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
In S2850, a printing-device control unit 305 instructs a printing device 24 to perform image forming operation, based on the structure arrangement data generated in S2840. Upon receipt of the instruction, the printing device 24 forms the structures on the print medium. Note that details of the process in S2850 are the same as those in S50, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
(Content of Control of Structure-Characteristic Derivation Unit)
In S2831, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 refers to the reflected-light-amount table 2701, which is stored in the data storage unit 306, and obtains the amount of reflected light per unit area corresponding to the print medium specified in S2820. The amount of reflected light per unit area in this embodiment will now be described with reference to
For example, referring to
Next,
Referring back to
Inclined-surface area s3=Sparkle point intensity+Amount of reflected light per unit area (4)
In S2833, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 refers a structure characteristic table 2702 stored in the data storage unit 306.
In S2834, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 determines whether or not it is possible to form the structures associated with the inclined-surface area s3. In this embodiment, the larger the inputted sparkle point intensity, the larger the inclined-surface area s3. Here, in a case where the number of structures to be arranged in the structure arrangement data is large, the required number of structures cannot be arranged in the structure arrangement data if the size (base area) of the structures associated with the inclined-surface area s3 is too large. In view of this, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 is capable of the determination in S2834 by using, as an upper limit, the inclined-surface area s3 of a structure that can be arranged within a predetermined area. The predetermined area can be an area obtained by dividing image data by the number of structures to be arranged, for example. On the other hand, if the size (base area) of the structures associated with the inclined-surface area s3 is small, there is a possibility that the structures cannot be formed in the required size depending on the performance of the printing device 24. In view of this, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 is capable of the determination in S2834 by using, as a lower limit, the inclined-surface area s3 associated with the smallest structure that can be outputted by the printing device 24.
If determining that it is possible to form the structures (S2834: YES), the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 in S2835 derives structure inclination angles θ from the inclined-surface area s3 (S2832) and the result of the reference to the structure characteristic table 2702 (S2833). In this embodiment, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 derives values of 75.0 degrees, 45.0 degrees, and 15.0 degrees associated with a structure inclined-surface area s3 of A μm̂2 in the structure characteristic table 2702. The structure inclination angles θ derived in S2835 are allocated to the blocks in the structure arrangement data in accordance with proportions set in a structure number table 2703. The subsequent processes are the same as the processes in Embodiment 1, and description thereof will therefore be omitted.
If it is determined that it is impossible to form the structures (S2834: NO), the output-condition change unit 2704 prompts the user to input an output condition for controlling the appearance of sparkle points or changes such an output condition.
In S2861, the output-condition change unit 2704 obtains the sparkle point intensity (S2820), the print medium information (S2820), and the amount of reflected light per unit area (S2831).
In S2862, the output-condition change unit 2704 determines the type of sparkle point information to be preferentially used in deriving the characteristics of the structures, from the type of sparkle point information obtained in S2820. In this embodiment, the output-condition change unit 2704 determines the type of sparkle point information to be preferentially used out of the sparkle point intensity and the sparkle point area. The method described above in Embodiment 4 can be used in the sub-process in S2862.
If determining that the sparkle point intensity does not have priority, that is, if using the selected type of print medium material has priority (S2862: NO), the output-condition change unit 2704 in S2863 derives the range of sparkle point intensities that can be reproduced with the selected print medium material. The range of sparkle point intensities can be figured out from the range between the amount of reflected light emitted from the inclined-surface area s3 of the smallest structure (S2834) and the amount of reflected light emitted from the inclined-surface area s3 of the largest structure (S2834).
In S2864, the output-condition change unit 2704 notifies the user of the result derived in S2863 by means of the display 25 or the like through the UI display unit 301. In this embodiment, after S2864, the subsequent processes (S2840, S2850) are skipped, and the procedure in
On the other hand, if determining that the sparkle point intensity has priority (S2862: YES), the output-condition change unit 2704 determines in S2865 whether or not it is possible to select a print medium with which to reproduce the sparkle point intensity.
If it is possible to select a print medium (S2865: YES), the output-condition change unit 2704 proceeds to S2866, in which it notifies the user of the result of S2865 and selectable types of print medium materials by means of the display 25 or the like through the UI display unit 301. In this embodiment, after S2866, the subsequent processes (S2840, S2850) are skipped, and the procedure in
If it is impossible to select a print medium (S2865: NO), the output-condition change unit 2704 proceeds to S2867. In S2867, from the reference images received in S2810, the output-condition change unit 2704 figures out the ratio (contrast) between the intensity of the sparkle points and the intensity of the reflected light at the regions around the sparkle points.
In S2868, the output-condition change unit 2704 derives the range of sparkle point intensities that can be reproduced with the selected print medium material. The range of sparkle point intensities can be figured out from the range between the amount of reflected light emitted from the inclined-surface area s3 of the smallest structure (S2834) and the amount of reflected light emitted from the inclined-surface area s3 of the largest structure (S2834).
In S2869, the output-condition change unit 2704 corrects the color and/or brightness at the regions around the structures to be formed on the print medium 1208, based on the ratio (contrast) figured out in S2867. Specifically, using the upper- or lower-limit sparkle point intensity in the range of sparkle point intensities figured out in S2868 as a reference, the output-condition change unit 2704 applies the ratio (contrast) figured out in S2867 to the regions around the structures for expressing sparkle points. Note that a correction method widely known in the field of image processing is applicable to the correction of the color and/or brightness mentioned above. Meanwhile, as described in Embodiment 1, the printing device 24 in this embodiment forms structures by laminating a transparent UV curable ink onto a print medium. For this reason, the output-condition change unit 2704 can perform the above correction process on a color image formed under the structures by the method in Embodiment 6. After S2860, the structure-characteristic derivation unit 303 proceeds to S2835, in which it derives the structure inclination angles θ corresponding to the inclined-surface area s3, based on the upper- or lower-limit sparkle point intensity obtained in S2869.
Further, the output samples 3411 to 3413 show the correlation between change in color and/or brightness of the regions around the sparkle points and change in appearance of the sparkle points. As shown in
As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can derive the characteristics of the structures to be formed on the print medium (the inclined-surface area and plurality of inclination angles of the structures) by the process in S2830 in
In the foregoing embodiments, structures for expressing the sense of sparkle are formed based on the size of sparkle points or the angular conditions for observing the sparkle points. However, the foregoing embodiments do not taken into consideration the relation between the direction in which the inclined surfaces of the structures emits reflected light and the observation direction in which the observer observes the structures. For this reason, the observer might not be able to experience the sense of sparkle if changing the direction of observation of the structures. In this embodiment, description will be given of an approach in which the structures are arranged with the direction of observation of the structures taken into consideration. In the following, description will be simplified or omitted for parts that are common to Embodiments 1 to 8 above, and features unique to this embodiment will be mainly described.
(Operation of Image Processing Apparatus)
(Content of Control of Direction-Number Determination Unit)
[Math. 1]
W=8×(Ndot−1) (5)
Now, a method of determining the number of directions in this embodiment will be described with reference to
(Content of Control of Arrangement-Data Generation Unit)
In S3654, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 compares the total number of rectangular blocks in the image data generated in S3651 and the total number of structures calculated in S3653. If the total number of rectangular blocks is smaller (S3654: NO), the arrangement-data generation unit 304 changes N θn by using Formula 7 below and returns to S3653.
[Math. 3]
N
θn
N
θn×1/2 (7)
On the other hand, if the total number of rectangular blocks is larger (S3654: YES), the arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates numbers to all the structures whose total number is calculated in S3653.
In S3655, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates the structures to rectangular blocks i in the image data divided in S3651, by using a mask pattern defining the arrangement of the structures. On the mask pattern in this embodiment, numbers are given in advance in accordance with how the structures are to be arranged. The arrangement-data generation unit 304 can allocate the structures to the rectangular blocks i based on which numbers allocated to the structures match which numbers given to the mask pattern.
As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment figures out the directions of the structures in accordance with one of the characteristics of the structures and allocates the structures which are associated with a plurality of inclination angles for each direction. With this configuration, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can reproduce the sense of sparkle even if the observation direction changes. In this embodiment, the description has been given of the example where the maximum number of directions is figured out in accordance with one of the characteristics of the structures. However, as a modification, the image processing apparatus 1 may display a UI on a display 25 and receive specified directions through the UI. Further, the image processing apparatus 1 may receive a specified number of sparkle points to be reproduced, i.e., a specified number of structures for each inclination angle, through the UI.
In Embodiment 9 above, the description has been given of the example where the directions of the structures are figured out in accordance with one of the characteristics of the structures, and structures associated with a plurality of inclination angles are allocated for each direction. Here, the structures are allocated evenly among the directions in Embodiment 9. Thus, if the numbers of directions and inclination angles increase, some structures necessary for reproducing the sense of sparkle cannot be allocated on a print medium in some cases. In view of this, in this embodiment, description will be given of an example where the structures necessary for reproducing the sense of sparkle can be allocated even if the numbers of directions and inclination angles increase. In the following, description will be simplified or omitted for parts that are common to Embodiments 1 to 9 above, and features unique to this embodiment will be mainly described.
(Operation of Arrangement-Data Generation Unit)
In S4154, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates numbers to all the structures whose total number is calculated in S4152.
In S4155, the arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates the structures to the rectangular blocks i in the image data divided in S4151, by using mask patterns defining the arrangement of the structures. On the mask patterns in this embodiment, numbers are given in advance in accordance with how the structures are to be arranged. The arrangement-data generation unit 304 allocates the structures to the rectangular blocks i based on which numbers allocated to the structures match which numbers given to the mask patterns. Note that, unlike Embodiment 9 above, this embodiment uses mask patterns defining the arrangement of the structures differently for each of the directions 1 to 8.
In S4156, the structure re-shaping unit 4001 re-shapes the structure at the i-th rectangular block in a case where a plurality of directions are allocated to the i-th rectangular block.
In S4157, the structure re-shaping unit 4001 determines whether or not all the rectangular blocks in the image data have been checked for the re-shaping. If not all the rectangular blocks have been checked for the re-shaping (S4157: NO), the structure re-shaping unit 4001 adds 1 to i and returns to S4156. If all the rectangular blocks in the image data have been checked for the re-shaping (S4157: YES), the structure re-shaping unit 4001 terminates the process in this flowchart.
As described above, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment allocates structures to rectangular blocks by using different mask patterns for different directions. In a case where a plurality of directions are allocated to a rectangular block, structures including inclined surfaces in the plurality of directions are combined. With this configuration, the image processing apparatus 1 in this embodiment can allocate structures necessary for reproducing the sense of sparkle into structure arrangement data even if the numbers of directions and inclination angles increase.
In the methods described in the foregoing embodiments, structures are formed by laminating a UV curable ink. However, the method of forming structures is not limited to this method. For example, it is also possible to form structures by a nanoimprint technique in which a template having a shape corresponding to the structures are pressed against a print medium to form the structures. Also, in the foregoing embodiments, structures are formed such that the area of sparkle points remains the same irrespective of the illumination angle when the image printed on a printing material is observed from a normal direction. However, the structures to be formed are not limited to those. For example, it is also possible to employ an approach focusing on the inclined-surface areas of structures instead of the base area thereof such that structures having the same inclined-surface area or a predetermined range of inclined-surface areas are formed. Also, in the methods described in the foregoing embodiments, the direction of specularly reflected light from the interface of a structure is controlled. However, it is also possible to use a method in which a structure controls the direction of specularly reflected light from the surface of the print medium. For example, it is conceivable to employ an approach in which the direction of specularly reflected light from the surface of the print medium is refracted at the interface of a structure made of a clear ink with small absorption and scattering coefficients, to thereby control the direction of the specularly reflected light. Also, instead of the image processing apparatus 1, an engine embedded in the printing device 24 may perform some or all processes described in the foregoing embodiments.
Embodiment (s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment (s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)TM), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program capable of forming structures for artificially expressing the sense of sparkle.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-104459, filed May 22, 2015, and Patent Application No. 2016-088486, filed Apr. 26, 2016, which are hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2015-104459 | May 2015 | JP | national |
2016-088486 | Apr 2016 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2016/002479 | 5/20/2016 | WO | 00 |