JP6650129B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  Conventionally, various embroidery data creation devices and embroidery sewing machines have been proposed. Specifically, for example, Patent Literature 1 displays a preview image for creating a preview image for confirming an embroidery result when performing embroidery based on embroidery data, and the color of the preview image is not what the user desires. In this case, a technique has been proposed in which a user can instruct selection of a thread color. Patent Document 2 proposes a technique in which embroidery data capturing means is provided in a sewing machine side control means, and embroidery data of a desired embroidery pattern can be easily and quickly obtained via a communication line.

JP 2008-110008A JP-A-11-76662

  However, the prior art supports the generation of image data for embroidery in an embroidery sewing machine, and does not assume, for example, a manual embroidery work as a handicraft in a general home or school. Further, this problem is not limited to the embroidery work, and is a problem common to the work of manually creating a dot picture using dot picture materials such as pattern knitting, bead processing, and mosaic tiles.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a technique for facilitating a dot picture creation operation of manually creating a dot picture using a dot picture material. I do.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention obtains an image including a dot pattern, and forms a predetermined dot pattern that defines an arrangement of dots for forming a dot image using the dot pattern extracted from the obtained image. A dot pattern providing unit to provide, a dot color acquisition unit to acquire a dot color that is a color of a dot for forming the dot image, and a dot arrangement based on a dot arrangement defined in the predetermined dot pattern. A dot image generating unit that generates a dot image by arranging colors, and a user interface providing unit that provides a user interface for adjusting the dot image are provided.

  The image forming method of the present invention obtains an image including a dot pattern, and uses a dot pattern extracted from the obtained image to form a predetermined dot pattern that defines an arrangement of dots for forming a dot image. A dot pattern providing step for providing, a dot color obtaining step for obtaining a dot color that is a color of a dot for forming the dot image, and the dot arrangement based on a dot arrangement defined in the predetermined dot pattern. A dot image generating step of generating a dot image by arranging colors; and a user interface providing step of providing a user interface for adjusting the dot image.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique for facilitating the dot picture creation operation | work which creates a dot picture by hand using a dot picture material can be provided.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the dot picture creation assistance process concerning one embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a dot pattern automatically generated by the image forming system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an initial image automatically generated by the image forming system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print image output by the image forming system according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 1 includes a personal computer 2 and an image forming apparatus 3. The image forming apparatus 3 includes a control unit 10, an image reading unit 20, an image forming unit 30, a storage unit 40, and a communication interface unit 50. The image forming unit 30 includes an OCR processing unit 31 (also called a character recognition processing unit), an image analysis unit 32, and an image processing unit 33. The personal computer 2 is connected to the image forming apparatus 3 using the communication interface unit 50.

  The control unit 10 includes main storage means such as a RAM and a ROM, and control means such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Further, the control unit 10 includes a controller function related to various interfaces such as I / O, USB (Universal Serial Bus), bus, and other hardware, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 3.

  The storage unit 40 is a storage device including a non-temporary recording medium such as a hard disk drive and a flash memory, and stores a control program and data for a process executed by the control unit 10. The storage unit 40 further stores a pattern database 41 and a dot picture material database 42.

  The pattern database 41 stores a plurality of dot pattern records. The pattern database 41 includes (1) details of manual work such as embroidery work, pattern knitting, bead processing, and mosaic tiles, (2) names of patterns represented by dot patterns, (3) features of motifs, and (3) hand-held. There is a field for storing the presence / absence of (inventory) and the purchaser.

  The dot picture material database 42 stores records of dot picture materials arranged for each dot of the dot pattern. The dot picture material database 42 includes (1) features as a color material such as color, shape, size, and glossiness of the dot picture material, and (2) features as a kind of material such as knitting yarn, beads, and mosaic tiles. It has fields to store.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the details of the dot picture creation support processing according to the embodiment. The dot picture creation support process according to the present embodiment is a process for supporting a task of manually creating a dot picture. The dot picture includes a picture formed using a dot picture material such as embroidery, pattern knitting, bead processing, and mosaic tile.

  In step S10, the image reading unit 20 performs an original image scanning process. In the original image scanning process, the image reading unit 20 is a process of acquiring an original image intended to be represented by a dot picture by the image reading unit 20 and generating original image data. However, the acquisition of the original image does not necessarily have to be acquired by the image reading unit 20, and the original image may be obtained by using image data stored inside the personal computer 2, for example.

  The OCR processing unit 31 of the image forming unit 30 executes the OCR process to generate text data when the original image includes text. The OCR processing unit 31 stores in the storage unit 40 a data file generated by associating the generated text data with the position of the text in the original image with the original image data.

  In step S20, the image reading section 20 performs a dot pattern scanning process. The dot pattern scanning process is a process of generating a dot pattern by scanning a sample including a dot pattern used for creating a dot picture. The generation of the dot pattern is performed by the image processing unit 33 functioning as a dot pattern providing unit using the read image data.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a dot pattern automatically generated by the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment. As a sample including a dot pattern, a sample representing an image representing a dot picture such as a picture of a tile picture or a beadwork itself can be used.

  The dot pattern P1 is a pattern in which squares are arranged in up, down, left, and right directions. The dot pattern P1 is a dot pattern for forming a dot picture by arranging square tiles, for example. The dot pattern P2 is a dot pattern for forming a dot picture by arranging, for example, round tiles or beads. The dot pattern P3 is a dot pattern for forming a dot picture by arranging square tiles at an angle of 45 degrees, for example.

  Further, the dot pattern is not limited to a pattern that directly represents the shape of the material of the dot picture, and may be, for example, a pattern that schematically represents a stitch. Specifically, for example, in the case of knitting of a stick needle, the dot pattern scan processing is to be adopted from various knitting methods such as knitting, back knitting, garter knitting, first-gear knitting, and second-glove knitting. You can also scan samples that are knitted in a knitting style.

  The image analysis unit 32 extracts a dot pattern corresponding to a stitch as an image pattern having a predetermined spatial frequency component. The predetermined spatial frequency component can be specified, for example, by specifying the size (pitch) of the stitch by the user. The spatial frequency may be set separately for the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  Specifically, for example, when the vertical size of the stitch is about 1 mm and the horizontal size is 1.5 mm, extraction is performed using a spatial frequency filter whose center frequency is set to 1 mm × 1.5 mm. can do.

  In the dot pattern scanning process, it is not always necessary to generate a dot pattern from a read image. The dot pattern scanning process may be a process for providing a dot pattern. For example, at least one approximate dot pattern is selected from a plurality of dot patterns stored in the pattern database 41 using a read image. It may be configured as follows. Further, the image processing unit 33 may be configured so that the user can automatically or automatically select either the generation of the dot pattern or the selection of the dot pattern.

  In step S30, the image reading section 20 executes a dot picture material scanning process. In the dot picture material scanning process, the image reading unit 20 scans a sample of the dot picture material used for creating the dot picture and generates image data. The image analysis unit 32 functions as a dot color acquisition unit, acquires the color and size of the dot picture material from the image data, and stores each data in the storage unit 40 as a database record of the dot picture material database 42. It is. Specifically, for example, in FIG. 3, scanned round tiles T1 to T3 are displayed.

  The size of the dot picture material (for example, the thickness of the knitting yarn) can also be used for adjusting the dot pattern. Specifically, for example, the user automatically selects the size of each dot (round shape) of the dot pattern P2 by selecting one of three round tiles T1 to T3 having different sizes. Dot pattern P2 can be automatically adjusted to match any of the tiles T1 to T3.

  In the case of knitting, the storage unit 40 stores data for specifying the standard size in the vertical direction and the standard size in the horizontal direction as records of the pattern database 41 based on, for example, the thickness and knitting method of the knitting yarn. be able to. The image analysis unit 32 automatically adjusts the dot size of the dot pattern generated in the dot pattern scanning process (step S20) to the standard size specified based on the thickness and the way of knitting of the knitting yarn. Can also. Various dot patterns may be stored in the pattern database 41 so that the user can select them without performing the dot pattern scanning process. Standard size means average size and can be fine-tuned by the user.

  In step S40, the image processing unit 33 functions as a dot image generation unit, and performs an initial image generation process. The initial image generation processing is, for example, a dot image as an initial image in which an attempt is made to reproduce an original image using a scanned dot picture material on an adjusted dot pattern.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an initial image automatically generated by the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment. In this example, the original image D1 is an image suitable for generating a dot picture based on the dot pattern set by the above method, and the original image D2 is a dot picture based on the dot pattern set by the above method. It is assumed that the image has too thin lines for generation.

  The image analysis unit 32 automatically generates a dot pattern DP1 for reproducing the original image D1, using the dot picture material registered in the storage unit 40. In the reproduction of the original image D1, the image analysis unit 32 appropriately arranges the dots formed based on the color and size of the dot picture material with respect to the dot arrangement defined in the dot pattern DP1, thereby forming the dot pattern DP1. Generate. In the reproduction of the original image D2, the image analysis unit 32 automatically increases the line thickness of the original image D2 (expansion processing), and generates the dot pattern DP1 in a state where the original image D2 can be reproduced with the dot size of the dot picture material. .

  The original images D1 and D2 may be subjected to character recognition processing by the OCR processing unit 31 and processed as text. In this case, the user can select a font and a style to generate the dot pattern DP1. The original images D1 and D2 become reference images serving as a reference for a dot picture through processes such as a character recognition process and an expansion process. That is, the image processing unit 33 automatically generates a dot pattern capable of reproducing the reference image as the dot pattern DP1, and is arranged at each dot defined by the dot pattern DP1 so that the reference image and the dot picture image are close to each other. The dot color can be determined.

  In step S50, the image processing unit 33 executes a preview image display process. In the preview image display process, the control unit 10 transmits image data representing the dot pattern DP1 from the image forming system 1 to the personal computer 2, and causes the display (not shown) of the personal computer 2 to display the dot pattern DP1.

  In step S60, the control unit 10 functions as a user interface providing unit, and displays a user interface screen (not shown) on the operation display unit (not shown) of the personal computer 2 or the image forming apparatus 3. The user interface screen receives an operation input from a user for image adjustment processing (processing for adjusting a dot image). In the image adjustment processing, the image processing unit 33 can adjust the number of colors (for example, selection of 16 colors or 32 colors), the density, and expand a line according to an operation input from a user.

  Further, the user can also individually correct the color and the like of each dot. Specifically, a color or a dot picture material can be selected from a palette displayed on the user interface screen and arranged at the designated dot. When a color is selected from the pallet, the image processing unit 33 automatically selects at least one color selected from the pallet or a similar color from the dot picture materials registered in the dot picture material database 42. Thus, the user interface screen is configured to be able to change at least one of the shape and the color in at least a part of the reference image.

  The user can confirm whether or not reproduction of the original image intended by the user has been realized while watching the preview image displayed on the personal computer 2. If the reproduction of the original image is not as intended, the user can return the processing to step S20 to change the dot pattern and the dot picture material, and the reproduction of the original image is as intended. In this case, the process can proceed to step S80 (step S70).

  In step S80, the image forming unit 30 performs a printing process according to an operation input from a user. In the printing process, the image processing unit 33 can form an image on a print medium by displaying a number as an identification display indicating a dot position (or a positional relationship between a plurality of dots) on each dot.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print image output by the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment. The dot pattern DP2 as an example of the print image is different from the dot pattern DP1 in that a number indicating the dot position is displayed on each dot. In this example, the numbers indicating the dot positions are in the order of forming the stitches.

  In the printing process (step S80), the user can further select a region where it is difficult to create a stitch in knitting as a dot picture, for example, and print an enlarged partial image. More specifically, the user can print the partial dot patterns DP2e1 and DP2e2 as partial images by enlarging the branch portion below the character A. Thereby, creation of knitting as a dot picture can be facilitated.

  As described above, the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment can automatically generate the dot pattern by scanning the original image and the dot picture material, and simulate the dot picture based on the dot pattern. it can. Further, the user can adjust the dot pattern and the dot picture as needed. Thereby, the dot picture creation operation of manually creating the dot picture using the dot picture material can be facilitated.

  The present invention can be implemented not only in the above embodiments but also in the following modified examples.

  Modified Example 1: In each of the above embodiments, an image is formed on a print medium by displaying a number indicating a dot position on each dot. However, each dot has, for example, a stitch symbol or a dot color (color of a knitting yarn). ), Information that can be used to generate a dot picture may be displayed.

  Modification Example 2 In the above embodiments, a solid dot picture is reproduced, but halftone processing is also possible in the formation of the dot picture. Specifically, for example, in a dot pattern having a large number of dots, by adjusting the dot density by dither processing or error diffusion processing, intermediate colors (for example, gray reproduction in white and black, and pink reproduction in white and red) are obtained. Reproduction is also possible.

  Modified Example 3 In the above embodiments, a single-color example is shown as the dot color. However, for example, a color dot picture using multiple colors may be configured. Specifically, at the time of scanning the dot picture material, the color components (for example, RGB) of the dot picture material are converted into numerical values, and a plurality of dot picture materials are appropriately arranged to reproduce a color image as an original image. .

  Modification 4: In each of the above embodiments, the user confirms the preview image and simulates the dot picture. However, the image forming system 1 determines that the thickness of the thin line portion of the original image to be reproduced is If the size is significantly smaller than the dot size, a warning message may be displayed to draw the user's attention. Specifically, the image forming system 1 may be configured to recommend a thicker line or to suggest a change in the dot picture material.

  Modification 5: In the above embodiments, the dot pattern DP2 for creating a dot picture is printed out, but may be displayed on a tablet or smartphone, for example. In this way, partial enlargement can be performed at any time during the creation of the dot picture.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming system 2 personal computer 3 image forming apparatus 10 control unit 20 image reading unit 30 image forming unit 31 OCR processing unit 32 image analyzing unit 33 image processing unit 40 storage unit 41 pattern database (pattern DB)
50 Communication interface

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus,
A dot pattern providing unit that obtains an image including a dot pattern, and provides a predetermined dot pattern that defines the arrangement of dots for forming a dot image using the dot pattern extracted from the obtained image,
A dot color obtaining unit that obtains a dot color that is a color of a dot for forming the dot image,
A dot image generation unit configured to generate a dot image by arranging the dot colors based on an arrangement of dots defined in the predetermined dot pattern;
A user interface providing unit that provides a user interface for adjusting the dot image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An image reading unit that reads an image and generates image data,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the dot color obtaining unit obtains, as the dot color, a color of a dot picture material that is a material forming a dot picture represented by the dot image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The dot image generation unit generates a reference image that is a reference image of the configuration of the dot picture, adjusts the density of the dot color so that the reference image and the image of the dot picture are closer, and An image forming apparatus that determines the dot color arranged in each dot of the dot pattern based on the density. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
The image forming apparatus, wherein the user interface providing unit provides a user interface for changing at least one of a shape and a color of at least a part of the reference image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:
The user interface providing unit displays a preview image in which at least one of the shape and size of each dot constituting the dot pattern and at least one of the shape and color of at least a part of the reference image are different. An image forming apparatus that provides an interface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The image forming apparatus, wherein the dot image generation unit displays an identification display indicating a positional relationship between the plurality of dots on at least a part of the plurality of dots forming the dot pattern. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the dot image generation unit generates a partial image obtained by enlarging a part of the dot image. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further
An image reading unit that reads an image and generates image data,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the dot pattern providing unit provides the dot pattern extracted from an image represented by the image data. An image forming method,
An image including a dot pattern is obtained, and a dot pattern providing step of providing a predetermined dot pattern that defines the arrangement of dots for forming a dot image using the dot pattern extracted from the obtained image,
A dot color obtaining step of obtaining a dot color that is a color of a dot for forming the dot image,
A dot image generating step of generating a dot image by arranging the dot colors based on an arrangement of dots defined in the predetermined dot pattern;
Providing a user interface for adjusting the dot image.