Patent Publication Number: US-2023162427-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The present disclosure relates to processing for supporting design of a mold to be used for forming a molded product. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There is known a conventional technique that gives visual texture, such as glossiness and brightness, or tactile texture, such as grip feeling, by providing an invisible minute uneven structure on a surface of a resin product. Examples of the visual texture such as glossiness and brightness include low gloss matt-like texture and shiny metallic-like texture. Examples of the tactile texture such as grip feeling include rubber-like texture with moist feeling. There is also known a technique that gives so-called leather-tone coating texture by providing irregularities resembling leather and visible to the naked eye, and changing glossiness by giving minute asperities varying between the projected portion and the depressed portion of the irregularities. 
     In a case where such a resin product having an uneven structure is manufactured by injection molding or the like, it can be necessary to place various limits on the uneven structure to be provided. For example, if an outer surface of a molded product that is the resin product is inclined with respect to a mold release direction, or is formed of a curved surface, it can be unavoidable to omit an uneven structure in some regions in order to improve mold releasability. 
     Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-40381 discusses a technique which is known as a technique for suppressing a reduction in quality of appearance in terms of design associated with omission of an uneven structure. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-40381, an outer surface is divided into a plurality of regions, and the difference in height between the projected portion and the depressed portion of an uneven structure (i.e., the height difference of irregularities) is gradually changed to achieve superior mold releasability and linearize a change in gloss level on the outer surface. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-40381, the gap in texture between a region with the uneven structure and a region without the uneven structure is thereby prevented from being perceived. 
     Depending on the shape of a molded product, the mold release direction, and the combination of types of texture to be given, a trade-off between excellence and poorness can occur between a plurality of evaluation items about the surface texture of the molded product, when the height difference of irregularities is changed as in the technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-40381. For example, in order to reproduce target texture faithfully over as wide region as possible on the surface of the molded product, it is desirable that the height difference of irregularities remain unchanged as much as possible in a range not interfering with the mold release. This is because the reproduced texture changes depending on the height difference of irregularities. On the other hand, in order to prevent the gap in texture from being perceived, it is desirable to reduce the amount of a change in the height difference of irregularities between regions. In other words, in order to maintain the continuity of the texture, it is desirable to gradually change the height difference of irregularities by securing a sufficient region width on the surface of the molded product. However, in a region where the height difference of irregularities is changed, the fidelity of the texture decreases depending on the amount of the change, and thus a region where the target texture is faithfully reproduced is narrow. In a case where such a trade-off occurs, it is necessary for a designer to adjust how to change the height difference of irregularities while considering a balance between evaluation items. 
     However, for example, in a case where the shape of a molded product is complicated, or in a case where one molded product is formed of the combination of a plurality of molds varying in mold release direction, there is an issue that it is difficult to identify a portion to be adjusted (i.e., a portion where a trade-off occurs). 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to providing a mechanism that can identify a portion to be adjusted when a molded product is formed using a mold. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus includes a shape data acquisition unit configured to acquire shape data indicating a three-dimensional shape of a mold for forming a molded product, a mold release direction acquisition unit configured to acquire a mold release direction in separating the molded product from the mold, a processing parameter acquisition unit configured to acquire a processing parameter for processing to be applied to a surface of the mold, a calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the shape data, the mold release direction and the processing parameter, a difference between a plurality of processing parameter maps each indicating a correspondence between a position on the surface of the mold and the processing parameter, and a notification unit configured to notify information about the difference. 
     Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing system including an information processing apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating an example of a logical configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C  are diagrams illustrating an uneven structure in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating a processing control parameter in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C  are diagrams illustrating examples of a surface shape of a mold and a processing depth in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C  are diagrams illustrating examples of developments corresponding to  FIGS.  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C . 
         FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  are diagrams illustrating an example of a surface shape of a mold represented by shape data in each of the first exemplary embodiment and a second exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of an information processing method by the information processing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an example of a graphical user interface (GUI) in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table indicating the correspondence between a texture name and a processing control parameter in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of processing for generating a processing parameter map emphasizing fidelity. 
         FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing upper limit look-up table (LUT) in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  are flowcharts illustrating an example of a detailed processing procedure of processing for generating a processing parameter map emphasizing continuity. 
         FIG.  14    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of an information processing method by an information processing apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  15    is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI in the second exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Modes (exemplary embodiments) for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Not all of combinations of features that will be described in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure. In the description, the same configurations will be assigned the same reference numerals. 
     A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing system  10  including an information processing apparatus  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  2    is a diagram illustrating an example of a logical configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Before the configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  illustrated in  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2    is described, an uneven structure in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
       FIGS.  3 A,  3 B, and  3 C  are diagrams illustrating the uneven structure in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. An xyz coordinate system is illustrated in each of  FIG.  3 A  to  FIG.  3 C . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3 A , on a flat surface  310  where the uneven structure is not provided, a normal vector n to the flat surface is the same direction at any position within the surface. The specular direction of light incident on the surface  310  is constant irrespective of position. For this reason, reflected light does not diffuse, and thus the surface  310  is perceived as a high gloss surface. 
     Meanwhile, as illustrated in  FIG.  3 B , on a surface  320  where minute projected portions  321  are provided as the uneven structure, normal vectors n point in various directions and thus reflected light diffuses. For this reason, perceived gloss on the surface  320  is lower than that on the surface  310 . The larger the number of the projected portions  321  is, the more greatly the normal vectors n vary, and the normal vector n also varies depending on the shape (including the height, width, and geometric shape) of the projected portion  321 . Accordingly, various kinds of gloss can be given to the surface of a molded product, by changing the density or shapes of the projected portions  321  provided as the uneven structure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  3 C , a surface  330  is a low gross surface where the minute projected portions  321  are densely provided and second projected portions  331  minute but relatively larger than the minute projected portions  321  are interspersed, and an extremely small region corresponding to the second projected portion  331  appears to shine brightly on the surface  330 . Various kinds of brightness can be given by changing the shapes and density of the second projected portions  331 . Various kinds of texture such as grip feeling and leather-tone coating texture can be given by providing an uneven structure formed of combination of a plurality of projected portions varying in shape, other than those illustrated in  FIGS.  3 B and  3 C . For example, various kinds of grip feeling can be given by changing the coefficient of friction of the surface of a molded product by providing minute projected portions. Visible projected portions (hereinafter referred to as “island part”) can be interspersed on the surface of a molded product, and further, in order to provide higher gloss in the island part than in other region (hereinafter referred to as “sea part”), the surface of each of the island part and the sea part can be provide with minute projected portions varying between the island part and the sea part. The texture of leather-tone coating can be thereby given. 
     The uneven structure described above can be formed on the surface of a molded product, by processing (micro processing) the surface of a mold to form inversed irregularities, using a processing machine such as a cutting machine or a laser beam machine. For example, a depressed portion formed on the surface of the mold by processing (micro processing) is transferred to resin as the projected portion  321  or the projected portion  331  on the molded product, and the depth of the depressed portion formed on the surface of the mold by processing is the height of the projected portion  321  or the projected portion  331  on the molded product. In the present exemplary embodiment, as a parameter (hereinafter referred to as “processing control parameter”) for controlling processing (micro processing) by the processing machine, each of a processing diameter r, a processing depth d, and a processing density p is used. 
       FIG.  4    is a diagram illustrating the processing control parameter in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the processing diameter r and the processing depth d are each illustrated in  FIG.  4   , as one type of the processing control parameter. 
     In  FIG.  4   , a shaded portion represents a steel material of a mold. The processing diameter r is a processing control parameter corresponding to a tool diameter in a cutting machine, or a spot diameter of a laser beam in a laser beam machine. The processing depth d is a processing control parameter indicating a depth of processing, using a surface  401  of the mold before an uneven structure is formed by processing (micro processing), as a reference (depth zero). The processing density p that is one type of the processing control parameter is a parameter for controlling the number of depressed portions to be formed by processing, in unit area. 
     When the mold is actually fabricated, data (hereinafter referred to as “processing pattern”) indicating the correspondence between a position on the surface of the mold and the processing depth d is generated, based on shape data of the surface of the mold before the uneven structure is formed by processing (micro processing), and the processing density p. This processing pattern is input to a computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system. The processing pattern which is the input data is converted into a processing program such as numerical control (NC) data by the CAM system, and the processing program is sent to a computer numerical control (CNC) processing machine, so that processing is executed. 
     In general, in a case where an uneven structure is provided on the surface of a molded product, a mold release resistance tends to increase. Accordingly, giving texture to the surface of the molded product can cause a difficulty in the mold release. For example, in a case where the mold is moved in a direction indicated by an arrow E in  FIG.  3 C  for the mold release when the surface  330  in  FIG.  3 C  is formed on the surface of the molded product, the large projected portion  331  on the surface of the molded product catches on the mold, which causes a mold release failure. In a case where a difficulty in the mold release occurs and the difficulty cannot be addressed even if, for example, the mold release direction is changed or a release agent is used, it is desirable to locally reduce the heights of the projected portions disturbing the mold release, and thus it is desirable to reduce the processing depth d for a partial region of the surface of the mold. However, a region where the processing depth d is reduced and a region where the processing depth d is not reduced are different in terms of the texture of the surface of the molded product, depending on the amount of the change in the processing depth d. 
       FIGS.  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C  are diagrams illustrating examples of the surface shape of the mold and the processing depth d in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. An xyz coordinate system is illustrated in each of  FIG.  5 A  to  FIG.  5 C . FIGS.  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C are diagrams illustrating examples of developments corresponding to  FIGS.  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C  in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In each of  FIG.  6 A  to  FIG.  6 C , a uv coordinate system is illustrated as a coordinate system that determines the plane of the development. 
     Points P 1  to P 6  on the surface of the mold in  FIG.  5 A  correspond to points P 1  to P 6  on the development in  FIG.  6 A , and this also applies to  FIGS.  5 B and  5 C  corresponding to  FIGS.  6 B and  6 C . In  FIGS.  5 A to  5 C  and  FIGS.  6 A to  6 C , a processing depth d target  for reproducing desired texture is expressed by white, the processing depth d being zero is expressed by black, and the smaller the processing depth d is, the darker the color expressing the processing depth d is. 
       FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  6 A  illustrate an example in which the processing depth d target  is used for the entire surface of the mold. In the example illustrated in  FIG.  5 A  and  FIG.  6 A , the normal direction to the plane is inclined with respect to a mold release direction E to a great extent in a region  501 , and the mold release is difficult in a case where the uneven structure is provided. In contrast,  FIG.  5 B  and  FIG.  6 B  illustrate an example in which the processing depth d is reduced to the upper limit for enabling the mold release, in order to prevent occurrence of a difficulty in the mold release, and to minimize a reduction in the fidelity of the texture to be reproduced on the surface of the molded product.  FIG.  5 C  and  FIG.  6 C  illustrate an example in which the processing depth d is gradually changed to prevent occurrence of a difficulty in the mold release, and to maintain the continuity of the texture to be reproduced on the surface of the molded product. 
     In  FIG.  5 B  and  FIG.  6 B , a region  502  is a region where the processing depth d is zero, i.e., a region where the uneven structure is not provided, and the mold release can be performed without difficulty. However, in  FIG.  5 B  and  FIG.  6 B , the region  502  and a region  503  where the processing depth is d target  are adjacent to each other, and thus the difference in texture between these regions appears clearly at the boundary, so that a gap is perceived. 
     In  FIG.  5 C  and  FIG.  6 C , a region  505  where the processing depth d is gradually changed is located between a region  504  where the processing depth d is zero and a region  506  where the processing depth d is d target  Accordingly, in  FIG.  5 C  and  FIG.  6 C , the difference in texture between the regions adjacent to each other is not easily perceived. In  FIG.  5 C  and  FIG.  6 C , however, the area of the region  506  where the processing depth is d target  (i.e., the desired texture is faithfully reproduced) is smaller than the area of the region  503  in  FIG.  5 B  and  FIG.  6 B . In this way, it is often difficult to make both of an evaluation item of the emphasis on fidelity and an evaluation item of the emphasis on continuity in the surface texture of the molded product best at the same time, and a trade-off between the evaluation items occurs in some region. 
     Two-dimensional image data in which the processing depth d is recorded in association with the position on the surface of the mold will be referred to as “processing parameter map”. In the present exemplary embodiment, a processing parameter map emphasizing each item is generated for each evaluation item in the surface texture of the molded product, and a region where a trade-off occurs (i.e., a trade-off region), which is a portion to be adjusted, is notified based on the difference between processing parameter maps. 
     &lt;Hardware Configuration&gt; 
     A hardware configuration of the information processing system  10  including the information processing apparatus  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG.  1   . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the information processing system  10  includes the information processing apparatus  100 , an external storage device  200 , a display  300 , an input device  400 , and serial buses  510  to  530 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the information processing apparatus  100  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  101 , a random access memory (RAM)  102 , a read only memory (ROM)  103 , a serial ATA interface (SATA I/F)  104 , a video card (VC)  105 , a general-purpose I/F  106 , and a system bus  107 . 
     The CPU  101  executes an operating system (OS) and various programs stored in devices such as the ROM  103  and the external storage device  200 , using the RAM  102  as a work memory. 
     The OS and various programs may be stored in an internal storage device. The CPU  101  controls each hardware configuration via the system bus  107 . A program code stored in the ROM  103 , the external storage device  200 , or the like is loaded into the RAM  102 , and the loaded program code is executed by the CPU  101 , so that processing in a flowchart to be described below is executed. 
     The external storage device  200  is connected to the SATA I/F  104  via the serial bus  510 . The external storage device  200  is a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). 
     The display  300  is connected to the VC  105  via the serial bus  520 . 
     The input device  400  including a mouse and a keyboard is connected to the general-purpose I/F  106  via the serial bus  530 . 
     The CPU  101  displays a graphical user interface (GUI) provided by a program on the display  300  via the VC  105 , and receives input information representing a user instruction obtained via the input device  400 . 
     The information processing apparatus  100  is, for example, implemented by a desktop personal computer (PC). Alternatively, the information processing apparatus  100  may be implemented by a notebook PC or tablet PC integrated with the display  300 . 
     The external storage device  200  can be implemented by a medium (a storage medium) and an external storage drive for accessing this medium. A flexible disk (FD), a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a magneto-optical disc (MO), or a flash memory can be used for the medium. 
     &lt;Logical Configuration&gt; 
     A logical configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG.  2   . 
     The CPU  101  illustrated in  FIG.  1    executes a program stored in the ROM  103 , using the RAM  102  as a work memory, so that the information processing apparatus  100  functions as the logical configuration illustrated in  FIG.  2   . Not all of processes to be described below are necessarily executed by the CPU  101 , and the information processing apparatus  100  may be configured so that some or all of the processes are performed by one or more processing circuits other than the CPU  101 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the information processing apparatus  100  includes a shape data acquisition unit  110 , a mold release direction acquisition unit  120 , a processing parameter acquisition unit  130 , a calculation unit  140 , and a notification unit  150 . 
     The shape data acquisition unit  110  is, for example, a shape data acquisition unit configured to acquire shape data indicating a three-dimensional shape of a mold for forming a molded product, from the ROM  103 , the external storage device  200 , or the like, based on a user instruction input via the input device  400 . Specifically, the shape data in the present exemplary embodiment is polygon data in which the surface shape of a mold before an uneven structure is formed by processing (micro processing) is expressed by a group of a plurality of planes. In other words, the shape data represents the shapes of the planes of a mold that are in contact with resin for forming a molded product before texture is given. The shape data consists of a list of the three-dimensional xyz coordinates of vertexes forming the plurality of planes, and the two-dimensional uv coordinates (so-called texture coordinates) corresponding the three-dimensional xyz coordinates. 
       FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  are diagrams illustrating an example of the surface shape of the mold expressed by the shape data in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  7 A  illustrates an example of a surface shape (i.e., the plane shape indicated by the shape data)  710  of the mold expressed by the polygon in an xyz coordinate space.  FIG.  7 B  illustrates an example of the development (a development  720 ) of the surface of the mold developed on a uv coordinate plane. A rectangle P T1 P T2 P T3  (a rectangle  711 ) illustrated in  FIG.  7 A  is one of a plurality of planes (hereinafter referred to as “element planes”) forming the surface shape  710  and expressed in the xyz coordinate space. A rectangle P T1 P T2 P T3  (a rectangle  721 ) illustrated in  FIG.  7 B  is the same one element plane expressed on the uv coordinate plane. In other words, points P T1 , P T2 , and P T3  in the xyz coordinate space illustrated in  FIG.  7 A  and points P T1 , P T2 , and P T3  on the uv coordinate plane illustrated in  FIG.  7 B  correspond to each other. 
     The shape data acquired by the shape data acquisition unit  110  is transmitted to the calculation unit  140  and the notification unit  150 . 
     The mold release direction acquisition unit  120  is, for example, a mold release direction acquisition unit configured to acquire a mold release direction in separating a molded product from a mold based on a user instruction input via the input device  400 . Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, the mold release direction acquisition unit  120  acquires a three-dimensional vector (a mold release direction vector) indicating a mold release direction, as the mold release direction. The mold release direction vector acquired by the mold release direction acquisition unit  120  is transmitted to the calculation unit  140 . 
     The processing parameter acquisition unit  130  is, for example, a processing parameter acquisition unit that acquires a processing parameter for processing (micro processing) to be applied to the surface of a mold based on a user instruction input via the input device  400 . Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, the processing parameter acquisition unit  130  acquires each of the above-described processing control parameters and a processing upper limit look-up table (LUT) to be described below, as the processing parameter. The processing control parameters include the processing depth d for reproducing desired surface texture (i.e., a target processing depth). The processing parameter acquisition unit  130  acquires a LUT (a processing upper limit LUT) indicating the correspondence between a draft and an upper limit value of the processing depth d enabling the mold release, from the ROM  103 , the external storage device  200 , or the like. Here, the draft is an angle representing an inclination of the surface of the mold with respect to the mold release direction, and is illustrated as an angle φ in  FIG.  4   . The upper limit value of the processing depth d enabling the mold release is smaller, as the draft φ illustrated in  FIG.  4    is smaller. The processing control parameters and the processing upper limit LUT each acquired as the processing parameter by the processing parameter acquisition unit  130  are transmitted to the calculation unit  140 . 
     The calculation unit  140  is a calculation unit configured to generate a plurality of processing parameter maps each indicating the correspondence between the position on the surface of the mold and the processing parameter based on the received shape data, mold release direction vector and processing parameter, and calculates the difference between the plurality of processing parameter maps. Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of processing parameter maps includes at least a processing parameter map related to the surface texture of the molded product. To be more specific, in the present exemplary embodiment, the plurality of processing parameter maps includes a first processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity of the surface texture of the molded product and a second processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity of the surface texture of the molded product. In this case, the calculation unit  140  may be configured to calculate the difference between the first processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity of the surface texture of the molded product and the second processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity of the surface texture of the molded product. The difference between the plurality of processing parameter maps calculated by the calculation unit  140  is transmitted to the notification unit  150 . 
     The notification unit  150  is a notification unit configured to notifies information about the difference between the plurality of processing parameter maps transmitted from the calculation unit  140 . Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, the notification unit  150  notifies the information, by displaying a trade-off region, which is a portion to be adjusted, on the display  300 , based on the difference between the plurality of processing parameter maps. 
     &lt;Processing to Be Executed&gt; 
       FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of an information processing method performed by the information processing apparatus  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     First, in step S 101  in  FIG.  8   , the shape data acquisition unit  110  acquires shape data indicating the three-dimensional shape of a mold for forming a molded product based on a user instruction input via the input device  400 . The mold release direction acquisition unit  120  acquires a mold release direction vector in separating the molded product from the mold based on a user instruction input via the input device  400 . Further, the processing parameter acquisition unit  130  acquires a texture name based on a user instruction input via the input device  400 . In other words, in step S 101 , various input data based on user instructions are acquired by the shape data acquisition unit  110 , the mold release direction acquisition unit  120 , and the processing parameter acquisition unit  130 . The user instructions will be described with reference to  FIG.  9   . 
       FIG.  9    is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI displayed on the display  300  in  FIG.  1   , in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In a GUI  900  illustrated in  FIG.  9   , a shape setting field  901  is, for example, a field for a user to input the path of a file in which the shape data of a mold is recorded. In the GUI  900  illustrated in  FIG.  9   , a mold release direction setting field  902  is, for example, a field for the user to input a value for each of xyz components of a mold release direction vector. In the GUI  900  illustrated in  FIG.  9   , a texture setting field  903  is, for example, a field for the user to input a texture name representing texture that the user wants to give. In step S 101  in  FIG.  8   , there can be adopted a mode in which the shape data acquisition unit  110 , the mold release direction acquisition unit  120 , and the processing parameter acquisition unit  130  acquire data input in the setting fields  901 ,  902 , and  903 , respectively, of the GUI  900  illustrated in  FIG.  9   . 
     In step S 102  in  FIG.  8   , the processing parameter acquisition unit  130  acquires the processing control parameter corresponding to the texture name acquired in step S 101 , with reference to a correspondence table illustrated in  FIG.  10   .  FIG.  10    is a diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence table indicating the correspondence between the texture name and the processing control parameter, in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The correspondence table indicating the correspondence between the texture name and the processing control parameter illustrated in  FIG.  10    can be generated by molding each of samples based on the combinations of values representing various processing diameters, processing depths, and processing densities, and associating the combined values with a name representing the feature of texture of each sample. Further, in step S 102 , the processing parameter acquisition unit  130  acquires the processing upper limit LUT described above. The correspondence table illustrated in  FIG.  10    and the processing upper limit LUT are stored beforehand in the ROM  103  or the like. In step S 102 , the processing parameter acquisition unit  130  acquires the processing control parameters and the processing upper limit LUT, as the processing parameters for processing (micro processing) to be applied to the surface of the mold. 
     In step S 103  in  FIG.  8   , the calculation unit  140  generates a processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity of the surface texture of the molded product, using the shape data and the mold release direction vector acquired in step S 101 , and the processing parameters acquired in step S 102 . The processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity generated in step S 103  corresponds to “first processing parameter map”. In the present exemplary embodiment, the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity is generated in step S 103  by determining a maximum processing depth enabling the mold release for a point on the surface of the mold corresponding to each pixel of the processing parameter map, and recording the determined maximum processing depth as a pixel value. The processing parameter map in the present exemplary embodiment is an image in which a pixel position is expressed by uv coordinates, and the pixel value of a position (u,v) on the processing parameter map represents a processing depth for a position (x,y,z), which corresponds to (u,v), on the surface of a mold. The detailed processing procedure of step S 103  will be described below with reference to  FIG.  11   . 
     In step S 104 , the calculation unit  140  generates a processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity of the surface texture of the molded product, using various kinds of information acquired in step S 101  to step S 103 . Specifically, the calculation unit  140  generates the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity, using the shape data acquired in step S 101 , the processing upper limit LUT acquired in step S 102 , and the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity generated in step S 103 . The processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity generated in step S 104  corresponds to “second processing parameter map”. In the present exemplary embodiment, the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity in which the processing depth gradually changes is generated by securing region widths sequentially starting from a shallow processing width region on the surface of the mold based on the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity generated in step S 103 . The detailed processing procedure of this step S 104  will be described below with reference to  FIGS.  13 A and  13 B . 
     In step S 105 , the calculation unit  140  calculates a difference map representing the difference between the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity generated in step S 103  and the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity generated in step S 104 . Specifically, the calculation unit  140  calculates a pixel value Δf(p(ij)) of the difference map, based on the following equation (1), for all pixels. 
       Δ f ( p ( ij ))= f 1( p ( ij ))− f 2( p ( ij ))  (1)
 
     In the equation (1), p(ij) represents an ij-th pixel in the map. In the equation (1), f1(p(ij)) represents the pixel value of a pixel p(ij) in the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity (i.e., the processing depth emphasizing the fidelity). In the equation (1), f2(p(ij)) represents the pixel value of a pixel p(ij) in the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity (i.e., the processing depth emphasizing the continuity). 
     In step S 106 , the notification unit  150  displays a trade-off region, which is a portion to be adjusted in shape data, on the display  300 , based on the shape data acquired in step S 101  and the difference map calculated in step S 105 . A region where Δf(p(ij)) of the above-described equation (1) is not zero (also including a region that can be regarded as a region where Δf(p(ij)) is not substantially zero) is a region where the processing depth emphasizing the fidelity and the processing depth emphasizing the continuity are different from each other, and can be regarded as a region where the fidelity and the continuity are not compatible with each other. For this reason, in the present exemplary embodiment, the difference map is texture-mapped on the surface of the mold expressed by the shape data, and this is rendered, so that an image indicating the trade-off region is generated. The trade-off region is notified by displaying this image indicating the trade-off region on a GUI. Known computer graphics techniques may be used for the texture mapping and the generation of the rendering image. 
     The process in step S 106  will be described with reference to  FIG.  9   . 
     In the GUI  900  illustrated in  FIG.  9   , a rendering image obtained by performing texture-mapping on the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity on the surface of the mold is displayed in a display region  904 . In a display region  906 , a rendering image obtained by performing texture-mapping on the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity on the surface of the mold is displayed. In a display region  905 , the above-described image indicating the trade-off region is displayed, and in the image, a brighter region represents a greater difference between the processing depth emphasizing the fidelity and the processing depth emphasizing the fidelity. Accordingly, the notification unit  150  notifies the information about the difference by displaying information representing color having intensity corresponding to the amount of the above-described difference in the shape data. The user can visually recognize the trade-off region by viewing the image in each of the display regions  904  to  906  in the GUI  900  displayed on the display  300 . 
     Upon completion of the process in step S 106 , the processing in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  8    ends. 
     □Detailed Processing Procedure in Step S 103  in FIG.  8 □ 
     The detailed processing procedure of the processing for generating the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity in step S 103  in  FIG.  8    will be described. 
       FIG.  11    is a flowchart illustrating an example of the detailed processing procedure of the processing for generating the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity in step S 103  in  FIG.  8   . 
     First, in step S 201  in  FIG.  11   , the calculation unit  140  sets an index ij indicating a processing target pixel to 0. 
     In step S 202 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether there is an element plane P T1 P T2 P T3  including a pixel p(ij) as illustrated in  FIG.  7 B  on the uv coordinate plane, with reference to the shape data transmitted from the shape data acquisition unit  110 . 
     As a result of the determination in step S 202 , in a case where there is an element plane including the pixel p(ij) (YES in step S 202 ), the processing proceeds to step S 203 . 
     In step S 203 , the calculation unit  140  calculates a normal direction vector N to the element plane, by acquiring vertex coordinates (i.e., the coordinates of the points P T1 , P T2 , and P T3  in  FIG.  7 A ) in the xyz coordinate space of the element plane checked in step S 202 , with reference to the shape data. 
     In step S 204 , the calculation unit  140  calculates the draft tri described above with reference to  FIG.  4    based on the normal direction vector N calculated in step S 203  and the mold release direction vector E transmitted from the mold release direction acquisition unit  120 . 
     In step S 205 , the calculation unit  140  acquires a processing depth upper limit d limit  corresponding to the draft p calculated in step S 204  with reference to the processing upper limit LUT sent from the processing parameter acquisition unit  130 .  FIG.  12    is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing upper limit LUT, in the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In the process in step S 205 , in a case where a value matching with the draft p is not in the processing upper limit LUT illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the upper limit value of the processing depth corresponding to the maximum draft smaller than or equal to the draft p is determined as the processing depth upper limit d limit . In the example illustrated in  FIG.  12   , d limit =8.0 may be determined in a case where the draft φ≥15.00, and d limit =7.0 may be determined in a case where 13.50≤φ&lt;14.25. The processing depth upper limit LUT illustrated in  FIG.  12    can be generated by molding each of samples based on the combinations of various planes of drafts p and processing depths d, and associating a maximum processing depth d achieving successful mold release with each of the drafts φ. 
     In step S 206 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether the processing depth upper limit d limit  acquired in step S 205  is smaller than the target processing depth d target  transmitted from the processing parameter acquisition unit  130 . 
     As a result of the determination in step S 206 , in a case where the processing depth upper limit d limit  is smaller than the target processing depth d target  (i.e., the mold release is difficult in a case where processing is performed using a depth desirable for reproduction of desired texture) (YES in step S 206 ), the processing proceeds to step S 207 . 
     In step S 207 , the calculation unit  140  records the processing depth upper limit d limit  for the pixel p(ij), as the pixel value of the pixel p(ij). 
     As a result of the determination in step S 206 , in a case where the processing depth upper limit d limit  is not smaller than the target processing depth d target  (NO in step S 206 ), the processing proceeds to step S 208 . 
     In step S 208 , the calculation unit  140  records the target processing depth d target  for the pixel p(ij), as the pixel value of the pixel p(ij). 
     In a case where the process in step S 208  is completed, in a case where the process in step S 207  is completed, or in a case where it is determined that there is no element plane including the pixel p(ij) in step S 202  (NO in step S 202 ), the processing proceeds to step S 209 . 
     In step S 209 , the calculation unit  140  increases the index ij by 1. 
     In step S 210 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether the index ij is larger than or equal to a total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map. As a result of this determination, in a case where the index ij is smaller than the total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map (NO in step S 210 ), the processing returns to step S 202  to perform the processes in step S 202  and in steps after step S 202  again. 
     As a result of the determination in step S 210 , in a case where the index ij is larger than or equal to the total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map (YES in step S 210 ), the processing in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  11    ends. 
     The processing in step S 201  to step S 210  in  FIG.  11    makes it possible to generate the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity, by which no difficulty in the mold release occurs and in which the processing depth as close to the processing depth d for reproducing desired texture as possible is recorded. 
     □Detailed Processing Procedure in Step S 104  in FIG.  8 □ 
     Next, the detailed processing procedure of the processing for generating the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity in step S 104  in  FIG.  8    will be described. 
       FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  are flowcharts illustrating an example of the detailed processing procedure of the processing for generating the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity in step S 104  in  FIG.  8   . 
     In step S 301  in  FIG.  13 A , the calculation unit  140  initializes the pixel value of the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity, using the pixel value of the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity generated in step S 103 . Specifically, the calculation unit  140  records the same pixel value f1(p(ij)) as that of the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity generated in step S 103 , in all the pixels p(ij) of the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity. 
     In step S 302 , the calculation unit  140  sets an index n indicating the processing depth d to NUM step . NUM step  is the number of steps of the processing upper limit LUT. An n-th deepest processing depth in the processing upper limit LUT will be hereinafter referred to as “d n ”. 
     In step S 303 , the calculation unit  140  sets the index ij indicating the target pixel to 0. 
     In step S 304 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether the processing depth is d n , for a point P on the surface of the mold corresponding to the pixel p(ij). Specifically, in step S 304 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether an element plane including the pixel p(ij) is present and f2(p(ij))=d n  is satisfied. 
     As a result of the determination in step S 304 , in a case where the processing depth is d n  for the point P on the surface of the mold corresponding to the pixel p(ij) (YES in step S 304 ), the processing proceeds to step S 305 . 
     In step S 305 , the calculation unit  140  calculates the xyz coordinates of the point P on the surface of the mold corresponding to the pixel p(ij) based on the shape data. In the process, the xyz coordinates of the point P can be calculated by interpolation using the xyz coordinates of the vertexes of the element plane including the pixel p(ij). 
     In step S 306  to step S 316 , the processing depth is checked for a point Q within a distance L determined beforehand from the point P on the surface of the mold, and in a case where the checked processing depth is deeper than the point P, the processing depth of the point Q is changed to a processing depth d n-1  that is deeper than the processing depth d n  of the point P by 1 step. A region having the processing depth d n-1  and a width of L or more is thereby secured around the region having the processing depth d n . The value of L is determined by, for example, generating samples beforehand by gradually changing the processing depth d using various region widths, and determining a region width for avoiding perception of a gap in texture by performing a subjective evaluation experiment. 
     Specifically, in step S 306 , the calculation unit  140  adds the element plane including the pixel p(ij) to a processing wait list. 
     In step S 307 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether there is an unprocessed element plane in the processing wait list. 
     As a result of the determination in step S 307 , in a case where there is an unprocessed element plane in the processing wait list (YES in step S 307 ), the processing proceeds to step S 308 . 
     In step S 308 , the calculation unit  140  extracts one unprocessed element plane T from the processing wait list. 
     In step S 309 , the calculation unit  140  sets an index ij′ indicating a processing target pixel to 0. 
     In step S 310 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether a pixel q(ij′) is included in the element plane T extracted in step S 308  and whether f2(q(ij′))&gt;d n  is satisfied. 
     As a result of the determination in step S 310 , in a case where the pixel q(ij′) is included in the element plane T extracted in step S 308  and f2(q(ij′))&gt;d n  is satisfied (YES in step S 310 ), the processing proceeds to step S 311 . 
     In step S 311 , the calculation unit  140  calculates the xyz coordinates of the point Q on the surface of the mold corresponding to the pixel q(ij′) based on the shape data. 
     In step S 312 , first, the calculation unit  140  calculates the distance between the points P and Q in the xyz coordinate space, using the xyz coordinates of the point P calculated in step S 305  and the xyz coordinates of the point Q calculated in step S 311 . Subsequently, the calculation unit  140  determines whether the calculated distance between the points P and Q in the xyz coordinate space is smaller than or equal to the distance L determined beforehand. 
     As a result of the determination in step S 312 , in a case where the calculated distance between the points P and Q in the xyz coordinate space is smaller than or equal to the distance L determined beforehand (YES in step S 312 ), the processing proceeds to step S 313 . 
     In step S 313 , the calculation unit  140  records the processing depth d n-1  that is deeper than the processing depth d n  by 1 step, as the pixel value of the pixel q(ij′) in the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity. 
     In a case where the process in step S 313  is completed, in a case where the result of the determination in step S 310  is negative (NO in step S 310 ), or in a case where the result of the determination in step S 312  is negative (NO in step S 312 ), the processing proceeds to step S 314 . 
     In step S 314 , the calculation unit  140  increases the index ij′ of the processing target pixel by 1. 
     In step S 315 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether the index ij′ is larger than or equal to the total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map. As result of the determination, in a case where the index ij′ is smaller than the total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map (NO in step S 315 ), the processing returns to step S 310  to perform the processes in step S 310  and in steps after step S 310  again. 
     As a result of the determination in step S 315 , in a case where the index ij′ is larger than or equal to the total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map (YES in step S 315 ), the processing proceeds to step S 316 . 
     In step S 316 , the calculation unit  140  determines an element plane adjacent to the element plane T extracted in step S 308  with reference to the shape data, and adds the determined element plane to the processing wait list. Upon completion of the process in step S 316 , the processing returns to step S 307  to perform the processes in step S 307  and in steps after step S 307  again. 
     In a case where the determination in step S 304  is negative (NO in step S 304 ) or in a case where the determination in step S 307  is negative (NO in step S 307 ), the processing proceeds to step S 317 . 
     In step S 317 , the calculation unit  140  increases the index ij of the target pixel by 1. 
     In step S 318 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether the index ij is larger than or equal to the total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map. As a result of the determination, in a case where the index ij is smaller than the total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map (NO in step S 318 ), the processing returns to step S 304  to perform the processes in step S 304  and in steps after step S 304  again. 
     As a result of the determination in step S 318 , in a case where the index ij is larger than or equal to the total pixel number NUM pix  of the processing parameter map (YES in step S 318 ), the processing proceeds to step S 319 . 
     In step S 319 , the calculation unit  140  decreases the value of the index n indicating the processing depth by 1. 
     In step S 320 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether the index n is 1 or less. As a result of this determination, in a case where the index n is larger than 1 (NO in step S 320 ), the processing returns to step S 303  to perform the processes in step S 303  and in steps after step S 303  again. 
     As a result of the determination in step S 320 , in a case where the index n is 1 or less (YES in step S 320 ), the processing in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  13 B  ends. 
     The processing in step S 301  to step S 320  in  FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  makes it possible to generate the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity, by which no difficulty in the mold release occurs and the processing depth d gradually changes on the surface of the molded product. 
     In the information processing apparatus  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment described above, the shape data acquisition unit  110  acquires the shape data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the mold for forming the molded product. 
     The mold release direction acquisition unit  120  acquires the mold release direction in separating the molded product from the mold, and the processing parameter acquisition unit  130  acquires the processing parameter for processing (micro processing) to be applied to the surface of the mold. The calculation unit  140  generates the plurality of processing parameter maps each indicating the correspondence between the position on the surface of the mold and the processing parameter based on the shape data and the mold release direction described above, and calculates the difference between the plurality of processing parameter maps. The notification unit  150  notifies the information about the difference between the plurality of processing parameter maps calculated by the calculation unit  140 . 
     According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily recognize the trade-off region to be adjusted, which is generated when desired texture is given to the surface of the molded product (e.g., the uneven structure is provided), when the molded product is formed using the mold. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the example in which the user inputs only one direction as the mold release direction is described. However, for a mold composed of a plurality of pieces varying in opening direction, the mold release direction may be input for each of the pieces. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the example in which the processing depth d is recorded in the processing parameter map is described. However, other processing control parameter such as the processing diameter, or the combination of the values of a plurality of processing control parameters may be recorded. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the example of the case where the fidelity and the continuity of the surface texture of the molded product are emphasized is described, but the item to be emphasized may be other evaluation item about surface texture. For example, the present exemplary embodiment is also applicable to a case where an item in which evaluation increases as the height difference of the uneven structure is greater, such as matteness and brightness, is used in place of the fidelity. 
     A resin material or a molding condition to be used may be input in step S 101  in  FIG.  8   . In this case, it is desirable to prepare the correspondence table indicating the correspondence between the texture name and the processing control parameter, and the processing upper limit LUT, for each of the combinations of various materials and molding conditions. 
     A second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the description of the second exemplary embodiment, a description of matters common to the above-described first exemplary embodiment will be omitted, and a matter different from the above-described first exemplary embodiment will be mainly described. 
     In the above-described first exemplary embodiment, the mode is described in which the processing parameter map emphasizing each item is generated for each evaluation item, and the trade-off region to be adjusted is notified based on the difference between the generated processing parameter maps. In contrast, in the second exemplary embodiment, a mode will be described in which, in a case where a trade-off is determined to occur based on the difference between processing parameter maps, a processing parameter map is regenerated by acquiring an adjustment parameter from a user. 
     A hardware configuration of an information processing system  10  including an information processing apparatus  100  according to the second exemplary embodiment is similar to the hardware configuration of the information processing system  10  including the information processing apparatus  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1    described above. A logical configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the second exemplary embodiment is similar to the logical configuration of the information processing apparatus  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  2    described above. In the following description, a configuration similar to the configuration of the above-described first exemplary embodiment will be assigned the same reference numeral as that of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     In addition to having the function described in the above-described first exemplary embodiment, a calculation unit  140  in the second exemplary embodiment accepts an instruction from a user depending on information about an obtained difference, and regenerates a processing parameter map based on an adjustment parameter obtained via an input device  400 . Further, the calculation unit  140  in the second exemplary embodiment generates a processing pattern based on shape data and a processing parameter map. 
     &lt;Processing to Be Executed&gt; 
       FIG.  14    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of an information processing method performed by the information processing apparatus  100  according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14   , step S 401  to step S 406  are similar to step S 101  to step S 106  in the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  8   , and the description thereof will be omitted. 
     In step S 407 , the calculation unit  140  determines whether there is a trade-off region where a pixel value being not zero (also including a case where a pixel value can be regarded as substantially zero) is included in a difference map calculated in step S 405 . 
     As a result of the determination in step S 407 , in a case where there is a trade-off region (YES in step S 407 ), the processing proceeds to step S 408 . 
     In step S 408 , the calculation unit  140  acquires an adjustment parameter by accepting a user instruction via the GUI  900 . In the second exemplary embodiment, a coefficient indicating a balance between emphasis on fidelity and emphasis on continuity is acquired via a slider  909  illustrated in  FIG.  9   , and the coefficient is used as the adjustment parameter. When the slider  909  is operated by the user, the calculation unit  140  acquires a coefficient α corresponding to the position of the slider  909 , as the adjustment parameter. As to the relationship between the position of the slider  909  in  FIG.  9    and the coefficient α, for example, α=0 is determined in a case where the slider  909  is at the left end, and α=1 is determined in a case where the slider  909  is at the right end. In a case where the slider  909  is at a position between both ends, the corresponding coefficient is determined by interpolation based on the ratio between the distances from both ends. 
     In step S 409 , the calculation unit  140  regenerates a processing parameter map based on the adjustment parameter acquired in step S 408 . Specifically, the calculation unit  140  executes the above-described processing in step S 301  to step S 320  using a value obtained by multiplying the value of a distance L by the coefficient α (i.e., a value αL replacing the distance L), and generates the processing parameter map in which the region width is adjusted based on the coefficient α. The generated processing parameter map after the adjustment is the same as the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity in the case of α=0, and is the same as the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity in the case of α=1. An example in which the processing parameter map after the adjustment is displayed on the GUI  900  is illustrated in  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  9    illustrates an example of a case where the position of the slider  909  is at the center (i.e., in the case of α=0.5), and a rendering image obtained by performing texture-mapping on the processing parameter map after the adjustment on the surface of the mold is displayed in a display region  907 . In the processing parameter map after the adjustment, the change of a processing depth d is gentle as compared with the case of the emphasis on fidelity, and a region in which the processing depth d is deep (i.e., close to the processing depth d for reproducing desired texture) is wide as compared with the case of the emphasis on continuity. The user can adjust the change of the processing depth d by moving the slider  909  with reference to the displayed image, while visually understanding the distribution of the processing depth d. When a button  910  is pressed by the user, the adjustment parameter is determined and the processing proceeds to step S 410 . 
     In a case where the process in step S 409  is completed or in a case where it is determined that there is no trade-off region in step S 407  (NO in step S 407 ), the processing proceeds to step S 410 . 
     In step S 410 , the calculation unit  140  generates the above-described processing pattern based on the shape data and the processing parameter map, and stores the generated processing pattern into an external storage device  200  or the like. 
     Upon completion of the process in step S 410 , the processing in the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14    ends. 
     The processing pattern generated in step S 401  may be output to a CAM system connected via a network, and processing by a processing machine may be executed base on the processing pattern. For the generation of the processing pattern, the processing parameter map after the adjustment regenerated in step S 409  is used, in a case where it is determined that there is a trade-off region in step S 407  (YES in step S 407 ). In a case where it is determined that there is no trade-off region in step S 407  (NO in step S 407 ), for example, the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity generated in step S 403  is used. In a case where there is no trade-off region, the processing parameter map emphasizing the fidelity and the processing parameter map emphasizing the continuity are identical to each other. 
     In the second exemplary embodiment, the calculation unit  140  generates an image  730  illustrated in  FIG.  7 C , as the processing pattern to be input to the CAM, based on the xyz coordinates and the uv coordinates of the vertexes of polygon indicated by the shape data, and the processing depth d and a processing density p indicated by the processing parameter map. 
     The details will be described with reference to  FIGS.  7 A to  7 C . In a case where the area of a rectangle P T1 P T2 P T3  in the xyz coordinate space is A, the number of pixels (▪ in  FIG.  7 C ) of the processing depth d that are included in the rectangle P T1 P T2 P T3  on the processing pattern is A×ρ. When other pixels correspond to a processing depth 0 (□ in  FIG.  7 C ), the processing density for the surface of the mold is equal to p. Accordingly, after the pixel values of the entire processing pattern are initialized using the processing depth 0, the pixels the number of which is A×ρ corresponding to the area of each plane are randomly selected from the inside of each plane, for all the element planes forming a surface shape  710 , and the pixel values of the pixels are determined to have the processing depth d. A processing pattern for realizing desired texture can be thereby generated. The resolution of the processing pattern may be any resolution as long as the processing density can be sufficiently expressed the resolution (i.e., pixels the number of which is larger than or equal to A×ρ are included in the rectangle P T1 P T2 P T3 ). In the selection of the pixels, the pixels may be selected according to other predetermined rule such as selection of equally spaced pixels, instead of being selected at random. 
     In the information processing apparatus  100  according to the second exemplary embodiment described above, the calculation unit  140  acquires the adjustment parameter related to the processing parameter map based on the above-described information about the difference, and regenerates the processing parameter map based on the adjustment parameter. 
     According to the second exemplary embodiment, in addition to having the effect in the above-described first exemplary embodiment, it is possible to adjust the processing control parameter easily in a case where the trade-off occurs between the evaluation items. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the example in which the entire processing parameter map is regenerated in step S 409  in  FIG.  14    is described, but the present exemplary embodiment is also applicable to a mode in which only a partial region is regenerated. The mode in this case will be described with reference to  FIG.  15   .  FIG.  15    is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI displayed on a display  300  in  FIG.  1   , in the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In  FIG.  15   , configurations similar to the configurations illustrated in  FIG.  9    are assigned the same reference numerals as those in  FIG.  9    and the description thereof will be omitted. 
     In the case of the above-described mode in which only the partial region is regenerated, for example, upon generation of the entire processing parameter map after the adjustment, a region  1501  selected by the user via a GUI  1500  illustrated in  FIG.  15    is acquired. The processes in step S 304  to step S 316  in  FIGS.  13 A and  13 B  are applied again to only pixels in a region, which corresponds to the region  1501  selected by the user, on the processing parameter map, so that the processing depth d can be calculated again. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, a simulation image indicating a molded product outer appearance in a case where an uneven structure is provided using the generated processing pattern may be displayed on the GUI, as displayed in a display region  908  in  FIG.  9   . Alternatively, the difference from the target processing depth in each pixel may be calculated using the processing parameter map after the adjustment, and a rendering image obtained by performing texture-mapping on the calculated difference on the surface of the mold as an index representing a deviation from the desired texture may be displayed. Alternatively, an amount of change of the processing depth in each pixel may be calculated by applying a differential filter to the processing parameter map after the adjustment, and a rendering image obtained by performing texture-mapping on the calculated amount of change on the surface of the mold as an index representing a gap in texture may be displayed. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the example in which the user acquires the coefficient indicating the balance between the emphasis on fidelity and the emphasis on continuity as the adjustment parameter is described, but an adjustment amount corresponding to the value of the distance L described above may be input. 
     According to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the portion to be adjusted can be recognized when the molded product is formed using the mold. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure 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)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure 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. 2021-188574, filed Nov. 19, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.