Patent Abstract:
A flatbed type printer includes a table on or over which a print medium including a flat print surface is placed, a print head, a projecting unit configured to project a Gray code pattern on the table, an image taking unit configured to take an image of the projected Gray code pattern, a generating unit configured to generate a first spatial code image using an image taken with no print medium placed and to generate a second spatial code image using an image taken with the print medium placed, a generating unit configured to generate an image of the print surface using the first and second spatial code images, a normalizing unit configured to normalize the print surface in the image of the print surface, and a converting unit configured to convert print data edited on the normalized print surface into data printable on the pre-normalization print surface.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to printers and printing methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to printers and printing methods for performing desired printing on print surfaces of three-dimensional print media. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    As a printer for performing printing on a print surface of a print medium, a “flatbed type” printer is conventionally known. A flatbed type printer includes: a table on which a print medium is placed; and a print head. All operations of the flatbed type printer are controlled by a microcomputer, so that the print head is displaced in two directions perpendicular to each other within the same plane, thus performing printing on the print medium placed on the table. Such a flatbed type printer is normally used to perform printing on a three-dimensional print medium having a flat print surface. 
         [0005]    When printing is performed on a three-dimensional print medium using such a flatbed type printer, the three-dimensional print medium is placed at a given position on the table, and then printing is performed on the print surface of the print medium based on print data. 
         [0006]    In order to perform printing at a given position on the print surface of the print medium, the print medium must be precisely placed at a predetermined position on the table. Therefore, the position at which the print medium is to be placed has to be precisely decided by, for example, measuring dimensions of the print medium in advance. As a result, the number of operational steps for performing printing on the print surface of the print medium is undesirably increased, which increases a burden on a worker. 
         [0007]    As a solution to such a problem, a technique disclosed in JP 2007-136764 A, for example, is proposed. Specifically, JP 2007-136764 A discloses a technique for using a jig capable of holding a plurality of three-dimensional print media. The jig is fixable to a table. When printing is performed on the print media, a plurality of the print media are held by the jig, and the jig that holds the print media is fixed to the table. Note that a position at which each print medium is held by the jig is decided in advance. This position is input in advance to a microcomputer that controls a printer. The technique disclosed in JP 2007-136764 A is intended to position each three-dimensional print medium by the jig so as to perform printing at a given position on a print surface of the print medium. 
         [0008]    However, the technique disclosed in JP 2007-136764 A makes it necessary to fabricate the jig in accordance with shapes and sizes of the print media, which means that the fabrication of the jig requires much time and trouble. Moreover, when the print media are produced in low quantities, this technique brings about an increase in cost. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a printer and a printing method which are capable of performing printing at a desired position on a print surface of a print medium without increasing a burden on a worker and without using a jig that holds the print medium. 
         [0010]    A printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a flatbed type printer for performing predetermined printing based on print data. The printer includes a table that includes an upper surface on or over which a print medium including a flat print surface is to be placed, and that is movable at least in a Z-axis direction of an XYZ rectangular coordinate system which includes a Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction; a print head disposed above the table and movable at least in an X-axis direction of the XYZ rectangular coordinate system which includes the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction; a projecting unit configured to project a Gray code pattern on the table; an image taking unit configured to take an image of the Gray code pattern projected on the table by the projecting unit; a generating unit configured to generate a first spatial code image using the image of the Gray code pattern taken by the image taking unit while the Gray code pattern is projected from the projecting unit, with the print medium not placed on or over the table whose upper surface is located at a given position in the Z-axis direction, and configured to generate a second spatial code image using the image of the Gray code pattern taken by the image taking unit while the Gray code pattern is projected from the projecting unit, with the print medium placed on or over the table so that the print surface of the print medium is located at the given position; an image generating unit configured to generate an image of the print surface of the print medium based on the first and second spatial code images; a normalizing unit configured to normalize the print surface so that the print surface assumes a given orientation in the image of the print surface of the print medium; and a converting unit configured to convert print data edited on the normalized print surface into data printable on the pre-normalization print surface. 
         [0011]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table is preferably movable in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the print head is preferably movable in the X-axis direction. 
         [0012]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table is preferably movable in the Z-axis direction, and the print head is preferably movable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. 
         [0013]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the normalizing unit is preferably configured to set a quadrilateral to an outline of the print surface and to calculate an orientation of the print surface so as to allow the print surface to assume the given orientation. 
         [0014]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projecting unit is preferably configured to project an 8-bit Gray code pattern. 
         [0015]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the print head preferably is an inkjet head from which ink is ejected by an inkjet method. 
         [0016]    A printing method according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a printing method for a flatbed type printer for performing predetermined printing based on print data, the printer including a table that includes an upper surface on or over which a print medium including a flat print surface is to be placed, and that is movable at least in a Z-axis direction of an XYZ rectangular coordinate system which includes a Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction; a print head disposed above the table and movable at least in an X-axis direction of the XYZ rectangular coordinate system which includes the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction; a projecting unit configured to project a Gray code pattern on the table; and an image taking unit configured to take an image of the Gray code pattern projected on the table by the projecting unit. The printing method includes steps of generating a first spatial code image using the image of the Gray code pattern taken by the image taking unit while the Gray code pattern is projected from the projecting unit, with the print medium not placed on or over the table whose upper surface is located at a given position in the Z-axis direction; generating a second spatial code image using the image of the Gray code pattern taken by the image taking unit while the Gray code pattern is projected from the projecting unit, with the print medium placed on or over the table so that the print surface of the print medium is located at the given position; generating an image of the print surface of the print medium based on the first and second spatial code images; normalizing the print surface so that the print surface assumes a given orientation in the image of the print surface of the print medium; and converting print data edited on the normalized print surface into data printable on the pre-normalization print surface. 
         [0017]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table is preferably movable in the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the print head is preferably movable in the X-axis direction. 
         [0018]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the table is preferably movable in the Z-axis direction, and the print head is preferably movable in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. 
         [0019]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the normalizing unit is preferably configured to set a quadrilateral to an outline of the print surface and to calculate an orientation of the print surface so as to allow the print surface to assume the given orientation. 
         [0020]    According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projecting unit is preferably configured to project an 8-bit Gray code pattern. 
         [0021]    Various preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a printer and a printing method which are capable of performing printing at a desired position on a print surface of a print medium without increasing a burden on a worker and without using a jig. 
         [0022]    The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an explanatory representation illustrating conversion of a checkered pattern captured by a camera into the number of pixels corresponding to a printer resolution, and projective transformation of an image taken by the camera into a reference coordinate system of a table. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are flow charts describing a procedure for performing printing by using the printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4A  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an upper surface of the table is located at an initial position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4B  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which an upper surface of a base sheet is located at the initial position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4C  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a print surface of a print medium is located at the initial position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4D  is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which lines indicating regions arranged in a predetermined pattern are rendered on the upper surface of the base sheet. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5A  is an explanatory representation illustrating images each taken when a vertical Gray code pattern is projected on the base sheet with no print medium placed thereon, and a vertical spatial code image generated based on the taken images. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5B  is an explanatory representation illustrating images each taken when a horizontal Gray code pattern is projected on the base sheet with no print medium placed thereon, and a horizontal spatial code image generated based on the taken images. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6A  is an explanatory representation illustrating images each taken when a vertical Gray code pattern is projected on the print surface of each print medium with the print medium placed on the base sheet, and a vertical spatial code image generated based on the taken images. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6B  is an explanatory representation illustrating images each taken when a horizontal Gray code pattern is projected on the print surface of each print medium with the print medium placed on the base sheet, and a horizontal spatial code image generated based on the taken images. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7A  is an explanatory representation illustrating images obtained by projective transformation of print regions of the vertical and horizontal spatial code images without the print media into reference print regions. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7B  is an explanatory representation illustrating images obtained by projective transformation of print regions of the vertical and horizontal spatial code images with the print media into reference print regions. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7C  is an explanatory representation illustrating an image of the print surface of each print medium which is generated by using the images illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
           [0037]      FIG. 8A  is an explanatory representation illustrating a state in which the images of the print surfaces of the print media are divided. 
           [0038]      FIG. 8B  is an explanatory representation illustrating a state in which a quadrilateral is set to an outline of each print surface in the image of the print surface of the print medium. 
           [0039]      FIG. 8C  is an explanatory representation illustrating a state in which an orientation of each print surface is normalized. 
           [0040]      FIG. 9A  is an explanatory representation illustrating a state in which the print surface is filled in with white. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9B  is an explanatory representation illustrating a state in which a quadrilateral is set to the outline of the print surface by using a rotating calipers method (rotating calipers algorithm). 
           [0042]      FIG. 9C  is an explanatory representation illustrating a state in which the orientation of the print surface is normalized. 
           [0043]      FIG. 10A  is an explanatory representation illustrating a state in which print data is edited on the normalized print surface. 
           [0044]      FIG. 10B  is an explanatory representation illustrating print data obtained by converting the print data of  FIG. 10A  into data printable on the pre-normalization print surface. 
           [0045]      FIG. 10C  is an explanatory representation illustrating print data obtained by converting the print data of  FIG. 10A  into data printable on the pre-normalization print surface. 
           [0046]      FIG. 11  is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a printer according to an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a printer and a printing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0048]    As used herein, the term “inkjet method” refers to a printing technique which is based on an inkjet technology using various conventionally known methods including various continuous methods such as a binary deflection method or a continuous deflection method and/or various on-demand methods such as a thermal method or a piezoelectric element method. 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a printer  10 . In the following description, the terms “right”, “left”, “up” and “down” refer to right, left, up and down when viewed from a worker present in front of the printer  10 , respectively. A direction toward the worker from the printer  10  is defined as a forward direction, and a direction away from the worker toward the printer  10  is defined as a rearward direction. The reference signs “F”, “Re”, “R”, “L”, “U” and “D” in the drawings represent front, rear, right, left, up and down, respectively. The reference sign “X” in the drawings represents an X axis, i.e., a right-left direction (main scanning direction). The reference sign “Y” in the drawings represents a Y axis, i.e., a front-rear direction (sub-scanning direction). The reference sign “Z” in the drawings represents a Z axis, i.e., a vertical direction. It is to be noted that the above directions are defined only for convenience of description and should not be construed as being restrictive. Also note that the term “main scanning direction” refers to a width direction of a three-dimensional print medium  200  (see  FIG. 4C ), and the term “sub-scanning direction” refers to a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. 
         [0050]    The printer  10  is a flatbed type inkjet printer. The printer  10  preferably includes a base member  12 , a table  14 , a rod-shaped member  16 , a movable member  18 , a print head  20 , a vertical member  22 , a projector  24 , and a camera  26 . 
         [0051]    The base member  12  preferably includes guide grooves  28   a  and  28   b  that extend in a Y-axis direction (front-rear direction). 
         [0052]    The table  14  is disposed on the base member  12 . The table  14  preferably includes an upper surface  14   a . The upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  has a flat shape. The three-dimensional print medium  200  (see  FIG. 4C ) is placed over the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 . The table  14  is movable in a Z-axis direction (vertical direction) within a given range by a moving mechanism (not illustrated). The table  14  is moved in the Z-axis direction, thus allowing the print medium  200  placed over the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  to be moved in the Z-axis direction. The range in which the table  14  is moved up and down corresponds to, for example, a range of a thickness of the print medium  200  on which printing can be performed by the printer  10 . The movement of the table  14  in the Z-axis direction is controlled by the moving mechanism (not illustrated) based on an input provided by a worker. Note that a conventionally known technique may be used for the moving mechanism for moving the table  14  in the Z-axis direction. A non-limiting example of this moving mechanism is a combination of a gear and a motor. 
         [0053]    The movable member  18  preferably includes the rod-shaped member  16  and the print head  20 . The movable member  18  is moved in the Y-axis direction (front-rear direction) along the guide grooves  28   a  and  28   b  of the base member  12  by a moving mechanism (not illustrated). Note that a conventionally known technique may be used for the moving mechanism for moving the movable member  18  in the Y-axis direction (front-rear direction). A non-limiting example of this moving mechanism is a combination of a gear and a motor. 
         [0054]    The rod-shaped member  16  extends in an X-axis direction (right-left direction). The rod-shaped member  16  moves in the Y-axis direction (front-rear direction) above the table  14 . A front surface of the rod-shaped member  16  is provided with a guide rail (not illustrated). 
         [0055]    The print head  20  is an inkjet head from which ink is ejected by an inkjet method. The print head  20  performs printing on a print surface  200   a  (see  FIG. 4C ) of the print medium  200  placed over the table  14 . The print head  20  is provided at the rod-shaped member  16 . The print head  20  is movable along the guide rail (not illustrated) provided at the front surface of the rod-shaped member  16 . The print head  20  is provided with a belt (not illustrated) which is movable in the X-axis direction (right-left direction). The print head  20  is movable in the X-axis direction (right-left direction) with respect to the rod-shaped member  16 . The belt is wound by a moving mechanism (not illustrated), thus moving the belt so that the print head  20  is moved from left to right or from right to left in the X-axis direction. Note that a conventionally known technique may be used for the moving mechanism to move the print head  20  in the X-axis direction (right-left direction) by winding the belt. Examples of this moving mechanism include a combination of a gear and a motor. 
         [0056]    The vertical member  22  is provided at a rear portion of the base member  12 . The vertical member  22  extends upward from the base member  12 . 
         [0057]    The projector  24  is provided at the vertical member  22 . The projector  24  is fixed to the vertical member  22 . The projector  24  projects a Gray code pattern on the entire upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 . The projector  24  projects a vertical 8-bit Gray code pattern on the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 . The projector  24  also projects a horizontal 8-bit Gray code pattern on the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 . 
         [0058]    The camera  26  is provided at the vertical member  22 . The camera  26  is fixed to the vertical member  22 . The camera  26  is capable of taking an image of the entire upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  in a direction different from a direction in which the projector  24  projects the Gray code pattern. 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the print medium  200  preferably has a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The print surface  200   a  of the print medium  200  has a flat shape. When the print medium  200  is placed over the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 , the print surface  200   a  is horizontal or substantially horizontal. Note that the shape of the print medium  200  is not limited to a rectangular or substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. 
         [0060]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the printer  10  is communicably connected to a microcomputer  300 . All operations of the printer  10  are controlled by the microcomputer  300 . The microcomputer  300  preferably includes a spatial code image generator  50 , an image generator  52 , a normalizer  54 , and a converter  56 . The spatial code image generator  50  generates a spatial code image based on an image of the Gray code pattern which is taken by the camera  26 . Using the spatial code image generated by the spatial code image generator  50 , the image generator  52  generates an image of the print surface  200   a  (see  FIG. 4C ) of the print medium  200 . Using, as a given orientation, an orientation of the print surface  200   a  in the image of the print surface  200   a  generated by the image generator  52 , the normalizer  54  normalizes the print surface  200   a . The converter  56  converts print data, which is edited on the print surface  200   a  normalized by the normalizer  54 , into data printable on the pre-normalization print surface  200   a.    
         [0061]    The following description will be made on the assumption that the printer  10  performs desired printing on the flat print surface  200   a  of the three-dimensional print medium  200 . First, in the printer  10 , a calibration of the camera  26  (which will hereinafter be referred to as a “camera calibration”), and a calibration between the camera  26  and the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  (i.e., a print coordinate system) are performed. Each of the calibrations is performed at a given time, e.g., at the time of shipment from a factory or at the time of replacement of the camera  26 . 
         [0062]    The camera calibration is performed using a separate display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display) which is independent of the printer  10 . Specifically, in performing the camera calibration, an image of a checkered pattern is taken by the camera  26  at the maximum angle of view, and camera parameters are calculated using Zhang&#39;s method. In this preferred embodiment, as this checkered pattern, a checkered pattern displayed on the separate display device is used instead of a checkered pattern rendered on the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 . Note that a technique disclosed in JP 2007-309660 A, for example, is used for a method of calculating camera parameters by Zhang&#39;s method, and therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0063]    When the printer  10  is used, only internal parameters (A) of the camera, which include lens distortion coefficients (k 1 , k 2 ), are utilized by using Equations (1) and (2) calculated by Zhang&#39;s method. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
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         [0064]    After the camera calibration has been performed, the camera  26  is installed on the printer  10 , and a calibration to obtain a positional and orientational relationship between the camera  26  and the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  (i.e., the calibration between the camera  26  and the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 ) is performed. Specifically, in performing the calibration between the camera  26  and the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 , a matrix H c2p  for projective transformation from an image taken by the camera into an image of a print region is calculated. 
         [0065]    First, an image is taken, with nothing placed over the table  14 . In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a checkered pattern in which checkers are arranged in a given pattern is rendered on the table  14 . Next, using Equation (2), lens distortion of the taken image (i.e., the image of the checkered pattern rendered on the table  14 ) is corrected. Subsequently, checker intersection coordinates are estimated with sub-pixel precision. Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the checkered pattern is converted into the number of pixels corresponding to a printer resolution, and the projective transformation matrix H c2p  to transform the checker intersection coordinates into pixel coordinates is obtained. 
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         [0066]    Assuming that dimensions of each checker of the checkered pattern are defined as n (mm) and the printer resolution is defined as r (dpi), the number of pixels of each checker after the transformation is r×n/25.4. Then, n sets of image coordinate values obtained before and after the transformation are applied to Equation (3). 
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                   Equation 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   5 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     [ 
                     
                       
                         
                           
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                   Equation 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   6 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0067]    When this equation (Equation 6) is expressed as B·h=0, h is obtained as a right singular vector corresponding to the minimal singular value of B or a characteristic vector corresponding to the minimal characteristic value of B T B (for example, a function such as OpenCV 2.x or SVD::solvez( ) is utilized). Note that a conventionally known technique (see, for example, Gang Xu, “3D CG from Photographs”, Kindai Kagaku Sha), for example, is preferably used for the above-described calibration between the camera  26  and the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 , and therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0068]    Next, a printing procedure for performing printing on the print surface  200   a  of the print medium.  200  by the printer  10 , in which the above-described camera calibration and calibration between the camera  26  and the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  have been performed, will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
         [0069]    First, in Step S 302 , a worker places a base sheet  30  on the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  of the activated printer  10  in a state where the movable member  18  is located directly below the vertical member  22  (see  FIG. 4B ). 
         [0070]    In this preferred embodiment, the state where the movable member  18  is located directly below the vertical member  22  means a state where a Gray code pattern can be projected onto the table  14  by the projector  24  without casting a shadow of the movable member  18  or the print head  20  on the table  14 , and the movable member  18  or the print head  20  is not captured when an image of the Gray code pattern is taken by the camera  26 . Note that if this state is created, the movable member  18  does not have to be located directly below the vertical member  22 . 
         [0071]    In Step S 304 , the worker operates an operator (not illustrated). Thus, the table  14  is moved downward by a thickness t1 of the base sheet  30 . Specifically, the table  14  is moved downward so that an upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  is located at a position taken up by the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  at the time of the calibration (see  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). Hereinafter, the position taken up by the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  at the time of the calibration will be referred to as an “initial position” as appropriate. 
         [0072]    More specifically, when the thickness t1 of the base sheet  30  is 2 mm, for example, the base sheet  30  is placed on the table  14 , the upper surface  14   a  of which is located at the initial position, and then the worker moves the table  14  downward by 2 mm, for example. Note that the base sheet  30  preferably is an adhesive sheet, and therefore, the print medium  200  is not easily moved once the print medium  200  is placed on the upper surface  30   a.    
         [0073]    In Step S 306 , the microcomputer  300  controls the printer  10  so that an 8-bit Gray code pattern is projected on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  from the projector  24 . The camera  26  takes an image of the projected Gray code pattern. The spatial code image generator  50  generates a spatial code image based on each image taken by the camera  26 . 
         [0074]    Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , a vertical Gray code pattern is projected on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  from the projector  24 , and the camera  26  takes an image of the projected vertical Gray code pattern. The spatial code image generator  50  generates a vertical spatial code image without the print medium  200  based on each image taken by the camera  26 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , a horizontal Gray code pattern is projected on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  from the projector  24 , and the camera  26  takes an image of the projected horizontal Gray code pattern. The spatial code image generator  50  generates a horizontal spatial code image without the print medium  200  based on each image taken by the camera  26 . 
         [0075]    Upon acquisition of the vertical and horizontal spatial code images without the print medium  200 , the worker places the print medium  200  on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  in Step S 308  (see  FIG. 4C ). In this case, the worker may roughly arrange a plurality of the print media  200  along the X-axis direction (right-left direction) and the Y-axis direction (front-rear direction). The print media  200  may be inclined to some extent with respect to the X axis or the Y axis. The plurality of print media  200  are arranged on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  so that the print media  200  adjacent to each other are located at intervals. More specifically, the plurality of print media  200  are disposed in regions arranged in a predetermined pattern on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  (see  FIG. 4   d ). Note that the regions arranged in the predetermined pattern are stored in the microcomputer  300 . Lines (grid)  32  serving as boundaries of these regions are rendered on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30 . Alternatively, marks may be rendered instead of the lines  32 . 
         [0076]    After the print media  200  have been placed on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30 , the worker operates the operator (not illustrated) in Step S 310 . Thus, the table  14  is moved downward by a thickness t2 of each print medium  200 . In other words, the table  14  is moved downward so that the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200  is located at the initial position (see  FIG. 4C ). 
         [0077]    Specifically, when the thickness t2 of each print medium  200  is 10 mm, for example, the print media  200  are placed on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  with the upper surface  30   a  located at the initial position, and then the worker moves the table  14  downward by 10 mm, for example. 
         [0078]    In Step S 312 , the microcomputer  300  controls the printer  10  so that an 8-bit Gray code pattern is projected on the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200  and the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  from the projector  24 . The camera  26  takes an image of the projected Gray code pattern. The spatial code image generator  50  generates a spatial code image based on each image taken by the camera  26 . 
         [0079]    Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , a vertical Gray code pattern is projected on the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200  and the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  from the projector  24 , and the camera  26  takes an image of the projected vertical Gray code pattern. The spatial code image generator  50  generates a vertical spatial code image with the print media  200  based on each image taken by the camera  26 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , a horizontal Gray code pattern is projected on the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200  and the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  from the projector  24 , and the camera  26  takes an image of the projected horizontal Gray code pattern. The spatial code image generator  50  generates a horizontal spatial code image with the print media  200  based on each image taken by the camera  26 . 
         [0080]    Upon acquisition of the vertical and horizontal spatial code images with the print media  200 , the image generator  52  generates an image of the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200  in Step S 314 . 
         [0081]    In this preferred embodiment, the spatial code images generated in Step S 306  (i.e., the vertical and horizontal spatial code images without the print medium  200 ) and the spatial code images generated in Step S 312  (i.e., the vertical and horizontal spatial code images with the print media  200 ) have the same code value only at surfaces located at the initial position. The image generator  52  obtains a difference between the spatial code images generated in Step S 306  and the spatial code images generated in Step S 312  to extract the image of the print surface  200   a  of each print medium.  200 , thus generating the image of the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200 . 
         [0082]    Specifically, as illustrated in  FIG. 7C , in an image “diff” of the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200 , a pixel i is presented in white or black based on the following equation: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     diff 
                     i 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     { 
                     
                       
                         
                           
                             255 
                             , 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       
                                         bu 
                                         i 
                                       
                                       - 
                                       
                                         mu 
                                         i 
                                       
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                   2 
                                 
                                 + 
                                 
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       
                                         bv 
                                         i 
                                       
                                       - 
                                       
                                         mv 
                                         i 
                                       
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                   2 
                                 
                               
                             
                             &lt; 
                             THRESH 
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             0 
                             , 
                           
                         
                         
                           otherwise 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   7 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0083]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7A , “bu” is an image obtained by performing projective transformation of only a print region selected from the vertical spatial code image without the print media. “bui” represents an ith pixel in the image “bu”. “bv” is an image obtained by performing projective transformation of only a print region, selected from the horizontal spatial code image without the print media, into a reference print region serving as a printable region on the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 . “bvi” represents an ith pixel in the image “bv”. 
         [0084]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7B , “mu” is an image obtained by performing projective transformation of only a print region selected from the vertical spatial code image with the print media. “mu” represents an ith pixel in the image “mu”. “mv” is an image obtained by performing projective transformation of only a print region, selected from the horizontal spatial code image with the print media, into the reference print region. “mv i ” represents an ith pixel in the image “mv”. 
         [0085]    In Equation (7), “255” represents white. “0” represents black. THRESH is set to “2”, for example. 
         [0086]    The print media  200  are disposed in the regions arranged in the predetermined pattern defined on the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30 . Therefore, in Step S 316 , the normalizer  54  divides the images of the print surfaces  200   a  of the print media  200 , which have been generated in Step S 314 , in accordance with the predetermined pattern (see  FIG. 8A ). 
         [0087]    In Step S 318 , using a rotating calipers method (rotating calipers algorithm), the normalizer  54  sets a quadrilateral to an outline of the image of each print surface  200   a  (see  FIG. 8B ). The normalizer  54  calculates the orientation and origin point of each print surface  200   a , and performs projective transformation of each print surface  200   a , thus normalizing each print surface  200   a  so that each print surface  200   a  assumes a given orientation (see  FIG. 8C ). As used herein, the term “given orientation” refers to, for example, an orientation in which each side of the print surface  200   a  is parallel to the X axis or Y axis. 
         [0088]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C are explanatory representations illustrating a procedure for normalizing the orientation of the print surface  200   a . As illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the normalizer  54  first fills in the print surface  200   a  with white (=255). Specifically, the normalizer  54  sequentially searches for a pixel of black (=0) from an origin point A of the region for the print surface  200   a , sets, using the black pixel as a starting point, a region where the black pixels are continuous as white pixels (=255) in another image buffer of the same size, and then turns the black pixels white and vice versa. Although the origin point A of the region for the print surface  200   a  is a point located at an upper left end of each of the regions arranged in the predetermined pattern in the present preferred embodiment, the location of the origin point A is not limited to this point. 
         [0089]    Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 9B , using a rotating calipers method, a quadrilateral is set to the outline of the print surface  200   a  filled in with white. Note that this rotating calipers method is a conventionally known technique, and therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0090]    Then, a rotation matrix R is obtained. Using the rotation matrix R, a straight line H, connecting an upper left end point I of the quadrilateral and an upper right end point II of the quadrilateral, is made parallel to the Y axis. Assuming that an angle formed between the Y axis and the straight line H connecting the points I and II is θ, the rotation matrix R is represented as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   R 
                   = 
                   
                     [ 
                     
                       
                         
                           
                             cos 
                              
                             
                                 
                             
                              
                             θ 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             sin 
                              
                             
                                 
                             
                              
                             θ 
                           
                         
                         
                           0 
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             
                               - 
                               sin 
                             
                              
                             
                                 
                             
                              
                             θ 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             cos 
                              
                             
                                 
                             
                              
                             θ 
                           
                         
                         
                           0 
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           0 
                         
                         
                           0 
                         
                         
                           1 
                         
                       
                     
                     ] 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   8 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0091]    Using this rotation matrix R, coordinate values of four points of the quadrilateral, i.e., the point I, the point II, a lower left end point III and a lower right end point IV of the quadrilateral, are transformed. Subsequently, a translational transformation matrix T for moving the coordinates of the point I after the transformation (i.e., minX, minY) to the origin point is obtained. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   T 
                   = 
                   
                     [ 
                     
                       
                         
                           1 
                         
                         
                           0 
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               - 
                               min 
                             
                              
                             
                                 
                             
                              
                             X 
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           0 
                         
                         
                           1 
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               - 
                               min 
                             
                              
                             
                                 
                             
                              
                             Y 
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           0 
                         
                         
                           0 
                         
                         
                           1 
                         
                       
                     
                     ] 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Equation 
                    
                   
                       
                   
                    
                   9 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0092]    Upon combining the transformation matrices, i.e., upon combining the rotation matrix R and the translational transformation matrix T in this order, a matrix H p2en  for transformation from a print region image coordinate system (p) to an editing image coordinate system (en) for the print medium  200  of No. n is obtained. Note that each print medium  200  is numbered in accordance with its location. 
         [0000]    
       
      
       H 
       p2en 
       =T·R  
      
     
         [0093]    Upon transformation of the image coordinate system of the print surface  200   a  such as one illustrated in  FIG. 9A  by the transformation matrix H p2en , the print surface  200   a  is allowed to assume the given orientation as illustrated in  FIG. 9C . In other words, the print surface  200   a  is normalized. Accordingly, image data of the normalized print surface  200   a  is acquired. 
         [0094]    Upon normalization of the print surface  200   a , the worker edits, on the normalized print surface  200   a , print data to be printed on the print surface  200   a  in Step S 320 . Specifically, when editing print data by utilizing editing software capable of editing print data, the worker edits the print data on the image data of the normalized print surface  200   a . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the worker decides where to perform printing on the print surface  200   a , and what kind of design to print. Examples of the design to be printed include a graphic form, a character and a picture. 
         [0095]    Upon completion of editing of the print data by the worker, the converter  56  converts the edited print data into print data printable on the pre-normalization print surface  200   a  in Step S 322 . Specifically, using an inverse transformation matrix for the transformation matrix H p2en  calculated before the normalization of the print surface  200   a , the print data edited by the worker in Step S 320  is transformed, and the transformed print data is stored as print data to be used in actual printing (see  FIGS. 10B and 10C ). 
         [0096]    After the print data has been generated in Step S 322 , the worker provides an instruction to start printing and then the microcomputer  300  controls the printer  10  so as to perform printing based on the generated print data in Step S 324 . 
         [0097]    As described above, in the printer  10  according to the present preferred embodiment, images are taken while an 8-bit Gray code pattern is projected on the base sheet  30  with no print medium  200  placed on the base sheet  30 , and vertical and horizontal spatial code images are acquired by the spatial code image generator  50  based on the taken images. Furthermore, images are taken while an 8-bit Gray code pattern is projected on the print media  200  with the print media  200  placed on the base sheet  30 , and vertical and horizontal spatial code images are acquired by the spatial code image generator  50  based on the taken images. 
         [0098]    Note that the position of the upper surface  30   a  of the base sheet  30  when no print medium  200  is placed on the base sheet  30  and the position of the print surface  200   a  of the print medium  200  when the print medium  200  is placed on the base sheet  30  coincide with the position of the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) which is located at the time of the calibration. 
         [0099]    Then, the image generator  52  obtains a difference between the vertical and horizontal spatial code images with no print medium  200  and the vertical and horizontal spatial code images with the print media  200 , thus acquiring an image of the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200 . 
         [0100]    Subsequently, the normalizer  54  sets a quadrilateral to an outline of each print surface  200   a  in the image of the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200  and calculates the orientation and origin point of each print surface  200   a  so as to normalize each print surface  200   a.    
         [0101]    When print data to be printed on each print surface  200   a  has been edited by the worker on the normalized print surface  200   a , the converter  56  converts the print data, edited by the worker, into print data printable on the pre-normalization print surface  200   a , and stores this print data. 
         [0102]    Then, using the converted print data, printing is performed on the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200 . 
         [0103]    Although the worker has to perform an operation such as lowering of the table  14 , the printer  10  according to the present preferred embodiment does not require an exacting operation such as accurate positioning. Consequently, unlike a conventional printer, the printer  10  according to the present preferred embodiment is capable of performing printing on the three-dimensional print medium  200  by simple operations. 
         [0104]    The printer  10  according to the present preferred embodiment is capable of performing printing on the three-dimensional print medium  200  without using a jig. 
         [0105]    Even when the print media  200  are produced in low quantities, the printer  10  according to the present preferred embodiment is capable of performing printing on the print media  200  without incurring an increase in cost. 
         [0106]    Although one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described thus far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiment but may be embodied in various other forms. Alternative exemplary preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. 
         [0107]    Although the printer  10  has been described as preferably an inkjet printer in the foregoing preferred embodiment, the printer according to the present invention is not limited to an inkjet printer. Various printers such as a dot-impact printer and a laser printer, for example, may be used as the printer  10 . 
         [0108]    Although the print medium  200  is preferably placed over the table  14  with the base sheet  30  interposed therebetween in the foregoing preferred embodiment, the print medium  200  does not necessarily have to be placed in this manner. Alternatively, the print medium  200  may be directly placed on the table  14  without the base sheet  30  interposed therebetween. In that case, the print medium  200  and/or the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14  may be processed so that the print medium  200  is less prone to slip along the upper surface  14   a  of the table  14 . 
         [0109]    Although the six print media  200  are preferably placed on the base sheet  30  and printing is performed on the print surface  200   a  of each print medium  200  in the foregoing preferred embodiment, the number of the print media  200  to be placed is not limited to six. For example, the number of the print media  200  to be placed on the base sheet  30  may be one, two, three, four, five, or seven or more. The regions arranged in the predetermined pattern may alternatively be arranged in a different pattern so that printing is performed on larger print media or smaller print media. 
         [0110]    In the foregoing preferred embodiment, the print head  20  is preferably moved in the X-axis direction (right-left direction) along the rod-shaped member  16  and moved in the Y-axis direction (front-rear direction) together with the movable member  18 , and the table  14  is moved in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction), but movements of the print head  20  and the table  14  are not limited to these movements. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the printer may be arranged so that the table  14  movable up and down in the Z-axis direction is moved in the Y-axis direction, and the print head  20  is moved in the X-axis direction. 
         [0111]    In a printer  60  illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the table  14  preferably is movable along guide rails  62  provided on the base member  12 . The guide rails  62  preferably include a pair of guide rails  62 - 1  and  62 - 2  which extend in the Y-axis direction (front-rear direction) on the base member  12 . Note that the table  14  is provided with a driving mechanism (not illustrated) controlled by the microcomputer  300  so that the table  14  is moved in the Y-axis direction along the guide rails  62 . Thus, the table  14  movable in the Z-axis direction is also movable in the Y-axis direction on the base member  12 . 
         [0112]    The print head  20  preferably is movably provided at a fixed member  66  provided on the base member  12 . More specifically, the print head  20  preferably is provided at a rod-shaped member  64  so as to be movable along the X-axis direction (right-left direction). Thus, the print head  20  preferably is moved in the X-axis direction along the fixed member  66 . The fixed member  66  preferably includes: vertical members  68 - 1  and  68 - 2  provided on the base member  12 ; and the rod-shaped member  64  through which the vertical members  68 - 1  and  68 - 2  are connected to each other. The rod-shaped member  64  extends in the X-axis direction. 
         [0113]    The foregoing preferred embodiment and the alternative preferred embodiments described above may be combined as appropriate. 
         [0114]    The terms and expressions used herein are provided for explanation purposes and should not be construed as being restrictive. It should be appreciated that the terms and expressions used herein do not eliminate any equivalents of features illustrated and mentioned herein, but allow various modifications falling within the claimed scope of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms. The present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the present invention. These examples are described herein with the understanding that such examples are not intended to limit the present invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein. Hence, the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described herein. The present invention includes any and all preferred embodiments including equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations, adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language included in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application. 
         [0115]    Preferred embodiments and alternatives and modifications of preferred embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use in a printer for performing desired printing on a print medium having a flat print surface. 
         [0116]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1