# US 10,122,877 B2 · Image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,877 B2 - Document ID: US10122877B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/384,492 - Filed: 2016-12-20 - Published: 2018-06-21 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-20 - Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Hidetoshi Murao - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122877B2 ## CPC - H04N 1/00827: {Arrangements for reading an image from an unusual original, e.g. 3-dimensional objects} - G06T 17/00: Three-dimensional [3D] modelling for computer graphics - H04N 1/3872: {Repositioning or masking} - H04N 1/393: Enlarging or reducing - G06T 2200/08: involving all processing steps from image acquisition to 3D model generation - H04N 2201/0081: Image reader (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence) - H04N 2201/0082: Image hardcopy reproducer (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence) - H04N 2201/0094: Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract An image forming apparatus comprises a three-dimensional reader, a drawing data generator and a printer. The three-dimensional reading section includes an arrangement section, a sensor and a model data generator. The arrangement section is a position where a target object is arranged. The sensor acquires three-dimensional information relating to a three-dimensional shape of the object arranged on the arrangement section. The model data generator generates three-dimensional model data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the object on the basis of the three-dimensional information. The drawing data generator generates drawing data containing data of a two-dimensional drawing formed by projecting the object on a plane surface on the basis of the three-dimensional model data. The printer forms an image on a sheet on the basis of the drawing data. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus, comprising: a three-dimensional reader; and a processor that executes instructions to perform operations, comprising: acquiring three-dimensional information relating to a three-dimensional shape of a target object arranged within the three-dimensional reader; generating three-dimensional model data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the target object based on the three-dimensional information, wherein the three-dimension model data is standard triangulated language data representative of the three-dimensional shape of the target object; generating drawing data comprising data of a two-dimensional drawing formed by projecting the target object on a plane surface on a basis of the three-dimensional model data; and forming, by a printer device, an image on a sheet on the basis of the drawing data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the three-dimensional reader is detachable from the image forming apparatus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: correcting deviation of a position or an angle of the target object for the three-dimensional model data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving an operation input by a user, wherein correction is carried out through rotationally moving the three-dimensional model data according to a movement instruction indicating that the three-dimensional model data is rotationally moved centering on predetermined three-dimensional coordinate axes based on the operation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise: moving the three-dimensional model data in such a manner that a predetermined surface and a surface of the three-dimensional model data are arranged in parallel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise: generating drawing data based on one reference direction selected from a plurality of candidate directions for the three-dimensional model data. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: communicating with a information processing apparatus via a communication channel, wherein the three-dimensional model data or the drawing data is sent to the information processing apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: communicating with a information processing apparatus via a communication channel, wherein three-dimensional model data is received from the information processing apparatus, and drawing data is generated based on the three-dimensional model data that is received. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: assigning information relating to a dimension of the target object to the drawing data. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: executing an instruction for printing drawing data by magnifying or minifying the drawing data at a predetermined magnification or a predetermined minification, wherein the printer device forms an image on the sheet through magnifying or minifying the drawing data at the magnification based on the instruction. ### Claim 11 An image forming method, comprising: acquiring three-dimensional information relating to a three-dimensional shape of a target object; generating three-dimensional model data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the target object on a basis of the three-dimensional information, wherein the three-dimension model data is standard triangulated language data representative of the three-dimensional shape of the target object; generating drawing data comprising data of a two-dimensional drawing formed by projecting the target object on a plane surface on a basis of the three-dimensional model data; and forming an image on a sheet on a basis of the drawing data. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising: correcting deviation of a position of the target object for the three-dimensional model data. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising: correcting deviation of an angle of the target object for the three-dimensional model data. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The image forming method according to claim 13, further comprising: receiving an operation by a user, wherein correcting deviation comprises rotationally moving the three-dimensional model data according to a movement instruction indicating that the three-dimensional model data is rotationally moved centering on predetermined three-dimensional coordinate axes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The image forming method according to claim 13, wherein, correcting deviation comprises moving the three-dimensional model data in such a manner that a predetermined surface and a surface of the three-dimensional model data are arranged in parallel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The image forming method according to claim 13, further comprising: generating drawing data on a basis of one reference direction selected from a plurality of candidate directions for the three-dimensional model data. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising: communicating with another information processing apparatus via a communication channel; and sending the three-dimensional model data or the drawing data to an information processing apparatus. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising: communicating with another information processing apparatus via a communication channel; receiving three-dimensional model data from another information processing apparatus, and generating drawing data on a basis of the received three-dimensional model data. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising: assigning information relating to a dimension of the target object to the drawing data. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising: executing an instruction for printing drawing data by magnifying or minifying the drawing data at a predetermined magnification or a predetermined minification; and forming an image on a sheet through magnifying or minifying the drawing data at the magnification on a basis of the instruction.