# US 10,369,812 B2 · Image data generation method, structure formation method, structure formation apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,812 B2 - Document ID: US10369812B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/372,361 - Filed: 2016-12-07 - Published: 2017-07-06 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-01-05 - Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Casio Computer Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Katsunori Suzuki; Hitomi Fujimoto - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369812B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/01: Ink jet - B29C 64/386: Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing - B41J 3/32: for printing in Braille or with keyboards specially adapted for use by blind or disabled persons - B41J 2/2054: {by the variation of dot disposition or characteristics, e.g. dot number density, dot shape} - B41M 3/16: Braille printing (typewriters or selective printing mechanisms for Braille printing B41J3/32) - G03G 15/224: {Machines for forming tactile or three dimensional images by electrographic means, e.g. braille, 3d printing} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P) - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY ## Abstract A computer 10 generates image data of a density image to be printed on a print medium M including an expansion layer M1 that expands by heating. First density image data for printing on one surface FS of the print medium M to expand the expansion layer M1 is prepared first. The first density image data is then converted so that the density of a part of a target region having the same density included in a first density image P1 represented by the first density image data is higher than the density of the other part of the target region, to generate third density image data. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image data generation method performed by a structure formation apparatus, the method comprising: preparing first density image data representing a first density image; and generating third density image data from the first density image data, the third density image data being for printing on a first surface of a print medium including an expansion layer to expand the expansion layer, the first surface being on a side of the print medium where the expansion layer is located, and the expansion layer being configured to expand by heating; wherein generating the third density image data comprises converting the first density image data into the third density image data such that, in the third density image data, a density of a first part of a target region is higher than a density of a second part of the target region, the target region being a region having a same pre-conversion density in the first density image. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image data generation method according to claim 1, further comprising: preparing second density image data for printing on a second surface of the print medium opposite to the side where the expansion layer is located to expand the expansion layer, wherein the first density image includes information of a finer structure than a second density image represented by the second density image data. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image data generation method according to claim 1, wherein generating the third density image data comprises converting the first density image data into the third density image data such that, in the third density image data, the density of the first part of the target region is higher than the same pre-conversion density of the target region. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image data generation method according to claim 3, wherein generating the third density image data comprises converting the first density image data into the third density image data such that, in the third density image data, the density of the first part of the target region is at least twice the same pre-conversion density of the target region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The image data generation method according to claim 4, wherein generating the third density image data comprises converting the first density image data into the third density image data such that, in the third density image data, the density of the first part of the target region is at least twice the same pre-conversion density of the target region, in a case in which the same pre-conversion density is lower than a predetermined density. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image data generation method according to claim 1, wherein the first part of the target region is surrounded by the second part of the target region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image data generation method according to claim 1, wherein the first part of the target region is at a center of the target region having the same pre-conversion density. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image data generation method according to claim 1, wherein the first part of the target region is half a size of the target region having the pre-conversion same density. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The image data generation method according to claim 1, wherein the target region is a line-shaped or dot-shaped region. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The image data generation method according to claim 1, further comprising: forming a first pattern on the first surface of the print medium, based on the third density image data; and irradiating the first surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The image data generation method according to claim 10, further comprising: forming a second pattern representing a rougher structure than the first pattern on a second surface of the print medium opposite to the side where the expansion layer is located, based on second density image data; and irradiating the second surface of the print medium with the electromagnetic waves, after irradiating the first surface of the print medium with the electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 12 A structure formation apparatus comprising: a processor configured to execute a program to perform operations including: preparing first density image data representing a first density image; and generating third density image data from the first density image data, the third density image data being for printing on a first surface of a print medium including an expansion layer to expand the expansion layer, the first surface being on a side of the print medium where the expansion layer is located, and the expansion layer being configured to expand by heating; wherein generating the third density image data comprises converting the first density image data into the third density image data such that, in the third density image data, a density of a first part of a target region is higher than a density of a second part of the target region, the target region being a region having a same pre-conversion density in the first density image. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The structure formation apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a printer configured to form a first pattern on the first surface of the print medium, based on the third density image data; and a heater configured to irradiate the first surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The structure formation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: the printer is configured to form a second pattern representing a rougher structure than the first pattern on a second surface of the print medium opposite to the side where the expansion layer is located, based on second density image data; and the heater is configured to irradiate the second surface of the print medium with the electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The structure formation apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the heater is configured to irradiate the second surface of the print medium with the electromagnetic waves, after irradiating the first surface of the print medium with the electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The structure formation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first part of the target region is surrounded by the second part of the target region. ### Claim 17 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a program stored thereon that is executed by a computer of a structure formation apparatus to perform processes comprising: preparing first density image data representing a first density image; and generating third density image data from the first density image data, the third density image data being for printing on a first surface of a print medium including an expansion layer to expand the expansion layer, the first surface being on a side of the print medium where the expansion layer is located, and the expansion layer being configured to expand by heating; wherein generating the third density image data comprises converting the first density image data into the third density image data such that, in the third density image data, a density of a first part of a target region is higher than a density of a second part of the target region, the target region being a region having a same pre-conversion density in the first density image. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, the processes further comprising: forming a first pattern on the first surface of the print medium, based on the third density image data; and irradiating the first surface of the print medium with electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, the processes further comprising: forming a second pattern representing a rougher structure than the first pattern on a second surface of the print medium opposite to the side where the expansion layer is located, based on second density image data; and irradiating the second surface of the print medium with the electromagnetic waves. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 17, wherein the first part of the target region is surrounded by the second part of the target region.