System and method for image pattern printing on objects

• US 7,561,301 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Inventors: Mine, Satoshi, Nakajima, Kaoru, Mori, Naohisa, Yamamura, Toshiyuki, Watanabe, Takashi, Osumi, Hisayoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Kimberly A
• Application Number:
  US11/017,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20050168502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,666 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.9, 358/1.1, 358/1.2, 347/1
• US Class Current: 358/1.9
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2203/01 Inspecting a printed medium or a medium to be printed using a sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4073 Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects B41J3/283, B41J3/286 take precedence; building up a 3D object using individual droplets from jetting heads B29C64/112
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general

Abstract

A printing system is designed to reduce the overall time and the cost required for printing patterns on objects such as musical instruments and prevents printed patterns from being partially extended or distorted. Image data representing prescribed patterns are processed in response to object form data representing the form of an object, wherein upon receipt of a user'"'"'s print instruction, an RGB color inkjet printer ejects ink onto a prescribed surface of the object on the basis of the processed image data. Image data can be produced by picking up an image of another surface of the object, which is transferred onto the prescribed surface of the object, thus establishing a sense of unity in visual sensation therebetween. Alternatively, image data can be processed in correspondence with the selected surface of the object, so that the prescribed image is printed on the selected surface of the object.

Claims

1. A printing system comprising:

a data processing device for processing image data of a three dimensional shape based on prepared object form data representing a form of an object, said processing being one or more selected from the group consisting of rotation, expansion/reduction, aspect ratio change, inversion, color control, brightness control and contrast control; and

a printer for ejecting ink onto a prescribed surface of the object on the basis of the processed image data processed by the data processing device.

2. A printing system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device processes the image data based on the object form data when a normal axis lying in a normal direction of the prescribed surface of the object does not lie in parallel with a reference axis lying in an ink ejecting direction defined by the printer.

3. A printing system according to claim 1, in which the object has a first surface having a pattern and a second surface to be printed, further comprising a data production device for producing image data based on the pattern of the first surface of the object, wherein the data processing device processes the image data based on the object form data, so that the printer prints a pattern based on the processed image data on the second surface of the object.

4. A printing system according to claim 1 further comprising:

a selector for selecting at least one surface of the object subjected to printing, wherein the data processing device processes the image data in correspondence with the selected surface of the object; and

a holder for holding the object in such a way that the selected surface of the object is directed towards the printer, so that the printer ejects ink onto the selected surface of the object on the sis of the processed image data.

5. A printing system according to claim 4, wherein when a normal axis lying in a normal direction of the selected surface of the object does not lie in parallel with a reference axis lying in an ink ejecting direction of the printer, the data processing device processes the image data based on the object form data.

6. A printing method comprising the steps of:

processing image data of a three dimensional shape based on prepared object form data representing a form of an object; and

ejecting ink onto a prescribed surface of the object on the basis of the processed image data;

wherein

said processing is one or more selected from the group consisting of rotation, expansion/reduction, aspect ratio change, inversion, color control, brightness control and contrast control.

7. A printing method according to claim 6, wherein the image data are processed based on the object form data when a normal axis lying in a normal direction of the prescribed surface of the object does not lie in parallel with a reference axis lying in an ink ejecting direction in which the ink is ejected onto the prescribed surface of the object.

8. A printing method according to claim 6, in which the object has a first surface having a pattern and a second surface to be printed, further comprising the step of:

producing image data based on the pattern of the first surface of the object, wherein the image data are processed based on the object form data so as to produce the processed image data.