EP0829378A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for manufacturing a mosaic-type picture
Assignee: Moritex Corp
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Filing: 1997-09-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing a bead-inlaid picture by inputting a desired original image as a motif for a bead-inlaid picture by an image input device, dividing the inputted original image into each of pieces in a size equal with that of a bead, comparing numerical data for the hue and the brightness obtained for each of the pieces and numerical data for the hue and the brightness predetermined for each of the beads and replacing the numerical data for each of the pieces with a color code allocated to a bead having numerical data most approximate with the obtained data and outputting signals corresponding thereto by an image processing device, feeding beads allocated with color codes while dividing them on every color codes by a feeder, arranging the thus fed beads in accordance with the arranged sequence for each of the pieces in the original image by an actuator and, fusing the arranged beads on a glass plate. A bead-inlaid picture can be manufactured just in accordance with the original image at high quality and at a reduced cost quite automatically without requiring any particular skill.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuhkoh Morito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:28
CPC Classifications
B; B44; B44B; B44B9/00; B44C; B44C3/00; B44C3/12; B44C3/123; B44C3/126; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1744; Y10T156/1751; Y10T156/1754; Y10T156/1759; Y10T156/19; Y10T156/1906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of manufacturing a bead-inlaid picture by arranging beads of respective colors to complete a desired picture, wherein the method comprises: (a) an image inputting step of inputting a desired original image as a motif for a bead-inlaid picture by an image input device, (b) an image processing step of dividing the inputted original image into each of pieces in a size equal with that of a bead, comparing numerical data obtained by quantizing the hue and the brightness for each of the pieces with an average density value in each of the pieces and numerical data obtained by quantizing the hue and the brightness for each of the beads, and replacing the numerical data for each of the pieces with a color code allocated to a bead having numerical data most approximate therewith and outputting the same, (c) a feeding step of feeding beads allocated with color codes by a feeder that stores the beads while dividing them on every color codes allocated to them respectively based on the color codes outputted by the image processing step, (d) an arranging step of arranging the beads fed from the feeder by an actuator in accordance with the arranged sequence for each of the pieces in the original image and, (e) a fusing step of fusing the arranged beads on a glass plate after the completion of the arranging step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus for manufacturing a bead-inlaid picture by arranging beads of respective colors to complete a desired picture, wherein the apparatus comprises; an image input device for inputting a desired original image as a motif for the bead-inlaid picture, an image processing device for dividing an original image inputted by the image input device into each of pieces in a size equal with that of a bead, comparing numerical data obtained by quantizing the hue and the brightness for each of the pieces with an average density value in each of the pieces and numerical data obtained by quantizing the hue and the brightness for each of the beads, and replacing the numerical data for each of the pieces with a color code allocated to a bead having numerical data most approximate therewith and outputting the same, a feeder for storing each of the beads while dividing them on every color codes allocated to them respectively and feeding the beads allocated with the color codes based on the color codes outputted from the image processing device and, an actuator for arranging the beads fed from the feeder in accordance with the arranged sequence for each of the pieces in the original image.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for manufacturing a mosaic by arranging mosaic materials of respective colors to complete a desired picture, wherein the apparatus comprises an image input device for inputting a desired original image as a motif for the mosaic, an image processing device for dividing an original image inputted by the image input device into each of pieces each in a size equal with that of a mosaic material, comparing numerical data obtained by quantizing the hue and the brightness for each of the pieces with an average density value in each of the pieces and numerical data obtained by quantizing the hue and the brightness for each of the mosaic materials, and replacing the numerical data for each of the pieces with the color code allocated to a mosaic material having a numerical data most approximate therewith and outputting the same, a feeder for storing each of the mosaic materials while dividing them on every color codes allocated to them respectively and feeding the mosaic materials allocated with the color codes based on the color codes outputted from the image processing device and, an actuator for arranging the mosaic materials fed from the feeder in accordance with the arranged sequence for each of the pieces in the original image.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
412 words
An apparatus for manufacturing a bead-inlaid picture by arranging beads of respective colors to complete a desired picture, wherein the apparatus comprises an image input device for inputting a desired original image as a motif for the bead-inlaid picture, an image processing device for dividing an original image inputted by the image input device into each of pieces in a size equal with that of a bead, comparing numerical data obtained by quantizing the hue and the brightness for each of the pieces with an average density value in each of the pieces and a numerical data obtained by quantizing the hue and the brightness of each of the beads, and replacing the numerical data for each of the pieces with a color code allocated to a bead having numerical data most approximate therewith and outputting the same, a feeder for storing each of the beads while dividing them on every color codes allocated to them respectively and feeding the beads allocated with the color codes based on the color codes outputted from the image processing device and, an actuator for arranging the beads fed from the feeder in accordance with the arranged sequence for each of the pieces in the original image, in which the feeder comprises: bead distribution mechanisms by the number of colors for supplying beads of respective colors and a hopper for feeding beads fed from each of the bead distribution mechanisms to the actuator, the bead distribution mechanism comprises a supply reel having a bead distribution tape wound around the reel in which recesses each containing one bead are formed to the tape continuously at a predetermined pitch and the opening of each recess is covered with a film tape in a state of containing one bead in each recess, a sprocket along which the bead distribution tape dispensed from the feed reel is wound such that the recess opens downwardly at a bead discharge port, a winding mechanism for winding and pulling the film tape at the bead discharge port in a direction peeling from the opening of the recess, an intermittent feeding mechanism for intermittently feeding the bead distribution tape of a bead distribution mechanism allocated with a color code each by one frame for the recess of the bead distribution tape of the bead distribution mechanism allocated with the color code based on the color code outputted from the image processing device, and a take-up reel for taking-up the intermittently fed bead distribution tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for manufacturing a bead-inlaid picture as defined in claim 4, wherein the hopper is disposed at a predetermined position, and each bead distribution mechanisms is adapted such that: each bead discharge port is formed movably so as to be positioned above the opening of the hopper, and the bead distribution tape is fed intermittently to drop a bead into the hopper in a state where the bead discharging port of the bead distribution mechanism allocated with a color code is situated above the opening of the hopper, based on the corresponding color code outputted from the image processing device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for manufacturing a bead-inlaid picture as defined in claim 4, wherein the hopper is disposed movably so as to be situated below the bead discharge port of each bead distribution mechanism, and the hopper is positioned such that the opening of the hopper is positioned below the bead discharge port of a bead distribution mechanism allocated with a color code before a bead is dropped from the bead discharge port, based on the corresponding color code outputted from the image processing apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A bead arrangement substrate used for a bead-inlaid picture in which beads of respective colors as picture elements for a bead-inlaid picture are arranged and secured in accordance with a predetermined motif, wherein the substrate comprises a heat resistant substrate main body and a bead fixing layer formed on the surface of the substrate main body, and having adhesion at a room temperature for temporarily securing beads and having a property of being softened or melted at a predetermined temperature lower than the softening point of a glass material constituting the bead and higher than a room temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A bead arrangement substrate used for a bead-inlaid picture as defined in claim 7, wherein a low softening point glass material is contained in the bead fixing layer and values of linear expansion coefficients of the low softening glass material, the substrate main body and the glass material constituting the bead are selected so as to be substantially equal with each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
A bead arrangement substrate used for a bead-inlaid picture as defined in claim 7, wherein the bead fixing layer is formed by dispersing, in an adhesive, a low softening point glass powder softened at a predetermined temperature lower than the softening point of the glass material constituting the bead and higher than a room temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A bead arrangement substrate used for a bead-inlaid picture as defined in claim 7, wherein the bead fixing layer is formed by coating a fixing agent in a dot-like pattern corresponding to the arranged positions of the beads, said fixing agent being formed by dispersing, in an adhesive, a low softening point glass powder being softened at a predetermined temperature lower than the softening point of the glass material constituting the bead and higher than a room temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
A bead arrangement substrate used for a bead-inlaid picture as defined in claim 7, wherein the bead fixing layer has a two-layered structure comprising a heat fusion layer which is softened or melted at a predetermined temperature lower than the softening point of a glass material constituting the bead and higher than a room temperature, and an adhesive layer for temporarily securing the beads at a room temperature on the surface of said heat fusion layer and the adhesive layer comprises an adhesive which is eliminated by burning, thermal decomposition or evaporation at a temperature lower than the softening point/melting point of the heat fusion layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bead arrangement substrate used for a bead-inlaid picture as defined in claim 7, wherein the surface of the bead fixing layer is covered with a releasing paper or film.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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