Printing system, printing program product, and method for producing printed matter

Abstract

The invention provides a printing system, a printing program product, and a method for producing a printed matter, which solve the technical problem that a structure is expected to assist a user in studying a distribution method for distributing each image to two surfaces with respect to a transparent medium capable of printing on both the front surface and the rear surface. The present invention configures a printing system comprising: a display that presents a plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same surface side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are respectively printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium; and a printer that performs printing on the basis of the pattern selected by the user among the presented patterns.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a printing system, a printing program and a method for producing printed matter. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes generating and displaying a preview image in which a plurality of image layers included in a print job are superimposed, that is, a preview image corresponding to a superimposition order specified by a user.

[0003] Regarding a transparent medium that can be printed on both the front and rear surfaces, it is desired to have a structure that assists a user in studying a method of allocating each image to both surfaces.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-220838 Summary of the invention

[0005] A printing system for solving the above-mentioned problem comprises: a display that prompts a plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium; and a printer that performs printing according to a pattern selected by a user from among the prompted patterns.

[0006] A printing program for solving the above-mentioned problem enables a computer to implement the following functions, namely, causing a display to prompt a plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium, and causing a printer to print according to a pattern selected by a user from among the prompted patterns.

[0007] A method for producing printed matter for solving the above-mentioned problem includes the following contents, namely, prompting a plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on the opposite side of the transparent medium, and performing printing according to a pattern selected by a user from among the prompted patterns. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 A block diagram of the printing system.

[0009] Figure 2 A block diagram of a user terminal.

[0010] Figure 3 A block diagram of the server.

[0011] Figure 4A block diagram of a printer.

[0012] Figure 5 A diagram showing an example of an image created by a user and an object included in the image.

[0013] Figure 6 A flowchart showing the priority setting process.

[0014] Figure 7 A diagram showing an example of an allocated pattern.

[0015] Figure 8 A diagram showing an example of a pattern to be adopted.

[0016] Fig. 9 A diagram showing an example of excluded patterns.

[0017] Fig.10 A diagram showing an example where a higher priority object contains lower priority objects.

[0018] Fig.11 A diagram showing an example of an allocated pattern.

[0019] Fig.12 A diagram showing an example of an allocated pattern.

[0020] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing an example of printed matter.

[0021] Fig.14 Flowchart of the pattern generation process.

[0022] Fig.15 A diagram showing an example of a pattern prompt screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Here, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.

[0024] (1) Structure of printing system:

[0025] (1-1) Structure of user terminal:

[0026] (1-2) Server structure:

[0027] (1-3) Printer structure:

[0028] (2) Pattern prompt processing:

[0029] (3) Other implementation methods:

[0030] (1) Structure of printing system:

[0031] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of a printing system involved in one embodiment of the present invention. The printing system includes at least a printer 50 and a user terminal 10. The user terminal 10 functions as a display that prompts the distribution pattern of the image printed on the transparent medium by the printer 50. In this embodiment, the user terminal 10 and the printer 50 are configured to exchange printing data and the like via the server 30. In addition, in other embodiments, the user terminal 10 and the printer 50 can be configured to directly exchange various data without passing through the server 30, and can also be further configured to exchange data between the user terminal 10 and the printer 50 through another server or terminal. Figure 1 The number of devices shown in the figure is an example, and the number is not limited. Each device may be composed of a plurality of devices.

[0032] These devices can communicate with each other via a network. The network can be in various forms such as wireless communication and wired communication. In the present embodiment, the printing system is used when producing printed materials based on orders from customers. In the present embodiment, the user terminal 10 is a terminal operated by a user who is a customer. The user terminal 10 is, for example, set in the storefront of a store that accepts orders for original printed materials from users, and the printer 50 and the server 30 are, for example, set in the backyard of the store. The backyard can be a place connected to the storefront or a place far away from the store such as a printing factory. In addition, the user terminal 10 and the printer 50 may be set in a store, and the server 30 may be set in a remote location far away from the store.

[0033] In this embodiment, a customer uses a user terminal 10 installed in a store to design print data and place an order. The print data generated according to the user's design is sent to a server 30. The server 30 manages the progress of printing by a printer 50. The server 30 stores the print data, and the server 30 sends the print data to the printer 50 to execute printing. In the backyard, a printing staff performs printing corresponding to the user's order with the printer 50.

[0034] Regarding the types of printed matter produced in response to an order, in the present embodiment, for example, a case where printed matter is produced by printing on a transparent printing medium (transparent medium) such as an acrylic block or an acrylic panel. The transparent medium can be printed on the front surface and the back surface respectively. Although it is conceivable that the user appreciates from the front surface and instructs printing on the front and back surfaces of the transparent medium, it is also conceivable that the user appreciates from both sides and instructs printing on the front and back surfaces of the transparent medium, but in the present embodiment, the former case is conceived.

[0035] Transparent media can be expressed in three dimensions by using their thickness, so that multiple patterns can be considered, such as printing an image only on the rear surface of the transparent medium, printing an image only on the front surface, or distributing an image on both the front surface and the rear surface and printing. However, it is not easy for the user to imagine these various patterns. Therefore, the printing system of this embodiment has the function of presenting these patterns to the user and allowing the user to select a desired pattern for the transparent medium that can be printed on both the front surface and the rear surface.

[0036] (1-1) Structure of user terminal:

[0037] Figure 2 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of the user terminal 10. In the present embodiment, the user terminal 10 is a terminal used by the user to create and edit an image to be printed on a transparent medium, and to prompt the user terminal 10 with the above-mentioned pattern and select a desired pattern. The user terminal 10 includes a processor 10a, a communication unit 10b, a non-volatile memory 10c, a display unit 10d, and an input unit 10e. The processor 10a includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and can execute various programs recorded in the non-volatile memory 10c to control each unit of the user terminal 10 or the printer 50.

[0038] In addition, the processor 10a may be composed of a single chip or a plurality of chips, or may be configured as a SoC together with various functional modules. In addition, for example, an ASIC may be used instead of a CPU, or a structure in which a CPU and an ASIC work together may be used. When each device in this embodiment has a processor, the processor can be implemented in various ways like the processor 10a.

[0039] The communication unit 10 b includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices according to various communication protocols. The user terminal 10 can communicate with other devices via the communication unit 10 b. In addition, the communication unit 10 b includes an interface for communicating with various removable memories installed in the user terminal 10.

[0040] The display unit 10d is a display device that displays an arbitrary image. The input unit 10e is a device for the user to perform input operations, and is composed of, for example, a touch panel. Although in this embodiment, since the user terminal 10 is assumed to be a tablet terminal, the input unit 10e is mainly assumed to be a touch panel, it is obvious that a keyboard or a mouse can also be used. In either case, the user can operate the input unit 10e to input the user's intention while visually confirming the image or text displayed on the display unit 10d.

[0041] The processor 10a executes a printing program (not shown). The printing program includes an editing application for creating and editing images to be printed on a transparent medium. By executing the printing program, the processor 10a implements a function that allows the user to create and edit images to be printed on a transparent medium that can be printed on both sides. When the user completes the creation and editing operation, the processor 10a generates a pattern that assigns each image (object) included in the image created by the user to both sides of the transparent medium and prompts it to the user. Then, the processor 10a generates printing data 10c1 for printing on each side of the transparent medium with the pattern selected by the user, and sends it to the printer 50 via the server 30, so that the printer 50 performs printing based on the printing data.

[0042] (1-2) Server structure:

[0043] Figure 3 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the server 30. The server 30 includes a processor 30a, a communication unit 30b, and a non-volatile memory 30c. The processor 30a includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown), and can execute various programs recorded in the non-volatile memory 30c to control each unit of the server 30 or each device connected to the network.

[0044] The communication unit 30b includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices according to various wired or wireless communication protocols. The server 30 can communicate with other devices via the communication unit 30b. In addition, the communication unit 30b may also include an interface for communicating with various removable memories installed on the server 30.

[0045] The print data 10c1 transmitted from the user terminal 10 is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 30c of the server 30. The processor 30a transmits the print data 10c1 to the printer 50 for printing the print data 10c1 and prints the print data 10c1. The server 30 manages the progress of the print job in the printer 50 based on various status information transmitted from the printer 50.

[0046] (1-3) Printer structure:

[0047] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the printer 50. The printer 50 includes a processor 50a, a communication unit 50b, a nonvolatile memory 50c, a printing unit 50d, and a UI unit 50e. The processor 50a includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown), and can execute a control program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 50c to control each unit of the printer 50.

[0048] The communication unit 50b includes a communication interface for communicating with external devices according to various wired or wireless communication protocols. The printer 50 can communicate with other devices via the communication unit 50b. In addition, the communication unit 50b may also include an interface for communicating with various removable memories installed in the printer 50.

[0049] The printing unit 50d performs printing on various printing media handled in the store. The printing unit 50d includes actuators and various devices, sensors, drive circuits, mechanical parts, etc. for printing on printing media. The sensors include sensors for detecting various detection objects that may change in the printer 50. For example, there can be cited sensors for detecting the remaining amount of printing media or sensors for detecting the remaining amount of each color of ink used in printing.

[0050] The printer 50 can print on a transparent medium using process color inks including cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and special color inks such as transparent ink or white ink. The printer can print on the front and back surfaces of the transparent medium by placing one surface of the transparent medium in the printer 50 so that it becomes a printing surface and causing the printer 50 to print, and then turning the transparent medium over after printing and causing the printer 50 to print.

[0051] (2) Pattern prompt processing:

[0052] The user can create and edit images to be printed on transparent media using images prepared by the user or images prepared in advance on the editing application side. Figure 5 The image IM shown in is an example of an image created by a user. The image IM of this example is created using Image1, Image2, and Image3. Specifically, Image1 is a landscape image object (sky and mountains) that spans the entire printing target surface of a transparent medium, Image2 is an object representing clouds (transparent outside the cloud area), and Image3 is a text object (transparent outside the text area). The cloud object of Image2 and the text object of Image3 are arranged at positions that do not interfere with each other. The user can create image IM by initially configuring Image1 in the editing area of ​​the editing application, and then configuring the cloud object of Image2 and the text object of Image3 on Image1 in a manner that does not interfere with each other. Therefore, in terms of display priority, among the three images, Image1 has the lowest priority, and Image2 and Image3 are higher than Image1.

[0053] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing a display priority setting process. The display priority setting process is executed when a user newly configures an object in an editing application. In addition, when a user changes the position of a configured object so that the interference between the objects changes, or when a user changes the overlapping order of configured objects, a display priority updating process is also executed.

[0054] In the display priority setting process, when the user performs an operation of selecting an image, the processor 10a receives the selected image (step S100). That is, when the user performs an operation of specifying the storage location of the image to be used and the file of the image for the editing application, the processor 10a receives the selected image. Next, when the user performs an operation of configuring the image, the processor 10a receives the configuration (step S105). That is, when the object is configured in the area of ​​the editing image of the editing application, the processor 10a obtains the position where the object is configured (for example, the upper left coordinates of the rectangle circumscribing the object) and the size of the object (the width and height of the rectangle).

[0055] Next, the processor 10a determines whether the minimum rectangles of the configuration image and the setting completed image overlap (step S110). That is, the processor 10a determines whether the rectangle circumscribing the newly configured object and the rectangle circumscribing the already configured object interfere with each other. If it is determined to be overlapping in step S110, the processor 10a determines whether the configuration image and the setting completed image overlap in pixel units (step S115). That is, the processor 10a determines whether the outlines of the objects interfere with each other.

[0056] When it is determined to be overlapping in step S115, the processor 10a sets the display priority of the configuration image to the display priority of the overlapping image + 1 (step S120). For display priority, zero is the lowest value. The larger the value, the higher the display priority. The processor 10a sets the display priority of the configuration image to a value that is 1 greater than the display priority of the setting completion image determined to be overlapping in step S115. In addition, when there are multiple overlapping setting completion images, a value that is 1 greater than the display priority of the image with the highest display priority is set as the display priority of the setting image.

[0057] If it is not determined that there is an overlap in step S110 or if it is not determined that there is an overlap in step S115, the processor 10a sets the display priority to zero (step S125).

[0058] After executing step S120 or step S125, the processor 10a adds the configured image to the set completed image list (step S130). The image list is a list of configured images, and for each object, the display priority, the configured position, the size, etc. are recorded. Therefore, in step S130, the newly configured object is added to the image list together with the display priority, the configuration coordinates, and the size. Figure 5 In the case of the image IM shown, the display priority of Image2 is higher than the display priority of Image1 which interferes with Image2 and is located below Image2. Similarly, the display priority of Image3 is higher than the display priority of Image1.

[0059] The transparent medium can be expressed in three dimensions by using its thickness, and the user can choose to print the object only on the rear surface of the transparent medium, or only on the front surface, or distribute the object to both the front surface and the rear surface and print. However, it is not easy for the user to imagine these individual patterns for an image in which a plurality of objects are arranged. Therefore, the processor 10a obtains a pattern that can be realized by a combination of distribution of objects based on the above-mentioned image list set based on the image created by the user and presents it to the user.

[0060] Consider a case where two objects among a plurality of objects included in an image created by a user are of interest. It is assumed that an image including one object is referred to as a first image, and an image including another object is referred to as a second image. In this case, it can be roughly classified into a first pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium. The processor 10a presents these patterns to the user, so that for printing on a transparent medium that can be printed on both the front and back sides, the user can recognize the allocation patterns of the two images (objects) for the front surface and the back surface of the transparent medium.

[0061] In addition, consider the case where three objects among the multiple objects included in the image created by the user are of interest. It is assumed that the image including the third object is referred to as the third image. In this case, it can be roughly classified into a first pattern in which the first image, the second image, and the third image are printed on the same side of the transparent medium, a second pattern in which the first image, the second image, and the third image are printed on the opposite side of the transparent medium, a third pattern in which the first image, the third image, and the second image are printed on the opposite side of the transparent medium, and a fourth pattern in which the third image, the first image, and the second image are printed on the opposite side of the transparent medium. The processor 10a prompts these patterns to the user, so that for printing on a transparent medium that can be printed on both the front and back sides, the user can recognize the allocation patterns of the three images (objects) for the front and back surfaces of the transparent medium.

[0062] In addition, these patterns can be further subdivided by distinguishing the front surface and the rear surface. For example, the first pattern can be further subdivided into a pattern in which all images are printed on the front surface, and a pattern in which all images are printed on the rear surface (an image that is reversed left and right and printed on the rear surface of the transparent medium when viewed from the front surface). In this embodiment, the processor 10a distinguishes these and prompts the user.

[0063] In addition, when the images are assigned to the front surface and the rear surface and printed, patterns that result in printing opposite to the overlapping order of the images (objects) specified by the user are excluded, that is, patterns that do not satisfy the order of display priority of each object are excluded, thereby only prompting the user with patterns that satisfy the order of display priority.

[0064] Figure 7 Indicate as Figure 5 The eight patterns of the three object allocation patterns shown, Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 This is a diagram illustrating and explaining the allocation of each pattern. For example, pattern A is a pattern in which all three objects are printed on the front surface, and pattern B is a pattern in which all three objects are reversed and printed on the back surface. Patterns A and B are equivalent to the first pattern. In addition, the difference between pattern A and pattern B is whether the landscape image, cloud, and text are appreciated without the thickness of the transparent medium (pattern A) or the landscape image, cloud, and text are appreciated through the thickness of the transparent medium (pattern B).

[0065] Patterns C to E are patterns in which three images are assigned to the front and back surfaces, respectively. Pattern C has an effect in which clouds and text can be seen floating relative to the landscape image. Similarly, pattern D has an effect in which only text can be seen floating relative to the landscape image and clouds, and pattern E has an effect in which only clouds can be seen floating relative to the landscape image and text.

[0066] Patterns A to E are patterns that can be viewed as shown in image IM (that is, satisfy the order of display priority) when the transparent medium printed in this manner is viewed from the front surface side.

[0067] On the other hand, patterns F to H are patterns that cannot be seen as shown in image IM (i.e., do not satisfy the order of display priority) when the transparent medium printed in this manner is viewed from the front surface side. Specifically, for example, although pattern F is a pattern in which the reversed images of Image2 and Image3 are printed on the rear surface and Image1 is printed on the front surface, if the transparent medium printed in this manner is viewed from the front surface side, Image2 and Image3 cannot be seen, and even if it is assumed that it is viewed from the rear surface side, since Image1, Image2, and Image3 become reversed images, they become images different from image IM. Therefore, the processor 10a prompts the remaining patterns that pre-exclude these patterns that are the printing results of the opposite overlapping order of each image (object) specified by the user.

[0068] In addition, if Image1 is set as the first image, Image2 is set as the second image, and Image3 is set as the third image, then pattern A and pattern B are equivalent to the first pattern mentioned above, pattern C and pattern F are equivalent to the second pattern, pattern E and pattern H are equivalent to the third pattern, and pattern D and pattern G are equivalent to the fourth pattern.

[0069] In addition, when making Fig.10 In the case of an object of Image4 as shown in the figure, and an image of an object (Image5) having a lower display priority than Image4 and completely contained in the object of Image4, the processor 10a will prompt a pattern that separates the two objects into the front and rear surfaces as an expression using the thickness of the transparent medium. Fig.10 In the example, the image created by the user may include objects other than Image4 and Image5, but the following description will focus on the case of Image4 and Image5.

[0070] In this example, Image4 (first image) is designated by the user as a layer above Image5 (second image) (a layer with a higher display priority). In addition, the printing area of ​​the object of Image4 (first image) (i.e., the area where ink is ejected) includes the printing area of ​​the object of Image5 (second image).

[0071] In this case, as the allocated pattern, there is Fig.11 as well as Fig.12There are four patterns I to L shown. However, the processor 10a excludes the pattern in which Image4 (first image) and Image5 (second image) are printed on the same side from the pattern presented to the user. Specifically, the processor 10a excludes pattern K and pattern L.

[0072] In addition, the processor 10a excludes the pattern in which Image4 (the first image) is printed on the rear surface of the transparent medium and Image5 (the second image) is printed on the front surface of the transparent medium (i.e., the pattern in which the overlapping order of the images is opposite) from the pattern presented to the user. Specifically, the processor 10a excludes pattern J.

[0073] The processor 10a will exclude these exclusion patterns and the remaining pattern of printing Image4 (first image) on the front surface of the transparent medium and printing Image5 (second image) on the rear surface of the transparent medium will be presented to the user. Specifically, the processor 10a presents pattern I to the user. Pattern I is a pattern in which the overlapping order of the images does not violate the user's designation, and two objects are divided into the front surface and the rear surface and printed. In addition, when Image4 is set as the first image and Image5 is set as the second image, pattern K and pattern L are equivalent to the first pattern, and pattern I and pattern J are equivalent to the second pattern.

[0074] Although the pattern L remaining after the exclusion pattern is excluded in this way is indicated, when the front surface of the transparent medium is observed from a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the transparent medium, the second image is blocked by the first image and cannot be visually confirmed, Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the user can select a pattern that is printed so that when the transparent medium is viewed from a direction slightly inclined from the direction perpendicular to the front surface, the second image printed on the rear surface can be visually recognized by the thickness of the transparent medium. Fig.11 As shown, the user can be prevented from selecting a pattern (pattern K, pattern L) in which the second image cannot be visually recognized due to printing on the same surface, or a pattern (pattern J) in which the printing result is opposite to the overlapping order designated by the user.

[0075] Next, in reference Fig.14 The pattern generation process for generating the above-mentioned pattern will be described at the same time. The pattern generation process starts when the user finishes making and editing the image. When the pattern generation process starts, the processor 10a first obtains all the patterns (step S200). That is, when the number of images registered in the image list is set to M (M is a natural number), the processor 10a obtains 2 M Specifically, for example, in Figure 5In the case of three images, as in the example above, Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 There are eight patterns A to H shown.

[0076] Next, the processor 10a performs the processes of steps S205 to S230 one by one on all the patterns acquired in step S200 to determine whether the pattern proposed to the user is appropriate, and excludes patterns determined to be inappropriate from the proposed objects.

[0077] The processor 10a extracts one of the unprocessed patterns as the pattern of the processing object, and performs the processing of steps S205 to S230. In step S210, it is determined whether the pattern of the processing object satisfies the order of display priority (step S210). That is, in the case where there are interfering objects in the pattern of the processing object, and the object with a larger display priority among the two interfering objects is assigned to the rear surface and the object with a smaller display priority is assigned to the front surface, the processor 10a determines that the order of display priority is not satisfied (the opposite of the overlapping order). In other cases, the processor 10a determines that the order of display priority is satisfied. Specifically, for example, the processor 10a is for Figure 8 The patterns A to E shown are judged to satisfy the order of display priority (judged not to be contrary to the overlapping order), and Fig. 9 The patterns F to H shown are not judged to satisfy the order of display priority (judged to be opposite to the overlapping order).

[0078] If it is determined in step S210 that the order of display priority is not satisfied, the processor 10a discards the pattern to be processed (step S225). That is, the pattern to be processed is excluded from the patterns presented to the user.

[0079] If it is determined in step S210 that the priority order is satisfied, the processor 10a determines whether there is an image with a higher priority that overlaps with the image with a lower priority as a whole (step S215). Fig.10 The objects in the relationship described above are judged.

[0080] If it is determined that there is in step S215, the processor 10a determines whether the pattern to be processed is a pattern in which an image with a lower display priority is arranged on the rear surface and an image with a higher display priority is arranged on the front surface (step S220). The processor 10a determines whether the pattern to be processed is a pattern in which an image with a lower display priority is arranged on the rear surface and an image with a higher display priority is arranged on the front surface. Fig.11 as well as Fig.12It is determined whether the pattern to be processed among the patterns shown is not pattern K or L but pattern I. In addition, if the pattern to be processed is pattern J, it is determined as No in step S210. In addition, when there are two or more combinations in which an image with a lower priority is overlapped with an image with a higher priority as a whole, and when the condition of S220 is satisfied in at least one of the combinations, the processor 10a is set to determine as Yes in step S220.

[0081] In step S220, when the image with a lower priority that is not determined as the pattern to be processed is arranged on the rear surface and the image with a higher priority is arranged on the front surface, the processor 10a discards the pattern to be processed (step S225). That is, the pattern to be processed is excluded from the pattern presented to the user.

[0082] If it is determined to be yes in step S220 or no in step S215, the processor 10a will not discard the pattern to be processed (i.e., it will become the prompt object). Then, for the processor 10a, if the processing of all patterns has not been completed, it returns to step S210, and if it has been completed, the pattern generation processing is terminated.

[0083] However, when printing the image created by the user on a transparent medium, printing may be performed using white ink as a base for the printing area using the primary color ink in order to achieve good color development, or printing may be performed using transparent ink from above the area printed using the primary color ink in order to achieve a glossy feeling. Therefore, the processor 10a will indicate that the layers using these special color inks can be printed for each pattern.

[0084] In this embodiment, when an object based on one or more primary color inks is assigned to the printing surface, the processor 10a is considered to be able to print a transparent ink layer. Since the transparent medium itself has a glossy feel, it is not necessary to implement printing based on transparent ink on the surface where no object is printed, so the processor 10a sets printing based on transparent ink to be unavailable for the surface to which one or more primary color inks are not assigned. For example, Figure 7 This is the case of the rear surface of pattern A or the front surface of pattern B. In addition, in the case where appreciation from the front surface is envisioned as in the present embodiment, the transparent ink layer after printing the color layer may be regarded as unnecessary and unusable for patterns with a color layer based on primary color ink printed on the rear surface, as in patterns B to E, or may be regarded as unnecessary but unusable, as in the case of patterns B to E. Fig.15In addition, when producing a printed material that is expected to be viewed from both the front and rear surfaces, it is useful to print a transparent ink layer on the rear surface after printing the color layer by selecting the pattern of the color layer printed on the rear surface in order to give a glossy feeling when viewed from the rear surface.

[0085] Regarding white ink, for a printing surface to which one or more objects are assigned, the processor 10a is configured to be able to perform printing based on white ink as a base. Figure 7 For the rear surface to which no object is assigned, such as the rear surface of pattern A in the example of the example, the processor 10a is also set to enable printing with white ink as a base. In the case where no object is assigned to the front surface, such as pattern B, the processor 10a is set to disable printing with white ink for the front surface.

[0086] By adopting the above method, the processor 10a further subdivides the pattern in a manner including the special color ink layer.

[0087] Fig.15 The present invention shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 10d of the user terminal 10, which is a screen for presenting a pattern that can be selected to the user. The processor 10a displays a radio button for each pattern so that the user can select any one of the presented patterns. The processor 10a displays a print preview of an image assigned to each of the front surface and the back surface for each pattern. By presenting the pattern together with the print preview, the user can recognize the printing result when the pattern is selected for each pattern.

[0088] In addition, the processor 10a displays check boxes for both the front surface and the back surface of the selected pattern so that the transparent ink layer or the white ink layer can be selected. Figure 5 In the case of the example of the image IM, in addition to the first image, the second image, and the third image, an image of a transparent ink layer or an image of a white ink layer can be produced. In addition, for example, in the case where a special color ink layer cannot be printed like the front surface of the pattern B, the processor 10a will gray out the check box so that the user cannot select it.

[0089] By showing Fig.15The processor 10a displays a screen such as the one shown in the figure and prompts the user to select patterns, so that the processor 10a can allow the user to identify the patterns assigned to the images on both sides of the transparent medium for printing on both sides of the transparent medium that can be printed on the front surface and the rear surface. By also displaying a check box for whether to print using special color ink, the user can identify the patterns that can be selected, including images printed using special color ink (white ink or transparent ink). When the user selects any one of the prompted patterns (including the presence or absence of a white ink layer or a transparent ink layer) and performs an operation to instruct printing, the processor 10a generates print data 10c1 for printing using the selected pattern.

[0090] When the user selects a special color ink using white ink or transparent ink, the processor 10a automatically generates an image of a special color ink layer of white ink or transparent ink as an image of the same shape as the printing area of ​​the object arranged on the printing surface. Figure 8 In the case of the front surface of pattern A, the processor 10a generates an image of the same rectangle as Image1 (landscape image of mountains and sky) as an image of the white ink layer or the transparent ink layer. In addition, for example, in the case of the front surface of pattern C, the processor 10a generates an image of a shape that is a combination of Image2 (clouds) and Image3 (text) as an image of the white ink layer or the transparent ink layer, and in the case of the rear surface of pattern C, generates an image of the same rectangle as the landscape image of Image1 as an image of the white ink layer or the transparent ink layer.

[0091] In this way, the image of the special color ink layer is not an image prepared by the user, but is generated by the processor 10a (printing system) executing the editing application based on the image made by the user.

[0092] Furthermore, the processor 10a generates print data 10c1 that defines the images of each layer printed on each of the front surface and the rear surface (including the special color ink layer when the special color ink is used) and the overlapping order thereof based on the pattern selected by the user, and transmits the print data 10c1 to the server 30. For example, in the case of pattern C, the print data 10c1 that defines the overlapping order in the following manner is generated and transmitted to the server 30, and the manner is that, from the layer above the front surface, in order, it is a transparent ink layer if the transparent ink is selected, a color layer based on the primary color ink, a white ink layer if the white ink is selected, a color layer based on the primary color ink through a transparent medium, a white ink layer if the white ink is selected, (a transparent ink layer if the transparent ink is selected). The server 30 transmits the print data 10c1 to the printer 50 that performs printing based on the print data 10c1, and causes the printer 50 to execute printing.

[0093] (3) Other implementation methods:

[0094] The above embodiment is an example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments may be adopted. For example, the user terminal may not be a terminal prepared by the store, but may be a terminal owned by the user. The user terminal is not limited to being used in a store, but may be used in the user's own home or other various places.

[0095] The device that functions as a display for displaying the distribution pattern of the image printed on the transparent medium to the two surfaces may be a device other than a terminal operated by a user who has ordered a printed material. For example, it may be a terminal in a store operated by a store employee to confirm the order with the user, or it may be a terminal operated by a printing staff working in the backyard.

[0096] There are various ways to present the pattern. For example, the pattern may be presented in words or presented together with a print preview when each pattern is printed. The print preview may also be presented in 2D as in the above embodiment. That is, it may be configured to show a print preview of the image assigned to each of the front and rear surfaces. Alternatively, it may be configured to overlap the image assigned to the front surface and the image assigned to the rear surface and present them as a 2D image (e.g. Figure 5 IM) to express, in this case, for example Figure 8 The image assigned to the rear surface, such as the pattern B, may also be superimposed with a pattern representing the glossiness of the transparent medium itself in order to reproduce the situation of viewing through the transparent medium. Fig.13 In other words, the allocated image may be mapped and displayed on the front and rear surfaces of the 3D shape model of the transparent medium. In this way, by presenting the pattern together with the print preview when printing each pattern, the user can recognize the printing result when the pattern is selected for each pattern.

[0097] When focusing on two of the multiple objects included in the image created by the user, the above-mentioned exclusion pattern may not be excluded, but all of the first pattern and the second pattern may be prompted. In addition, when focusing on three of the multiple objects included in the image created by the user, the above-mentioned exclusion pattern may not be excluded, but all of the first pattern to the fourth pattern may be prompted. In this case, it may also be displayed together with the print preview to confirm whether it is completed as intended by the user. It is also possible that the user may not have intended it but the completion is unexpectedly good, etc., which attracts the user's attention.

[0098] The special color ink may also include metallic ink. That is, it may also include a layer printed with metallic ink (metallic ink). In the case where the image created by the user includes metallic color, it may also be configured to prompt the user to choose whether to use metallic ink (if not used, it is reproduced with original color ink). In this case, the user can recognize that the pattern also includes an image printed with metallic ink and can be selected. In the case of choosing to use metallic ink, it may also be configured so that the image using metallic ink is generated by the printing system.

[0099] In addition, the images of each layer constituting the pattern may also include images automatically generated by the printing system. That is, as described above, it may be configured so that an image using special color ink is generated based on an image created by a user. In addition, the user may also create images using preset images such as text in various fonts, decorative text, frames, stamps, image materials, etc. In this case, these preset images are equivalent to images automatically generated by the printing system. For example, the cloud object of Image2 may also be an image material prepared in advance on the editing application side. The text object of Image3 may also be an object created using text in a font prepared in advance on the editing application side. By configuring in this way, the user can recognize a pattern that includes images generated by the printing system based on data prepared in advance by the printing system in addition to the images prepared by the user and that can be selected.

[0100] Although in the above embodiment, if Fig.15 As shown in the figure, the pattern selected by the radio button is further prompted with a check box to select whether or not a special color ink layer is present. However, a structure may be adopted in which a pattern including the presence or absence of a special color ink layer is prompted in parallel and any pattern is selected. Figure 7 In the example of , it is also possible to provide parallel suggestions for all combinations, such as printing a transparent ink layer on the front surface of pattern A and not printing white ink, and not printing a transparent ink layer on the back surface and printing white ink as pattern A1, and printing both a transparent ink layer and a white ink layer on the front surface of pattern A and not printing a transparent ink layer on the back surface and printing white ink as pattern A2. In this case, the special color ink layer can also be considered as being included in any layer (for example, Figure 5 Furthermore, if the special color ink layer is set as the second image, any layer of non-special color ink (for example, Figure 5If the special color ink layer is further subdivided and the second image is set as a white ink layer or a metallic ink layer, when the special color ink layer is processed in the same column as above, multiple patterns including the first pattern and the second pattern are displayed in the same manner as above.

[0101] Although the above embodiment cites an example of appreciating a transparent medium that can be printed on both the front and rear surfaces from the front surface, it is obvious that it is also possible to appreciate it from both sides. Fig.10 As shown in the example, in the case where an image with a lower display priority completely overlaps an image with a higher display priority, as shown in Fig.13 As shown, by distributing the printed matter to the front surface and the back surface and performing printing, it is possible to produce a printed matter that is intended to be viewed from both the front surface and the back surface.

[0102] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied as a program or method executed by a computer. For example, the present invention is also applicable as a printing program that enables a computer to implement the following function: the function is to cause a display to prompt a plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium, and to cause a printer to print according to a pattern selected by a user from among the prompted patterns. In addition, the present invention is also applicable as an invention of a method for producing a printed matter including the following content: the content is to prompt a plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium, and to print according to a pattern selected by a user from among the prompted patterns.

[0103] In addition, the above-mentioned systems, programs, and methods may be implemented as a single device or by using components of multiple devices, and include various methods. In addition, it is possible to appropriately change part of the software and part of the hardware. Furthermore, the invention is also established as a recording medium for a program that controls the system. Of course, the recording medium of the program can be either a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and any recording medium developed in the future can be considered in exactly the same way.

[0104] Explanation of symbols

[0105] 10…user terminal; 10a…processor; 10b…communication unit; 10c…non-volatile memory; 10c1…printing data; 10d…display unit; 10e…input unit; 30…server; 30a…processor; 30b…communication unit; 30c…non-volatile memory; 50…printer; 50a…processor; 50b…communication unit; 50c…non-volatile memory; 50d…printing unit; 50e…UI unit.

Claims

1. A printing system comprising: A display that displays a plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium; The printer performs printing according to the pattern selected by the user among the presented patterns.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: The display prompts a plurality of patterns including the following patterns, wherein the patterns are: printing the first image, the second image, and the third image on the same side of the transparent medium in the first pattern, The first image, the second image and the third image are respectively printed on a second pattern on the opposite side of the transparent medium, The first image and the third image are printed on a third pattern on the opposite side of the transparent medium, respectively, as are the second image. The third image, the first image, and the second image are respectively printed in a fourth pattern on the opposite side of the transparent medium.

3. The printing system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The display presents a plurality of patterns so as to exclude patterns that would result in a printing result that is opposite to the overlapping order of the images designated by the user.

4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: When the user specifies that the first image is a layer above the second image and the print area of ​​the second image is included in the print area of ​​the first image, Excluding a pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on the same side, and a pattern in which the first image is printed on the rear surface of the transparent medium and the second image is printed on the front surface of the transparent medium, And a pattern prompting the first image to be printed on the front surface of the transparent medium and the second image to be printed on the back surface of the transparent medium.

5. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: The display presents a plurality of patterns together with a print preview when each pattern is printed.

6. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first image and the second image is generated by a printing system.

7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein: At least one of the first image and the second image is an image printed with special color ink.

8. The printing system of claim 7, wherein: At least one of the first image and the second image is an image printed with white ink, metallic ink, or transparent ink.

9. A printed program product which enables a computer to perform the following functions, namely, causing a display to present a plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium, and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium, respectively. The printer is then caused to print according to the pattern selected by the user among the presented patterns.

10. A method for producing a printed matter, comprising the following steps: A plurality of patterns including a first pattern in which a first image and a second image are printed on the same side of a transparent medium and a second pattern in which the first image and the second image are printed on opposite sides of the transparent medium, are indicated. Printing is performed based on the pattern selected by the user among the presented patterns.

Images