Image forming device, method and program

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that controls multilayer-printing so that a printed matter that is equivalent to a printed matter outputted in two-side printing can be outputted, on the basis of presence or absence of data corresponding to a front surface and a rear surface respectively in printing data in which two-side printing is designated.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: obtaining means that obtains printing data and printing-setting information; data control means that controls allocation of the data to respective hierarchies in multilayer-printing, on the basis of presence or absence of data corresponding to at least either of a front surface and a rear surface in the printing data, when two-side printing is set to the printing data in the printing setting information; generating means that generates image data by executing image processing to the hierarchical data allocated by the control by the data control means; and printing control means that controls printing means so that the printing means performs printing on a printing medium, by the multilayer-printing, on the basis of the image data generated by the generating means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, method, and program capable of performing multi-layer printing. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known that a first printed image, a second printed image that shields the first printed image, and a third printed image that is overlaid on the second printed image are formed on a printing medium such as a transparent window glass or film, thereby making the first printed image and the third printed image visible from both sides of the printing medium. Patent Document 1 describes a control method for printing a first printed image, a second printed image that shields the first printed image, and a third printed image that are overlaid on the first printed image. It is also known that a first printed image and a second printed image that shields the first printed image are overlaid on the printing medium, thereby making the printed image visible only from the back side of the printing medium. It is also known that a second printed image that shields the printed image and a third printed image that is overlaid on the second printed image are overlaid on the printing medium, thereby making the printed image visible only from the front side of the printing medium. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-166762 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not mention controlling multi-layer printing to output a printed product equivalent to that produced by double-sided printing, based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to the front and back sides of the print data for which double-sided printing is specified.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an image forming device, method, and program that controls multi-layer printing so as to output a printed product equivalent to that obtained by double-sided printing, based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to the front and back sides of print data for which double-sided printing has been specified. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising an acquisition means for acquiring print data and print setting information; a data control means for controlling allocation to each hierarchical layer in multi-layer printing based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to at least one of the front and back sides in the print data when double-sided printing is set for the print data in the print setting information; a generation means for performing image processing on the hierarchical data allocated under the control of the data control means to generate image data; and a print control means for controlling a print means to print on a print medium using multi-layer printing based on the image data generated by the generation means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, multi-layer printing can be controlled to output a printed product equivalent to that produced by double-sided printing, based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to the front and back sides of print data for which double-sided printing is specified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the periphery of a printing mechanism of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional block configuration of a printer controller. [Figure 6]10 is a flowchart showing the process of a printer controller. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-layer print setting screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a printed matter when multi-layer printing is performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] <Basic configuration of the device> 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, a printing apparatus having only a printing function is described as the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus may be configured as a copier by further including a reading device that reads an image on a document, or as a multi-function peripheral (MFP) that has other functions added.

[0011] In FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes a printer controller 120, a printer engine 150, a HDD 161, and an input / output device 162. Image forming apparatus 100 can be connected to a host computer 190 via a network 191. Printer controller 120 includes a HDD interface (I / F) 121, an input / output device I / F 122, a ROM I / F 125, and a memory controller 126. Printer controller 120 also includes a host I / F 127, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 128, a controller-engine interface 129, and an image processing unit 130. These are interconnected via a system bus 132. Printer controller 120 also includes a ROM 123 and a RAM 124. ROM 123, which may be, for example, a Flash ROM, is connected to system bus 132 via ROM I / F 125. RAM 124 is connected to system bus 132 via memory controller 126.

[0012] CPU 128 is a central processing unit in the form of a microprocessor (microcomputer) that controls the overall operation of image forming apparatus 100 by executing programs and activating hardware. ROM 123 stores programs to be executed by CPU 128 and various data necessary for the operation of image forming apparatus 100. RAM 124 is used as a work area for CPU 128, as a temporary storage area for various received data, and stores various setting data.

[0013] The image processing unit 130 executes various types of image processing. For example, the image processing unit 130 performs processing to convert print data (e.g., data expressed in a page description language) handled by the image forming apparatus 100 into image data (e.g., bitmap image data). In this embodiment, data obtained by image processing performed by the image processing unit 130 on print data received from the host computer 190 or an external server is referred to as image data. The image processing unit 130 also converts a color space (e.g., YCbCr) specified in the input print data into a standard RGB color space (e.g., sRGB). The image processing performed by the image processing unit 130 may also include various processes such as resolution conversion to a pixel count processable by the image forming apparatus 100, image analysis, and image correction. The image data obtained by the image processing performed by the image processing unit 130 is stored in the RAM 124 or the HDD 161.

[0014] Printer engine 150 is a printing unit that forms images. Printer engine 150 includes an inkjet print head 151 (hereinafter referred to as print head 151), a cutter unit 152, a conveyance motor 153, a controller-engine interface 154 with printer controller 120, and an optical sensor 155. Each component is connected to one another via a system bus 156.

[0015] The print head 151 is a printing unit that forms an image on a print medium (also referred to as a recording medium) based on image data. The print head 151 holds, for example, nozzle rows for multiple colors and ejects ink from the print head 151 in synchronization with the transport of the print medium to form an image on the print medium. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 will be described as an inkjet recording type printing apparatus that uses ink as a recording material, but is not limited to this. Printers using various recording methods, such as thermal printers (sublimation type, thermal transfer type, etc.), dot impact printers, LED printers, and electrophotographic printers such as laser printers, may also be used as the image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the colors of recording material that can be used in the image forming apparatus 100 include white, which is a specific color used to make one side of the print medium invisible (mask) from the other side when viewed from the other side. In this embodiment, a transparent print medium such as a transparent film or glass is used as the print medium. In this embodiment, a roll-shaped print medium is assumed as the print medium, but cut-shaped print medium may also be used.

[0016] The cutter unit 152 is a mechanism that cuts a roll-shaped print medium (roll sheet). The cutter unit 152 cuts the roll sheet to a predetermined length after printing. Note that for types of print medium that would scatter paper dust when cut by the cutter unit 152, a setting for printing a cutting dust reduction line at the cutting position to prevent paper dust from scattering during cutting may be stored in the ROM 123. Furthermore, separate from the setting of the cutting dust reduction line, an operation setting for the cutter unit 152 for each type may be stored in the ROM 123. For types of print medium that cannot be cut using the cutter unit 152, a setting (user cut) that does not move the cutter unit 152 may be stored in the ROM 123 so that the user can cut with scissors. Furthermore, for types of print medium that require the user to hold the roll sheet while cutting in order to create a curved cut line, a setting (eject cut) that operates the cutter unit 152 by user operation may be stored in the ROM 123. In the case of a type for which user cut and eject cut settings are not made, a setting for automatic cutting by the cutter unit 152 (auto cut) may be stored in the ROM 123.

[0017] Conveyance motor 153 is a motor for driving conveyance rollers that convey the roll sheet, and is controlled by CPU 128. Optical sensor 155 is a measurement mechanism for measuring attribute values ​​of the print medium, and is a reflective optical sensor that includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as a light-emitting element, a specular reflection light receiving element, a diffuse light receiving element, etc. Image forming apparatus 100 uses optical sensor 155 to measure attribute values ​​such as the intensity of specular reflection light and diffuse reflection light from the print medium placed on the platen, and the thickness of the print medium.

[0018] The input / output device 162 includes hard keys and a panel for the user to perform various operations, as well as a display unit for displaying various information to the user. The input / output device 162 may also notify the user of information by outputting a sound (buzzer, voice, etc.) based on acoustic information from a sound generator. When feeding, the user uses the input / output device 162 to select the type of print medium, and the image forming apparatus 100 controls the transport of the print medium based on the setting information for each type.

[0019] HDD 161 is a non-volatile storage area that stores programs to be executed by CPU 128, print data, and setting information required for various operations of image forming apparatus 100. Note that instead of HDD 161, other large-capacity storage devices such as flash memory may be used.

[0020] In this embodiment, the input / output device 162 is configured to exist inside the image forming apparatus 100, but is not limited to this. For example, the input / output device 162 may be connected as an external device via a network 191. Also, the host computer 190 may operate as the input / output device 162. Furthermore, in addition to the input / output device 162, the image forming apparatus 100 may be further connectable to other input / output devices via the network 191 or the like.

[0021] The host computer 190 is, for example, an external device that serves as a supply source of print data, and has a printer driver installed. The print data is data created by an application on the host computer 190 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 via the printer driver. In this embodiment, as an example, a print job including print data, print setting information, and commands is transmitted from the host computer 190 to the image forming apparatus 100. The application is an application that allows specification of single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and the print setting information is information set by the application. However, settings such as single-sided printing or double-sided printing may also be performed by the printer driver, and the print setting information may also be information set by the printer driver.

[0022] Instead of the host computer 190, a data providing device that serves as a supply source of print data, such as an image reader, a digital camera, or a smartphone, may be provided. The image forming apparatus 100 and the host computer 190 can communicate with each other via a network 191. The network 191 is a wired network, a wireless network, or a network that combines both.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 is configured to feed a roll sheet, which is a sheet wound into a roll, and to wind up the printed sheet. The input / output device 162 includes hard keys and a panel for the user to perform various operations, as well as a display unit for displaying various information to the user. The input / output device 162 may also notify the user of information by outputting a sound (buzzer, voice, etc.) based on acoustic information from a sound generator. During feeding, the user uses the input / output device 162 to select the type of print media, and the image forming apparatus 100 controls the transport of the print media based on the setting information for each type. When the paper discharge guide unit 500 is in the open state, the user can load the roll sheet into the roll loading unit 200 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 100 when the roll sheet is loaded. When the discharge guide unit 500 is in the closed state, a sheet pulled out from the roll sheet set in the roll setting unit 200 reaches the printing unit 400 via the sheet conveying unit 300 as shown in Fig. 4, and after an image is printed in the printing unit 400, the sheet is discharged to the discharge guide unit 500. Using various switches and the like provided in the input / output device 162, the user can input various commands to the image forming apparatus 100, such as specifying the size of the roll sheet and setting the type of roll sheet, on the input / output device 162.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printing mechanism and its surroundings in the image forming apparatus 100. The sheet 1 is unwound from a roll sheet set in the roll setting unit 200 and wound up in the winding unit 600. The sheet 1 is transported through the sheet transport unit 300 to the printing unit 400, which can print an image. The printing unit 400 forms (prints) an image on the sheet 1 by ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles of the print head 151. The print head 151 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles using ejection energy generating elements such as electrothermal transducers (heaters) or piezoelectric elements. When using electrothermal transducers, the heat generated by the elements causes the ink to bubble, and the resulting bubble energy is used to eject ink droplets from the nozzles. The print head 151 may also be driven by, for example, a serial scan system or a full-line system. In the serial scan method, an image is formed on the printing medium by transporting the sheet 1 and scanning the print head 151 in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the sheet 1. In the full line method, a long print head 151 extending in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the sheet 1 is used, and an image is formed on the printing medium while the sheet 1 is continuously transported.

[0025] A shaft-shaped roll support member 2 is inserted into the hollow hole of the roll sheet, and the roll support member 2 is driven in forward and reverse directions by a roll drive motor. As a result, the roll sheet is held at its center and rotated in forward and reverse directions as shown by arrows C1 and C2. The roll setting unit 200 is equipped with a drive unit 3, an arm member (moving body) 4, an arm rotation shaft 5, a first sheet sensor 6, a swinging member 7, a driven rotation body (pressure contact body) 8, a separation flapper (upper guide body) 9, and a flapper rotation shaft 10.

[0026] The feed-side conveyance guide 11 guides the front and back surfaces of the sheet 1 pulled out from the roll set unit 200 to the printing unit 400. The conveyance roller 12 is rotated forward or backward in the directions of arrows D1 and D2 by a conveyance roller drive motor. The nip roller 13 can be rotated in response to the rotation of the conveyance roller 12 and can be moved toward or away from the conveyance roller 12 by a nip roller separation motor (not shown), and the nip force can be adjusted. The conveyance roller 12 starts rotating when the second sheet sensor 14 detects the leading edge of the sheet 1. The conveyance speed of the sheet 1 by the conveyance roller 12 is set higher than the pull-out speed of the sheet 1 due to the rotation of the roll sheet. This applies back tension to the sheet 1, allowing it to be conveyed in a taut state. As a result, slack in the sheet 1 is prevented, and the occurrence of creases and conveyance errors in the sheet 1 can be suppressed.

[0027] The platen 15 of the printing unit 400 sucks the back surface of the sheet 1 through suction holes provided in the platen 15 by using negative pressure generated by a suction fan 16. This regulates the position of the sheet 1 so that it fits along the platen 15, enabling the print head 151 to print an image with high precision. The cutter 17 cuts the sheet 1 on which the image has been printed.

[0028] The discharge-side transport guide 18 provided in the discharge guide unit 500 guides the back side of the sheet 1 pulled out from the printing unit 400 and leads the sheet 1 to the winding unit 600. Here, the leading edge of the sheet 1 is fixed to a paper tube set in the winding unit 600, and the set paper tube is rotated according to the transport speed of the transport roller 12, thereby continuously winding up the sheet 1 printed in the printing unit 400. A driven roller 19 is provided at the winding-side end of the discharge-side transport guide 18 to prevent damage to the sheet 1 due to bending at the driven roller 19. Furthermore, transport resistance at the bent portion is reduced, preventing large deflections from occurring between the transport roller 12 and the driven roller 19. By configuring the sheet 1 to follow the discharge-side transport guide 18, it is possible to heat the discharge-side transport guide 18 with a heating unit (not shown) to assist in thermally fixing the ink ejected in the printing unit 400 onto the sheet 1. The discharge-side transport guide 18 and the driven roller 19 can be rotated around the discharge-guide rotation shaft 20. As a result, when attaching or detaching the roll sheet to or from the roll setting unit 200, the discharge-side transport guide 18 and the driven roller 19 can be rotated to retract upward as shown in FIG. 3, allowing the roll sheet to be set without interfering with the discharge guide unit 500.

[0029] The following describes the process that is performed when the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job that specifies double-sided printing. In this embodiment, the application does not need to consider multi-layer printing, and multi-layer printing can be controlled based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to the front and back sides of the print data that specifies double-sided printing, so that a printed product equivalent to that obtained when double-sided printing is performed is output.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functional block configuration of the printer controller 120. The printer controller 120 has a job receiving unit 201, a job analysis unit 202, an image forming unit 203, and a job output unit 204. The job receiving unit 201 receives a print job from the host computer 190 or receives and acquires the print job from a server (not shown) via the network 191. The job analysis unit 202 analyzes the print setting information included in the print job acquired by the job receiving unit 201. The image forming unit 203 performs image processing on the print data using the image processing unit 130 to generate image data. The image data is generated by writing the image data to an image buffer. The job output unit 204 outputs the generated image data to the printer engine 150. The printer engine 150 forms an image on a print medium based on the image data. If multilayer printing is set to be performed on the screen shown in FIG. 7 (described later), the printer engine 150 forms an image by multilayer printing.

[0031] In this embodiment, the image forming unit 203 handles page data included in the print data as hierarchical data by allocating it to each hierarchical layer in multi-layer printing. Specifically, for example, if double-sided printing is set in the print setting information, the page data corresponding to the front side and the page data corresponding to the back side included in the print data are each allocated to each hierarchical layer in multi-layer printing (first hierarchical layer and third hierarchical layer, which will be described later). Then, the data after allocation to each hierarchical layer is expanded in the image buffer, and image data is generated.

[0032] Here, a printed matter obtained when multi-layer printing is performed in image forming apparatus 100 will be described.

[0033] 8(a) to 8(c) are diagrams illustrating a printed matter when multilayer printing is performed. FIGS. 8(a) to 8(c) show a printing pattern in which a color image and a white image are printed in multiple layers. FIG. 8(a) shows a printing pattern in which a white image IW (first layer) is formed on a transparent film serving as a printing medium PM, and a color image IC (second layer) is formed on the white image IW. With this printing pattern, the viewer observes the printed matter from above (indicated by the arrow) in the figure. In this embodiment, this printing pattern is a printed matter when multilayer printing is performed when double-sided printing is set and an image is arranged only on the front side. In other words, the color image IC (second layer) corresponds to an image arranged only on the front side.

[0034] FIG. 8(b) shows a print pattern in which a color image IC (first layer) is formed on a transparent film serving as a print medium PM, and a white image IW (second layer) is formed on the color image IC (first layer). With this print pattern, the viewer observes the print from below (indicated by the arrow) in the figure. In this embodiment, this print pattern is a print that is produced when multi-layer printing is performed when double-sided printing is set and an image is placed only on the back side. In other words, the color image IC (first layer) corresponds to an image that is placed only on the back side.

[0035] FIG. 8(c) shows a print pattern in which a color image IC1 (first layer) is formed on a transparent film serving as a print medium PM, a white image IW (second layer) is formed on the color image IC1 (first layer), and a color image IC2 (third layer) is further formed on the white image IW (second layer). With this print pattern, the viewer observes the printout from above and below (indicated by the arrows) in the figure. In this embodiment, this print pattern is a printout obtained when multilayer printing is performed when double-sided printing is set and images are arranged on both sides (front and back). In other words, color image IC1 (first layer) corresponds to the image arranged on the back side, and color image IC2 (third layer) corresponds to the image arranged on the front side.

[0036] 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of printer controller 120 when a print job is received. The processing of FIG. 6 is realized, for example, by CPU 128 reading a program stored in ROM 123 into RAM 124 and executing it.

[0037] In S601, the printer controller 120 receives a print job sent from the host computer 190 via the job receiving unit 201. In S602, the printer controller 120 causes the job analyzing unit 202 to analyze the print setting information included in the print job.

[0038] In S603, the printer controller 120 determines whether double-sided printing is specified in the print setting information by the job analysis unit 202. If it is determined that double-sided printing is not specified, the process proceeds to S604. In S604, the printer controller 120 executes the print job as a single-sided print job, and then ends the processing in FIG. 6. On the other hand, if it is determined that double-sided printing is specified, the process proceeds to S605. In S605, the printer controller 120 refers to the multi-layer print setting information set by the job analysis unit 202 via the input / output device 162.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows an example of a multi-layer printing setting screen. The multi-layer printing setting screen 701 is a screen displayed on the input / output device 162, and the user selects and sets in advance whether to perform multi-layer printing as a main unit setting. In other words, the multi-layer printing setting screen 701 can also be considered a screen for setting whether to enable or disable multi-layer printing. The multi-layer printing setting screen 701 includes a button 702 for accepting a selection to perform multi-layer printing and a button 703 for accepting a selection not to perform multi-layer printing. The printer controller 120 then controls the printing process of a print job for which double-sided printing is specified based on the settings on the multi-layer printing setting screen 701. When button 703 is selected, the print job for which double-sided printing is specified is printed as a double-sided print job. In other words, multi-layer printing is not performed in this case. On the other hand, when button 702 is selected, the print job for which double-sided printing is specified is printed as a multi-layer print job. In other words, multi-layer printing is performed in this case.

[0040] In S606, the printer controller 120 determines whether or not to perform multi-layer printing based on the settings on the multi-layer printing setting screen 701. If it is determined that multi-layer printing is not to be performed, the process proceeds to S607. In S607, the printer controller 120 executes the print job as a double-sided print job, and then ends the processing of FIG. 6. On the other hand, if it is determined that multi-layer printing is to be performed, the process proceeds to S608.

[0041] First, a process for performing multi-layer printing based on print data in which page data is assigned to each of the front and back sides due to double-sided printing settings (Case 1) will be described.

[0042] In S608, the printer controller 120, through the image forming unit 203, determines whether page data is assigned to the back side. The determination of whether page data is assigned to the back side is made based on whether or not there are pixels in the area corresponding to the back side of the printing medium. If even one pixel is present, it is determined that page data is assigned to the back side, and if there are no pixels (so-called blank paper), it is determined that page data is not assigned to the back side. In this case, since page data is assigned to the back side, the process proceeds from S608 to S609. In other words, the process of S608 can be said to be a process of determining whether or not page data corresponding to the back side exists.

[0043] In S609, the printer controller 120 causes the image forming unit 203 to write the page data assigned to the back side in the image buffer as first layer data for multi-layer printing. Then, in S610, the printer controller 120 controls the printer engine 150 to perform first layer multi-layer printing using the job output unit 204. This corresponds to printing the color image IC1 (first layer) in FIG. 8(c).

[0044] In S611, the printer controller 120 causes the image forming unit 203 to load second layer data for applying white ink to the entire printable area in the image buffer. Here, the printable area is an internal area that has a predetermined margin secured from the edge of the print medium in accordance with the specifications of the image forming device 100. In S612, the printer controller 120 controls the printer engine 150 via the job output unit 204 to perform multi-layer printing of a white ink layer (second layer). This corresponds to printing the white image IW (second layer) in FIG. 8(c).

[0045] In S613, the printer controller 120 determines whether page data has been allocated to the front side by the image forming unit 203. The determination of whether page data has been allocated to the front side is based on whether there are any pixels in the area corresponding to the front side of the print medium. If there is even one pixel, it is determined that page data has been allocated to the front side, and if there are no pixels (so-called blank paper), it is determined that page data has not been allocated to the front side. In this case, since page data has been allocated to the front side, the process proceeds from S613 to S614. In other words, the process of S613 is a process of determining whether page data corresponding to the front side exists.

[0046] In S614, the printer controller 120 causes the image forming unit 203 to write the page data assigned to the front side in the image buffer as data for the third layer in multi-layer printing. Then, in S615, the printer controller 120 controls the printer engine 150 to perform multi-layer printing for the third layer using the job output unit 204. This corresponds to printing the color image IC2 (third layer) in FIG. 8(c). After S615, the processing in FIG. 6 ends.

[0047] As described above, according to this embodiment, by allocating page data assigned to the back side of the print data to the first layer and page data assigned to the front side to the third layer, it is possible to easily achieve a print pattern such as that shown in Fig. 8(c). In other words, multi-layer printing can be controlled to output a printed matter similar to double-sided printing, in which page data is assigned to both the front and back sides.

[0048] Next, a process for performing multi-layer printing based on print data in which page data is assigned only to the back side (Case 2) will be described.

[0049] S601 to S612 are the same as those in Case 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0050] In S613, the printer controller 120 determines whether page data has been assigned to the front side by the image forming unit 203. The determination of whether page data has been assigned to the front side is based on whether there are any pixels in the area corresponding to the front side of the printing medium. If there is even one pixel, it is determined that page data has been assigned to the front side, and if there are no pixels (so-called blank paper), it is determined that page data has not been assigned to the front side. In this case, since page data has not been assigned to the front side, the processing of FIG. 6 ends after S613. As a result of the processing of Case 2, a print pattern such as that shown in FIG. 8(b) is realized.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, by allocating page data allocated to the back side of the print data to the first layer, it is possible to easily achieve the print pattern shown in Fig. 8(b). In other words, multi-layer printing can be controlled to output a printed matter similar to double-sided printing in which page data is allocated only to the back side.

[0052] Next, a process for multi-layer printing based on print data in which page data is assigned only to the front side (Case 3) will be described.

[0053] S601 to S607 are the same as those in Case 1, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0054] In S608, the printer controller 120 determines, via the image forming unit 203, whether page data is assigned to the back side. The determination of whether page data is assigned to the back side is made based on whether or not there are pixels in the area corresponding to the back side of the print medium. If even one pixel is present, it is determined that page data is assigned to the back side, and if there are no pixels (so-called blank paper), it is determined that page data is not assigned to the back side. In this case, since page data is not assigned to the back side, the process proceeds from S608 to S611.

[0055] The explanation of S611 and S612 will be omitted as they are the same as those in Case 1. However, unlike Case 1, S609 and S610 are not performed, and therefore the color image IC1 in Figure 8(c) is not printed.

[0056] In S613, the printer controller 120 determines whether page data has been allocated to the front side by the image forming unit 203. The determination of whether page data has been allocated to the front side is based on whether pixel data exists in the area corresponding to the front side of the printing medium. If even one pixel exists, it is determined that page data has been allocated to the front side, and if there are no pixels (so-called blank paper), it is determined that page data has not been allocated to the front side. In this case, since page data has been allocated to the front side, the process proceeds from S613 to S614.

[0057] The explanation of S614 and S615 will be omitted as they are the same as those in Case 1. As a result of the processing in Case 3, the print pattern shown in Figure 8(a) is realized.

[0058] As described above, according to this embodiment, by allocating the page data allocated to the front side of the print data to the third layer, it is possible to easily achieve the print pattern shown in Fig. 8(a). In other words, multi-layer printing can be controlled to output a printed matter similar to double-sided printing, in which page data is allocated only to the front side.

[0059] In this embodiment, the ink applied to the second layer in FIG. 8(c) is described as being white ink. However, the ink is not limited to white ink, and ink of another color may be used as long as it is intended to shield an image on another surface. For example, black ink may be used as the ink applied to the second layer in FIG. 8(c). Alternatively, ink of another color having light-blocking properties may be used.

[0060] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0061] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following image forming apparatus, control method, and program. (Item 1) an acquisition means for acquiring print data and print setting information; a data control means for controlling allocation of data to each layer in multi-layer printing based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to at least one of the front and back sides of the print data when double-sided printing is set for the print data in the print setting information; a generating means for generating image data by performing image processing on the hierarchical data assigned under the control of the data control means; a print control means for controlling a print means to perform the multi-layer printing on a print medium based on the image data generated by the generation means; An image forming apparatus comprising: (Item 2) 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the data control unit assigns the data corresponding to the back side to the first layer to make it first layer data. (Item 3) 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, wherein when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the first layer data, an image based on the first layer data is printed on the printing medium. (Item 4) 4. The image forming apparatus according to item 2 or 3, wherein the data control means assigns data for printing with a recording material of a specific color to the second layer to make it second layer data. (Item 5) 5. The image forming apparatus according to item 4, wherein when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the second layer data, the recording material of the specific color is applied so as to overlap the image printed based on the first layer data. (Item 6) 6. The image forming apparatus according to item 4 or 5, wherein the data control means assigns the data corresponding to the front side to a third layer to make it third layer data. (Item 7) Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to item 6, characterized in that when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the third layer data, an image based on the third layer data is printed so as to overlap the recording material of the specific color applied based on the second layer data. (Item 8) When the print data does not have data corresponding to the back side but has data corresponding to the front side, 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the data control means assigns data for printing on a recording material of a specific color to the first layer to make it first layer data. (Item 9) Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to item 8, wherein when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the first layer data, the recording material of the specific color is applied onto the printing medium. (Item 10) 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 8 or 9, wherein the data control means assigns the data corresponding to the front side to the second layer to make it second layer data. (Item 11) Item 11. The image forming apparatus according to item 10, characterized in that when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the second layer data, an image based on the second layer data is printed so as to overlap the recording material of the specific color applied based on the first layer data. (Item 12) Further, a setting unit is provided for setting whether or not the multi-layer printing is to be performed, 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein when the setting unit sets that the multi-layer printing is to be performed, the data control unit performs control. (Item 13) 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 4 to 11, wherein the specific color includes at least one of white and black. (Item 14) 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 4 to 11, wherein the specific color is a color used to shield an image. (Item 15) 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 4 to 11, wherein the recording material is ink. (Item 16) 16. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 15, further comprising the printing unit. (Item 17) 17. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the print medium is a transparent print medium. (Item 18) 18. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 17, wherein the image processing includes development into an image buffer. (Item 19) An image forming apparatus described in any one of items 1 to 18, characterized in that the print data and print setting information are print data and print setting information generated by a device external to the image forming apparatus and sent to the image forming apparatus. (Item 20) A control method executed in an image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring print data and print setting information; a data control step of controlling allocation to each layer in multi-layer printing based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to at least one of the front and back sides in the print data when double-sided printing is set for the print data in the print setting information; a generating step of generating image data by performing image processing on the hierarchical data assigned under the control of the data control step; a print control step of controlling a printing means to perform multi-layer printing on a printing medium based on the image data generated in the generation step; A control method comprising: (Item 21) 20. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 19.

[0062] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 100 Image forming device: 120 Printer controller: 123 ROM: 124 RAM: 128 CPU

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring print data and print setting information; a data control means for controlling allocation of data to each layer in multi-layer printing based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to at least one of the front and back sides of the print data when double-sided printing is set for the print data in the print setting information; a generating means for generating image data by performing image processing on the hierarchical data assigned under the control of the data control means; a print control means for controlling a print means to perform the multi-layer printing on a print medium based on the image data generated by the generation means; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data control means assigns the data corresponding to the back side to the first layer to make it the first layer data.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the first layer data, an image based on the first layer data is printed on the printing medium.

4. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said data control means assigns data for printing with a recording material of a specific color to the second layer, and sets the data as second layer data.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the second hierarchical data, the recording material of the specific color is applied so as to overlap the image printed based on the first hierarchical data.

6. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data control means assigns the data corresponding to the front side to a third layer to make it third layer data.

7. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the third hierarchical data, an image based on the third hierarchical data is printed so as to overlap the recording material of the specific color applied based on the second hierarchical data.

8. When the print data does not have data corresponding to the back side but has data corresponding to the front side, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data control means assigns data for printing with a recording material of a specific color to the first layer, and sets the data as first layer data.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the first layer data, the recording material of the specific color is applied onto the printing medium.

10. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the data control means assigns the data corresponding to the front side to a second layer to make it second layer data.

11. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the multi-layer printing is performed by the printing means based on the second hierarchical data, an image based on the second hierarchical data is printed so as to overlap the recording material of the specific color applied based on the first hierarchical data.

12. Further, a setting unit is provided for setting whether or not the multi-layer printing is to be performed, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the setting unit sets the multi-layer printing to be performed, the data control unit controls the image forming apparatus.

13. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the specific color includes at least one of white and black.

14. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the specific color is a color used for shielding an image.

15. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording material is ink.

16. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the printing unit.

17. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print medium is a transparent print medium.

18. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing includes development into an image buffer.

19. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data and the print setting information are print data and print setting information generated by an external device and transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

20. A control method executed in an image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring print data and print setting information; a data control step of controlling allocation to each layer in multi-layer printing based on the presence or absence of data corresponding to at least one of the front and back sides in the print data when double-sided printing is set for the print data in the print setting information; a generating step of generating image data by performing image processing on the hierarchical data assigned under the control of the data control step; a print control step of controlling a printing means to perform multi-layer printing on a printing medium based on the image data generated in the generation step; A control method comprising:

21. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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