Image forming device, control method and program

Abstract

To control printing means so that the means prints a printing job including page data by multilayer-printing, on the basis of a setting in which a shielding layer is set or not for each page data in which one-side printing is set.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: first setting means that obtains printing data including page data corresponding to at least one page and printing-setting information and sets whether the printing data should be printed by multilayer printing or not; second setting means that sets whether a printing mode for setting a shielding layer in a printed matter by multilayer printing should be executed for each page data; generating means that generates image data by executing image processing using the page data as hierarchical data, on the basis of the setting by the second setting means, when one-side printing is set to the printing data in the printing setting information and when printing by multilayer printing is set; and control means that controls printing means so that the printing means performs printing on a printing medium by multilayer printing on the basis of the generated image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of performing multi-layer printing, a control method, and a program. [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 control such as outputting a printed material similar to that obtained when double-sided printing is performed using multi-layer printing, based on the setting of whether or not to use a shielding layer for each page data set for single-sided printing.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an image forming device, a control method, and a program that controls a print job including page data to be printed using multi-layer printing based on a setting of whether or not to use a shielding layer for each page data set for single-sided printing. [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 including page data for at least one page; a first setting means for setting whether or not to print the print data using multi-layer printing; a second setting means for setting, for each of the page data, whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product using multi-layer printing; a generation means for generating image data by performing image processing on the page data as hierarchical data based on the setting by the second setting means when single-sided printing is set for the print data in the print setting information and the print data is set to be printed using multi-layer printing; and a control means for controlling the print means to print using multi-layer printing on a printing medium based on the image data generated by the generation means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to control the output of multi-layer printing in a manner similar to that of double-sided printing, based on the setting of whether or not to use a shielding layer for each page data set for single-sided printing. [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] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of a printer controller. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-layer print setting screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a layer setting screen for multi-layer printing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a layer setting screen for multi-layer printing. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a layer setting screen for multi-layer printing. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a layer setting screen for multi-layer printing. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a layer setting screen for multi-layer printing. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a layer setting screen for multi-layer printing. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a printed matter when multi-layer printing is performed. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an ink thickness setting screen for each type of print medium. 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] First Embodiment <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 (e.g., dye-sublimation type, thermal transfer type), 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 and black, which are specific colors used to mask an image printed on one side of the print medium 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 when the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job specifying single-sided printing. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 controls the print data without considering multi-layer printing on the application side, and multi-layer printing enables output of a printed matter similar to that of double-sided printing.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the functional block configuration of the printer controller 120. The printer controller 120 includes 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 print setting information included in the print job acquired by the job receiving unit 201. Note that the job analysis unit 202 is not limited to analyzing print setting information and may perform other processes, such as referencing device settings. 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 it 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. When multi-layer printing is set on the screen of FIG. 7, which will be described later, the printer engine 150 forms an image by multi-layer printing.

[0031] In this embodiment, the image forming unit 203 handles at least one page of page data included in the print data as hierarchical data by allocating it to each hierarchical layer in multi-layer printing. Specifically, if single-sided printing is set in the print setting information, each page of data included in the print data is allocated to each hierarchical layer based on the main body settings described below. Then, the print data after allocation to each hierarchical layer is written to the image buffer to generate image data.

[0032] 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printer controller 120 when a print job is received in this embodiment. The processing of FIG. 6 is realized, for example, by the CPU 128 reading a program stored in the ROM 123 into the RAM 124 and executing it.

[0033] In S601, printer controller 120 receives a print job sent from host computer 190 via job receiving unit 201. In S602, printer controller 120 analyzes print setting information included in the print job via job analysis unit 202. The print setting information includes, for example, a setting specifying single-sided printing or a setting specifying double-sided printing.

[0034] In S603, the printer controller 120 determines whether single-sided printing is specified in the print setting information by the job analysis unit 202. If it is determined that single-sided printing is not specified, the process proceeds to S604. In S604, 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 single-sided printing is specified in S603, the process proceeds to S605. In S605, the printer controller 120 refers to multi-layer print setting information set by the job analysis unit 202 via the input / output device 162. The multi-layer print setting information is information indicating whether printing by the job output unit 204 is to be executed as multi-layer printing. This information is set in the image forming apparatus 101 by a user operation via a setting screen displayed on the input / output device 162, for example.

[0035] FIG. 8 shows an example of a multi-layer printing setting screen. The multi-layer printing setting screen 801 is a screen displayed on the input / output device 162, and the user selects whether to perform multi-layer printing and sets this in the image forming apparatus 100 in advance. In other words, the multi-layer printing setting screen 801 is a screen for setting whether to enable or disable multi-layer printing. The multi-layer printing setting screen 801 includes a button 802 for accepting the selection of performing multi-layer printing and a button 803 for accepting the selection of not performing 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 801. When button 803 is selected, a print job for which single-sided printing is specified is printed as a single-sided print job for each page. In other words, multi-layer printing is not performed in this case. On the other hand, when button 802 is selected, a print job for which single-sided printing is specified is printed as a multi-layer print job. In other words, multi-layer printing is performed in this case.

[0036] 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 single-sided print job for each page, 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. In S608, the printer controller 120 references layer setting information for multi-layer printing set by the job analysis unit 202 via the input / output device 162. The layer setting information for multi-layer printing is, for example, setting information for each page data included in the print job as to whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product obtained by multi-layer printing.

[0037] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing examples of layer setting screens for multi-layer printing displayed on the input / output device 162. Hereinafter, each layer setting screen for multi-layer printing will be referred to as a layer setting screen. The layer setting screen is a screen for setting the print mode for page data corresponding to each layer when printing print data set for single-sided printing as multi-layer printing. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a print mode related to the color mode is set for each page data on the layer setting screen.

[0038] The layer setting screen 901 displays the page number to be set, print mode setting sections 902 to 903 corresponding to the page number, an add button 904, and a confirm button 905. The page number corresponds to each layer in multi-layer printing.

[0039] The print mode setting units 902-903 are interfaces that can accept, for example, a selection of a color mode for each page data included in a print job. In the example of FIG. 9, the print mode setting unit 902 accepts a selection of "color" as the color mode setting for the page data of the first page. Furthermore, the print mode setting unit 903 accepts a selection of "white" as the color mode setting for the page data of the second page. The user selects and sets the print mode (color mode) for each page data in multilayer printing in advance on the layer setting screen 901. Note that here, two color mode settings, "color" and "white," are illustrated, but the print mode setting unit also allows "black" to be selected as the color mode setting.

[0040] Here, if the color mode for the page data is set to "color," the layer corresponding to that page data is printed in the color indicated by the pixel data included in the page data. On the other hand, if the color mode for the page data is set to "white," the layer corresponding to that page data is printed with the pixel data included in the page data replaced with pixel data of a specific color (white) used for shielding. In other words, this screen can also be considered a screen for setting, for each page data included in the print job, whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a multi-layer printed product. Furthermore, the print mode for providing a shielding layer is a mode for printing in which at least a portion of the page area represented by the page data is filled in with a recording material of a specific color.

[0041] The add button 904 is, for example, an interface that can accept the addition of page data for which a print mode is to be set. When the add button 904 is pressed by the user, the printer controller 120 adds a print mode setting section to the layer setting screen 901. Here, reference is made to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows an example of the layer setting screen when the add button 904 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed by the user. As shown in FIG. 10, an interface (print mode setting section 1004) that can accept the selection of the print mode setting for the page data of the third page has been added to the layer setting screen 1001. In this way, the add button can be used to increase the print mode settings according to the number of pages. Note that the layer screen may also display, for example, an interface that can accept the deletion of page data for which a print mode is to be set.

[0042] The OK button 905 is an interface that can accept an instruction to decide the setting of the print mode for each page data selected by the print mode setting units 902 to 903. For example, when the OK button 905 is pressed, the printer controller 120 stores the print mode for each page data selected by the print mode setting units 902 to 903 in a memory such as the ROM 123 as the main body setting.

[0043] In S609 to S617, printer controller 120 repeatedly performs the following processes on the page data from page 1 to page N based on the settings on the layer setting screen. In other words, printer controller 120 repeatedly performs the processes of S610 to S616 in the order of the page data included in the print data.

[0044] In S610, the printer controller 120 determines whether the print mode of the page data for which image processing is to be performed is color, white, or black, based on the layer setting information for multilayer printing referenced in S608. In other words, in S610, the printer controller 120 determines the print mode (color mode) set for each page data. If it is determined in S610 that the print mode is color, the process proceeds to S611. If it is determined in S610 that the print mode is white, the process proceeds to S612. If it is determined in S610 that the print setting is black, the process proceeds to S613.

[0045] In S611, the printer controller 120 causes the image forming unit 203 to render the target page data as hierarchical data in the image buffer. Then, in S616, the printer controller 120 controls the printer engine 150 so that the job output unit 204 prints the hierarchical data rendered in the image buffer in S611.

[0046] In S612, the printer controller 120 causes the image forming unit 203 to replace pixel data included in the target page data with white pixel data. For example, if pixel data is set in the entire page area represented by the page data, the entire page area is replaced with white pixel data by the processing of S612. In S613, the printer controller 120 causes the image forming unit 203 to load the page data replaced with white pixel data in S612 as hierarchical data in the image buffer. Then, in S616, the printer controller 120 controls the printer engine 150 so that the job output unit 204 prints the hierarchical data loaded in the image buffer in S613. For example, if pixel data is set in the entire page area represented by the page data, the entire page area is replaced with white pixel data by the processing of S612. Then, in S616, white ink is printed in the entire page area, thereby forming a shielding layer.

[0047] In S614, the printer controller 120 causes the image forming unit 203 to replace pixel area portions of the page data to be printed with black pixel data. For example, if pixel data is set in the entire page area represented by the page data, the entire page area is replaced with black pixel data by the processing of S612. In S615, the printer controller 120 causes the image forming unit 203 to load the page data, whose pixel area portions have been replaced with black pixel data in S614, as hierarchical data in the image buffer. Then, in S616, the printer controller 120 controls the printer engine 150 so that the job output unit 204 prints the hierarchical data loaded in the image buffer in S614. For example, if pixel data is set in the entire page area represented by the page data, the entire page area is replaced with black pixel data by the processing of S614. Then, in S616, black ink is printed in the entire page area, thereby forming a shielding layer.

[0048] In S617, when the printer controller 120 has completed the processes of S610 to S616 for the multiple pages included in the print job, it ends the repeated process in S617 and terminates the process of FIG.

[0049] Here, with reference to Figures 15(a) to 15(d), an example of a printed matter when multi-layer printing is performed by the process of Figure 6 will be described. Figures 15(a) to 15(d) show an example of a print pattern when single-sided printing is specified in the print setting information and multi-layer printing is set as the main body setting.

[0050] Figure 15(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. In this printing pattern, when the transparent film is viewed from the side opposite the printed surface of the transparent film, the color image IC is obscured by the white image IW. Therefore, in this printing pattern, the viewer will observe the printed matter from above (indicated by the arrow in the figure).

[0051] FIG. 15(b) shows a printing pattern in which a color image IC (first layer) is formed on a transparent film serving as a printing medium PM, and a white image IW (second layer) is formed on the color image IC. In this printing pattern, when the transparent film is viewed from the printed side of the transparent film, the color image IC is shielded by the white image IW. In other words, the white image IW formed with white ink is a shielding layer. Therefore, in this printing pattern, the viewer observes the printed matter from below (indicated by the arrow in the figure).

[0052] FIG. 15(c) shows a printing pattern in which a color image IC1 (first layer) is formed on a transparent film serving as a printing medium PM, a white image IW (second layer) is formed on the color image IC1, and a color image IC2 (third layer) is further formed on the white image IW. In this printing pattern, when the transparent film is viewed from the printed side of the transparent film, the color image IC1 is obscured by the white image IW. On the other hand, when the transparent film is viewed from the side opposite the printed side of the transparent film, the color image IC2 is obscured by the white image IW. In other words, the white image IW formed with white ink is a blocking layer. Therefore, with this printing pattern, the viewer will observe the printed matter from above and below the figure (indicated by the arrows in the figure).

[0053] FIG. 15(d) shows a printing pattern in which a color image IC1 (first layer), a white image IW1 (second layer), a black image IB (third layer), a white image IW2 (fourth layer), and a color image IC2 (fifth layer) are formed on a transparent film serving as a printing medium PM in this order. In this printing pattern, when the transparent film is viewed from the printed side of the transparent film, the color image IC1 is obscured by the white image IW1, the black image IB, and the white image IW2. On the other hand, when the transparent film is viewed from the side opposite the printed side of the transparent film, the color image IC2 is obscured by the white image IW1, the black image IB, and the white image IW2. In other words, the white image IW formed with white ink and the black image IB formed with black ink are blocking layers. Thus, this printing pattern can achieve a higher concealment rate than the printing pattern of FIG. 15(c) by providing a black ink layer (black image IB) as a blocking layer in the middle. Furthermore, with this print pattern, the viewer will observe the print from above and below the figure (arrows in the figure).

[0054] 15(e) shows a print pattern in which a color image IC1 and a white image IW are printed in different print areas on a transparent film serving as a print medium PM. With this print pattern, the viewer will observe the print from above and below the figure (arrows in the figure).

[0055] Here, with reference to FIGS. 13(a) to 13(d), the layer setting screen for forming each print pattern shown in FIGS. 15(a) to 15(d) will be described.

[0056] Fig. 13(a) shows a layer setting screen for forming the print pattern of Fig. 15(a). In the layer setting screen 1301, the print mode set for each page data is white for the first page (first layer) and color for the second page (second layer). By setting the print mode in this way, the print pattern of Fig. 15(a) can be formed on the print medium.

[0057] Figure 13(b) shows a layer setting screen for forming the print pattern of Figure 15(b). In the layer setting screen 1302, the print mode set for each page data is color for the first page (first layer) and white for the second page (second layer). By setting the print mode in this way, the print pattern of Figure 15(b) can be formed on the print medium.

[0058] Fig. 13(c) shows a layer setting screen for forming the print pattern of Fig. 15(c). In the layer setting screen 1303, the print mode set for each page data is color for page 1 (first layer) and page 3 (third layer), and white for page 2 (second layer). By setting the print mode in this way, the print pattern of Fig. 15(c) can be formed on the print medium.

[0059] Figure 13(d) shows a layer setting screen for forming the print pattern of Figure 15(d). In the layer setting screen 1303, the print modes set for each page data are color for page 1 (first layer) and page 5 (fifth layer), white for page 2 (second layer) and page 4 (fourth layer), and black for page 3 (third layer). By setting the print modes in this way, the print pattern of Figure 15(d) can be formed on the print medium.

[0060] Also, for example, consider print data in which the pixel data of each page data is arranged so that it does not overlap on the recording medium during multi-layer printing. For such print data, by setting the print mode for each page data on the layer setting screen so that the first page is color and the second page is white, a print pattern like that shown in Figure 15(e) can be created.

[0061] As described above, according to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 sets, for each page data included in the print data, whether to execute a printing mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product by multilayer printing, based on a user operation. When the image forming apparatus 100 acquires print data, if single-sided printing is set for the print data and multilayer printing is set, the image forming apparatus 100 performs image processing on the page data as hierarchical data to generate image data. The image processing is performed based on a setting for each page data described above of whether to execute a printing mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product by multilayer printing. The image forming apparatus 100 then controls multilayer printing on the print medium based on the generated image data. In this manner, the image forming apparatus 100 can control a print job including page data to be printed by multilayer printing, based on a setting for whether to include a shielding layer for each page data set for single-sided printing.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, for example, a user may set in advance in image forming apparatus 100 whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed matter produced by multilayer printing. Then, the user may use, for example, a general-purpose print application on information processing apparatus 100 to create print data including page data and transmit the data to image forming apparatus 100, thereby obtaining a printed matter produced by multilayer printing. In other words, a special application capable of creating hierarchical data is not required, and a printed matter produced by multilayer printing can be obtained by setting image forming apparatus 100.

[0063] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. For example, when multilayer printing is performed on one side of a transparent printing medium such as a transparent film, the printed matter printed on the printing medium can be viewed from both the front (printed side) and back (unprinted side). However, with such a transparent printing medium, some printed matter may appear inverted. Therefore, in this embodiment, whether or not to perform at least one of vertical flipping and horizontal flipping on image data for each page of data is set in advance in the image forming apparatus 100. Then, the page data to be printed is expanded in the image buffer as hierarchical data, and then image processing is performed to flip the image data as hierarchical data based on the setting. The image data is then printed. This configuration prevents the design of the printed matter from appearing inverted, even when multilayer printing is performed using a printing medium that can be viewed from both sides, such as a transparent film.

[0064] 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printer controller 120 when a print job is received in this embodiment. The processing of FIG. 7 is realized, for example, by the CPU 128 reading a program stored in the ROM 123 into the RAM 124 and executing it.

[0065] Since S701 to S715 are the same as the processes of S601 to S615, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0066] In S716, the printer controller 120 refers to the settings related to the reversal process by the job analysis unit 202. Then, the printer controller 120 determines whether or not to perform left-right reversal of the hierarchical data stored in the image buffer based on the settings related to the reversal process. If the printer controller 120 determines not to perform left-right reversal, the process proceeds to S717. On the other hand, if the printer controller 120 determines to perform left-right reversal, the process proceeds to S718.

[0067] The layer setting screen in this embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Figures 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining settings related to the inversion process referred to in S716 and S718.

[0068] 11, a layer setting screen 1101 in this embodiment displays inversion setting sections 1102 to 1103. The inversion processing setting sections 1102 to 1103 are interfaces that can accept a selection of whether or not to perform at least one of vertical inversion processing and horizontal inversion processing for each page data. The user selects and sets in advance, on the layer setting screen 1101, whether or not to perform inversion processing for each page data in multi-layer printing.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, when the user presses the Add button 1104, the printer controller 120 adds an inversion processing setting section to the layer setting screen 1101. Here, reference is made to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 shows an example of the layer setting screen when the Add button 1104 shown in Fig. 11 is pressed by the user. As shown in Fig. 12, an interface (inversion processing setting section 1204) capable of accepting a setting selection of whether or not to perform inversion processing on the page data of the third page has been added to the layer setting screen 1201.

[0070] In this embodiment, the decision button 1204 is an interface that can accept an instruction to decide whether or not to perform inversion processing for each page data selected by the inversion processing setting sections 1102 to 1103. For example, when the decision button 1105 is pressed, the printer controller 120 stores the inversion processing setting selected by the inversion processing setting sections 1102 to 1103 in a memory such as the ROM 123 as the main body setting.

[0071] In S717, the printer controller 120 performs left-right flipping of the hierarchical data stored in the image buffer by the image forming unit 203. In other words, left-right flipping is a process of reversing the left and right sides of the hierarchical data. It can also be considered a process of rotating the data 180 degrees left and right.

[0072] In S718, the printer controller 120 refers to the settings related to the inversion process using the job analysis unit 202. Then, the printer controller 120 determines whether or not to perform upside-down inversion of the hierarchical data stored in the image buffer based on the settings related to the inversion process. If the printer controller 120 determines that upside-down inversion is to be performed, the process proceeds to S719. On the other hand, if the printer controller 120 determines that upside-down inversion is not to be performed, the process proceeds to S720.

[0073] In S719, the hierarchical data stored in the image buffer is flipped upside down. In other words, the flipping process is a process of reversing the upside down of the hierarchical data. It can also be said to be a process of rotating the data 180 degrees vertically.

[0074] In S720, the printer controller 120 prints the hierarchical data expanded in the image buffer, completing printing of the Nth hierarchical layer. Then, S709 to S721 are repeated for the number of pages of the print job to generate an image (printed material) through multi-layer printing.

[0075] Here, with reference to FIGS. 14(a) to 14(d), the layer setting screen for forming the print patterns shown in FIGS. 15(a) to 15(d) in this embodiment will be described.

[0076] In the layer setting screen 1401 in Fig. 14(a), the page data for pages 1 and 2 is set so that no inversion processing is performed. When set in this way, the print pattern in Fig. 15(a) can be formed on the print medium.

[0077] Similarly, the layer setting screen 1402 in Fig. 14(b) is set so that the page data for pages 1 and 2 is not inverted. When set in this way, the print pattern in Fig. 15(b) can be formed on the print medium.

[0078] In the layer setting screen 1403 of Fig. 14(c), the page data for pages 1 and 2 are set not to be inverted. On the other hand, the page data for page 3 is set to be inverted left to right. When set in this way, the print pattern of Fig. 15(c) can be formed on the printing medium, and the color image IC2 (third layer) is formed in a left-right inverted state.

[0079] In the layer setting screen 1404 of Fig. 14(d), the page data for page 1 is set to be both vertically and horizontally flipped. On the other hand, the page data for pages 2 to 5 is set not to be flipped. With these settings, the print pattern of Fig. 15(d) can be formed on the printing medium, and the color image IC1 (first layer) is formed flipped vertically and horizontally.

[0080] As described above, according to this embodiment, the layer setting screen displays an inversion setting section for setting whether to perform at least one of vertical and horizontal inversion on the image data generated by the image generation unit 203. If the setting to invert the image data is selected, the image data is inverted at least vertically and horizontally. This configuration prevents the image in the printed matter from appearing inverted, even when multi-layer printing is performed using a print medium that allows the printed matter to be viewed from both sides, such as a transparent film. Furthermore, the user can easily create print data without being aware of the vertical and horizontal inversion that occurs when viewed from the back side.

[0081] Third Embodiment The third embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments. The light transmittance varies depending on the type of print medium. Therefore, when forming a shielding layer on a print medium using ink of a specific color, the thickness of the shielding layer required varies depending on the type of print medium. Therefore, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 can set the thickness of the shielding layer for each type of print medium. Then, the image forming apparatus 100 prints the shielding layer to the set thickness.

[0082] FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen on which the thickness of a recording material of a specific color can be set. The setting screen 1601 is displayed on the input / output device 162. The user selects and sets the thickness of the recording material of a specific color for each type of printing medium as a main unit setting. The setting screen 1601 includes a thickness setting unit 1601. The thickness setting unit 1601 is an interface that accepts the setting of the thickness of the recording material of a specific color for each type of printing medium. In this embodiment, the thickness setting unit 1601 accepts the setting of the thickness of each of the white ink and black ink, which are the recording materials of the specific colors used to shield images. In other words, the setting screen 1601 is a screen for setting the thickness of the shielding layer for each type of printing medium. Note that, for example, the thickness setting unit 1601 may be an interface that allows a user to input a numerical value or an interface that allows a user to select a predetermined numerical value. For example, when the printer controller 120 accepts a numerical value via the thickness setting unit 1602, the printer controller 120 stores the numerical value as thickness information in a memory such as the ROM 123. In this way, the thickness of the recording material of a specific color for each type of print medium is set as a main body setting of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0083] In this embodiment, the screen on which the thickness of the recording material of a specific color can be set has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a screen on which the ejection amount of the recording material of a specific color can be set may be displayed on the input / output device 162, or the ejection amount of the ink of a specific color may be selected and set in advance for each type of printing medium as a main body setting.

[0084] An example of the processing performed by the printer controller 120 when a print job is received in this embodiment will be described below. As described above, when the printer controller 120 receives a print job from the host computer 190, it generates image data and executes printing (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The print job includes print setting information. The print setting information includes information specifying the type of print medium. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the printer controller 120 receives a print job transmitted from the host computer 190, the job analysis unit 202 analyzes the information specifying the type of print medium included in the print setting information. The printer controller 120 then executes processing similar to steps S603 to S615 or steps S703 to S719. Thereafter, in this embodiment, the printer controller uses the job analysis unit 202 to refer to the ink thickness setting for each type of print medium stored in the ROM 123. In this embodiment, if the ink thickness of a specific color for each type of print medium is set on the setting screen 1601, printing by the printer engine 150 is performed based on that thickness setting. Specifically, when printing hierarchical data in the color mode of white and black, printer controller 120 controls printer engine 150 to print the hierarchical data based on the ink thickness setting of a specific color for each type of printing medium. For example, printer engine 150 controls the ink thickness to a set value by increasing the amount of ink ejected from print head 151.

[0085] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the thickness of the ink is controlled by increasing the amount of ink ejected of a specific color, but the thickness of the shielding layer may also be controlled by printing several separate layers of white ink and black ink.

[0086] As described above, according to this embodiment, the thickness of the shielding layer can be changed for each type of printing medium in multilayer printing by setting the thickness of ink of a specific color for each type of printing medium in advance in the image forming apparatus 100 on the screen 1601. With this configuration, even when multilayer printing is performed on a printing medium such as a transparent film on which the printed matter can be viewed from both sides, it is possible to obtain a printed matter similar to that obtained when double-sided printing is performed by increasing the thickness of the shielding layer.

[0087] 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.

[0088] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following printing device, method, and program. (Item 1) an acquisition means for acquiring print data including page data for at least one page and print setting information; a first setting means for setting whether or not the print data is to be printed using multi-layer printing; a second setting means for setting whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product by multilayer printing for each of the page data; a generating means for generating image data by performing image processing on the page data as hierarchical data based on the settings made by the second setting means when the print setting information indicates that single-sided printing is set for the print data and that the print data is set to be printed by the multi-layer printing; a control unit that controls the printing unit to perform the multi-layer printing on the printing medium based on the image data generated by the generation unit, An image forming apparatus characterized by: (Item 2) The printing mode is a printing mode in which at least a part of the page area represented by the page data is filled with a recording material of a specific color; 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, (Item 3) The specific color includes at least one of white and black. 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, (Item 4) The specific color is including the color used for image masking, 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, (Item 5) a third setting means for setting a thickness of the shielding layer for each type of printing medium; When the thickness of the shielding layer is set by the third setting means, the printing means prints the shielding layer on the printing medium so as to have the set thickness. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) The recording material is ink. 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, (Item 7) The image data generated by the generating means may further include a fourth setting means for setting whether or not to perform at least one of vertical inversion processing and horizontal inversion processing, The generating means When the setting is made by the fourth setting means, at least one of the vertical flipping process and the horizontal flipping process is performed on the image data. 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, (Item 8) The generating means generating the image data in the order of the page data; 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, (Item 9) The printing medium is a transparent printing medium. 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 8, (Item 10) The image processing Including extraction into image buffers, 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 9, (Item 11) The print data and print setting information The print data and print setting information are generated by a device external to the image forming device and transmitted to the image forming device. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 10, (Item 12) A control method executed in an image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring print data including page data for at least one page and print setting information; a first setting step of setting whether or not the print data is to be printed using multi-layer printing; a second setting step of setting, for each of the page data, whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product by multilayer printing; a generating step of generating image data by performing image processing on the page data as hierarchical data based on the settings in the second setting step, when the print setting information indicates that single-sided printing is set for the print data and that the print data is set to be printed by the multi-layer printing; a control step of controlling a printing step of printing on a printing medium by the multi-layer printing method based on the image data generated in the generation step, A control method comprising: (Item 13) The computer of the information processing device, an acquisition means for acquiring print data including page data for at least one page and print setting information; a first setting means for setting whether or not the print data is to be printed using multi-layer printing; a second setting means for setting, for each of the page data, whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product by multilayer printing; a generating means for generating image data by performing image processing on the page data as hierarchical data based on the settings made by the second setting means, when the print setting information indicates that single-sided printing is set for the print data and that the print data is set to be printed by the multi-layer printing; a control unit that controls a printing unit to perform the multi-layer printing on a printing medium based on the image data generated by the generation unit; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

[0089] 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]

[0090] 100 Image forming device: 120 Printer controller: 123 ROM: 124 RAM: 128 CPU

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring print data including page data for at least one page and print setting information; a first setting means for setting whether or not the print data is to be printed using multi-layer printing; a second setting means for setting whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product by multilayer printing for each of the page data; a generating means for generating image data by performing image processing on the page data as hierarchical data based on the settings made by the second setting means when the print setting information indicates that single-sided printing is set for the print data and that the print data is set to be printed by the multi-layer printing; a control unit that controls the printing unit to perform the multi-layer printing on the printing medium based on the image data generated by the generation unit, An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. The printing mode is a printing mode in which at least a part of the page area represented by the page data is filled with a recording material of a specific color; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

3. The specific color includes at least one of white and black.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. The specific color is including the color used for image masking, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. a third setting unit for setting a thickness of the shielding layer for each type of printing medium; When the thickness of the shielding layer is set by the third setting means, the shielding layer having the set thickness is printed on the printing medium by the printing means.

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

6. The recording material is ink.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. a fourth setting unit for setting whether or not the image data generated by the generating unit is to be subjected to at least one of vertical inversion processing and horizontal inversion processing; The generating means When the setting is made by the fourth setting means, at least one of the vertical flipping process and the horizontal flipping process is performed on the image data.

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

8. The generating means generating the image data in the order of the page data; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

9. The printing medium is a transparent printing medium.

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

10. The image processing Including extraction into image buffers, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

11. The print data and print setting information The print data and print setting information are generated by a device external to the image forming device and transmitted to the image forming device.

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

12. A control method executed in an image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring print data including page data for at least one page and print setting information; a first setting step for setting whether or not the print data is to be printed using multi-layer printing; a second setting step of setting, for each page data, whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product by multilayer printing; a generating step of generating image data by performing image processing on the page data as hierarchical data based on the settings in the second setting step, when the print setting information indicates that single-sided printing is set for the print data and that the print data is set to be printed by the multi-layer printing; a control step of controlling a printing step of printing on a printing medium by the multi-layer printing method based on the image data generated in the generation step, A control method comprising:

13. The computer of the information processing device, an acquisition means for acquiring print data including page data for at least one page and print setting information; a first setting means for setting whether or not the print data is to be printed using multi-layer printing; a second setting means for setting, for each of the page data, whether or not to execute a print mode for providing a shielding layer in a printed product by multilayer printing; a generating means for generating image data by performing image processing on the page data as hierarchical data based on the settings made by the second setting means, when the print setting information indicates that single-sided printing is set for the print data and that the print data is set to be printed by the multi-layer printing; a control unit that controls a printing unit to perform the multi-layer printing on a printing medium based on the image data generated by the generation unit; An image forming apparatus characterized by:

Images