Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To solve a problem that setting of a layer constitution of a foundation layer by a user needs user's subjective judgement and requires time and effort.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: an acquisition part which acquires a designated value of a permeability rate of one or more layers including a foundation layer and included in multiple layers which are laminated and printed on a print medium and including one or two image layers, which are printed so as to be visible on one of surfaces of the print medium, and the foundation layer serving as a foundation of the one or two image layers; and a determination part which determines a layer constitution, a constitution of the foundation layer, based on the designated value acquired by the acquisition part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a printing device that prints multiple layers that are stacked, such as an image layer, a base layer that serves as a base for the image, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for previewing the layer configuration of the multiple layers to be printed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-159552 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When printing multiple laminated layers, it is desirable to set the layer configuration of the base layer so that one or more layers, including the base layer, have an appropriate transmittance for a given light, in order to maintain the visibility (ease of visual confirmation) of the printed image. Traditionally, the layer configuration of the base layer has been set by the user's judgment. However, setting the layer configuration of the base layer by the user requires the user's subjective judgment, which is time-consuming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In view of the above problems, the information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires a specified value of the transmittance of one or more layers, including one or two image layers that are printed on a printing medium and are visible from either side of the printing medium, and a base layer that serves as a base for the one or two image layers, and a determination unit that determines a layer configuration that is the configuration of the base layer based on the specified value acquired by the acquisition unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing device or the like. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing layer to be printed. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of characteristic information. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an increase in image resolution. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the transmittance of a layer formed by combining a base layer and an image layer B. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the transmittance of the image layer B. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an increase in concentration of each layer of the underlayer. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an increase in concentration of each layer of the underlayer. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print control process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a layer configuration determination process. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of characteristic information. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the transmittance of a C image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Here, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in the following order. (1) First embodiment: (1-1) Configuration of information processing device: (1-2) Print control process: (2) Second embodiment: (3) Other embodiments:

[0008] (1) First embodiment: (1-1) Configuration of information processing device: FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an information processing device 100 and a printing device 200 according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 100 according to the present embodiment is an information processing device that controls the printing device 200, and is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet device, a smartphone, or the like. The printing device 200 prints an image on a printing medium (e.g., an acrylic plate, a glass plate, a resin medium (e.g., a resin smartphone case), printing paper, or the like) in response to an instruction from the information processing device 100. In the present embodiment, the printing device 200 prints on the printing medium using predetermined paints. In the present embodiment, the predetermined paints are cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), and white colorants (e.g., dyes, pigments, or the like). Hereinafter, the C, M, Y, K, and white colorants used by the printing device 200 are referred to as C colorant, M colorant, Y colorant, K colorant, and white material, respectively. The paints used by the printing device 200 according to the present embodiment are paints that harden when exposed to ultraviolet light. In this embodiment, the direction in which an image is printed on the print medium is referred to as the front side. In other words, the side of the print medium opposite the direction in which the image is printed is referred to as the back side. In this embodiment, the printing device 200 ejects a fixed amount of paint onto each pixel in the print medium onto which paint is ejected. Here, a pixel refers to each area obtained by dividing the print area by image resolution. Image resolution is an index that indicates the density of paint application (pixel density) on the print medium, and is expressed in units of, for example, dots per inch (dpi). Note that, although the printing device 200 is an inkjet type in this embodiment, it may also be a laser type printing device that uses toner as paint.

[0009] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a printing device 200 will be described as printing a plurality of stacked layers on a transparent printing medium, including an image layer A of an image visible from the front side, an image layer B of an image visible from the back side, and a base layer disposed between the image layers to form a base for each image layer. In this embodiment, image layer A is disposed on the front side of the plurality of layers to be printed, thereby making it visible from the front side. Image layer B is disposed on the back side of the plurality of printing layers, thereby making it visible from the back side. In this embodiment, the base layer is composed of white layer A and white layer B formed by applying a white material at a constant concentration to the entire printing area, and a black layer disposed between white layer A and white layer B and formed by applying a K colorant at a constant concentration to the entire printing area. Hereinafter, the plurality of layers to be printed will be referred to as printing layers. Herein, the printing area is the area to be printed on the printing surface of the printing medium. Furthermore, the density is an indicator indicating the proportion of the area to be printed that is occupied by the corresponding paint in the printing area. In this embodiment, a fixed amount of paint is dispensed onto each pixel, so the density indicates the ratio of the number of pixels to which the corresponding paint is applied to the total number of pixels in the target area.

[0010] In this embodiment, it is assumed that when a print medium is used after printing is completed, relatively strong light is incident on the print medium from the back side of the print medium. In this embodiment, the print medium is assumed to be, for example, an advertising medium hung in a shop window. It is assumed that advertising medium hung in a shop window is exposed to light from fluorescent lamps or the like from the indoor side, and to relatively strong light such as sunlight from the outdoor side. In such a case, light from the outdoor side may pass through the print layer, causing the image of the outdoor image layer to be visible through to the indoor image layer. In such a case, the visibility (ease of confirmation) of the indoor image layer will be reduced. In the following, light that is expected to be incident on the print medium from the back side will be referred to as backside incident light. In the following, light that is expected to be incident on the print medium from the front side will be referred to as frontside incident light. In this embodiment, the printing device 200 performs printing by discharging paint onto a printing medium and irradiating the discharged paint with ultraviolet light. The information processing device 100 and the printing device 200 are connected to each other via wire or wirelessly so that they can communicate with each other. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 and the printing device 200 are integrated into one piece of hardware, and may be controlled from the information processing device 100 installed in the printing device 200.

[0011] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the information processing device 100 adjusts the transmittance of light incident on the back side of the layer consisting of the image layer B and the base layer in the printing layer in order to maintain the visibility of the image layer A. Each layer of the base layer in this embodiment functions as a light-blocking layer that blocks at least a portion of the light incident on the printing layer. In addition, the white layer included in the base layer serves as a base for the image layer, and by making the background of the image layer white so that it is less likely to inhibit color development, it functions as an auxiliary layer that supports the color development of the image layer.

[0012] The hardware included in the information processing device 100 and the printing device 200 will be described. The information processing device 100 includes a processor 110, a communication unit 120, a storage medium 130, and a UI unit 140. The information processing device 100 also includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM), both of which are not shown. The processor 110 controls the information processing device 100 by executing various programs stored in the ROM, the storage medium 130, or the like. The processor 110 may be configured as a single chip or multiple chips. In the present embodiment, the processor 110 is a central processing unit (CPU), but it may also be configured as an ASIC or the like, or as a combination of a CPU and an ASIC. The communication unit 120 includes circuits used for wired or wireless communication with external devices, such as the printing device 200, according to various communication protocols. The storage medium 130 stores various programs, such as a print control program 111, for executing processes to control printing via the printing device 200, as well as various information, such as image data 130a, printing conditions 130b, and characteristic information 130c.

[0013] The image data 130a is data of the image layers A and B to be printed. In this embodiment, the data of each of the image layers A and B indicated by the image data 130a is RGB data in which each pixel of the image layers A and B divided by a predetermined number of pixels (for example, 640 x 480, 1200 x 1600, etc.) is expressed as a gradation value of three RGB channels. The printing conditions 130b indicate various conditions related to printing the image data 130a (for example, the print area on the print medium, the image resolution of image layers A and B, etc.). In this embodiment, the printing conditions 130b also include data on the layer structure of the base layer. Here, the layer structure refers to the structure of the base layer, and indicates the layers included in the base layer, the stacking order of each layer, the image resolution of each layer, and the paint density of each layer. In this embodiment, the printing conditions 130b are specified by the user, but may also be determined in advance.

[0014] The characteristic information 130c is information indicating the characteristics of each paint used in the printing device 200. In this embodiment, this characteristic is a property indicating the ease of transmission of various types of light incident on a layer formed when paint is applied to an area of ​​a specific size under various conditions (image resolution, density). In this embodiment, the characteristic information 130c indicates the transmittance of light when various types of light are incident on one layer formed (the area where the paint is applied) when one layer is formed by applying one type of paint to an area of ​​a specific size under various conditions (image resolution, density). In this embodiment, the characteristic information 130c is stored in advance in the storage medium 130. As shown in FIG. 3, the characteristic information 130c in this embodiment is table information indicating the correspondence between paint type, image resolution (dpi), density (%), incident light, and transmittance. Here, information indicating the type of paint may include, for example, the name and model number of the paint. The characteristic information 130c is obtained by applying various types of paint at various image resolutions and densities, allowing various types of light to be incident on the coated areas, and measuring the transmittance. FIG. 4 shows the differences in paint application patterns depending on the image resolution. Each circular object in FIG. 4 represents the amount of paint applied to one pixel. As shown in FIG. 4, the amount of paint applied in a given area is constant regardless of the image resolution, but the size of each gap that may occur between paint particles becomes smaller as the image resolution increases. The inventors previously conducted experiments in which various types of paint were applied at various image resolutions and densities, allowing various types of light to be incident on the coated areas, and measuring the transmittance. They found that the higher the image resolution, the higher the light blocking rate.

[0015] The UI unit 140 includes an input unit such as a mouse, keyboard, touchpad, or touch panel operation unit that accepts input from the user, and an output unit such as a monitor, touch panel display unit, or speaker that is used to present information to the user.

[0016] The printing device 200 includes a processor 210, a communication unit 220, a storage medium 230, and a print head 240. The printing device 200 also includes RAM and ROM (not shown). The processor 210 controls the printing device 200 by executing various programs stored in the ROM, storage medium 230, etc. The processor 210 may be configured as a single chip or multiple chips. In this embodiment, the processor 210 is a CPU, but it may also be configured as an ASIC or the like, or as a combination of a CPU and an ASIC. The communication unit 220 includes circuits used for communication with external devices such as the information processing device 100 in accordance with various wired or wireless communication protocols. The storage medium 230 stores various programs, such as a print execution program 211 for controlling printing execution, and various information.

[0017] The print head 240 ejects paint onto the print medium and irradiates it with ultraviolet light. The processor 210 ejects paint onto the print medium and irradiates it with ultraviolet light while moving the print head 240 via the print head 240's drive mechanism. The processor 210 performs printing by repeatedly printing lines onto the print medium via the print head 240. Hereinafter, the direction of these lines will be referred to as the main scanning direction. Hereinafter, the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and parallel to the print medium placed during printing will be referred to as the sub-scanning direction. Hereinafter, the printing of one line performed by the print head 240 while moving from one end of the print area to the other in the main scanning direction on the print medium during printing will be referred to as one printing pass. The number of printing passes required to print the same area in the print area will be referred to as the number of printing passes. The print head 240 includes an ejection unit 241 used to eject various paints and an irradiation unit 242 that irradiates ultraviolet light onto the paint ejected by the ejection unit 241. The ejection units 241 are nozzles used to eject the CMYK and white colorants, and apply each colorant to the printing medium by ejecting it onto the printing medium. The irradiation units 242 are lamps that irradiate ultraviolet light and are arranged on both sides of the ejection unit 241 in the main scanning direction. When the print head 240 scans, the processor 210 irradiates ultraviolet light onto the paint ejected onto the printing medium by the ejection unit 241 via the irradiation units 242, which are located behind the print head 240 in the scanning direction.

[0018] Next, the functions of the information processing device 100 and the printing device 200 will be described. The processor 110 of the information processing device 100 executes the print control program 111 stored in the storage medium 130, thereby functioning as an acquisition unit 111a, a determination unit 111b, and a print control unit 111c.

[0019] The acquisition unit 111a has a function of acquiring a designated value of transmittance for a predetermined light of one or more layers, including a base layer, included in the printing layers to be printed on the printing medium. Hereinafter, the designated value of transmittance acquired by the function of the acquisition unit 111a is referred to as the designated transmittance value. In this embodiment, the processor 110 acquires, as the specified transmittance value, the specified value of the transmittance of the combined two layers, the base layer and the image layer B, for backside incident light, using the function of the acquisition unit 111a. In this embodiment, the processor 110 acquires the specified transmittance value by accepting input of the specified transmittance value based on user operation of the UI unit 140. The processor 110 also accepts input of the printing conditions 130b based on user operation of the UI unit 140, and stores the input in the storage medium 130.

[0020] The determining unit 111b is a function that determines the layer configuration, which is the configuration of the base layer of the print layer group, based on the transmittance designation value acquired by the function of the acquiring unit 111a. In this embodiment, the processor 110, using the function of the determination unit 111b, determines the layer configuration based on the transmittance specification value and characteristic information 130c indicating the transmittance for light incident from the back side of the layers formed with each paint used to print the base layer. The following describes in detail the processing performed by the determination unit 111b by the processor 110. The processor 110 acquires the initial values ​​of the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by the printing conditions 130b as provisional values ​​of the layer configuration. Hereinafter, the provisional values ​​of the layer configuration will be referred to as the provisional configuration. In this embodiment, the densities of the white layer A, black layer, and white layer B indicated by the initial values ​​of the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by the printing conditions 130b are 40%, 70%, and 40%, respectively. The processor 110 also acquires print image data for printing the image layer B indicated by the image data 130a under the conditions indicated by the printing conditions 130b. Here, the print image data is data indicating the image resolution and the colorant to be applied to which pixels in the printing area on the print medium. More specifically, the processor 110 scales the RGB data of the image layer B indicated by the image data 130a based on the image resolution indicated by the printing conditions 130b. The processor 110 then converts the scaled RGB data into gradation data for each color of the default colorants used by the printing device 200. In this embodiment, the default colorants are the C, M, Y, and K colorants. The processor 110 then performs halftone processing based on the converted gradation data to determine which colorants should be ejected and in what amounts at each pixel in the printing area to achieve the color of the image layer B. The processor 110 acquires the determined data indicating which colorants should be ejected and in what amounts at which pixels on the printing medium as print image data for the image layer B.

[0021] Next, the processor 110 acquires the transmittance of the light incident on the back side of the layer formed by combining the image layer B and the base layer of the provisional configuration. The process of acquiring this transmittance will be described in detail below. Hereinafter, the transmittance of the light incident on the back side of the layer formed by combining the image layer B and the base layer of the provisional configuration will be referred to as R. Hereinafter, the transmittance of the light incident on the back side of the white layer A of the base layer of the provisional configuration will be referred to as α. Hereinafter, the transmittance of the light incident on the back side of the black layer of the base layer of the provisional configuration will be referred to as β. Hereinafter, the transmittance of the light incident on the back side of the white layer B of the base layer of the provisional configuration will be referred to as γ. Hereinafter, the transmittance of the light incident on the back side of the image layer B of the provisional configuration will be referred to as δ. As shown in FIG. 5, the transmittance R is expressed as the product of the transmittances α to δ.

[0022] The processor 110 acquires the image resolution and density of the white material in the white layer A of the provisional configuration from the provisional configuration. Then, the processor 110 acquires the white material, the acquired image resolution, the acquired density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and sets this as the transmittance α. The processor 110 also acquires the image resolution and density of the K colorant in the black layer of the provisional configuration from the provisional configuration. Then, the processor 110 acquires the K colorant, the acquired image resolution, the acquired density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and calculates the transmittance β. Furthermore, the processor 110 acquires the image resolution and density of the white material in the white layer B of the provisional configuration from the provisional configuration. Then, the processor 110 acquires the white material, the acquired image resolution, the acquired density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and sets this as the transmittance γ.

[0023] 6 will be used to explain the process by which the processor 110 acquires the transmittance δ of the image layer B printed in the print area. The processor 110 selects a rectangular area of ​​a predetermined size (e.g., 10 pixels x 10 pixels, 100 pixels x 100 pixels, 500 pixels x 500 pixels, the entire print area, etc.) from the image layer B printed in the print area. Hereinafter, the area selected here will be referred to as the selected area. The image in the selected area can be considered to be an image formed by combining an image formed with a C color material (hereinafter referred to as the C image), an image formed with an M color material (hereinafter referred to as the M image), an image formed with a Y color material (hereinafter referred to as the Y image), and an image formed with a K color material (hereinafter referred to as the C image). Therefore, the processor 110 calculates the transmittance for backside incident light of each of the C image, M image, Y image, and K image in the selected area, and multiplies the calculated transmittances to calculate the transmittance for backside incident light of the selected area. In this embodiment, processor 110 derives the ratio of the number of pixels coated with C colorant to the total number of pixels in the selected area as the density of the C image of the selected area based on the print image data of image layer B. Similarly, processor 110 derives the ratio of the number of pixels coated with M colorant, Y colorant, and K colorant to the total number of pixels in the selected area as the densities of the M image, Y image, and K image of the selected area based on the print image data of image layer B. The processor 110 obtains the C colorant, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the C image of the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as the transmittance for backside incident light of the C image of the selected region. The processor 110 also obtains the M colorant, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the M image of the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as the transmittance for backside incident light of the M image of the selected region. The processor 110 obtains the Y colorant, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the Y image of the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as the transmittance for backside incident light of the Y image of the selected region. The processor 110 obtains the K colorant, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the K image of the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c.

[0024] The processor 110 multiplies the transmittance for backside incident light of the acquired C image, M image, Y image, and K image of the selected area together to derive the transmittance for backside incident light of the selected area. Processor 110 again selects a rectangular area of ​​a predetermined size from image layer B, which is different from the previously selected area, as a selected area, and derives the transmittance for backside incident light for the selected area. Processor 110 repeats the above process until it has derived the transmittance for backside incident light for all rectangular areas of a predetermined size included in image layer B. Processor 110 identifies the maximum transmittance among the derived transmittances and sets it as the transmittance δ of image layer B.

[0025] The processor 110 derives the transmittance R by multiplying the transmittances α, β, γ, and δ. The processor 110 determines whether the transmittance R is within a predetermined range corresponding to the specified transmittance value. In this embodiment, the predetermined range corresponding to the specified transmittance value is the range of the specified transmittance value ± a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 3%, 5%, etc.). If the processor 110 determines that the transmittance R is within the range corresponding to the specified transmittance value, it determines the provisional configuration as the layer configuration of the base layer. More specifically, the processor 110 updates the content of the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by the printing condition 130b with the content of the provisional configuration. If the processor 110 determines that the transmittance R is outside the range corresponding to the specified transmittance value, it adjusts the provisional configuration as follows.

[0026] A case where the transmittance R is outside the range according to the transmittance designation value and is greater than the transmittance designation value will be described. The processor 110 increases the image resolution of each of the underlying layers in the provisional configuration. The amount of increase can be set to any value. Furthermore, if the image resolution of each of the underlying layers in the provisional configuration is at its upper limit, the processor 110 does not adjust the image resolution of the provisional configuration. The processor 110 increases the density of the black layer indicated by the provisional configuration by a predetermined increment. In this embodiment, this predetermined increment is 10%, but may be other values ​​such as 3%, 5%, 20%, etc. The processor 110 increases the density of the white layer A and white layer B indicated by the provisional configuration by a predetermined increment that is greater than the increment of the black layer. In this embodiment, this predetermined increment is 40%, but may be other values ​​such as 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, etc. When the density of the black layer increases, the black color of the black layer passes through the white layers A and B and becomes visible from the front and back sides, increasing the possibility of reducing the visibility of the image layers A and B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processor 110 increases the density of the white layers A and B by an amount greater than the increase in the density of the black layer. In this way, the processor 110 can reduce the possibility of the black color of the black layer passing through the white layers A and B and reducing the visibility of the image layers A and B.

[0027] Furthermore, processor 110 determines whether image layer A and image layer B are light colors based on the type and density of paint used to form each of image layer A and image layer B. If processor 110 determines that the image layers A and B are light colors, processor 110 increases the density of white layers A and B, which serve as the bases for image layer A and image layer B, by a predetermined increment. More specifically, processor 110 performs the following operations: Processor 110 acquires print image data for image layer A in the same manner as print image data for image layer B. Processor 110 identifies the type of paint used to form image layer A based on the print image data for image layer A. Processor 110 identifies the density of each identified type of paint throughout image layer A based on the print image data for image layer A. In this embodiment, storage medium 130 previously stores information relating to the density of each type of paint used to form the image within the image and whether the image is light colors. This correspondence information is obtained in advance by forming images at various densities using various types of paint and determining whether the formed images are pale in color (for example, by subjective judgment by the user, by judgment using a colorimeter, etc.). Processor 110 determines whether image layer A is pale in color based on the types of paint used to form image layer A, the densities of each type of paint throughout image layer A, and this correspondence information. Similarly, processor 110 determines whether image layer B is pale in color.

[0028] If image layer A is a light color, processor 110 increases the density of white layer A, which serves as the background for image layer A shown in the provisional configuration, by a predetermined increment. In this embodiment, this predetermined increment is 20%, but it may be other values ​​such as 3%, 5%, 10%, or 30%. Similarly, if image layer B is a light color, processor 110 increases the density of white layer B, which serves as the background for image layer B shown in the provisional configuration, by a predetermined increment. When image layer A and image layer B are light in color, the color of the base layer is more likely to show through than when they are dark in color. Therefore, when image layer A and image layer B are light in color, if the density of the black layer of the base layer increases, the black color of the black layer may be transmitted through the image layer, causing the image layers A and B to appear differently when viewed. When image layer A and image layer B are light in color, processor 110 can reduce the possibility of such a change in the color of image layers A and B when viewed by increasing the density of the white layers A and B that serve as the base. By the above process, the provisional configuration is adjusted so that the density of each layer of the base layer is increased. Figure 7 shows the result of adjusting the density of each layer of the base layer shown in the provisional configuration when image layer A is a light color and image layer B is not a light color.

[0029] Next, a case where the transmittance R is outside the range according to the transmittance designation value and is smaller than the transmittance designation value will be described. If the transmittance R is smaller than the specified transmittance value, the processor 110 reduces the image resolution of each of the base layers indicated by the provisional configuration. The amount of reduction can be set to any value. Furthermore, if the image resolution of each of the base layers indicated by the provisional configuration is at the lower limit, the processor 110 does not adjust the image resolution of the provisional configuration.

[0030] The processor 110 reduces the density of the black layer indicated by the provisional configuration by a predetermined reduction amount. In this embodiment, this predetermined reduction amount is 10%, but it may be another value such as 20%. The processor 110 also reduces the density of the white layer A and the white layer B indicated by the provisional configuration by a predetermined reduction amount. In this embodiment, this predetermined reduction amount is 40%, but it may be another value such as 20%, 30%, etc. By the above-described processing, the provisional structure is adjusted so that the concentration of each layer of the underlayer is reduced.

[0031] After adjusting the provisional configuration to adjust the image resolution and density of each layer of the base layer, the processor 110 again derives the transmittances α to γ ​​based on the adjusted provisional configuration. The processor 110 then multiplies the derived transmittances α to γ ​​by the transmittance δ to derive the transmittance R for light incident on the backside of the layer that combines the base layer and image layer B in the adjusted provisional configuration. The processor 110 determines whether the derived transmittance R is within a predetermined range corresponding to the specified transmittance value. If the processor 110 determines that the derived transmittance R is within the predetermined range corresponding to the specified transmittance value, it determines the adjusted provisional configuration as the layer configuration of the base layer. More specifically, the processor 110 updates the content of the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by the printing condition 130b with the content of the provisional configuration. If the processor 110 determines that the derived transmittance R is outside the predetermined range corresponding to the specified transmittance value, it again adjusts the image resolution and density of each layer of the base layer in the provisional configuration. The processor 110 repeats the above process until the transmittance R for light incident from the backside of the layer consisting of the base layer and image layer B of the provisional configuration falls within the range corresponding to the specified transmittance value, and the provisional configuration is determined as the layer configuration of the base layer. Note that, in adjusting the provisional configuration, the density of each layer of the base layer indicated by the provisional configuration may exceed 100%. In this way, layers with a density exceeding 100% are realized by multiple layers. For example, if the density of white layer A is 140%, it is formed by one layer made of white material with a density of 100% and one layer made of white material with a density of 40%, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0032] The print control unit 111c is a function that controls printing of the print layer via the printing device 200. The processor 110, using the function of the print control unit 111c, generates print data to be used for printing a print layer by the printing device 200, based on the image data 130a and the printing conditions 130b. Here, print data is data indicating the mode of printing to be executed by the printing device 200, and in this embodiment indicates the print area on the printing medium, image resolution, number of printing passes, amount of paint to be applied to each pixel, etc. The processor 110 generates print data for the image layers A and B based on the image data 130a and various conditions related to printing the image layers A and B indicated by the printing conditions 130b. The processor 110 also generates print data for each layer of the base layer based on the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by the printing conditions 130b. At this time, the processor 110 also determines the number of printing passes for forming each layer of the base layer based on the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by the printing conditions 130b. The processor 110 sends the generated print data to the printing device 200 and instructs it to print the print layer onto the print medium.

[0033] Next, the functions of the printing device 200 will be described. The processor 210 of the printing device 200 executes a print execution program 211 stored in the storage medium 230, thereby functioning as a print execution unit 211a. The print execution unit 211a is a function that executes printing of print layers on a print medium using print data transmitted from the information processing device 100. The processor 210 prints the print layers by printing image layer B, white layer B, black layer, white layer A, and image layer A in the print area of ​​the print medium in this order using the function of the print execution unit 211a based on the print data.

[0034] With the above configuration, the information processing device 100 determines the layer configuration of the base layer based on the designated value of the transmittance of the combined layer of the base layer and the image layer B. This allows the information processing device 100 to determine the layer configuration of the base layer without requiring subjective judgment by the user. In this embodiment, the information processing device 100 determines the layer configuration of the base layer based on the transmittance specification value and property information 130c indicating the properties of the paint used to form each layer of the printing layer (the transmittance for light incident on the back side of the layer formed with each paint used to form each layer of the printing layer). This allows the information processing device 100 to adjust the transmittance of the layer consisting of the base layer and the image layer B in accordance with the properties of the paint used to form each layer. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the information processing device 100 determines whether the image layers A and B are light-colored based on the type and density of the paint used to form the image layers A and B. Then, when the transmittance of the layer formed by combining the base layer of the provisional configuration and the image layer B is outside the range corresponding to the specified transmittance value and is greater than the specified transmittance value, the information processing device 100 adjusts the provisional configuration to increase the density of the white layers A and B that form the base of the image layers A and B determined to be light-colored. This allows the information processing device 100 to reduce the possibility that the color of the light-colored image layers A and B when viewed will be distorted by the black color of the black layers.

[0035] (1-2) Print control process: The print control process executed by the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. The processor 110 starts the processing of Figure 9 when a screen used to instruct the printing device 200 to print a printing layer and to specify the transmittance value, printing conditions, etc. is displayed on the UI unit 140.

[0036] In step S100, the processor 110 acquires the specified transmittance value by accepting input of the specified transmittance value, which is the specified value for the transmittance of the combined layer of the base layer and the image layer B, based on the user's operation of the UI unit 140, using the function of the acquisition unit 111a. The processor 110 also accepts input of the printing conditions 130b based on the user's operation of the UI unit 140, and stores the printing conditions 130b in the storage medium 130. After completing the processing of step S100, the processor 110 proceeds to step S105. The processing of step S100 is an example of an acquisition step. In step S105, the processor 110 performs a layer structure determination process to determine the layer structure of the base layer using the function of the determination unit 111b. The process of step S105 is an example of a determination step. The layer structure determination process will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 10.

[0037] In step S200, the processor 110, using the function of the determination unit 111b, acquires the initial value of the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by the printing conditions 130b as a tentative configuration, which is a tentative value of the layer configuration. The processor 110 acquires print image data when the image layer B indicated by the image data 130a is printed at the image layer resolution indicated by the printing conditions 130b. The processor 110 obtains the image resolution and density of the white material in the white layer A of the provisional configuration from the provisional configuration. Then, the processor 110 obtains the white material, the obtained image resolution, the obtained density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and sets this as transmittance α. The processor 110 also obtains the image resolution and density of the K color material in the black layer of the provisional configuration from the provisional configuration. Then, the processor 110 obtains the K color material, the obtained image resolution, the obtained density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and sets this as transmittance β. The processor 110 also obtains the image resolution and density of the white material in the white layer B of the provisional configuration from the provisional configuration. Then, the processor 110 obtains the white material, the obtained image resolution, the obtained density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and sets this as transmittance γ.

[0038] Processor 110 also selects a rectangular selected area of ​​a predetermined size from image layer B to be printed in the print area. Based on the print image data of image layer B, processor 110 derives the ratio of the number of pixels to which C colorant is applied to the total number of pixels in the selected area as the density of the C image of the selected area. Similarly, based on the print image data of image layer B, processor 110 derives the ratio of the number of pixels to which M colorant, Y colorant, and K colorant are applied to the total number of pixels in the selected area as the densities of the M image, Y image, and K image of the selected area, respectively. The processor 110 obtains the C colorant, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the C image of the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as the transmittance for backside incident light of the C image of the selected region. The processor 110 also obtains the M colorant, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the M image of the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as the transmittance for backside incident light of the M image of the selected region. The processor 110 obtains the Y colorant, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the Y image of the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as the transmittance for backside incident light of the Y image of the selected region. The processor 110 obtains the K colorant, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the K image of the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c.

[0039] The processor 110 multiplies the transmittance for backside incident light of the acquired C image, M image, Y image, and K image of the selected area together to derive the transmittance for backside incident light of the selected area. Processor 110 again selects an unselected rectangular area of ​​the predetermined size from image layer B as a selected area, and derives the transmittance for backside incident light of the selected selected area. Note that the selected area selected again may be an area that partially overlaps with the previously selected area, or may not overlap. Processor 110 repeats the above process until it has derived the transmittance for backside incident light for all rectangular areas of the predetermined size included in image layer B. Processor 110 identifies the maximum transmittance among the derived transmittances and sets it as the transmittance δ of image layer B. The processor 110 derives the transmittance R by multiplying the transmittances α, β, γ, and δ together.

[0040] Furthermore, the processor 110 determines whether the image layers A and B are light in color based on the type and density of paint used to form the image layers A and B, respectively. More specifically, the processor 110 acquires the print image data for the image layer A in the same manner as the print image data for the image layer B. The processor 110 identifies the type of paint used to form the image layer A based on the print image data for the image layer A. The processor 110 identifies the density of each identified type of paint throughout the image layer A based on the print image data for the image layer A. In this embodiment, the storage medium 130 stores in advance information corresponding to the density of each type of paint used to form the image within the image and whether the image is light in color. The processor 110 determines whether the image layer A is light in color based on the type of paint used to form the image layer A, the density of each type of paint, and this correspondence information. Similarly, the processor 110 determines whether the image layer B is light in color. After completing the process of step S200, processor 110 proceeds to step S205.

[0041] In step S205, processor 110 determines, by the function of determination unit 111b, whether transmittance R is within a predetermined range corresponding to the specified transmittance value acquired in step S100. If processor 110 determines that transmittance R is within the predetermined range corresponding to the specified transmittance value, it proceeds to step S225. On the other hand, if processor 110 determines that transmittance R is outside the predetermined range corresponding to the specified transmittance value, it proceeds to step S210.

[0042] In step S210, the processor 110 performs a process of adjusting the image resolution of the base layer indicated by the provisional configuration using the function of the determination unit 111b. The process of step S210 will be described for the cases where the transmittance R is greater than the specified transmittance value and the case where the transmittance R is smaller than the specified transmittance value. A case where the transmittance R is greater than the specified transmittance value will be described. The processor 110 increases the image resolution of each of the underlying layers of the provisional configuration. The amount of increase can be set to any value. Furthermore, if the image resolution of each of the underlying layers of the provisional configuration is at its upper limit, the processor 110 does not adjust the image resolution of the provisional configuration. A case where the transmittance R is smaller than the specified transmittance value will be described. The processor 110 reduces the image resolution of each layer of the base layer of the provisional configuration. The amount of reduction can be set to any value. Furthermore, if the image resolution of each layer of the base layer of the provisional configuration is at the lower limit value, the processor 110 does not adjust the image resolution of the provisional configuration. After completing the process of step S210, processor 110 proceeds to step S215.

[0043] In step S215, the processor 110 performs a process of adjusting the density of each layer of the base layer indicated by the provisional configuration using the function of the determination unit 111b. The process of step S215 will be described for the cases where the transmittance R is greater than the specified transmittance value and where the transmittance R is smaller than the specified transmittance value. A case where the transmittance R is greater than the specified transmittance value will be described. Processor 110 increases the density of the black layer indicated by the provisional configuration by a predetermined increment. Processor 110 increases the density of white layer A and white layer B indicated by the provisional configuration by a predetermined increment that is greater than the increment of the density of the black layer. Furthermore, if image layer A is a light color, processor 110 increases the density of white layer A, which serves as the background for image layer A indicated by the provisional configuration, by a predetermined increment. Furthermore, if image layer B is a light color, processor 110 increases the density of white layer B, which serves as the background for image layer B indicated by the provisional configuration, by a predetermined increment.

[0044] A case where the transmittance R is smaller than the specified transmittance value will be described. Processor 110 reduces the density of the black layer indicated by the provisional configuration by a predetermined reduction amount. Processor 110 also reduces the densities of white layer A and white layer B indicated by the provisional configuration by a predetermined reduction amount. After completing the process of step S215, processor 110 proceeds to step S220.

[0045] In step S220, processor 110, using the function of determination unit 111b, again derives transmittances α to γ ​​based on the provisional configuration after adjustment in the immediately preceding step S210 and S215. Then, processor 110 multiplies the derived transmittances α to γ ​​by transmittance δ to derive a new transmittance R. After completing the process of step S220, processor 110 proceeds to the process of step S205. In step S225, processor 110 determines the tentative configuration as the layer configuration of the base layer using the function of determination unit 111b. More specifically, processor 110 updates the content of the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by printing condition 130b with the content of the tentative configuration. After completing the processing of step S225, processor 110 completes the processing of FIG. 10 and proceeds to step S110.

[0046] In step S110, the processor 110, using the function of the print control unit 111c, generates print data to be used for printing a print layer by the printing device 200, based on the image data 130a and the printing conditions 130b. After completing the processing of step S110, the processor 110 advances the processing to step S115. In step S115, the processor 110 sends the print data generated in S110 to the printing device 200 and instructs it to print the print layer on the print medium. In response to this instruction, the processor 210 of the printing device 200 prints the print layer on the print medium via the print head 240 using the function of the print execution unit 211a.

[0047] (2) Second embodiment: In the first embodiment, the printing device 200 ejects a fixed amount of paint for each paint color onto each pixel to which the paint is to be applied. In this embodiment, the printing device 200 can adjust the amount of paint ejected onto each pixel to which the paint is to be applied. Hereinafter, the amount of paint ejected onto one pixel by the printing device 200 is referred to as the paint droplet amount. In this embodiment, the printing device 200 ejects paint at one of three paint droplet amounts onto one pixel. These three paint droplet amounts are referred to as "small," "medium," and "large," in order of decreasing amount. That is, for a certain paint color, one pixel is in one of four states: a state in which a "small" paint droplet amount is applied, a "medium" paint droplet amount is applied, a "large" paint droplet amount is applied, or a state in which no paint is applied. In this embodiment, for image layers A and B, one of "small," "medium," and "large" paint droplet amounts is applied to each pixel included in the layer. Furthermore, for each of the base layers, the same amount of paint droplets is applied to all the pixels included in the layer.

[0048] In this embodiment, the density of each paint drop is defined for each paint drop amount, and the density of paint applied with a certain paint drop amount represents the ratio of the number of pixels to which paint is applied with this paint drop amount to the total number of pixels in the target area. The printing conditions 130b of this embodiment indicate the paint drop volume for each base layer in addition to the same information as in the first embodiment.

[0049] The characteristic information 130c of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The characteristic information 130c of this embodiment indicates the light transmittance when various types of light are incident on a layer formed by applying one type of paint to an area of ​​a specific size using the same paint droplet amount under various conditions (image resolution, density). In this embodiment, the characteristic information 130c is stored in advance in the storage medium 130. The characteristic information 130c in this embodiment is table information that shows the correspondence between paint type, paint droplet amount, image resolution (dpi), density (%), incident light, and transmittance, as shown in Fig. 11. The characteristic information 130c is obtained by applying various types of paint in advance at various image resolutions, various densities, and various paint droplet amounts, allowing various types of light to be incident on the applied area, and measuring the transmittance.

[0050] Next, the functions and processing of the information processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment that differ from those of the first embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the functions of the determination unit 111b and the print control unit 111c differ from those of the first embodiment. The determination unit 111b of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it takes into account the paint droplet volume when calculating the transmittance of each print layer. Furthermore, the print control unit 111c of this embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that it determines the paint droplet volume for each pixel of the print medium to be painted as print data for each layer included in the print layer.

[0051] The processing of the information processing device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Step S100 is the same as in the first embodiment. After completing the process of step S100, processor 110 proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the processor 110 performs a layer structure determination process to determine the layer structure of the base layer using the function of the determination unit 111b. The layer structure determination process will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0052] In step S200, the processor 110, using the function of the determination unit 111b, acquires initial values ​​for the layer configuration of the base layer indicated by the printing conditions 130b as a provisional configuration, which is a provisional value of the layer configuration. Based on the image data 130a and the printing conditions 130b, the processor 110 acquires print image data for printing the image layer B indicated by the image data 130a at the image layer resolution indicated by the printing conditions 130b. The print image data in this embodiment is data that indicates what image resolution, what paint should be applied to which pixels, and in what paint droplet amount in the printing area on the print medium.

[0053] The processor 110 obtains the image resolution and density of the white material in the white layer A of the provisional configuration from the provisional configuration. The processor 110 then obtains the white material, the paint drop volume corresponding to the white layer A indicated by the printing conditions 130b, the acquired image resolution, the acquired density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as transmittance α. The processor 110 also obtains the image resolution and density of the K colorant in the black layer of the provisional configuration from the characteristic information 130c. The processor 110 then obtains the K colorant, the paint drop volume corresponding to the black layer indicated by the printing conditions 130b, the acquired image resolution, the acquired density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as transmittance β. The processor 110 also obtains the image resolution and density of the white material in the white layer B of the provisional configuration from the provisional configuration. Then, the processor 110 obtains from the characteristic information 130c the white material, the paint droplet amount corresponding to the white layer B indicated by the printing conditions 130b, the acquired image resolution, the acquired density, and the transmittance corresponding to the backside incident light, and sets this as the transmittance γ.

[0054] The processor 110 also selects a rectangular selection area of ​​a predetermined size from the image layer B to be printed in the print area. Here, the process of calculating the transmittance of the C image of the selected area in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . Based on the print image data of the image layer B, the processor 110 derives the ratio of the number of dots on which the C colorant is applied at the same paint drop amount to the total number of dots in the selected area as the density of the C image for each paint drop amount in the selected area. More specifically, the processor 110 obtains the C colorant, the small paint drop amount, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the C image with the small paint drop amount in the selected area (an image formed with the C colorant applied at the small paint drop amount), and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light from the characteristic information 130c, and determines this as the transmittance for backside incident light of the C image with the small paint drop amount in the selected area. The processor 110 also obtains from the characteristic information 130c the C colorant, the medium paint droplet amount, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the C image with a medium paint droplet amount in the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light, and determines these as the transmittance for backside incident light of the C image with a medium paint droplet amount in the selected region. The processor 110 also obtains from the characteristic information 130c the C colorant, the large paint droplet amount, the image resolution of the image layer B, the density of the C image with a large paint droplet amount in the selected region, and the transmittance corresponding to backside incident light, and determines these as the transmittance for backside incident light of the C image with a large paint droplet amount in the selected region. The processor 110 then multiplies the transmittances of the C images with small, medium, and large paint droplet amounts in the selected region that it has obtained, to derive the transmittance for backside incident light of the C image with a large paint droplet amount in the selected region.

[0055] The processor 110 derives the transmittance for rear-side incident light for each of the M image, Y image, and K image, as well as the C image of the selected region. Then, the processor 110 multiplies the transmittance for backside incident light of the acquired C image, M image, Y image, and K image of the selected area together to derive the transmittance for backside incident light of the selected area. Processor 110 again selects an unselected rectangular area of ​​the predetermined size from image layer B as a selected area, and derives the transmittance for backside incident light for the selected area. Processor 110 repeats the above process until it has derived the transmittance for backside incident light for all rectangular areas of the predetermined size included in image layer B. Processor 110 identifies the maximum transmittance among the derived transmittances, and sets this as the transmittance δ of image layer B. The processor 110 derives the transmittance R by multiplying the transmittances α, β, γ, and δ together.

[0056] The processor 110 also determines whether the image layers A and B are pale in color based on the type and density of paint used to form the image layers A and B, respectively. More specifically, the processor 110 acquires the print image data for the image layer A in the same manner as the print image data for the image layer B. The processor 110 identifies the type of paint used to form the image layer A based on the print image data for the image layer A. The processor 110 identifies the density of each identified type of paint at each paint drop amount throughout the image layer A based on the print image data for the image layer A. In this embodiment, the storage medium 130 stores in advance information corresponding to the density of each type of paint in the image at each paint drop amount used to form the image and whether the image is pale in color. The processor 110 determines whether the image layer A is pale in color based on the type of paint used to form the image layer A, the density of each type of paint at each paint drop amount, and this correspondence information. Similarly, the processor 110 determines whether the image layer B is pale in color. After completing the process of step S200, processor 110 proceeds to step S205.

[0057] The processes of steps S205 to S215 are the same as those in the first embodiment. After completing the process of step S215, processor 110 advances the process to step S220. In step S220, processor 110, using the function of determination unit 111b, again derives transmittances α to γ ​​based on the provisional configuration after adjustment in the immediately preceding step S210 and S215. Then, processor 110 multiplies the derived transmittances α to γ ​​by transmittance δ to derive a new transmittance R. After completing the process of step S220, processor 110 proceeds to the process of step S205. The process of step S225 is the same as that of embodiment 1. After completing the process of step S225, processor 110 completes the process of Fig. 10 and proceeds to step S110.

[0058] In step S110, the processor 110, using the function of the print control unit 111c, generates print data to be used for printing the print layer by the printing device 200 based on the image data 130a and the printing conditions 130b. At this time, the processor 110 determines the paint droplet volume of the paint to be applied for each pixel in each print layer, and includes information on the determined paint droplet volume in the print data. After completing the processing of step S110, the processor 110 proceeds to step S115. The process in step S115 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0059] As described above, with the configuration of this embodiment, the information processing device 100 can determine the transmittance of the base layer even when the amount of paint ejected by the printing device 200 onto each pixel is not constant.

[0060] (3) Other embodiments: The above embodiment is one example for carrying out the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the information processing device 100 and the printing device 200 are configured as different devices, but they may also be configured as the same device. For example, the functions of the information processing device 100 may be implemented in the printing device 200. Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may be configured as multiple devices. Furthermore, the processing order of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 may be changed. For example, the processing order of steps S210 and S215 may be reversed.

[0061] In the above-described embodiments, the processor 110 acquires a value designated by the user as the designated transmittance value. However, the processor 110 may acquire another value as the designated transmittance value. For example, the processor 110 may acquire a designated transmittance value used in a previous printing operation as the designated transmittance value. In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the printing device 200 performs printing using C color material, M color material, Y color material, K color material, and white material. However, the printing device 200 may perform printing without using some of the C color material, M color material, Y color material, K color material, and white material, or may perform printing using other paint such as paint for achieving surface effects (for example, clear ink, varnish, etc.). In the above-described embodiment, the printing layer is configured from an image layer A, a base layer, and an image layer B. However, the printing layer may have other configurations. For example, the printing layer may not include either the image layer A or the image layer B, but may be configured from the other image layer and a base layer. The printing layer may also include other layers. For example, the printing layer may include a layer formed of clear ink on at least one of the front side of the image layer A and the back side of the image layer B.

[0062] In the above-described embodiments, the base layer is described as being composed of two white layers (white layers A and B) and a black layer disposed between the two white layers. However, the base layer may have other configurations. For example, the base layer may be composed of either a white layer or a black layer. For example, if it is desired to use black as the background of the image layers A and B, the base layer may not include a white layer. Furthermore, if the intensity of light expected to be incident on the printing medium is such that the white layer alone can sufficiently block the light, the base layer may not include a black layer. Furthermore, the base layer may include a layer other than a black layer or a white layer. For example, the base layer may include a layer formed of a clear ink. Furthermore, if it is desired that the background of the image layer be a color other than white or black (e.g., red or blue) from the viewpoint of aesthetics, the base layer may include a layer formed of a color material of that color.

[0063] In the above-described embodiments, the processor 110 determines the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance of the combined layer of the image layer B and the base layer for light incident on the backside falls within a range corresponding to the specified transmittance value. However, the processor 110 may also determine the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance of other layers, including the base layer, for light incident on the backside falls within a range corresponding to the specified transmittance value. For example, the processor 110 may acquire a specified value for the transmittance of the entire print layer for light incident on the backside as the specified transmittance value, and determine the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance of the entire print layer for light incident on the backside falls within a range corresponding to the specified transmittance value. In this case, for example, the processor 110 may calculate the transmittance of the entire print layer for light incident on the backside by multiplying the transmittance of each layer of the base layer for light incident on the backside by the transmittance of the image layer B for light incident on the backside and the transmittance of the image layer A for light incident on the backside. The processor 110 may also obtain a specified value for the transmittance of the base layer for light incident on the back side, and determine the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance of the base layer for light incident on the back side is within a range corresponding to the specified value.

[0064] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the processor 110 determines the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance of the layer including the base layer for light incident on the backside falls within a range corresponding to a specified value. However, the information processing device 100 may also determine the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance of the layer including the base layer for light incident on the frontside falls within a range corresponding to a specified value. For example, the processor 110 may obtain a specified value for the transmittance of the layer including the image layer A and the base layer, and determine the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance of the layer including the image layer A and the base layer for light incident on the frontside falls within a range corresponding to the specified value. Alternatively, the processor 110 may obtain a specified value for the transmittance of the entire print layer for light incident on the frontside as a specified transmittance value, and determine the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance of the layer including the image layer A and the base layer for light incident on the frontside falls within a range corresponding to the specified transmittance value. In addition, the processor 110 may acquire a specified value of the transmittance for light incident on the front side of the base layer as a specified transmittance value, and determine the layer structure of the base layer so that the transmittance for light incident on the front side of the layer consisting of the image layer A and the base layer is within a range corresponding to the specified transmittance value.

[0065] Alternatively, processor 110 may acquire both a designated value for the transmittance for light incident on the backside of a first layer including the base layer (e.g., base layer + image layer B, all of the printed layers, etc.) and a designated value for the transmittance for light incident on the frontside of a second layer including the base layer (e.g., base layer + image layer A, all of the printed layers, etc.), and perform the following: That is, processor 110 may determine the layer configuration of the base layer so that the transmittance for light incident on the backside of the first layer is within a range corresponding to the designated value for the transmittance for light incident on the backside of the first layer, and the transmittance for light incident on the frontside of the second layer is within a range corresponding to the designated value for the transmittance for light incident on the frontside of the second layer.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, the processor 110 calculates the transmittance of the combined layer of the base layer and the image layer B of the provisional configuration. If the calculated transmittance is outside the range corresponding to the specified transmittance value, the processor 110 adjusts the provisional configuration as follows. That is, the information processing device 100 adjusts the image resolution and density of each layer of the base layer of the provisional configuration by increasing or decreasing the resolution and density of each layer. However, the adjusted provisional configuration is determined as the layer configuration of the base layer. However, the processor 110 may adjust the provisional configuration of the base layer by other methods. For example, the processor 110 may adjust either the image resolution or the density of each layer of the base layer of the provisional configuration, without adjusting the other. Alternatively, the processor 110 may adjust the density of each layer of the base layer of the provisional configuration by partially increasing and partially decreasing the density of each layer.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the processor 110 derives the transmittance δ of the image layer B as the transmittance of the selected region with the highest transmittance among the selected regions selected from the image layer B. However, the processor 110 may derive another transmittance as the transmittance δ of the image layer B. For example, the processor 110 may derive a statistical value (e.g., an average value) of the transmittances of multiple selected regions selected from the image layer B as the transmittance δ of the image layer B. Furthermore, the processor 110 may derive the transmittance of the selected region with the lowest transmittance among the selected regions selected from the image layer B as the transmittance δ of the image layer B.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the processor 110 determines whether the image layer is a light color based on the density of each paint used to form the image layer in the entire image layer for each of the image layers A and B. However, the processor 110 may also determine whether the image layer is a light color based on the density of each paint in a partial region within the image layer. Furthermore, processor 110 may determine whether each of image layers A and B is a light color based on an index different from the concentration of each paint used to form the image layer in the image layer. For example, processor 110 may determine whether each of image layers A and B is a light color based on the lightness of the image layer. For example, processor 110 may determine whether each of image layers A and B is a light color if the lightness of a region (e.g., any partial region, the entire region, etc.) included in the image layer is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

[0069] In the above-described embodiments, the black layer is formed from a K colorant. However, the black layer may be formed from C, M, and Y colorants of the same density as the K colorant. In this case, the processor 110 calculates the transmittance of the black layer for a predetermined light as follows. In this case, the black layer is divided into a C image, an M image, a Y image, and a K image formed from the C, M, Y, and K colorants, respectively. The processor 110 then calculates the transmittance of the black layer for a predetermined light of the C image, the M image, the Y image, and the K image by multiplying the calculated transmittances.

[0070] In each of the above-described embodiments, the processor 110 calculates the transmittance of each layer for the predetermined light by acquiring the transmittance corresponding to the image resolution of each layer and the paint density of each layer from the characteristic information 130c prepared in advance. However, the processor 110 may calculate the transmittance of each layer using other methods. For example, the processor 110 may calculate the transmittance of each layer for the predetermined light using a relationship model that has been previously machine-learned between the image resolution and paint density of each layer and the transmittance of each layer for the predetermined light.

[0071] In the above-described embodiments, the density is the ratio of the number of pixels to which paint is applied to the total number of pixels in the target region. However, the density may be another indicator. For example, the density may be the ratio of the area of ​​the target region to the area of ​​the target region. In this case, assuming that correspondence information between the amount of paint applied to a pixel and the area that this amount of paint occupies on the printing medium is prepared in advance, the processor 110 may do the following: That is, the processor 110 identifies the pixels to which the target paint is applied and the amount of paint applied to each pixel from the pixels in the target region. Then, the processor 110 identifies the area occupied by the paint at each identified pixel from the prepared correspondence information between the amount of paint and the area, and the sum of the identified areas is determined as the area occupied by the target paint in the target region. The processor 110 may calculate the ratio of this area to the entire target region as the density of the paint in the target region.

[0072] In the second embodiment described above, the processor 110 adjusts the provisional configuration by adjusting the image resolution and density of each base layer, as in the first embodiment. However, the processor 110 may also adjust the paint droplet amount of each base layer as part of the adjustment of the provisional configuration.

[0073] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied as a program or method executed by a computer. The above-described systems, programs, and methods may be realized as a single device or may be realized using components included in multiple devices, and include various other aspects. They can also be modified as appropriate, such as being partly software and partly hardware. Furthermore, the invention can also be realized as a recording medium for a program that controls the system. Of course, the recording medium for the program may be a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and any recording medium developed in the future can be considered in the same way. Furthermore, the above-mentioned embodiments do not limit the invention. The embodiments include multiple inventions with different effects, so one problem or effect that can be read from an embodiment does not necessarily apply to all inventions included in the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 100...information processing device, 110...control unit, 111...print control program, 111a...acquisition unit, 111b...determination unit, 111c...print control unit, 120...communication unit, 130...storage medium, 130a...image data, 130b...print conditions, 130c...characteristic information, 140...UI unit, 200...printing device, 210...control unit, 211...print execution program, 211a...print execution unit, 220...communication unit, 230...storage unit, 240...print head, 241...ejection unit, 242...irradiation unit

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a designated value of transmittance of one or more layers, including one or two image layers printed on a printing medium so as to be visible from either side of the printing medium, and a base layer that is a base for the one or two image layers; a determination unit that determines a layer configuration that is a configuration of the base layer based on the specified value acquired by the acquisition unit; Equipped with the underlayer includes a white layer that is a white layer and a black layer that is a black layer, The determination unit determines the layer configuration of the white layer that serves as a base for the image layer based on the color of the image layer.

2. the acquisition unit acquires the designated value of the transmittance of the one or more layers for a predetermined light that is expected to be incident on the plurality of layers; The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the layer configuration based on the specified value acquired by the acquisition unit and the transmittance for the predetermined light of the layer formed by each of the paints used to form each of the one or more layers.

3. the paint used to form each of the plurality of layers is ejected from a print head used to print the plurality of layers; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the layer structure indicates an image resolution of each layer of the base layer.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the paint used to form each of the plurality of layers is cured by irradiation with ultraviolet light.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the underlayer is used as one or more of a light-shielding layer used to block light and an auxiliary layer that assists the image layer in color development.

6. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, an acquisition step of acquiring a designated value of transmittance of one or more layers, including one or two image layers printed on a printing medium, the plurality of layers including one or two image layers printed visible from either side of the printing medium and a base layer underlying the one or two image layers; a determination step of determining a layer configuration that is a configuration of the base layer based on the designated value acquired in the acquisition step; Including, the underlayer includes a white layer that is a white layer and a black layer that is a black layer, In the determining step, the layer configuration of the white layer that serves as a base for the image layer is determined based on the color of the image layer.

7. On the computer, an acquisition step of acquiring a specified value of transmittance of one or more layers, including one or two image layers printed on a printing medium, the plurality of layers including one or two image layers printed visible from either side of the printing medium and a base layer underlying the one or two image layers; a determination step of determining a layer configuration, which is a configuration of the base layer, based on the designated value acquired in the acquisition step; Execute the underlayer includes a white layer that is a white layer and a black layer that is a black layer, In the determining step, the program determines the layer configuration of the white layer that serves as a base for the image layer based on the color of the image layer.

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