Patent ID: 12227013

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in the following order:(1) First Embodiment(1-1) Configuration of Information Processing Device(1-2) Print Control Processing(2) Second Embodiment(3) Other Embodiments.

(1) First Embodiment

(1-1) Configuration of Information Processing Device

FIG.1shows an example of the configuration of an information processing device100and a printing device200according to this embodiment. The information processing device100in this embodiment is an information processing device controlling the printing device200and is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet device, a smartphone, or the like. The printing device200is a printing device printing an image on a print medium (for example, an acrylic plate, a glass plate, a medium made of a resin (for example, a smartphone case or the like made of a resin), a print paper, or the like) in response to an instruction from the information processing device100. In this embodiment, the printing device200prints on the print medium, using a predetermined paint. In this embodiment, the predetermined paint is cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), and white coloring materials (for example, dyes, pigments, or the like). In the description below, C-color, M-color, Y-color, K-color, and white coloring materials used by the printing device200are referred to as a C coloring material, an M coloring material, a Y coloring material, a K coloring material, and a white coloring material, respectively. The paints used by the printing device200in this embodiment are paints cured by ultraviolet irradiation. In this embodiment, a side where an image is printed, of the print medium, is defined to as a front side. That is, a side opposite to the side where an image is printed, of the print medium, is defined to as a back side. In this embodiment, the printing device200ejects a predetermined amount of the paint to each pixel where the paint is ejected, in the print medium. The pixel is an area formed by dividing a print area, based on an image resolution. The image resolution is an indicator indicating the density of the paint applied to the print medium (density of pixel) and is expressed, for example, by the unit of dots per inch (dpi). In this embodiment, the printing device200is an inkjet printing device. However, the printing device200may also be a laser printing device using a toner as the paint.

In this embodiment, a case where the printing device200prints a plurality of layers stacked on each other, 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 foundation layer arranged between the image layers and serving as a foundation of each image layer, on a transparent print medium, as shown inFIG.2, is described as an example. In this embodiment, the image layer A is arranged as an outermost layer on the front side, among the plurality of layers to be printed, and is therefore visible from the front side. The image layer B is arranged as an outermost layer on the back side, among the layers to be printed, and is therefore visible from the back side. In this embodiment, the foundation layer is formed of a white layer A and a white layer B formed by applying the white coloring material at a predetermined concentration to an entire print area, and a black layer arranged between the white layer A and the white layer B and formed by applying the K coloring material at a predetermined concentration to the entire print area. In the description below, the plurality of layers to be printed are defined as a print layer. The print area is a print target area on the surface of the print medium where printing is performed. The concentration is an indicator indicating the proportion of the area occupied by the corresponding paint, in the print target area. In this embodiment, a predetermined amount of the paint is ejected to each pixel and therefore the concentration indicates the proportion of the number of pixels coated with the corresponding paint to the total number of pixels in the target area.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that, when a print medium on which printing is completed is in use, light with a relatively high intensity enters the print medium from the back side of the print medium. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the print medium is, for example, an advertisement medium or the like attached to a shop window. It is assumed that, from indoors, light of a fluorescent lamp enters the advertisement medium attached to the shop window and that relatively intense light such as sunlight is cast on the advertisement medium from outdoors. In such a case, the light from outdoors may be transmitted through the print layer and therefore the image on the image layer on the outdoor side may be seen through the image layer on the indoor side. In such a case, the visibility (easiness of checking) of the image layer on the indoor side drops. In the description below, the light assumed to enter the print medium from the back side is referred to as back-side incident light. In the description below, the light assumed to enter the print medium from the front side is referred to as front-side incident light.

In this embodiment, the printing device200ejects the paint to the print medium and casts ultraviolet light on the ejected paint, and thus performs printing. The information processing device100and the printing device200are coupled in such a way as to be able to communicate with each other via a wire or wirelessly. The information processing device100and the printing device200may be configured as integrated hardware and the information processing device100installed in the printing device200may control the printing device200.

In this embodiment, a case where the information processing device100adjusts the transmittance for the back-side incident light of a layer formed of the image layer B and the foundation layer combined, in the print layer, in order to maintain the visibility of the image layer A, is described as an example. Each layer in the foundation layer in this embodiment functions as a light-shielding layer blocking at least a part of the light entering the print layer. The white layer included in the foundation layer serves as the foundation of the image layer. As the background of the image layer is made white, which is less likely to inhibit the coloring, the white layer functions as an assisting layer assisting the color development of the image layer.

The hardware included in the information processing device100and the printing device200will now be described.

The information processing device100has a processor110, a communication unit120, a storage medium130, and a UI unit140. The information processing device100also has a random-access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM), not illustrated. The processor110executes various programs stored in the ROM, the storage medium130, and the like, and thus controls the information processing device100. The processor110may be formed of a single chip or a plurality of chips. In this embodiment, the processor110is a central processing unit (CPU). However, the processor110may be formed of an ASIC or the like, or may be formed of a CPU and an ASIC. The communication unit120has a circuit used for communication conforming to various wired or wireless communication protocols with an external device such as the printing device200. The storage medium130stores various programs such as a print control program111for executing processing of controlling the printing via the printing device200, and various kinds of information such as image data130a, a print condition130b, and characteristic information130c.

The image data130ais data of the image layers A, B to be printed. In this embodiment, the data of each layer of the image layer A and the image layer B represented by the image data130ais RGB data that expresses each pixel in the image layers A, B divided by a predetermined number of pixels (for example, 640×480, 1200×1600, or the like), in the form of a gradation value in 3 channels of RGB.

The print condition130brepresents various conditions for the printing of the image data130a(for example, the print area in the print medium, the image resolution of the image layers A, B, and the like). In this embodiment, the print condition130balso includes data of a layer configuration of the foundation layer. The layer configuration is the configuration of the foundation layer and represents the layers included in the foundation layer, the order in which the layers are stacked, the image resolution of each layer, and the concentration of the paint in each layer. In this embodiment, the print condition130bis designated by a user. However, the print condition130bmay be determined in advance.

The characteristic information130cis information representing a characteristic of each paint used in the printing device200. In this embodiment, this characteristic is a characteristic representing the easiness of transmission of various kinds of light when the light enters each layer that is formed by applying the paint to an area of a specific size under various conditions (image resolution, concentration). In this embodiment, the characteristic information130crepresents the transmittance of light when various kinds of light enter one layer (area coated with a paint) formed by applying one type of paint to an area of a specific size under various conditions (image resolution, concentration). In this embodiment, the characteristic information130cis stored in the storage medium130in advance.

The characteristic information130cin this embodiment is table information showing the correspondence between the type of the paint, the image resolution (dpi), the concentration (%), the incident light, and the transmittance, as shown inFIG.3. The information representing the type of the paint is, for example, the name, serial number, and the like of the paint. Various types of paints are applied in advance with various image resolutions and various concentrations. Then, various kinds of light are made to enter the coated area and the transmittance is measured. Thus, the characteristic information130cis found.FIG.4shows the difference in the way of applying the paint due to the difference in the image resolution. Each circular object inFIG.4represents the paint applied to one pixel. As shown inFIG.4, the amount of the paint applied to a predetermined area is constant regardless of the image resolution, whereas the size of each gap that can be generated between paints decreases as the image resolution becomes higher. The present applicants have conducted an experiment in which various types of paints are applied in advance with various image resolutions and various concentrations, then various kinds of light are made to enter the coated area, and the transmittance is measured, and have found that the light-shielding rate becomes higher as the image resolution becomes higher, based on the result of the experiment.

The UI unit140has an input unit accepting an input from the user, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad, or an operation unit on a touch panel, and an output unit used to present information to the user, such as a monitor, a display unit on a touch panel, or a speaker.

The printing device200has a processor210, a communication unit220, a storage medium230, and a print head240. The printing device200also has a RAM and a ROM, not illustrated. The processor210executes various programs stored in the ROM, the storage medium230, and the like, and thus controls the printing device200. The processor210may be formed of a single chip or a plurality of chips. In this embodiment, the processor210is a CPU. However, the processor210may be formed of an ASIC or the like, or may be formed of a CPU and an ASIC. The communication unit220has a circuit used for communication conforming to various wired or wireless communication protocols with an external device such as the information processing device100. The storage medium230stores various programs such as a print execution program211for controlling the execution of printing, and various kinds of information.

The print head240ejects the paint to the print medium and casts ultraviolet light thereon. The processor210causes the print head240to eject the paint to the print medium and cast ultraviolet light thereon, while moving the print head240via a drive mechanism of the print head240. The processor210repeats printing on a per line basis on the print medium via the print head240and thus performs printing. In the description below, the direction of the line is referred to as a main scanning direction. In the description below, a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction and parallel to the print medium arranged at the time of printing is referred to as a sub scanning direction. In the description below, the printing of one line performed by the print head240during printing while moving from one end to the other end of the print area in the main scanning direction on the print medium is referred to as one print path. The number of times a print path is made that is required for printing in the same area in the print area is referred to as the number of print paths. The print head240has an ejection unit241used to eject various paints, and an irradiation unit242casting ultraviolet light on the paint ejected by the ejection unit241. The ejection unit241is a nozzle used to eject each of the CMYK and white coloring materials. The ejection unit241ejects each coloring material to the print medium and thus applies each coloring material to the print medium. The irradiation unit242is a lamp casting ultraviolet light and arranged at both ends in the main scanning direction of the ejection unit241. When the print head240moves for scanning, the processor210causes the irradiation unit242located at a rear part in the scanning direction of the print head240to cast ultraviolet light onto the paint ejected to the print medium by the ejection unit241.

The functions of the information processing device100and the printing device200will now be described.

The processor110of the information processing device100executes the print control program111stored in the storage medium130and thus functions as an acquisition unit111a, a decision unit111b, and a print control unit111c.

The acquisition unit111ais a function of acquiring a designated value of the transmittance for predetermined light of one or more layers including the foundation layer, included in the print layer to be printed on the print medium. In the description below, the designated value of the transmittance acquired by the function of the acquisition unit111ais referred to as a designated transmittance value.

In this embodiment, by the function of the acquisition unit111a, the processor110acquires the designated value of the transmittance for the back-side incident light of a layer formed of the foundation layer and the image layer B combined, as the designated transmittance value. In this embodiment, the processor110accepts an input of the designated transmittance value, based on an operation to the UI unit140by the user, and thus acquires the designated transmittance value. Also, the processor110accepts an input of the print condition130b, based on an operation to the UI unit140by the user, and stores the print condition130bin the storage medium130.

The decision unit111bis a function of deciding a layer configuration, which is the configuration of the foundation layer in the print layer group, based on the designated transmittance value acquired by the function of the acquisition unit111a.

In this embodiment, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110decides the layer configuration, based on the designated transmittance value and the characteristic information130crepresenting the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the layer formed of each paint used to print the foundation layer. Details of the processing by the processor110involving the decision unit111bwill now be described. The processor110acquires the initial value of the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130b, as a tentative value of the layer configuration. In the description below, the tentative value of the layer configuration is referred to as a tentative configuration. In this embodiment, the concentration of the white layer A, the black layer, and the white layer B indicated by the initial value of the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130bis 40%, 70%, and 40%, respectively. The processor110also acquires print image data in the case of printing the image layer B represented by the image data130aunder the condition represented by the print condition130b. The print image data is data representing which coloring material to apply to which pixel with what image resolution, in the print area in the print medium. More specifically, the processor110enlarges or reduces RGB data of the image layer B represented by the image data130a, based on the image resolution represented by the print condition130b. The processor110then converts the enlarged or reduced RGB data into gradation data for each color of the predetermined coloring materials used in the printing device200. In this embodiment, the predetermined coloring materials are the C coloring material, the M coloring material, the Y coloring material, and the K coloring material. The processor110performs halftone processing, based on the converted gradation data, and decides which coloring material to eject in what amount to each pixel in the print area in order to achieve the color of the image layer B. The processor110acquires data representing which coloring material to eject in what amount to which pixel in the print medium, thus decided, as the print image data of the image layer B.

Subsequently, the processor110acquires the transmittance for the back-side incident light of a layer formed of the image layer B and the foundation layer of the tentative configuration combined. Details of the processing of acquiring this transmittance will now be described. In the description below, the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the layer formed of the image layer B and the foundation layer of the tentative configuration combined is expressed by R. In the description below, the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the white layer A of the foundation layer of the tentative configuration is expressed by α. In the description below, the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the black layer of the foundation layer of the tentative configuration is expressed by β. In the description below, the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the white layer B of the foundation layer of the tentative configuration is expressed by γ. In the description below, the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the image layer B is expressed by δ. As shown inFIG.5, the transmittance R is expressed by the multiplication of the transmittances α to δ.

The processor110acquires the image resolution in the white layer A in the tentative configuration and the concentration of the white coloring material, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the white coloring material, the acquired image resolution, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance α.

The processor110also acquires the image resolution in the black layer in the tentative configuration and the concentration of the K coloring material, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the K coloring material, the acquired image resolution, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance β.

The processor110also acquires the image resolution in the white layer B in the tentative configuration and the concentration of the white coloring material, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the white coloring material, the acquired image resolution, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance γ.

The processing in which the processor110acquires the transmittance δ of the image layer B to be printed in the print area will now be described, usingFIG.6. The processor110selects a rectangular area of a predetermined size (for example, 10×10 pixels, 100×100 pixels, 500×500 pixels, the entire print area, or the like), from the image layer B to be printed in the print area. In the description below, the area selected at this point is referred to as a selected area. The image in the selected area can be regarded as an image of a combination of an image formed of the C coloring material (hereinafter referred to as the C image), an image formed of the M coloring material (hereinafter referred to as the M image), an image formed of the Y coloring material (hereinafter referred to as the Y image), and an image formed of the K coloring material (hereinafter referred to as the K image). Thus, the processor110finds the transmittance for the back-side incident light of each of the C image, the M image, the Y image, and the K image in the selected area and multiplies the resulting transmittances, and thus finds the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the selected area. In this embodiment, the processor110derives the proportion of the number of pixels coated with the C coloring material to the total number of pixels in the selected area, as the concentration of the C image in the selected area, based on the print image data of the image layer B. Similarly, the processor110derives the proportion of the number of pixels coated with each of the M coloring material, the Y coloring material, and the K coloring material to the total number of pixels in the selected area, as the concentration of each of the M image, the Y image, and the K image in the selected area, based on the print image data of the image layer B.

The processor110acquires the transmittance corresponding to the C coloring material, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the C image in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the C image in the selected area. The processor110also acquires the transmittance corresponding to the M coloring material, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the M image in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the M image in the selected area. The processor110also acquires the transmittance corresponding to the Y coloring material, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the Y image in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the Y image in the selected area. The processor110also acquires the transmittance corresponding to the K coloring material, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the K image in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the K image in the selected area.

The processor110multiplies the acquired transmittances for the back-side incident light of the C image, the M image, the Y image, and the K image in the selected area, and thus derives the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the selected area.

The processor110selects a rectangular area of a predetermined size that is different from the already selected area, from the image layer B, as a selected area again, and derives the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the selected area. The processor110repeats the above processing until deriving the transmittances for the back-side incident light of rectangular areas of all the sizes included in the image layer B. The processor110specifies the maximum transmittance from among the derived transmittances and defines this transmittance as the transmittance δ of the image layer B.

The processor110multiplies the transmittances α, β, γ, δ and thus derives the transmittance R. The processor110determines whether the transmittance R is within a predetermined range corresponding to the designated transmittance value or not. In this embodiment, the predetermined range corresponding to the designated transmittance value is a range of the designated transmittance value±a predetermined threshold (for example, 3%, 5% or the like). When the processor110has determined that the transmittance R is within the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value, the processor110decides the tentative configuration as the layer configuration of the foundation layer. More specifically, the processor110updates the content of the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130bwith the content of the tentative configuration. When the processor110has decided that the transmittance R is out of the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value, the processor110adjusts the tentative configuration in the following manner.

A case where the transmittance R is out of the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value and is higher than the designated transmittance value will now be described.

The processor110increases the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration. Any value may be set as the scale of increase. When the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration is an upper limit value, the processor110does not adjust the tentative configuration in terms of the image resolution.

The processor110increases the concentration of the black layer represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of increase. In this embodiment, this predetermined amount of increase is 10%. However, the predetermined amount of increase may be another value such as 3%, 5%, or 20%. The processor110increases the concentration of the white layer A and the white layer B represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of increase that is larger than the amount of increase for the black layer. In this embodiment, this predetermined amount of increase is 40%. However, the predetermined amount of increase may be another value such as 5%, 10%, 20%, or 30%.

The increase in the concentration of the black layer increases the probability that the black color of the black layer may be transmitted through the white layers A, B and may become visible from the front side and the back side, lowering the visibility of the image layer A and the image layer B. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processor110increases the concentration of the white layers A, B by the amount of increase that is larger than the amount of increase in the concentration of the black layer. Thus, the processor110can reduce the probability that the black color of the black layer may be transmitted through the white layers A, B and may lower the visibility of the image layer A and the image layer B.

The processor110also determines whether the image layer A and the image layer B are light-colored or not, based on the type and concentration of the paint used to form each of the image layer A and the image layer B. When the processor110has determined that the image layer A and the image layer B are light-colored, the processor110increases the concentration of the white layers A, B serving as the foundation of the image layer A and the image layer B, by a predetermined amount of increase. More specifically, the processor110operates as follows. The processor110acquires the print image data of the image layer A as in the case of the print image data of the image layer B. The processor110specifies the type of the paint used to form the image layer A, based on the print image data of the image layer A. The processor110specifies the concentration of each specified type of paint in the entirety of the image layer A, based on the print image data of the image layer A. In this embodiment, correspondence information between the concentration in the image of each type of paint used to form the image and whether the image is light-colored or not, is stored in the storage medium130in advance. This correspondence information is found by forming an image using various types of paints and various concentrations in advance and then determining whether the formed image is light-colored or not (for example, user's subjective determination, determination using a color measurement device, or the like). The processor110determines whether the image layer A is light-colored or not, based on the type of the paint used to form the image layer A, the concentration of each type of paint in the entirety of the image layer A, and the correspondence information. The processor110similarly determines whether the image layer B is light-colored or not.

When the image layer A is light-colored, the processor110increases the concentration of the white layer A serving as the foundation of the image layer A and represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of increase. In this embodiment, this predetermined amount of increase is 20%. However, the predetermined amount of increase may be another value such as 3%, 5%, 10%, or 30%. Similarly, when the image layer B is light-colored, the processor110increases the concentration of the white layer B serving as the foundation of the image layer B and represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of increase.

When the image layer A and the image layer B are light-colored, the color of the foundation layer is more likely to be transmitted through the image layers than when the image layer A and the image layer B are dark-colored. Therefore, when the image layer A and the image layer B are light-colored and the concentration of the black layer in the foundation layer is increased, it is probable that the black color of the black layer may be transmitted through the image layers and that the visually recognized color of the image layers A, B may change. When the image layer A and the image layer B are light-colored, the processor110increases the concentration of the white layers A, B serving as the foundation and thus can reduce the probability that the visually recognized color of the image layers A, B may change as described above.

Through the above processing, the tentative configuration is adjusted in such a way as to increase the concentration of each layer in the foundation layer.FIG.7shows the result of the adjustment of the concentration of each layer in the foundation layer represented by the tentative configuration when the image layer A is light-colored and the image layer B is not light-colored.

A case where the transmittance R is out of the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value and is lower than the designated transmittance value will now be described.

When the transmittance R is lower than the designated transmittance value, the processor110reduces the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer represented by the tentative configuration. Any value may be set as the scale of reduction. When the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer represented by the tentative configuration is a lower limit value, the processor110does not adjust the tentative configuration in terms of the image resolution.

The processor110reduces the concentration of the black layer represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of reduction. In this embodiment, this predetermined amount of reduction is 10%. However, the predetermined amount of reduction may be another value such as 20%. The processor110also reduces the concentration of the white layer A and the white layer B represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of reduction. In this embodiment, this predetermined amount of reduction is 40%. However, the predetermined amount of reduction may be another value such as 20% or 30%.

Through the above processing, the tentative configuration is adjusted in such a way as to reduce the concentration of each layer in the foundation layer.

After adjusting the tentative configuration in such a way as to adjust the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer and the concentration of each layer, the processor110derives the transmittances α to γ again, based on the adjusted tentative configuration. The processor110then multiplies the derived transmittances α to γ and the transmittance δ and thus derives the transmittance R for the back-side incident light of the layer formed of the foundation layer of the adjusted tentative configuration and the image layer B combined. The processor110determines whether the derived transmittance R is within a predetermined range corresponding to the designated transmittance value or not. When the processor110has determined that the derived transmittance R is within the predetermined range corresponding to the designated transmittance value, the processor110decides the adjusted tentative configuration as the layer configuration of the foundation layer. More specifically, the processor110updates the content of the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130bwith the content of the tentative configuration. When the processor110has decided that the derived transmittance R is out of the predetermined range corresponding to the designated transmittance value, the processor110adjusts the tentative configuration again in terms of the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer and the concentration of each layer.

The processor110repeats the above processing until deciding the tentative configuration as the layer configuration of the foundation layer as the transmittance R for the back-side incident light of the layer formed of the foundation layer of the tentative configuration and the image layer B combined falls within the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value. In the adjustment of the tentative configuration, the concentration of each layer in the foundation layer represented by the tentative configuration may exceed 100% in some cases. The layer whose concentration exceeds 100% in this way is formed of a plurality of layers. For example, when the white layer A has a concentration of 140%, the white layer A is formed of one layer formed of a white coloring material and having a concentration of 100% and one layer formed of a white coloring material and having a concentration of 40%, as shown inFIG.8.

The print control unit111cis a function of controlling the printing of the print layer via the printing device200.

By the function of the print control unit111c, the processor110generates print data used by the printing device200to print the print layer, based on the image data130aand the print condition130b. The print data is data representing an aspect of the printing to be executed by the printing device200. In this embodiment, the print data represents the print area in the print medium, the image resolution, the number of print paths, the amount of paint applied to each pixel, or the like.

The processor110generates print data of the image layers A, B, based on the image data130aand various conditions for the printing of the image layers A, B represented by the print condition130b. The processor110also generates print data of each layer in the foundation layer, based on the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130b. At this point, the processor110also decides the number of print paths employed when forming each layer in the foundation layer, based on the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130b.

The processor110transmits the generated print data to the printing device200and instructs the printing device200to print the print layer on the print medium.

The functions of the printing device200will now be described.

The processor210of the printing device200executes the print execution program211stored in the storage medium230and thus functions as a print execution unit211a.

The print execution unit211ais a function of executing the printing of the print layer on the print medium, using the print data transmitted from the information processing device100. By the function of the print execution unit211a, the processor210prints the image layer B, the white layer B, the black layer, the white layer A, and the image layer A in order in the print area on the print medium, based on the print data, and thus prints the print layer.

With the above configuration, the information processing device100decides the layer configuration of the foundation layer, based on the designated value of the transmittance of the layer formed of the foundation layer and the image layer B combined. Thus, the information processing device100can decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer without needing the user's subjective determination.

Also, in this embodiment, the information processing device100decides the layer configuration of the foundation layer, based on the designated transmittance value and the characteristic information130crepresenting the characteristic of the paint used to form each layer in the print layer (transmittance for the back-side incident light of the layer formed of each paint used to form each layer in the print layer). Thus, the information processing device100can adjust the transmittance of the layer formed of the foundation layer and the image layer B combined, according to the characteristic of the paint used to form each layer.

Also, in this embodiment, the information processing device100determines whether the image layers A, B are light-colored or not, based on the type and concentration of the paint used to form the image layers A, B. When the transmittance of the layer formed of the foundation layer of the tentative configuration and the image layer B combined is out of the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value and is higher than the designated transmittance value, the information processing device100adjusts the tentative configuration in such a way as to increase the concentration of the white layers A, B serving as the foundation of the image layers A, B determined as being light-colored. Thus, the information processing device100can reduce the probability that the visually recognized color of the light-colored image layers A, B may change due to the black color of the black layer.

(1-2) Print Control Processing

Print control processing executed by the information processing device100will now be described, usingFIGS.9and10.

The processor110starts the processing shown inFIG.9at a timing when a screen that is used to instruct the printing device200to print the print layer and that is used to designate the designated transmittance value, the print condition, and the like, is displayed on the UI unit140.

In step S100, by the function of the acquisition unit111a, the processor110accepts an input of the designated transmittance value, which is the designated value of the transmittance of the layer formed of the foundation layer and the image layer B combined, based on an operation to the UI unit140by the user, and thus acquires the designated transmittance value. The processor110also accepts an input of the print condition130b, based on an operation to the UI unit140by the user, and stores the print condition130bin the storage medium130. After completing the processing of step S100, the processor110advances the processing to step S105. The processing of step S100is an example of an acquisition step.

In step S105, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110performs layer configuration decision processing of deciding the layer configuration of the foundation layer. The processing of step S105is an example of a decision step. Details of the layer configuration decision processing will now be described, usingFIG.10.

In step S200, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110acquires the initial value of the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130b, as the tentative configuration, which is a tentative value of the layer configuration. The processor110acquires print image data in the case of printing the image layer B represented by the image data130awith the image resolution represented by the print condition130b.

The processor110acquires the image resolution and the concentration of the white coloring material in the white layer A of the tentative configuration, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the white coloring material, the acquired image resolution, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance α. The processor110acquires the image resolution and the concentration of the K coloring material in the black layer of the tentative configuration, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the K coloring material, the acquired image resolution, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance β. The processor110acquires the image resolution and the concentration of the white coloring material in the white layer B of the tentative configuration, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the white coloring material, the acquired image resolution, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance γ.

The processor110selects a rectangular selected area of a predetermined size from the image layer B to be printed in the print area. The processor110derives the proportion of the number of pixels coated with the C coloring material to the total number of pixels in the selected area, as the concentration of the C image in the selected area, based on the print image data of the image layer B. Similarly, the processor110derives the proportion of the number of pixels coated with each of the M coloring material, the Y coloring material, and the K coloring material to the total number of pixels in the selected area, as the concentration of each of the M image, the Y image, and the K image in the selected area, based on the print image data of the image layer B.

The processor110acquires the transmittance corresponding to the C coloring material, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the C image in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the C image in the selected area. The processor110acquires the transmittance corresponding to the M coloring material, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the M image in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the M image in the selected area. The processor110acquires the transmittance corresponding to the Y coloring material, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the Y image in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the Y image in the selected area. The processor110acquires the transmittance corresponding to the K coloring material, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the K image in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the K image in the selected area.

The processor110multiplies the acquired transmittances for the back-side incident light of the C image, the M image, the Y image, and the K image in the selected area, and thus derives the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the selected area.

The processor110selects again a rectangular area of a predetermined size that is not selected yet, as a selected area, from the image layer B, and derives the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the selected area that is selected this time. The selected area that is selected this time may be an area partly overlapping the already selected area or may be an area that does not overlap the already selected area. The processor110repeats the above processing until deriving the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the rectangular areas of all the predetermined sizes included in the image layer B. The processor110specifies the maximum transmittance from among the derived transmittances and defines the maximum transmittance as the transmittance δ of the image layer B.

The processor110multiplies the transmittances α, β, γ, δ and thus derives the transmittance R.

The processor110also determines whether the image layer A and the image layer B are light-colored or not, based on the type and concentration of the paint used to form each of the image layer A and the image layer B. More specifically, the processor110acquires the print image data of the image layer A as in the case of the print image data of the image layer B. The processor110specifies the type of the paint used to form the image layer A, based on the print image data of the image layer A. The processor110specifies the concentration of each specified type of paint in the entirety of the image layer A, based on the print image data of the image layer A. In this embodiment, the correspondence information between the concentration in the image of each type of paint used to form the image and whether the image is light-colored or not, is stored in the storage medium130in advance. The processor110determines whether the image layer A is light-colored or not, based on the type of the paint used to form the image layer A, the concentration of each type of paint, and the correspondence information. The processor110similarly determines whether the image layer B is light-colored or not.

After completing the processing of step S200, the processor110advances the processing to step S205.

In step S205, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110determines whether the transmittance R is within a predetermined range corresponding to the designated transmittance value acquired in step S100or not. When the processor110has determined that the transmittance R is within the predetermined range corresponding to the designated transmittance value, the processor110advances the processing to step S225. When the processor110has determined that the transmittance R is out of the predetermined range corresponding to the designated transmittance value, the processor110advances the processing to step S210.

In step S210, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110performs processing of adjusting the image resolution of the foundation layer represented by the tentative configuration. The processing of step S210will be described below with respect to a case where the transmittance R is higher than the designated transmittance value and a case where the transmittance R is lower than the designated transmittance value.

The case where the transmittance R is higher than the designated transmittance value will now be described. The processor110increases the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration. Any value can be set as the scale of increase. When the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration is an upper limit value, the processor110does not adjust the tentative configuration in terms of the image resolution.

The case where the transmittance R is lower than the designated transmittance value will now be described. The processor110reduces the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration. Any value can be set as the scale of reduction. When the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration is a lower limit value, the processor110does not adjust the tentative configuration in terms of the image resolution.

After completing the processing of step S210, the processor110advances the processing to step S215.

In step S215, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110performs processing of adjusting the concentration of each layer in the foundation layer represented by the tentative configuration. The processing of step S215will be described below with respect to the case where the transmittance R is higher than the designated transmittance value and the case where the transmittance R is lower than the designated transmittance value.

The case where the transmittance R is higher than the designated transmittance value will now be described. The processor110increases the concentration of the black layer represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of increase. The processor110increases the concentration of the white layer A and the white layer B represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of increase that is larger than the amount of increase in the concentration of the black layer. When the image layer A is light-colored, the processor110increases the concentration of the white layer A serving as the foundation of the image layer A and represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of increase. When the image layer B is light-colored, the processor110increases the concentration of the white layer B serving as the foundation of the image layer B and represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of increase.

The case where the transmittance R is lower than the designated transmittance value will now be described. The processor110reduces the concentration of the black layer represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of reduction. The processor110reduces the concentration of the white layer A and the white layer B represented by the tentative configuration, by a predetermined amount of reduction.

After completing the processing of step S215, the processor110advances the processing to step S220.

In step S220, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110derives the transmittances α to γ again, based on the tentative configuration adjusted immediately before in steps S210and S215. The processor110derives a value resulting from the multiplication of the derived transmittances α to γ and the transmittance δ, as a new transmittance R. After completing the processing of step S220, the processor110advances the processing to step S205.

In step S225, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110decides the tentative configuration as the layer configuration of the foundation layer. More specifically, the processor110updates the content of the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130bwith the content of the tentative configuration. After completing the processing of step S225, the processor110completes the processing shown inFIG.10and advances the processing to step S110.

In step S110, by the function of the print control unit111c, the processor110generates print data used by the printing device200to print the print layer, based on the image data130aand the print condition130b. After completing the processing of step S110, the processor110advances the processing to step S115.

In step S115, the processor110transmits the print data generated in step S110to the printing device200and instructs the printing device200to print the print layer on the print medium. In response to this instruction, the processor210of the printing device200prints the print layer on the print medium via the print head240by the function of the print execution unit211a.

(2) Second Embodiment

The printing device200in the first embodiment ejects each paint in a predetermined amount to each pixel to be coated with the paint. In this embodiment, the printing device200can adjust the amount of the paint ejected to a pixel to be coated with the paint. In the description below, the amount of the paint ejected to one pixel by the printing device200is referred to as an amount of paint droplets. In this embodiment, the printing device200ejects the paint in one of three amounts of paint droplets to one pixel. The three amounts of paint droplets are referred to as “small”, “medium”, and “large” in order from the smallest amount. That is, with one paint, one pixel is in one of four states, that is, a state of being coated with the paint in the “small” amount of paint droplets, a state of being coated with the paint in the “medium” amount of paint droplets, a state of being coated with the paint in the “large” amount of paint droplets, and a state of being not coated with the paint. In this embodiment, each pixel included in the image layers A, B is coated with the paint in one of the “small”, “medium”, and “large” amounts of paint droplets. In each layer in the foundation layer, all the pixels included in the layer are coated with the paint in the same amount of paint droplets.

In this embodiment, the concentration of each paint is defined for each amount of paint droplets. Thus, in this embodiment, the concentration of a paint applied in one amount of paint droplets represents the proportion of the number of pixels coated with the paint in this amount of paint droplets to the total number of pixels in the target area.

The print condition130bin this embodiment represents the amount of paint droplets for each layer in the foundation layer in addition to information similar to the information in the first embodiment.

The characteristic information130cin this embodiment will now be described, usingFIG.11. The characteristic information130cin this embodiment represents the light transmittance in the case where one layer is formed by applying one type of paint in the same amount of paint droplets and under various conditions (image resolution, concentration) in an area of a specific size and where various kinds of light enter the one layer thus formed. In this embodiment, the characteristic information130cis stored in the storage medium130in advance.

As shown inFIG.11, the characteristic information130cin this embodiment is table information showing the correspondence between the type of the paint, the amount of paint droplets, the image resolution (dpi), the concentration (%), the incident light, and the transmittance. The characteristic information130cis found by applying various types of paints with various image resolutions, various concentrations, and various amounts of paint droplets in advance, then making various kinds of light enter the coated area, and measuring the transmittance.

Differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment in the functions of and the processing by the information processing device100will now be described.

In this embodiment, the functions of the decision unit111band the print control unit111cdiffer from those in the first embodiment. The decision unit111bin this embodiment differs from the decision unit111bin the first embodiment in taking the amount of paint droplets into account when finding the transmittance of each layer in the print layer. The print control unit111cin this embodiment differs from the print control unit111cin the first embodiment in deciding the amount of paint droplets for each pixel to be coated with the paint on the print medium, as the print data of each layer included in the print layer.

Processing by the information processing device in this embodiment will now be described, usingFIGS.9and10.

Step100is similar step S100in the first embodiment. After completing the processing of step S100, the processor110advances the processing to step S105.

In step S105, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110performs layer configuration decision processing of deciding the layer configuration of the foundation layer. Details of the layer configuration decision processing will now be described, usingFIG.10.

In step S200, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110acquires the initial value of the layer configuration of the foundation layer represented by the print condition130b, as the tentative configuration, which is a tentative value of the layer configuration. The processor110acquires print image data in the case of printing the image layer B represented by the image data130awith the image resolution represented by the print condition130b, based on the image data130aand the print condition130b. The print image data in this embodiment is data representing which paint to apply in what amount of paint droplets to which pixel with what image resolution in the print area on the print medium.

The processor110acquires the image resolution and the concentration of the white coloring material in the white layer A of the tentative configuration, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the white coloring material, the amount of paint droplets corresponding to the white layer A represented by the print condition130b, the acquired image resolution, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance α. The processor110also acquires the image resolution and the concentration of the K coloring material in the black layer of the tentative configuration, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the K coloring material, the amount of paint droplets corresponding to the black layer represented by the print condition130b, the acquired image resolution, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance β. The processor110also acquires the image resolution and the concentration of the white coloring material in the white layer B of the tentative configuration, from the tentative configuration. The processor110then acquires the transmittance corresponding to the white coloring material, the acquired image resolution, the amount of paint droplets corresponding to the white layer B represented by the print condition130b, the acquired concentration, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance γ.

The processor110selects a rectangular selected area of a predetermined size from the image layer B to be printed in the print area. Processing of finding the transmittance of the C image in the selected area in this embodiment will now be described, usingFIG.12. The processor110derives the proportion of the number of dots coated with the C coloring material in the same amount of paint droplets to the total number of dots in the selected area, as the concentration of the C image with each amount of paint droplets in the selected area, based on the print image data of the image layer B. More specifically, the processor110acquires the transmittance corresponding to the C coloring material, the “small” amount of paint droplets, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the C image with the “small” amount of paint droplets in the selected area (image formed of the C coloring material applied in the “small” amount of paint droplets), and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the C image with the “small” amount of paint droplets in the selected area. The processor110also acquires the transmittance corresponding to the C coloring material, the “medium” amount of paint droplets, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the C image with the “medium” amount of paint droplets in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the C image with the “medium” amount of paint droplets in the selected area. The processor110also acquires the transmittance corresponding to the C coloring material, the “large” amount of paint droplets, the image resolution of the image layer B, the concentration of the C image with the “large” amount of paint droplets in the selected area, and the back-side incident light, from the characteristic information130c, and defines this transmittance as the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the C image with the “large” amount of paint droplets in the selected area. The processor110then multiplies the acquired transmittances of the C images with the “small”, “medium”, and “large” amounts of paint droplets in the selected area and thus derives the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the C image in the selected area.

The processor110derives the transmittance for the back-side incident light of each of the M image, the Y image, and the K image, as in the case of the C image in the selected area.

The processor110multiplies the acquired transmittances for the back-side incident light of the C image, the M image, the Y image, and the K image in the selected area, and thus derives the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the selected area.

The processor110selects again a rectangular area of a predetermined size that is not selected yet, as a selected area, from the image layer B, and derives the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the selected area that is selected this time. The processor110repeats the above processing until deriving the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the rectangular areas of all the predetermined sizes included in the image layer B. The processor110specifies the maximum transmittance from among the derived transmittances and defines the maximum transmittance as the transmittance δ of the image layer B.

The processor110multiplies the transmittances α, β, γ, δ and thus derives the transmittance R.

The processor110also determines whether the image layer A and the image layer B are light-colored or not, based on the type and concentration of the paint used to form each of the image layer A and the image layer B. More specifically, the processor110acquires the print image data of the image layer A as in the case of the print image data of the image layer B. The processor110specifies the type of the paint used to form the image layer A, based on the print image data of the image layer A. The processor110specifies the concentration of each specified type of paint in each amount of paint droplets in the entirety of the image layer A, based on the print image data of the image layer A. In this embodiment, the correspondence information between the concentration in the image of each type of paint in each amount of paint droplets used to form the image and whether the image is light-colored or not, is stored in the storage medium130in advance. The processor110determines whether the image layer A is light-colored or not, based on the type of the paint used to form the image layer A, the concentration of each type of paint in each amount of paint droplets, and the correspondence information. The processor110similarly determines whether the image layer B is light-colored or not.

After completing the processing of step S200, the processor110advances the processing to step S205.

The processing of steps S205to S215is similar to the processing in the first embodiment. After completing the processing of step S215, the processor110advances the processing to step S220.

In step S220, by the function of the decision unit111b, the processor110derives the transmittances α to γ again, based on the tentative configuration adjusted immediately before in steps S210and S215. The processor110derives a value resulting from the multiplication of the derived transmittances α to γ and the transmittance δ, as a new transmittance R. After completing the processing of step S220, the processor110advances the processing to step S205.

The processing of step S225is similar to the processing in the first embodiment. After completing the processing of step S225, the processor110completes the processing shown inFIG.10and advances the processing to step S110.

In step S110, by the function of the print control unit111c, the processor110generates print data used by the printing device200to print the print layer, based on the image data130aand the print condition130b. At this point, the processor110decides the amount of paint droplets of the paint to be applied to each pixel in each layer in the print layer and includes information about the decided amount of paint droplets in the print data. After completing the processing of step S110, the processor110advances the processing to step S115.

The processing of step S115is similar to the processing in the first embodiment.

In this way, with the configuration according to this embodiment, the information processing device100can decide the transmittance of the foundation layer even when the amount of the paint ejected to each pixel by the printing device200is not constant.

(3) Other Embodiments

The foregoing embodiments are simply examples for carrying out the present disclosure. Various other embodiments can also be employed. For example, while the information processing device100and the printing device200are formed by different devices from each other in the foregoing embodiments, the two devices may be formed as the same device. For example, each function of the information processing device100may be installed in the printing device200. The information processing device100may also be formed by a plurality of devices. The order of the processing steps in the flowchart shown inFIG.10may differ. For example, the order of the processing of steps S210and S215may be changed.

In the foregoing embodiments, the processor110acquires a value designated by the user as the designated transmittance value. However, the processor110may acquire another value as the designated transmittance value. For example, the processor110may acquire a designated transmittance value used in the printing performed in the past, as the designated transmittance value.

In the foregoing embodiments, the printing device200performs printing using the C coloring material, the M coloring material, the Y coloring material, the K coloring material, and the white coloring material. However, the printing device200may perform printing without using a part of the C coloring material, the M coloring material, the Y coloring material, the K coloring material, and the white coloring material, or may perform printing using another paint such as a paint to achieve a surface effect (for example, a clear ink, a varnish or the like).

In the foregoing embodiments, the print layer is formed of the image layer A, the foundation layer, and the image layer B. However, the print layer may also have another configuration. For example, the print layer may not include one of the image layer A and the image layer B and may be formed of the other image layer and the foundation layer. The print layer may also include another layer. For example, the print layer may include a layer formed of a clear ink at least at one of a position more to the front side than the image layer A and a position more to the back side than the image layer B.

In the foregoing embodiments, the foundation layer is formed of the two white layers (white layers A, B) and the black layer arranged between the two white layers. However, the foundation layer may have another configuration. For example, the foundation layer may be formed of one of the white layer and the black layer. For example, when the black color is to be used as the background of the image layers A, B, or the like, the foundation layer may not include the white layer. Meanwhile, when the light expected to enter the print medium has an intensity that can be sufficiently blocked even by the white layer alone, or the like, the foundation layer may not include the black layer. The foundation layer may also include another layer than the black layer and the white layer. For example, the foundation layer may include a layer formed of a clear ink. Also, when it is desired that the background of the image layer is in a different color from white and black (for example, red, blue, or the like) from an aesthetic point of view, the foundation layer may include a layer formed of a coloring material of this color.

In the foregoing embodiments, the processor110decides the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the layer formed of the image layer B and the foundation layer combined falls within the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value. However, the processor110may decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the back-side incident light of another layer including the foundation layer falls within the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value. For example, the processor110may acquire a designated value of the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the entirety of the print layer, as the designated transmittance value, and may decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the entirety of the print layer falls within the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value. In this case, for example, the processor110can find the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the entirety of the print layer by multiplying the transmittance for the back-side incident light of each layer in the foundation layer, the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the image layer B, and the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the image layer A.

The processor110may also acquire a designated value of the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the foundation layer and may decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the foundation layer falls within the range corresponding to the designated value.

In the foregoing embodiments, the processor110decides the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the layer including the foundation layer is within the range corresponding to the designated value. However, the processor110may decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the front-side incident light of the layer including the foundation layer is within the range corresponding to the designated value. For example, the processor110may acquire a designated value of the transmittance of the layer formed of the image layer A and the foundation layer combined and may decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the front-side incident light of the layer formed of the image layer A and the foundation layer combined falls within the range corresponding to the designated value. The processor110may also acquire a designated value of the transmittance for the front-side incident light of the entirety of the print layer, as the designated transmittance value, and may decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the front-side incident light of the entirety of the print layer falls within the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value. The processor110may also acquire a designated value of the transmittance for the front-side incident light of the foundation layer, as the designated transmittance value, and may decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the front-side incident light of the foundation layer falls within the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value.

The processor110may also acquire both of a designated value of the transmittance for the back-side incident light of a first layer including the foundation layer (for example, the foundation layer and the image layer B combined, the entirety of the print layer, or the like) and a designated value of the transmittance for the front-side incident light of a second layer including the foundation layer (for example, the foundation layer and the image layer A combined, the entirety of the print layer, or the like), and may do as follows. That is, the processor110may decide the layer configuration of the foundation layer in such a way that the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the first layer falls within the range corresponding to the designated value of the transmittance for the back-side incident light of the first layer and that the transmittance for the front-side incident light of the second layer falls within the range corresponding to the designated value of the transmittance for the front-side incident light of the second layer.

In the foregoing embodiments, the processor110finds the transmittance of the layer formed of the foundation layer of the tentative configuration and the image layer B combined, and when the resulting transmittance is out of the range corresponding to the designated transmittance value, the processor110adjusts the tentative configuration in the following manner. That is, the processor110increases or reduces and thus adjusts each of the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration and the concentration of each layer. The processor110decides the adjusted tentative configuration as the layer configuration of the foundation layer. However, the processor110may adjust the tentative configuration of the foundation layer by another method. For example, the processor110may adjust one of the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration and the concentration of each layer and may not adjust the other. The processor110may also adjust the tentative configuration by increasing a part of the concentration of each layer in the foundation layer of the tentative configuration and reducing a part thereof.

In the foregoing embodiments, the processor110derives the transmittance of the selected area having the highest transmittance among the selected areas selected from the image layer B, as the transmittance δ of the image layer B. However, the processor110may derive another transmittance as the transmittance δ of the image layer B. For example, the processor110may derive a statistical value (for example, the average value or the like) of the transmittances of a plurality of selected areas selected from the image layer B, as the transmittance δ of the image layer B. The processor110may also derive the transmittance of the selected area having the lowest transmittance among the selected areas selected from the image layer B, as the transmittance δ of the image layer B.

In the foregoing embodiments, the processor110determines whether each of the image layer A and the image layer B is light-colored or not, based on the concentration in the entirety of the image layer of each paint used to form the image layer. However, the processor110may determine whether the image layer is light-colored or not, based on the concentration of each paint in a partial area in the image layer.

The processor110may also determine whether each of the image layer A and the image layer B is light-colored or not, based on a different indicator from the concentration in the image layer of each paint used to form the image layer. For example, the processor110may determine whether each of the image layer A and the image layer B is light-colored or not, based on the brightness of the image layer. For example, the processor110may determine that each of the image layer A and the image layer B is light-colored, when the brightness of an area included in the image layer (for example, any partial area, the entire area, or the like) is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold.

In the foregoing embodiments, the black layer is formed of the K coloring material. However, the black layer may be formed of the C coloring material, the M coloring material, and the Y coloring material at the same concentration, in addition to the K coloring material. In this case, the processor110may find the transmittance for predetermined light of the black layer in the following manner. In this case, the black layer is divided into a C image, an M image, a Y image, and a K image formed of the C coloring material, the M coloring material, the Y coloring material, and the K coloring material, respectively. Thus, the processor110may derive the transmittances for the predetermined light of the C image, the M image, the Y image, and the K image in the black layer, then multiply the derived transmittances, and thus find the transmittance for the predetermined light of the black layer.

In the foregoing embodiments, the processor110acquires the transmittance corresponding to the image resolution of each layer and the concentration of the paint in each layer from the characteristic information130cprepared in advance and thus finds the transmittance for predetermined light of each layer. However, the processor110may find the transmittance of each layer by another method. For example, the processor110may find the transmittance for the predetermined light of each layer, using a relational model between the image resolution of each layer, the concentration of the paint in each layer, and the transmittance for the predetermined light of each layer, which is machine-learned in advance.

In the foregoing embodiments, the concentration is the proportion of the number of pixels coated with the paint to the total number of pixels in the target area. However, the concentration may be another indicator. For example, the concentration may be the proportion of the area of the area coated with the paint to the area of the target area. In this case, for example, if correspondence information between the amount of the paint to be applied to a pixel and the area occupied by the paint in this amount on the print medium is prepared in advance, the processor110may do as follows. That is, the processor110specifies a pixel coated with the target paint, from among the pixels in the target area, and the amount of the paint applied to each pixel. The processor110then specifies the area occupied by the paint at each specified pixel, from the correspondence information between the amount of the paint and the area, which is prepared in advance, and defines the total of the specified areas as the area occupied by the target paint in the target area. The processor110may find the proportion of this area to the entire target area, as the concentration of this paint in the target area.

In the second embodiment, the processor110adjusts the image resolution of each layer in the foundation layer and the concentration and thus adjusts the tentative configuration, as in the first embodiment. However, the processor110may also adjust the amount of paint droplets of each layer in the foundation layer, as the adjustment of the tentative configuration.

The present disclosure can also be applied as a program executed by a computer and as a method. The system, the program, and the method as described above may be implemented as a single device or may be implemented using components of a plurality of devices and therefore include various aspects. The system, the program, and the method can be changed according to need, such as being implemented partly by software and partly by hardware. Also, the present disclosure may be implemented as a recording medium storing a program for controlling the system. Of course, the recording medium storing the program may be a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory. Any recording medium to be developed in the future can be similarly employed.

The foregoing embodiments should not limit the present disclosure. The embodiments include a plurality of technical ideas having different effects. Therefore, one problem or effect that can be grasped from the embodiments is not necessarily a problem or effect of all the technical ideas included in the embodiments.