Image processing device, control method and storage medium

Abstract

The present invention provides an image processing device, a control method and a storage medium. The image processing device generates outer coat transfer data for transferring an outer coat to an image formed on a recording sheet, generates a line image to be added to the outer coat, and converts the line image into a drawing portion to be added to the outer coat. The drawing portion includes an outline portion and an area inside the outline portion, the outline portion is formed by pixels having a first glossiness, the area inside the outline portion is formed as a mixed pattern portion, in which pixels having the first glossiness and pixels having a second glossiness higher than the first glossiness are mixed, and the area outside the outline portion is formed by pixels having the second glossiness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device, a control method and a storage medium, and more particularly to a system for forming an image and printing the image on a recording sheet. Background Art

[0002] The thermal printer sublimates ink from a solid into a gas and transfers the ink to a recording sheet by pressing a heated thermal head against an ink ribbon. In the ink ribbon, sublimation dye layers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) and an overcoat (OC) layer are arranged. A color image formed by the sublimation dye layers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is protected by a colorless, transparent, uniform, high-gloss OC layer to generate a print medium with excellent durability and waterproofness.

[0003] Among thermal printers, the following technology is known: by increasing the thermal energy during the transfer of the overcoat layer (increasing the gray value in the overcoat layer transfer data) and thereby roughening the overcoat layer surface in contact with the ink ribbon, a low-gloss line image is formed on the overcoat layer surface. Due to the large amount of light reflected by the color image, it is difficult to directly view the low-gloss line image on the overcoat layer surface formed on the high-gloss printed image from the front. However, when viewed from different angles, due to the difference in the amount of light reflected between the high-gloss portion and the low-gloss portion of the overcoat layer surface, the line image on the overcoat layer surface becomes visible without thereby impairing the appearance of the color image.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-111951 discloses a technique in which, in order to ensure visibility of a line image on the surface of the overcoat layer, the overcoat layer is not transferred onto a region inside the outline of the line image of an image printed in color.

[0005] In Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-111951, a low-gloss outer coating and a high-gloss outer coating are formed on the outline of the line image and the outer area of ​​the outline of the image printed in color, respectively, and the outer coating is not transferred to the area inside the outline. Therefore, the image in the inner area of ​​the outline is not fully protected by the outer coating surface, and the appearance may be damaged. However, when a low-gloss outer coating surface has been formed in the inner area of ​​the outline, the outer coating surface in contact with the ink ribbon increases due to the coarsening of the outer coating surface, resulting in reduced separation from the ink ribbon and failure of the outer coating separation. In addition, when a high-gloss outer coating surface is formed in the inner area of ​​the outline, it is difficult to ensure the visibility of the line image on the outer coating surface without damaging the appearance of the image, because the visibility varies depending on the width of the outline area, and the visibility decreases when the outline area becomes narrower. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and realizes a technique with which visibility of a drawn portion of an overcoat layer can be ensured without impairing the appearance of an image.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image processing device, which generates outer coat transfer data, and the outer coat transfer data is used to transfer the outer coat to an image formed on a recording sheet through a printing unit, the image processing device comprising: a drawing unit, which is configured to generate a line image to be added to the outer coat; and an image processing unit, which is configured to convert the line image into a drawing part to be added to the outer coat, and generate the outer coat transfer data to be transferred to the recording sheet through the printing unit, wherein the drawing part includes a contour part and an area inside the contour part, the contour part is formed by pixels having a first glossiness, the area inside the contour part is formed as a mixed pattern part, in which pixels having the first glossiness and pixels having a second glossiness higher than the first glossiness are mixed, and the area outside the contour part is formed by pixels having the second glossiness.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a control method for an image processing device, wherein the image processing device generates outer coat transfer data, and the outer coat transfer data is used to transfer the outer coat to an image formed on a recording sheet. The control method includes: generating a line image to be added to the outer coat; and converting the line image into a drawing part to be added to the outer coat, and generating outer coat transfer data to be transferred to the recording sheet by a printing device, wherein the drawing part includes a contour part and an area inside the contour part, the contour part is formed by pixels having a first glossiness, and the area inside the contour part is formed as a mixed pattern part, in which pixels having the first glossiness and pixels having a second glossiness higher than the first glossiness are mixed, and the area outside the contour part is formed by pixels having the second glossiness.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0010] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a control method of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

[0011] According to the present invention, visibility of the drawn portion of the overcoat layer can be ensured without impairing the appearance of the image.

[0012] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1A and Figure 1B 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance configuration of the printer and ink cartridge according to the present embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3A and Figure 3B They are respectively a cross-sectional view of a recording sheet according to the present embodiment and a developed view of an ink ribbon according to the present embodiment.

[0016] 4A to 4F is a transverse sectional view for describing the operation of the printer during printing according to the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5A and Figure 5B is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the printer during printing according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the host device according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Fig. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a line image drawn on an overcoat layer.

[0020] Figure 7B and Figure 7C A portion of a line image drawn on the outer coating layer is enlarged.

[0021] Fig.8A1 , Figure 8A2 , Figure 8A3 , Figure 8B1 , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8B3 is a diagram for describing an image conversion process for adding a line image as a drawing portion to an overcoat layer.

[0022] Fig.9A1 , Fig.9A2 , Figure 9A3 , Figure 9A4 , Fig.9B1 , Figure 9B2 , Figure 9B3 , Figure 9B4 , Fig.9C1 , Fig.9C2 and Figure 9C3 is a diagram for describing an image conversion process for adding a line image as a drawing portion to an overcoat layer.

[0023] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B is a flowchart showing the procedure of an image conversion process for adding a line image as a drawing portion to an overcoat layer.

[0024] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C : is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the grayscale and the pixel ratio of the mixed pattern portion and the glossiness during overcoat transfer according to the present embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B is a diagram for describing a method of forming a mixed pattern portion for different recording sheet sizes according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but the invention is not limited to the invention requiring all of these features, but these features can be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar parts, and their redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0027] In this embodiment, an example of a system in which an image processing device and a printing device (external printing device) are connected by wire or wireless to be able to communicate with each other will be described. The image processing device is a host device having a drawing function for generating a line image to be added to the surface of an outer coating layer and an image processing function for converting the line image into a drawing part and generating outer coating data using the drawing part, and outputting image data, print instructions including print setting information, etc. to the printing device. For example, the host device is an information processing terminal such as an intelligent device, an information processing device such as a personal computer, or a camera such as a digital camera. The printing device is a thermal transfer type or sublimation type thermal printer. Note that the printing device may include the above-mentioned drawing function and image processing function, and in this case, the outer coating data with the drawing part is generated by the printing device rather than by the image processing device.

[0028] Note that although an example in which the printing apparatus is applied to a thermal transfer type or a sublimation type thermal printer will be described below, the present invention is applicable not only to thermal printers but also to other types of printers.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to being applicable to a stand-alone printer, but is applicable to any device having a printing function, such as a copier, a fax device, a computer system, etc. Furthermore, the recording sheet according to the present invention includes not only sheet materials made of paper materials, but also sheet materials made of other materials (such as plastic films, etc.).

[0030] In a thermal printer, an ink ribbon (ink sheet) coated with ink is pressed into contact with a recording sheet by a thermal head (print head) and a platen roller (receiving component), and printing is performed by conveying the ink ribbon and the recording sheet (printing sheet) while in contact with the thermal head. A plurality of heating elements (resistance elements) are arranged in a row in the thermal head, and an image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively supplying power to these heating elements and thereby transferring the ink coated on the ink ribbon to the recording sheet. In particular, in full-color printing, full-color printing is performed by sequentially superimposing the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) inks sequentially coated on the ink ribbon, and transfer of the overcoat layer (OC) to the image is also performed.

[0031] In the following description, "printing" refers to the entire series of operations from forming an image based on a print instruction from an image processing device to discharging a recording sheet on which the image has been formed. In addition, "image formation" refers to an operation that is included in the printing operation and is used to thermally transfer the overcoat layer and the ink applied to the ink ribbon onto the recording sheet to form an image on the recording sheet and to form the overcoat layer on the image. Note that in the case of monochrome printing, the recording sheet may be in a roll form and may be discharged by cutting into a predetermined size after an image is formed thereon.

[0032] <Structure of Thermal Printer>

[0033] Will refer to Figure 1A and Figure 1B The overall configuration of a thermal printer (hereinafter referred to as a "printer") according to the present embodiment is described.

[0034] Figure 1A 1 is a perspective view of the appearance configuration of the printer 100 and the ink cartridge 300 according to the present embodiment, as viewed from above. Figure 1B 1 is a perspective view of the appearance configuration of the printer 100 and the ink cartridge 300 according to the present embodiment, as viewed from below.

[0035] The printer 100 includes an upper housing 101A and a lower housing 101B as external members covering the upper and lower sides of the printer body. On one side of the printer 100, a slit-like gap is formed between the mating surfaces of the upper housing 101A and the lower housing 101B as a discharge port 101C, and the slit-like gap forms an opening serving as the discharge port 101C. During printing, the recording sheet 113 may temporarily protrude from the discharge port 101C to the outside of the printer 100, or the recording sheet 113 on which an image has been formed may be discharged from the discharge port 101C. Note that the recording sheet 113 is not Figure 1A and Figure 1B Shown in.

[0036] In addition, on the other side of the printer 100, a box cover 101D is configured to be openable / closable. The box cover 101D can open and close a box mounting portion 111 as an opening provided in the frame 110. The ink cartridge 300 can be inserted into and removed from the printer 100 via the box mounting portion 111. When the box cover 101D is opened, the ink cartridge 300 can be installed to the box mounting portion 111 inside the printer 100 via the box mounting portion 111 in the installation direction indicated by the arrow 400, and the ink cartridge 300 can be removed to the outside of the printer 100 in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow 400. The box lever 101F holds the ink cartridge 300 inside the printer 100 and is operated to remove the ink cartridge 300 from the printer 100.

[0037] The long ink ribbon 114 is accommodated inside the ink cartridge 300, and during image formation, the ink ribbon 114 is conveyed by power applied from the printer 100 to the ink ribbon 114. The ink cartridge 300 will be described in detail later.

[0038] The tray cover 101E is configured to be openable / closable on the bottom surface of the printer 100, and a prescribed number of recording sheets 113 can be loaded into a sheet storage section 117 described later by opening the tray cover 101E. Recording sheets 113 of a prescribed size are placed in the sheet storage section 117 by a user, and during printing, only one recording sheet 113 is drawn out from the sheet storage section 117 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown) of the printer 100. The recording sheet 113 is printed by applying an overcoat layer and an ink ribbon 114 (to be referred to later) to the ink ribbon 114 by a thermal head 116. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) inks on the recording sheet 111 are transferred onto the recording sheet 113 to form a full-color image on the recording sheet 113.

[0039] On the upper surface of the upper housing 101A, a display unit 102 and an operation unit 103 are provided. In addition, an external connection terminal 104 is provided on the side of the printer 100, and the printer 100 can be connected to a host device via wiring such as a USB cable. In addition, a wireless communication module is provided inside the printer 100, and the printer 100 can be wirelessly connected to a host device via a wireless LAN or the like. The printer 100 can perform a printing operation by receiving image data from a host device connected to the printer 100 via the external connection terminal 104 or the wireless communication module.

[0040] The display unit 102 includes a plurality of light emitting elements such as LEDs, and indicates an operation state of the printer 100 by color of light emission, by light emission, by blinking, etc. The operation unit 103 accepts an operation instruction such as turning on / off the printer 100. When the printer 100 receives image data and a print instruction including print setting information from a host device while the printer 100 is turned on, the printer 100 starts a print operation according to the print instruction.

[0041] Next, we will refer to Figure 2 The internal configuration of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment is described. Figure 2 : is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0042] The control unit 201 is a controller including an interface circuit for sending or receiving data to or from components described later in the printer 100 , and a CPU or an MPU for performing calculation processing for controlling the operation of the entire printer 100 .

[0043] The nonvolatile memory 202 is an electrically erasable recordable memory, and, for example, a flash ROM or the like is used as the nonvolatile memory 202. The nonvolatile memory 202 stores a control program for the printer 100, and the control unit 201 reads the program from the nonvolatile memory 202 and controls components of the printer 100 based on the read program.

[0044] A volatile memory such as a RAM is used as the working memory 203, and the working memory 203 is used as a working area in which constants and variables used for the operation of the control unit 201, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 202, and the like are decompressed. In addition, the working memory 203 temporarily stores image transfer data, overcoat transfer data, print instructions including print setting information, and the like received from the host device 600 via the communication unit 211.

[0045] The head temperature detection sensor 204 detects the temperature of the thermal head 116 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 201. The ambient temperature detection sensor 205 detects the temperature inside the printer 100 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 201. The control unit 201 performs various types of temperature control such as temperature correction of the thermal head 116 and waiting operation based on the detection results of the head temperature detection sensor 204 and the ambient temperature detection sensor 205. In addition, the printer 100 includes a first sheet detection sensor 206a for detecting the feeding of the recording sheet 113 and a second sheet detection sensor 206b for detecting the discharge of the recording sheet 113, and can accurately control the position of the sheet. In addition, the printer 100 includes: a belt detection sensor 207, which is used to detect the mark 114a for controlling the position of the ink ribbon 114. The control unit 201 outputs a command to the motor driver 208 to drive and control the sheet conveying motor 209 and the position change motor 210 by executing a program based on the information detected by the sensor.

[0046] The sheet conveying motor 209 drives and conveys the recording sheet 113 and the ink ribbon 114. The position changing motor 210 drives the lifting and switching mechanism to move the thermal head 116 to the pressing position or the retracted position and to move the sheet feeding roller 121 up and down. The communication unit 211 is connected to the host device to be able to communicate with the host device, and can receive image data and print instructions including print setting information, and can send and receive various types of data. The image data input unit 212 receives the image data received from the host device from the communication unit 211, and outputs the image data to the control unit 201. The control unit 201 outputs the image data received from the host device to the image processing unit 215.

[0047] The display unit 102 indicates the operation state of the printer 100 by the color of light emitted by the LED, by the blinking of the LED, by the lighting of the LED, and the like. The operation unit 103 is an operation member for accepting an operation instruction made by the user to the printer 100, such as a power switch. In addition, the communication unit 211 notifies the control unit 201 of the print instruction received from the host device. The image processing unit 215 performs various image processing on the image data received by the image data input unit 212. The image processing unit 215 performs various types of image processing, such as processing for decoding the image data, processing for changing the size of the image data according to the recording sheet, and processing for image correction of the image data, and generates print data for forming an image based on the image data subjected to the image processing.

[0048] The head control driver 216 controls the thermal head 116. The print data generated by the image processing unit 215 is output to the head control driver 216. The print data input to the head control driver 216 is converted into an electrical signal, which is output to the thermal head heating element. The heating element converts the electrical signal into thermal energy, so that the ink applied to the ink ribbon 114 is transferred to the recording sheet 113.

[0049] Next, we will refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B The configurations of the recording sheet 113 and the ink ribbon 114 are described.

[0050] Figure 3A It is a cross-sectional view of the recording sheet according to the present embodiment.The recording sheet 113 has a four-layer structure, including an image receiving layer 113a, a substrate layer 113b, an adhesive layer 113c and a peeling layer 113d. An overcoat (OC) and the inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) are transferred to the image receiving layer 113a. The image receiving layer 113a and the adhesive layer 113c are applied to the substrate layer 113b. The adhesive layer 113c imparts viscosity to the back side of the recording sheet so that the back side can be bonded. The peeling layer 113d covers the adhesive layer 113c to prevent the accidental bonding of the adhesive layer 113c.

[0051] Figure 3B 1 is an expanded view of the ink ribbon 114 according to the present embodiment. In the case of full-color printing, yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) inks are arranged on the ink ribbon 114. In addition, a full-color image is formed by performing image formation in a state where each color ink is superimposed on the recording sheet 113, and an outer coating (OC) surface is further formed on the image. A black band mark 114a for detecting the starting position of each color ink is arranged between inks of different colors, and two marks 114a indicating the beginning of the yellow (Y) surface are arranged to distinguish yellow from other colors. In the ink ribbon according to the present embodiment, a high heat-resistant film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of about 2 microns to more than ten microns is used as a substrate. As yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) inks, sublimation inks prepared by mixing dyes, binders, plasticizers, adhesives, etc. are applied to the film with a thickness of about 0.2μm to 5μm. The transparent and colorless outer coating surface is formed by coating a styrene derivative, a styrene resin, a styrene copolymer resin, a binder, etc. at a thickness of about 0.5 μm to 5 μm. In addition, a lubricant for reducing the friction resistance between the ink ribbon and the thermal head and stabilizing the travel of the ink ribbon, a polishing agent for polishing and cleaning the surface of the thermal head, etc. are coated on the surface opposite to the surface coated with ink.

[0052] Next, we will refer to 4A to 4F as well as Figure 5A and Figure 5BThe operation procedure of the printer 100 during printing according to the present embodiment is described.

[0053] 4A to 4F is a transverse cross-sectional view for describing the operation of the printer 100 during printing according to the present embodiment, wherein Figure 4A Shows the standby state, Figure 4B shows the sheet feeding status, Figure 4C shows the state when image formation starts, Figure 4D shows the state during image formation, Figure 4E shows a state after image formation is completed and before a sheet discharge operation, and Figure 4F The state after the sheet discharging operation is shown. Figure 5A and Figure 5B : is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the printer 100 during printing according to the present embodiment.

[0054] When the user places the ink cartridge 300 inside the printer 100, places the recording sheet 113 in the sheet storage section 117, and turns on the printer 100 using the operation unit 103, the printer 100 enters a standby state. When image data starts to be received from the host device in the standby state, the LED of the display unit 102 flashes to provide a notification of the data loading state. The printer 100 includes a platen roller 115 and a thermal head 116. The thermal head 116 is rotatably supported by a thermal head support shaft 119 and is biased in the clockwise direction in the figure by a coil spring 118. In order to prevent the thermal head 116 from interfering with the ink cartridge 300 during installation of the ink cartridge 300, the position of the thermal head 116 is limited to a position that maximizes the distance from the platen roller 115.

[0055] Next, when the image data to be printed is designated on the host device and a print instruction is made, the printer 100 receives the print instruction from the host device and starts a print operation (step S101). When the print operation starts, the printer 100 rotates the thermal head 116 around the thermal head support shaft 119 in the counterclockwise direction in the figure against the biasing force of the coil spring 118 by using the driving force of the position change motor 210 (not shown). Figure 4B As shown, the thermal head 116 moves to the Figure 4A The standby position in Figure 4D The printer 100 moves to a middle position in the middle of the image forming position in the image forming position, where the thermal head 116 forms a roller gap with the platen roller 115 (step S102). When the thermal head 116 completes the movement, the printer 100 starts the sheet feeding operation (step S103). When the sheet feeding operation is started, the platen 120 provided in the printer 100 is biased toward the sheet feeding roller 121 side by a biasing technique not shown, and pushes the recording sheets 113 stacked in the sheet storage section 117 upward against the sheet feeding roller 121. Figure 4A The sheet feed roller 121 is retracted to a position at a certain distance from the recording sheet 113. Figure 4B 114. The sheet feeding roller 121 is pushed downward by the driving force of the position changing motor 210, which is not shown, to a position where the sheet feeding roller 121 contacts the recording sheet 113. At this time, the sheet feeding roller 121 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in the figure due to the driving force of the sheet conveying motor 209, which is not shown, and conveys the recording sheet 113 toward the image forming unit including the thermal head 116 and the platen roller 115. The recording sheet 113 contacts the separating section 122 of the printer 100, so that only one recording sheet 113 at the top of the stack is conveyed. The conveyed recording sheet 113 is detected by the first sheet detecting sensor 206a, and it is confirmed that there is no problem in the sheet feeding operation. Subsequently, the recording sheet 113 conveyed by the sheet feeding roller 121 rotates the rotatably supported conversion plate 123 in the clockwise direction in the figure by pushing the conversion plate 123 upward, advances toward the left direction in the figure, and enters the roller gap area between the conveying roller 124 and the conveying driven roller 125. A plurality of minute protrusions that come into contact with the back side of the recording sheet 113 are formed on the conveying roller 124, and these minute protrusions come into contact with the recording sheet 113, so that the recording sheet 113 can be accurately conveyed. The conveying roller 124 is driven by a sheet conveying motor 209 not shown. The sheet conveying motor 209 is a stepping motor, so that the feed rate can be accurately controlled. The recording sheet 113 is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 206b, and it is confirmed whether the recording sheet 113 is correctly conveyed to the roller gap area between the conveying roller 124 and the conveying driven roller 125. After the recording sheet 113 is conveyed to the roller gap area between the conveying roller 124 and the conveying driven roller 125, the sheet feeding roller 121 moves to the roller gap area due to the driving force of the position changing motor 210. Figure 4A This is done to prevent the next recording sheet 113 in the sheet storage section 117 from being erroneously conveyed by the sheet feed roller 121. The conveyance of the recording sheet 113 is continued by the conveying roller 124 and the conveying driven roller 125, and the conveyance of the recording sheet 113 is stopped when the rear end of the recording sheet 113 passes through the front end of the switching plate 123 after passing through the first sheet detection sensor 206a and being conveyed by a predetermined amount. Next, the printer 100 conveys the recording sheet 113 backward in the opposite direction and stops at the position shown in FIG. Figure 4C At this time, the rear end of the recording sheet 113 passes over the switching plate 123 and under the sheet feeding roller 121, and is conveyed to the space between the sheet storage wall 128 and the guide wall 127 that partitions the lower part of the battery 126 and holds the battery 126. The sheet storage wall 128 limits the number of recording sheets 113 that can be loaded in the sheet storage 117.

[0056] Once the sheet feeding operation is completed and the recording sheet 113 has stopped at the image formation start position, a cueing operation of the yellow (Y) surface of the ink ribbon 114 is performed (step S105). The ink ribbon cueing operation will be described below. Figure 4C The ink ribbon 114 contained in the ink cartridge 300 is drawn out when the image formation start position is reached. Specifically, the end of the winding shaft 301 of the ink cartridge 300 engages with the engaging portion of the printer 100 and is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by a driving mechanism not shown, so that the ink ribbon 114 wound on the supply shaft 302 is drawn out and wound on the winding shaft 301. Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, a mark 114a is provided at the beginning of each color of ink on the ink ribbon 114, and two marks 114a are provided at the beginning of the yellow (Y) surface. When the belt detection sensor 207, which is a reflective optical sensor, detects that the reflected light is blocked by the mark 114a provided on the ink ribbon 114, the printer 100 stops winding the ink ribbon 114 to prompt. The prompt of the yellow (Y) surface is determined based on whether the two marks 114a are detected (step S106). If only one mark 114a is detected or no mark 114a is detected within a predetermined amount of time during the prompt of the yellow (Y) surface, it is considered that an abnormality has occurred in the ink cartridge 300 and a state indicating an error is indicated by the display unit 102 (step S107). Subsequently, the thermal head 116 moves to Figure 4A The printing operation is terminated (step S129).

[0057] Once the yellow (Y) surface is displayed, the thermal head 116 rotates further counterclockwise in the figure around the thermal head support shaft 119 and moves to the image forming position, where the thermal head 116 sandwiches the ink ribbon 114 and the recording sheet 113 between itself and the platen roller 115 (step S108). Figure 4D The recording sheet 113 and the ink ribbon 114 shown still sandwiched between the thermal head 116 and the platen roller 115 are heated by the thermal head 116 while being conveyed toward the discharge port 101C, and the ink applied to the ink ribbon 114 is transferred to the recording sheet 113 to perform image formation (step S109). Since the ink ribbon 114 and the recording sheet 113 are conveyed at the same speed during image formation, the ink ribbon conveying mechanism of the printer 100 incorporates therein a torque limiter described later, which slides when a load greater than or equal to a predetermined torque is applied.

[0058] When the ink ribbon 114 and the recording sheet 113 undergo image formation by being heated by the thermal head 116, the ink ribbon 114 and the recording sheet 113 are conveyed a predetermined distance while maintaining a state of close contact with each other before being conveyed in a direction away from each other. Specifically, the recording sheet 113 is conveyed in the left direction in the figure by the conveying roller 124, and the ink ribbon 114 is conveyed toward the guide shaft 303 of the ink cartridge 300 while sliding on the separation plate 129 of the thermal head 116. The ink ribbon 114 adheres to the recording sheet 113 during image formation due to being heated by the thermal head 116, but is peeled off from the recording sheet 113 after being conveyed to the position of the separation plate 129. Once the image formation on the yellow image area of ​​the recording sheet 113 is completed, the drive mechanism (not shown) of the printer 100 rotates the thermal head 116 and retracts the thermal head 116 to the position of the separation plate 129. Figure 4E Subsequently, the recording sheet 113 is conveyed to the position shown in FIG. 110 in the direction opposite to that during the image forming operation. Figure 4C The ink ribbon 114 is wound and conveyed to the image formation start position in a similar manner to the yellow (Y) image formation operation, and stops by detecting the mark 114a to form a magenta (M) image (steps S112 to S115). The cyan (C) and overcoat (OC) images are formed by detecting the mark 114a and prompting in a similar manner (steps S116 to S127). Once the overcoat image formation is completed, as shown in FIG. Figure 4E As shown, after the thermal head 116 is retracted from the recording sheet 113, the recording sheet 113 is conveyed toward the discharge port 101C, and once the rear end of the recording sheet 113 passes through the conveying roller 124, the sheet discharge ends (step S128). Figure 4F As shown, once the sheet discharge operation is completed, the thermal head 116 is rotated to the position indicated by a driving mechanism not shown. Figure 4A The printing operation is terminated (step S129).

[0059] Through such a process, an image forming operation of superimposing and transferring inks in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and overcoat (OC) onto the recording sheet 113 is completed.

[0060] The printer 100 according to the present embodiment performs the sheet discharging operation in such a manner that Figure 4F In the state after the sheet ejection operation shown in FIG. 1 , the recording sheet 113 is not completely ejected to the outside of the apparatus. In other words, the rear end of the recording sheet 113 is Figure 4FThe sheet 113 is left inside the printer 100 in the state after the sheet discharging operation shown. The printer 100 is a small mobile printer with high portability, and is not equipped with a component on which the printed recording sheets 113 are to be stacked. In addition, it is also expected that the user performs image formation while holding the mobile printer in the user's hand, and in this case, the printed recording sheet 113 may fall from the printer 100. In response to this, in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment, the printed recording sheet 113 is prevented from accidentally falling by fixing the sheet pressing plate 131 to the downstream upper sheet guide member 130 (which is located downstream of the conveying roller 124) and pressing the printed recording sheet 113 against the downstream lower sheet guide member 132 with a slight force. The printed recording sheet 113 needs to be removed by the user to put the printer 100 in a state where subsequent printing can be performed. If the recording sheet 113 is detected by the second sheet detection sensor 206b (step S130) and the rear end of the recording sheet 113 is still inside the printer 100, an indication of the error is provided on the display unit 102 to prompt the user to remove the recording sheet 113 (step S131). Thereafter, the detection of the recording sheet 113 by the second sheet detection sensor 206b is continued (step S132), and the printer 100 transitions to the Figure 4A In the standby state shown, once the recording sheet 113 that has undergone the image forming operation is removed, subsequent printing can be performed (step S133).

[0061] A series of printing operations is terminated through the above-mentioned process.

[0062] <Construction of Host Device>

[0063] Will refer to Figure 6 The overall configuration of the host device according to the present embodiment is described.

[0064] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a host device 600. The host device 600 includes a control unit 601, a display unit / operation unit 602, a nonvolatile memory 603, a work memory 604, an image processing unit 605, and a communication unit 606.

[0065] The control unit 601 is a controller including an interface circuit for transmitting or receiving data to or from components of the host device 600 described later, and a CPU or an MPU for performing calculation processing for controlling the operation of the entire host device 600. The control unit 601 controls the components of the host device 600 by reading and executing a program stored in a nonvolatile memory 603 described later.

[0066] The display unit / operation unit 602 is formed of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The display unit / operation unit 602 displays a main screen, a web page, a menu screen, print target image data, a handwritten screen, etc. In addition, the display unit / operation unit 602 includes a touch panel (touch screen) that is integrally formed with the display screen and can detect touch operations performed on the display screen.

[0067] The control unit 601 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel.

[0068] Touch-down: A new touch on a touch panel by a finger or stylus that has not yet touched the touch panel.

[0069] Touch-on: The state in which the touch panel is being touched by a finger or stylus.

[0070] Touch move: Moving a finger or stylus while the finger or stylus is touching the touch panel.

[0071] Touch-up: Release the finger or stylus that has been touching the touch panel (touch end).

[0072] Touch-off: A state in which nothing is touching the touch panel.

[0073] Furthermore, a GUI can be constructed by associating input coordinates on the touch panel with display coordinates on the display screen by an application or the like operating on the host device 600, as if the user can directly operate the display screen. Note that the touch panel may be a device that can acquire contact strength (pressing force).

[0074] The user can use the editor software program to draw line images such as characters and graphics on the overcoat surface using the user's finger or a stylus on the touch panel.

[0075] The nonvolatile memory 603 is an electrically erasable recordable memory, and, for example, a flash ROM or the like is used as the nonvolatile memory 603. Programs, constants, and the like for the operation of the control unit 601 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 603. The program mentioned here is a program for executing a flowchart described later, and includes a printer control software program for controlling the printer 100 and an editor software program for drawing a line image on an overcoat surface.

[0076] A volatile memory such as a RAM is used as the working memory 604, and the working memory 604 is used as a working area in which constants and variables used for the operation of the control unit 601, programs read from the nonvolatile memory 603, and the like are decompressed. In addition, the working memory 604 temporarily stores image transfer data, overcoat transfer data, print instructions including print setting information, and the like to be sent to the printer 100 via the communication unit 606.

[0077] The image processing unit 605 performs: a process of generating image transfer data by performing various image processing such as color conversion processing, pixel correction processing, and filtering processing on the image data; a process of converting a line image created by a user using an editor software program into a drawing portion to be added to an outer coat; and a process of converting the outer coat data to which the drawing portion is added into outer coat transfer data of the printer 100.

[0078] The communication unit 606 is an interface connected to the printer 100 via a wired or wireless system to be able to communicate with the printer 100 , and transmits image data to be printed and a print instruction to the printer 100 and receives information on an operation status from the printer 100 .

[0079] <Description of Image Conversion Processing>

[0080] Next, we will refer to 7A to 10B An image conversion process for adding a line image as a drawing portion to an overcoat layer according to the present embodiment is described.

[0081] Fig. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a line image drawn by a user on the overcoat surface. Figure 7B and Figure 7C A portion of the line image drawn by the user on the outer coating surface is enlarged. Fig.8A1 , Figure 8A2 , Figure 8A3 , Figure 8B1 , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8B3 as well as Fig.9A1 , Fig.9A2 , Figure 9A3 , Figure 9A4 , Fig.9B1 , Figure 9B2 , Figure 9B3 , Figure 9B4 , Fig.9C1 , Fig.9C2 and Figure 9C3 is a diagram for describing an image conversion process for adding a line image to an overcoat layer as a drawing portion. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B601 and 602. FIG. 603 is a flowchart showing the process of image conversion processing for adding a line image generated by a user as a drawing portion to an overcoat layer. Note that the image conversion processing is realized by decompressing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 603 to the working memory 604 and executing the program by the control unit 601 and controlling the components of the host device 600. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B When the editor software program of the host device 600 is started, Fig. 10A in the processing.

[0082] In step S802, the control unit 601 determines whether the user is to newly generate a drawing part or edit an already generated drawing part. This determination is made according to a selection operation performed by the user. In other words, the user can select whether to newly generate a drawing part or edit an already generated drawing part on the editor menu screen or the like. The control unit 601 proceeds to the processing in step S803 when it is determined that the user has selected to newly generate a drawing part, and proceeds to the processing in step S810 when it is determined that the user has selected to edit an already generated drawing part.

[0083] In step S803, the control unit 601 determines the line width when the user newly generates a drawing portion. This determination is made according to a selection operation performed by the user. In other words, the user can select the line width used to generate the drawing portion.

[0084] In step S804 , the control unit 601 draws, on the display unit / operation unit 602 , a line image drawn by the user using the user's finger or a stylus pen.

[0085] In step S805, the control unit 601 determines whether there are overlapping lines for the line image generated by the user in step S804. When it is determined that there are overlapping lines in step S804, the control unit 601 enters the processing in step S8051, and enters the processing in step S806 when it is determined that there are no overlapping lines.

[0086] In step S8051 , the control unit 601 performs processing for correcting the line image in which the lines overlap with each other in step S804 (correction processing 1 ).

[0087] The process of drawing a line by the user in step S804 continues from when the touch landing on the touch panel is detected to when the touch lift-off is detected from the state of detecting the touch or the touch moving. While the user is drawing the line in step S804, the following determinations are continuously performed in step S805: namely, determination as to whether the multiple lines drawn by the user overlap with each other; and, in the case where these lines are separated from each other, determination as to whether the distance between the lines is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels. In addition, when the multiple lines drawn by the user overlap in step S805 and it is determined that the distance between the lines is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels, the process enters step S8051, in which a process for appropriately correcting the lines separated from each other is performed. This will be referred to later. Figure 8B1 , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8B3 The correction process 1 is described in detail.

[0088] In step S806, the control unit 601 determines whether the user has ended the generation of the line image. This determination is made based on an explicit operation by the user or whether a predetermined time has passed without detecting another touch down since the last touch up was detected during the generation of the line image. The control unit 601 proceeds to the processing in step S807 when it is determined that the user has ended the generation of the line image, and returns to the processing in step S804 when it is not determined that the user has ended the generation of the line image.

[0089] In step S807, the control unit 601 determines whether there is a line that the user wants to erase in the line image generated by the user in step S804. This determination is made based on an erase operation performed by the user. In other words, the user can use the editor erase tool to specify and erase a desired line image. When it is determined that there is a line that the user wants to erase in the line image generated by the user in step S804, the control unit 601 enters the processing in step S8052, and when it is determined that there is no line that the user wants to erase, it enters the processing in step S808.

[0090] In step S8052, the control unit 601 erases the line that the user has designated as the erasure target line (erasure processing 1). Fig.9A1 , Fig.9A2 , Figure 9A3 and Figure 9A4 The erasing process 1 is described in detail.

[0091] In step S808 , the control unit 601 performs processing for converting a line image generated by the user into a drawing portion to be added to the overcoat layer.

[0092] In step S809 , the control unit 601 stores the overcoat layer data having the drawn portion generated in step S808 into the nonvolatile memory 603 , and terminates the processing.

[0093] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S802 that the already generated drawing part is to be edited, the control unit 601 reads the overcoat data having the drawing part stored in the nonvolatile memory 603 in step S810. In step S811, the control unit 601 determines whether the editing to be performed is to add a line image or to erase the already generated drawing part. When it is determined that the editing to be performed is to add a line image, the control unit 601 proceeds to the processing in step S812, and when it is determined that the editing to be performed is to erase the drawing part instead of adding a line image, proceeds to the processing in step S8111. This determination is made according to a selection operation performed by the user. That is, the user can select whether to add a line image or to erase the drawing part on the editor menu screen or the like.

[0094] In step S8111, the control unit 601 performs processing for erasing a drawing portion that the user has designated as an erasure target drawing portion (erasure processing 2).

[0095] In step S812 and step S813 , the control unit 601 sets the line width specified by the user or the default line width, and adds a line image generated by the user.

[0096] In step S814, the control unit 601 determines whether there are overlapping lines due to the user adding line images in step S813. When it is determined that there are overlapping lines in step S813, the control unit 601 enters the processing in step S8141, and when it is determined that there are no overlapping lines, it enters the processing in step S815.

[0097] In step S8141, the control unit 601 performs processing for correcting the line image in which the lines overlap each other in step S813 (correction processing 1).

[0098] The process of drawing a line by the user in step S813 lasts from when the touch landing on the touch panel is detected to when the touch lift-off is detected from the state of detecting the touch or the touch moving. When the user draws the line in step S813, the following determinations are continuously performed in step S814: namely, determination as to whether the multiple lines drawn by the user overlap with each other; and, in the case where these lines are separated from each other, determination as to whether the distance between the lines is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels. In addition, when the multiple lines drawn by the user overlap in step S814 and it is determined that the distance between the lines is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels, the process enters step S8141, in which a process for appropriately correcting the lines separated from each other is performed. This will be referred to later. Figure 8B1 , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8B3 The correction process 1 is described in detail.

[0099] In step S815, the control unit 601 determines whether the user has finished adding the line image. This determination is made based on an explicit operation by the user or whether a predetermined time has passed without detecting another touch down since the last touch up was detected during the generation of the line image. The control unit 601 enters the process in step S816 when it is determined that the user has finished adding the line image, and returns to the process in step S813 when it is not determined that the addition of the line image has been finished.

[0100] In step S816, the control unit 601 determines whether there is a line that the user wants to erase in the line image added by the user in step S813. This determination is made according to the erasing operation performed by the user. In other words, the user can use the editor erase tool to specify and erase the desired line image. When it is determined that there is a line that the user wants to erase in the line image added by the user in step S813, the control unit 601 enters the processing in step S8161, and when it is determined that there is no line that the user wants to erase, it enters the processing in step S817.

[0101] In step S8161, the control unit 601 erases the line that the user has designated as the erasure target line (erasure processing 1). Fig.9A1 , Fig.9A2 , Figure 9A3 and Figure 9A4 The erasing process 1 is described in detail.

[0102] In step S817, the control unit 601 determines whether the line image added by the user in step S813 contacts or overlaps with the already generated drawing portion. The control unit 601 proceeds to the process in step S8171 when determining that the added line image contacts or overlaps with the already generated drawing portion, and proceeds to the process in step S818 when determining that the added line image does not contact or overlap with the already generated drawing portion.

[0103] In step S8171, the control unit 601 performs processing for erasing the pixel data in the contour portion of the already generated drawing portion overlapping the line image added by the user in step S813 and in the area inside the contour portion, and setting a high gloss area corresponding to two pixels in the area outside the contour portion of the erased drawing portion (correction processing 2). This will be referred to later. Figure 9B1 , Figure 9B2 , Figure 9B3 , Figure 9B4 , Fig.9C1 , Fig.9C2 and Figure 9C3 The correction process 2 is described in detail.

[0104] In step S818 , the control unit 601 performs processing for converting the line image added by the user into a drawing portion to be added to the overcoat layer to be merged with the already generated drawing portion, and proceeds to the processing in step S809 .

[0105] <Description of conversion processing>

[0106] Next, the method for converting the line image into the drawing part will be described. Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B The processing in step S808 and step S818 in .

[0107] Fig. 7A An example of a line image 700 drawn by a user on the overcoat surface by applying the user's finger or a stylus pen to the touch panel of the host device 600 is shown. Figure 7B This is a diagram in which a line 701 which is a part of the line image 700 is enlarged. Figure 7C Shown by Figure 7B An example of a drawn portion 705 obtained by converting the line image in FIG.

[0108] like Fig. 7A As shown, a user may draw a line image 700 on the overcoat surface by applying a user's finger or a stylus pen to the touch panel of the host device 600 . Figure 7B The line 701 shown in FIG. 7 is a part of a character or graphic handwritten by a user with a predetermined line width. Reference numeral "702" indicates an undrawn area around the line 701. Figure 7C As shown in Figure 7BThe line 701 shown in FIG. 7 is converted into a drawing portion 705 and a non-drawing portion 7021. The drawing portion 705 includes a contour portion 703 formed by pixels having a first glossiness (low gloss pixels) and a mixed pattern portion 704, in which pixels in the area inside the contour portion 703 composed of pixels having a first glossiness and pixels having a second glossiness higher than the first glossiness (high gloss pixels) are mixed. The non-drawing portion 7021 is formed by pixels in the area outside the drawing portion 705. The contour portion 703 has the effect of emphasizing the edge of the line image 700 and improving the visibility of the drawing portion 705 on the outer coating surface by surrounding the mixed pattern portion 704. In the mixed pattern portion 704, the high gloss pixels and the low gloss pixels are dispersed and arranged at an appropriate ratio, thereby preventing the occurrence of outer coating separation failure while reducing the gloss. Since the contour portion 703 surrounding the mixed pattern portion 704 is formed to have a minimum width of one pixel and the mixed pattern portion 704 is formed to have a minimum width of two pixels, the minimum line width is four pixels. If the outline portion 703 is set to a pixel width of two or more pixels, visibility is improved, but the risk of overcoat separation failure increases when the number of lines 701 increases. In addition, if the mixed pattern portion 704 is set to 1 pixel or less, visibility of the drawn portion 705 on the overcoat surface is reduced because low-gloss pixels cannot be arranged.

[0109] Fig.8A1 , Figure 8A2 and Figure 8A3 is a diagram for describing a process in a case where two lines are in contact with each other, wherein Fig.8A1 and Figure 8A2 shows a line image drawn on a touch panel, and Figure 8A3 FIG. 2 shows a drawing portion obtained by converting from a line image. Fig.8A1 and Figure 8A2 In FIG. 8 , line 805 and line 806 are arranged to contact each other without any space between line 805 and line 806, so line 805 and line 806 are converted into a drawing part 807 as one line image, as shown in FIG. Figure 8A3 Reference numerals "8071", "8072" and "8073" respectively indicate the outline portion, the mixed pattern portion and the area outside the drawing portion.

[0110] Figure 8B1 , Figure 8B2 and Figure 8B3 is used to describe the correction process 1 in the case where two lines are separated from each other ( Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B FIG. 8 is a diagram of steps S8051 and S8141 in FIG. 8 . Figure 8B1 and Figure 8B2shows a line image drawn on a touch panel, Figure 8B3 The drawing part obtained by converting from the line image is shown. Since the line 808 and the line 809 are Figure 8B1 and Figure 8B2 , so the distance between the lines is determined ( Fig. 10A In addition, when the distance between the lines is less than two pixels, the two lines are determined to overlap each other, and Fig. 10A The correction process 1 in step S8051 is performed to correct the pixels of the line 809 drawn later so that the distance between the lines is greater than or equal to two pixels. Figure 8B2 As shown, a deletion area 809a is set in the pixels of the line 809 drawn later and close to the line 808 drawn previously, the data of the pixels corresponding to the deletion area 809a of the line 809 are erased, and conversion to separate drawing parts 810 and 811 is performed so that the distance between the line 808 and the line 809 is greater than or equal to two pixels, as shown in FIG. Figure 8B3 shown.

[0111] Fig.9A1 , Fig.9A2 , Figure 9A3 and Figure 9A4 is used to describe the erasing process 1 for erasing some lines in a line image ( Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B Steps S8052 and S8161 in the above) or erasing process 2 ( Fig. 10B Figure of step S8111). Fig.9A1 , Fig.9A2 and Figure 9A3 shows a line image drawn on a touch panel or a drawn portion that has been generated, Figure 9A4 The drawing portion obtained by converting from the line image is shown. Fig.9A1 In the case where the line or the already generated drawing portion 912 and 913 is deleted, when the user selects the line or the already generated drawing portion 913 on the screen and executes the following Fig.9A2 When the line or the generated drawing part 913 is deleted, as shown in Figure 9B3 After deleting the line or the generated drawing part 913, the line 912 is converted into a drawing part or only the generated drawing part 912 is retained, as shown in FIG. Figure 9B4 shown.

[0112] Figure 9B1 , Figure 9B2 , Figure 9B3 and Figure 9B4 is used to describe the processing in the case where the line 915 contacts the already generated drawing part 914 ( Fig. 10B Figure of step S8171).

[0113] Fig.9B1 , Figure 9B2 and Figure 9B3 shows a line image added to an already generated drawing, Figure 9B4 FIG. 2 shows a drawing portion obtained by converting from an already generated drawing portion and adding a line image. Figure 9B3 As shown, in Figure 9B2 Add as shown Fig.9B1 In the pixels of the line 915 of the already generated drawing part 914 shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B , a deletion area 915a is set in the pixels close to the already generated drawing part 914. Figure 9B4 As shown, the data of the pixels corresponding to the deletion area 915a of the line 915 is erased, and conversion to the drawing portion 917 is performed so that the distance from the already generated drawing portion 914 is greater than or equal to two pixels.

[0114] Fig.9C1 , Fig.9C2 and Figure 9C3 is used to describe the processing in the case where the line 919 overlaps the drawing portion 918 ( Fig. 10B Figure of step S8171). Fig.9C1 and Fig.9C2 shows a line image added to an already generated drawing, Figure 9C3 918. The drawing portion obtained by converting from the already generated drawing portion and the added line image is shown. Fig.9C1 In the case of (as shown in FIG. 1 ), a second outline portion 918a formed of high gloss pixels is formed in the drawing portion 918 at an area around the overlapping line 919 that overlaps the line 919 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). Fig.9C2 ), and the conversion to the separate drawing parts 920 and 921 is performed. Therefore, as Figure 9C3 As shown, the drawing portion 921 is arranged on the already generated drawing portion 920, and excessive continuation of low-gloss pixels can be prevented.

[0115] Spaces are provided between line images and between already generated drawing portions and line images to minimize portions where low-gloss pixels continue and to reduce overcoat separation failures.

[0116] <Grayscale and Glossiness During Transfer of Overcoat Layer According to the Present Embodiment, and Formation Method and Pixel Ratio of Mixed Pattern Portion>

[0117] Next, we will refer to FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C as well as Fig. 12A and Fig. 12BThe grayscale and glossiness during the transfer of the overcoat layer according to the present embodiment, and the pixel ratio of the mixed pattern portion are described.

[0118] Fig.11A The relationship between the grayscale and glossiness during the transfer of the outer coating layer is shown. The grayscale during the transfer of the outer coating layer is represented by 256 grayscales, and the higher the grayscale value, the greater the energy during the transfer of the outer coating layer. The grayscale during the transfer of the outer coating layer having the drawing portion is as follows: the high gloss pixel 1101 in the area outside the contour portion and the mixed pattern portion as the area inside the contour portion has a grayscale value in the range of about 80 to 180; and the low gloss pixel 1102 in the contour portion and the mixed pattern portion has a grayscale value in the range of about 210 to 230. In addition, the glossiness of the outer coating surface transferred with a grayscale value of 210 to 230 is less than or equal to 35, the glossiness of the outer coating surface transferred with a grayscale value of 80 to 180 is greater than or equal to 50, and the glossiness of the outer coating surface to which the mixed pattern portion is transferred is 35 to 50.

[0119] Fig. 11B An example of the relationship between the ratio of low gloss pixels and glossiness in a mixed pattern portion is shown. The maximum value of the ratio 1104 of the low gloss pixels 1102 in the mixed pattern portion is 40% to 75%, whereas the maximum value of the ratio of the high gloss pixels 1101 is 60% to 25%. In addition, in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the mode, average value, and maximum value of the number of low gloss pixels 1102 that can be continuously arranged in the mixed pattern portion are three pixels, five pixels, and forty pixels, respectively. Similarly, the mode and average value of the number of high gloss pixels 1101 that can be continuously arranged in the mixed pattern portion are two pixels, and the maximum value of the number of high gloss pixels 1101 that can be continuously arranged in the mixed pattern portion is twenty-five pixels. The high gloss pixels 1101 and the low gloss pixels 1102 in the mixed pattern portion are arranged in a dispersed state. Fig. 11CAn example arrangement of a mixed pattern portion is shown. In the mixed pattern portion 1104, low gloss pixels and high gloss pixels are arranged in an appropriate ratio, distribution, and continuity. For example, a partial area 1106 in the mixed pattern portion is an example in which two high gloss pixels 1101 are arranged continuously in the main scanning direction and seven high gloss pixels 1101 are arranged continuously in the sub-scanning direction. In addition, for example, a partial area 1107 in the mixed pattern portion is an example in which nine low gloss pixels 1102 are arranged continuously in the main scanning direction and two low gloss pixels 1102 are arranged continuously in the sub-scanning direction. By arranging the low gloss pixels 1102 or the high gloss pixels 1101 as rectangular unit blocks of an arbitrarily defined size in this manner to have an appropriate ratio, distribution, and continuity, an outer coating that ensures visibility of the drawn portion can be transferred while preventing the occurrence of an outer coating separation failure caused by excessive coarsening of the outer coating surface.

[0120] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B is a diagram for describing a method of forming a mixed pattern portion for different recording sheet sizes according to the present embodiment.

[0121] When transferring the overcoat layer having the drawing portion, a mixed pattern portion generated in advance for recording sheets 113 of different sizes is used, and the area to be used as the mixed pattern portion varies depending on the recording sheet 113 . Fig. 12A An area serving as a mixed pattern portion 1201 for recording sheets 113 of sizes C (1211), L (1212), and P (1213) is shown. Fig. 12B A case where the transfer is performed using a drawing portion mixed with a pattern portion corresponding to the P size recording sheet 113 is shown. Fig. 12A The mixed pattern portion is arranged on a base plane 1202 of the mixed pattern portion of the drawing portion corresponding to the recording sheet 113 of size P, and an area other than a contour portion 1221 obtained by conversion from a line image and an area 1223 outside the contour portion 1221 is cut off, thereby exposing the mixed pattern portion 1222 on the base plane and forming a drawing portion on the outer coating layer.

[0122] Other embodiments

[0123] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by reading and executing computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more completely referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or a computer of a system or device including one or more circuits (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by, for example, reading and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium by the computer of the system or device to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0124] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0125] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An image processing device that generates overcoat transfer data for transferring an overcoat layer to an image formed on a recording sheet by a printing unit, the image processing device comprising: a drawing unit configured to generate a line image to be added to the outer coating layer; as well as an image processing unit configured to convert the line image into a drawing portion to be added to the overcoat layer and generate overcoat layer transfer data to be transferred onto the recording sheet by the printing unit, wherein The drawn portion includes a contour portion and an area inside the contour portion, The contour portion is formed by pixels having a first glossiness, The area inside the outline portion is formed as a mixed pattern portion in which pixels having the first glossiness and pixels having a second glossiness higher than the first glossiness are mixed, and The area outside the outline portion is formed by pixels having the second glossiness, Wherein, in the case where the line image includes a first line image and a second line image, when the first line image and the second line image are in contact with or overlap with each other, the image processing unit converts the first line image and the second line image into a drawing part as a single line image, and when the first line image and the second line image are separated from each other, the image processing unit corrects the second line image in such a manner that a distance from the first line image is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of pixels, and performs conversion to the drawing part.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein: In the case where the first line image has been added to the first drawn part that has already been generated: When the first drawing portion and the first line image do not overlap each other, the image processing unit performs correction in such a manner that a distance between the first drawing portion and the first line image is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of pixels, and performs conversion to the drawing portion; and When the first drawing part and the first line image overlap with each other, the image processing unit forms a second contour part formed by pixels having the second glossiness in the first drawing part, in an area outside the first line image and overlapping with the first line image, and performs conversion to the drawing part.

3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The contour portion surrounding the mixed pattern portion is formed to have a minimum width of one pixel, the mixed pattern portion is formed to have a minimum width of two pixels, and the line image is formed to have a minimum width of four pixels, and The predetermined number of pixels is two pixels.

4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The drawing unit can select a line image to be erased from among a plurality of line images, or can select a drawing portion to be erased from among a plurality of already generated drawing portions.

5. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein: In the mixed pattern portion, pixels having the first glossiness and pixels having the second glossiness are dispersed and arranged at a predetermined ratio so that: a maximum value of the ratio of pixels having the first glossiness is 40% to 75%, and a mode, an average, and a maximum value of the number of pixels having the first glossiness which are continuous in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction during overcoat layer transfer are three pixels, five pixels, and forty pixels, respectively; and The maximum value of the ratio of pixels having the second glossiness is 60% to 25%, the mode and average of the number of consecutive pixels having the second glossiness are two pixels, and the maximum value of the number of consecutive pixels having the second glossiness is twenty-five pixels.

6. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The glossiness of the drawing portion in the overcoat transfer data is represented by 256 grayscales, and the higher the grayscale value, the greater the energy during overcoat transfer, and Pixels having the first glossiness have first grayscale values ​​ranging from 210 to 230, and pixels having the second glossiness have second grayscale values ​​ranging from 80 to 180.

7. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The glossiness of the outer coating surface to which pixels having the first glossiness are transferred is less than or equal to 35, the glossiness of the outer coating surface to which pixels having the second glossiness are transferred is greater than or equal to 50, and the glossiness of the outer coating surface to which the mixed pattern portion is transferred is 35 to 50.

8. The image processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: Touch panel, wherein The drawing unit generates a line image to be added to the overcoat layer according to a user operation on the touch panel.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The image processing device further includes the printing unit.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A transmitting unit is configured to transmit the overcoat layer transfer data generated by the image processing unit to an external printing device including the printing unit.

11. A control method for an image processing device, the image processing device generating overcoat transfer data, the overcoat transfer data being used to transfer an overcoat layer to an image formed on a recording sheet, the control method comprising: generating a line image to be added to the overcoat layer; as well as converting the line image into a drawing portion to be added to the overcoat layer, and generating overcoat layer transfer data to be transferred onto the recording sheet by a printing device, wherein The drawing portion includes an outline portion and an area inside the outline portion, the outline portion is formed of pixels having a first glossiness, and the area inside the outline portion is formed as a mixed pattern portion in which pixels having the first glossiness and pixels having a second glossiness higher than the first glossiness are mixed, and The area outside the outline portion is formed by pixels having the second glossiness, Wherein, in the case where the line image includes a first line image and a second line image, when the first line image and the second line image are in contact with or overlap with each other, the first line image and the second line image are converted into a drawing part as a single line image, and when the first line image and the second line image are separated from each other, the second line image is corrected in such a manner that a distance from the first line image is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of pixels, and conversion to the drawing part is performed. 12 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 . 13 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the image processing apparatus according to claim 11 .

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