Image processing apparatus, control method, program

Abstract

To secure the visibility of a drawing part of an overcoat without inhibiting the appearance of an image.SOLUTION: An image processing device for generating data for overcoat transfer for transferring an overcoat with printing means onto an image formed on a recording sheet comprises: drawing means which creates a line drawing to be added to the overcoat; and image processing means which converts the line drawing into a drawing part to be added to the overcoat and generates the data for overcoat transfer for transferring the overcoat onto the recording sheet with the printing means. The drawing part includes a contour part and an inner area of the contour part. The contour part is constituted by pixels with first glossiness. The inner area of the contour part is constituted as a mixed pattern part in which the pixels with the first glossiness and pixels with second glossiness being higher glossiness than the first glossiness are mixed. An outer area of the contour part is constituted by the pixels with the second glossiness.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for forming an image and printing it on a recording sheet.

Background Art

[0002] A thermal printer presses a heated thermal head against an ink ribbon to sublime ink from a solid to a gas and transfer it to a recording sheet. The ink ribbon has sublimation dye layers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) and an overcoat (OC) layer. A color image formed by the sublimation dye layers of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is protected by a colorless, transparent, and uniformly highly glossy O C layer to produce a printed medium with excellent durability and water resistance.

[0003] In a thermal printer, there is a known technique of roughening the overcoat surface in contact with the ink ribbon by increasing the thermal energy during overcoat transfer (increasing the gradation value of the overcoat transfer data) to form a low-gloss line drawing on the overcoat surface. The low-gloss line drawing on the overcoat surface formed on a highly glossy printed image is difficult to visually recognize because the amount of reflected light from the color image is large when viewed directly. However, when the viewing angle is changed, a difference in the amount of reflected light occurs between the high-gloss part and the low-gloss part of the overcoat surface, and the line drawing on the overcoat surface can be visually recognized without impairing the appearance of the color image.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a technique of not transferring the overcoat to the inner region of the contour of the line drawing of an image for performing color printing in order to ensure the visibility of the line drawing on the overcoat surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In Patent Document 1, a low-gloss overcoat is formed on the outline of the line drawing of the image for color printing, and a high-gloss overcoat is formed on the outer region of the outline, and the overcoat is not transferred to the inner region of the outline. Therefore, the image in the inner region of the outline is insufficiently protected by the overcoat surface, which may impair the appearance. However, if a low-gloss overcoat surface is formed in the inner region of the outline, the overcoat surface in contact with the ink ribbon increases due to roughening of the overcoat surface, resulting in poor peelability from the ink ribbon and causing poor peeling of the overcoat. Furthermore, when a high-gloss overcoat surface is formed in the inner region of the outline, the visibility changes depending on the thickness of the outline region, and when the outline region is thin, the visibility deteriorates. Therefore, it has been difficult to ensure the visibility of the line drawing of the overcoat surface without impairing the appearance of the image.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to realize a technique capable of ensuring the visibility of the drawing portion of the overcoat without impairing the appearance of the image.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an image processing apparatus that generates overcoat transfer data for transferring an overcoat by a printing means onto an image formed on a recording paper, comprising: drawing means for creating a line drawing to be added to the overcoat; and image processing means for converting the line drawing into a drawing portion to be added to the overcoat and generating overcoat transfer data for transferring the drawing portion onto the recording paper by the printing means. The drawing portion includes a contour portion and an inner region of the contour portion. The contour portion is composed of pixels of a first gloss, and the inner region of the contour portion is configured as a mixed pattern portion in which pixels of the first gloss and pixels of a second gloss having a higher gloss than the first gloss are mixed. The outer region of the contour portion is composed of pixels of the second gloss.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure the visibility of the drawing portion of the overcoat without impairing the appearance of the image.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0012] In this embodiment, an example of a system in which an image processing apparatus and a printing apparatus (external printing apparatus) are communicably connected by wire or wirelessly will be described. The image processing apparatus has a drawing function for creating a line drawing to be added to the overcoat surface and an image processing function for converting the line drawing into a drawing unit and generating overcoat data with a drawing unit, and is a host device that outputs a print instruction including image data and print setting information to the printing apparatus. The host device is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smart device, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, or an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera. The printing apparatus is a thermal transfer or sublimation type thermal printer. Note that the printing apparatus may have the above-described drawing function and image processing function. In this case, overcoat data with a drawing unit is generated by the printing apparatus instead of the image processing apparatus.

[0013] Hereinafter, an example in which the printing apparatus is applied to a thermal transfer or sublimation type thermal printer will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to thermal printers and can be applied to other types of printers.

[0014] Further, the present invention is not limited to a single printer, and can be applied to devices having a printing function, such as copiers, facsimiles, computer systems, and the like. Further, the recording paper of the present invention includes not only paper materials but also sheet materials made of other materials such as plastic films.

[0015] A thermal printer presses an ink ribbon (ink sheet) coated with ink and a recording paper against a thermal head (print head) and a platen roller (receiving member), and transports the ink ribbon and the recording paper (print sheet) while in contact with the thermal head to perform printing. In the thermal head, a plurality of heating elements (resistance elements) are arranged in a line, and by selectively energizing these heating elements, the ink applied to the ink ribbon is transferred to the recording paper to perform printing on the recording paper. In particular, when performing full-color printing, yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) inks applied in sequence to the ink ribbon are overlaid in sequence to form a full-color image, and an overcoat (OC) is also transferred onto the image.

[0016] In the following description, "printing" refers to a series of overall operations from performing printing based on a printing instruction from an image processing apparatus to discharging the printed recording paper. Also, "printing" refers to the operation of thermally transferring the ink applied to the ink ribbon and the overcoat to the recording paper to form an image on the recording paper and form an overcoat on the image during the printing operation. In the case of monochrome printing, the recording paper may be in the form of a roll and may be cut into a predetermined size and discharged after printing.

[0017] <Configuration of Thermal Printer> First, with reference to FIG. 1, the schematic configuration of the thermal printer (hereinafter, printer) of the present embodiment will be described.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the printer 100 and the ink cassette 300 of the present embodiment, (a) is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view seen from below.

[0019] The printer 100 includes an upper case 101A and a lower case 101B as exterior members that cover the upper and lower sides of the printer body. The discharge port 101C is formed as a slit-like gap that forms an opening serving as the discharge port 101C at the joint surface between the upper case 101A and the lower case 101B on one side surface of the printer 100. During printing, the recording paper 113 temporarily protrudes outside the printer 100 from the discharge port 101C, or the recording paper 113 that has finished printing is discharged from the discharge port 101C. Note that the recording paper 113 is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] Also, on another side surface of the printer 100, a cassette cover 101D is provided so as to be openable and closable. The cassette cover 101D can open and close a cassette mounting portion 111 which is an opening provided in the chassis 110. The ink cassette 300 can be inserted into and removed from the printer 100 through the cassette mounting portion 111. The ink cassette 300 can be mounted in the mounting direction indicated by the arrow 400 from the cassette mounting portion 111 inside the printer 100 with the cassette cover 101D open, and can be withdrawn outside the printer 100 in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow 400. The cassette lever 101F holds the ink cassette 300 inside the printer 100 and is operated when removing it from the printer 100.

[0021] The ink cassette 300 stores a long ink ribbon 114, which is conveyed by the power received from the printer 100 during printing. Details of the ink cassette 300 will be described later.

[0022] On the bottom surface of the printer 100, a tray cover 101E is provided so as to be openable and closable. By opening the tray cover 101E, a prescribed number of recording sheets 113 can be loaded into a paper storage section 117, which will be described later. In the paper storage section 117, recording sheets 113 of a prescribed size are set by the user. During printing, only one sheet is pulled out from the paper storage section 117 by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown) of the printer 100. On the recording sheet 113, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) ink colors applied to an ink ribbon 114, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, and an overcoat are transferred by a thermal head 116, and full-color printing is performed.

[0023] On the upper surface of the upper case 101A, a display section 102 and an operation section 103 are provided. Also, on the side surface of the printer 100, an external connection terminal 104 is provided, and it can be wired-connected to a host device by a USB cable or the like. Further, a wireless communication module is provided inside the printer 100, and it can be wirelessly connected to a host device by a wireless LAN or the like. The printer 100 can receive image data from a host device connected by the external connection terminal 104 or wireless communication and perform a printing operation. module When the printer 100 is in the power-on state and receives a printing instruction including image data and printing setting information from a host device, the printer 100 starts a printing operation according to the printing instruction.

[0024] The display section 102 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements such as LEDs, and displays the operating state of the printer 100 by light emission color, lighting, blinking, etc. The operation section 103 receives operation instructions such as turning on / off the power of the printer 100.

[0025] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the internal configuration of the printer 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer 100 of the present embodiment.

[0026] The control unit 201 is a controller that includes an interface circuit for exchanging data with each component of the printer 100 described later, and a CPU or MPU that performs arithmetic processing for controlling the overall operation of the printer 100.

[0027] The non-volatile memory 202 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, and for example, a flash ROM or the like is used. The non-volatile memory 202 stores the control program of the printer 100, and the control unit 201 reads the program from the non-volatile memory 202 and controls each component of the printer 100 based on the read program.

[0028] The work memory 203 uses a volatile memory such as a RAM, and is used as a work area for expanding constants, variables, programs read from the non-volatile memory 202, etc. for the operation of the control unit 201. Also, the work memory 203 temporarily holds print instructions including image transfer data, overcoat transfer data, and print setting information received from the host device 600 via the communication unit 211.

[0029] 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 temperature controls such as temperature correction of the thermal head 116 and weight operation based on the detection results of the head temperature detection sensor 204 and the ambient temperature detection sensor 205. Further, the printer 100 includes a first paper detection sensor 206a that detects the feeding of the recording paper 113 and a second paper detection sensor 206b that detects the discharging of the recording paper 113, enabling accurate paper position control. Furthermore, the printer 100 includes a ribbon detection sensor 207 that detects a marker 114a for controlling the position of the ink ribbon 114. The control unit 201 outputs commands to the motor driver 208 based on the information detected by each sensor and executes a program to drive and control the paper conveyance motor 209 and the position change motor 210.

[0030] The paper feed motor 209 drives the conveyance of the recording paper 113 and the ink ribbon 114. The position change motor 210 drives a lifting mechanism and a switching mechanism so as to move the thermal head 116 to a pressing position or a retracted position, or move the paper feed roller 121 up and down. The communication unit 211 is communicably connected to a host device, and can receive a print instruction including image data and print setting information, and transmit and receive various data. The image data input unit 212 receives the image data received from the host device from the communication unit 211 and outputs it to the control unit 201. The control unit 201 outputs the image data received from the host device to the image processing unit 215.

[0031] The display unit 102 displays the operating state of the printer 100 by the emission color, blinking, lighting, etc. of the LED. The operation unit 103 is an operation member that receives a user's operation instruction for the printer 100 such as a power switch. Also, 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 processes on the image data received by the image data input unit 212. The image processing unit 215 performs various image processes such as decoding processing of the image data, resizing processing according to the recording paper, and image correction processing, and generates print data for printing from the image data subjected to the image processing.

[0032] 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 and output to the heating element of the thermal head. In the heating element, the electrical signal is converted into thermal energy, and the ink applied to the ink ribbon 114 is transferred to the recording paper 113.

[0033] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configurations of the recording paper 113 and the ink ribbon 114 will be described.

[0034] Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view of the recording paper of this embodiment. The recording paper 113 has a four-layer structure including an image receiving layer 113a, a base material layer 113b, an adhesive layer 113c, and a release layer 113d. Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) ink of each color and overcoat (OC) are transferred to the image receiving layer 113a. The base material layer 113b is coated with the image receiving layer 113a and the adhesive layer 113c. The adhesive layer 113c imparts tackiness that can be attached to the back surface of the recording paper. The release layer 113d covers the adhesive layer 113c so that the adhesive layer 113c does not stick unintentionally.

[0035] Figure 3(b) is a developed view of the ink ribbon 114 of this embodiment. In the case of full-color printing, yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) ink of each color are arranged on the ink ribbon 114. Then, by printing each ink color on the recording paper 113 in an overlapping manner, a full-color image is formed, and an overcoat (OC) surface is further formed on the image. Between the inks of each color, a black strip-shaped marker 114a for detecting the leading position of each ink color is arranged. Two markers 114a indicating the leading edge of the yellow (Y) surface are arranged to distinguish them from other colors. The ink ribbon of this embodiment uses a highly heat-resistant film such as a polyethylene terephthalate film with a thickness of about 2 to 10-odd microns as the base material. Sublimation ink prepared by mixing a dye, a binder, a plasticizer, a binder, etc. on the film is applied to each of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) inks to a thickness of about 0.2 to 5 μm. The colorless and transparent overcoat surface is formed by applying a styrene derivative, a styrene resin, a styrene copolymer resin, a binder, etc. to a thickness of about 0.5 to 5 μm. Also, on the surface opposite to the surface where the ink is applied, a lubricant for reducing the frictional resistance with the thermal head and stabilizing the running of the ink ribbon, an abrasive for polishing and cleaning the surface of the thermal head, etc. are applied.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the operation procedure during printing of the printer 100 of this embodiment will be described.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the operation during printing of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment, where (a) shows the standby state, (b) shows the paper feeding state, (c) shows the printing start state, (d) shows the printing process, (e) shows the state before the paper ejection operation after the printing is completed, and (f) shows the state after the paper ejection operation. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure during printing of the printer 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0038] When the ink cassette 300 is set in the printer 100 by the user, the recording paper 113 is stored in the paper storage unit 117, and the power is turned on by the operation unit 103, the printer 100 enters the standby state. In the standby state, when the reception of image data from the host device is started, the LED of the display unit 102 blinks to notify the data reading state. The printer 100 has 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. The thermal head 116 is restricted to a position where the distance from the platen roller 115 is maximally widened so as not to interfere during the installation of the ink cassette 300.

[0039] Next, when image data to be printed by the host device is specified and a print instruction is issued, the printer 100 receives the print instruction from the host device and starts the printing operation (S101). When starting the printing operation, the printer 100 rotates the thermal head 116 counterclockwise in the figure about the thermal head support shaft 119 against the biasing force of the coil spring 118 by the driving force of a position change motor 210 (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4(b), the thermal head 116 moves to a position intermediate between the standby position in FIG. 4(a) and the printing position in FIG. 4(d) where it nips with the platen roller 115 (S102). When the movement of the thermal head 116 is completed, the printer 100 starts the paper feeding operation (S103). When starting the paper feeding operation, a pressure plate 120 provided on the printer 100 is biased toward the paper feeding roller 121 by a biasing means (not shown), and pushes up the recording paper 113 stacked in the paper storage section 117 and presses it against the paper feeding roller 121. The paper feeding roller 121 is retracted to a position separated from the recording paper 113 at the standby position in FIG. 4(a). At the intermediate position in FIG. 4(b), the paper feeding roller 121 is pushed down by the driving force of a position change motor 210 (not shown) to a position where it contacts the recording paper 113. At this time, the paper feeding roller 121 is rotated by the driving force of a paper conveyance motor 209 (not shown) in FIG. mid-timeIt rotates in the counterclockwise direction and conveys the recording paper 113 toward the printing unit including the thermal head 116 and the platen roller 115. The recording paper 113 abuts against the separation unit 122 of the printer 100, and only one sheet of the recording paper 113 loaded on the top is conveyed. The conveyed recording paper 113 is detected by the first paper detection sensor 206a, and it is confirmed that there is no paper feeding operation failure. Subsequently, the recording paper 113 conveyed by the paper feeding roller 121 rotates clockwise in the figure by pushing upward the switch plate 123 supported rotatably, advances leftward in the figure, and enters the nip portion between the conveying roller 124 and the conveying driven roller 125. A plurality of minute protrusions that abut against the back surface of the recording paper 113 are formed on the conveying roller 124, and it is possible to accurately convey while abutting against the recording paper 113. The conveying roller 124 is driven by a paper conveyance motor 209 (not shown). The paper conveyance motor 209 is a stepping motor, and accurate feed amount control is possible. When the second paper detection sensor 206b detects the recording paper 113, it is confirmed whether the recording paper 113 is correctly conveyed to the nip portion between the conveying roller 124 and the conveying driven roller 125. After the recording paper 113 is conveyed to the nip portion between the conveying roller 124 and the conveying driven roller 125, the paper feeding roller 121 moves to the standby position shown in FIG. 4(a) by the driving force of the position change motor 210. This is to prevent the next recording paper 113 in the paper storage unit 117 from being erroneously conveyed by the paper feeding roller 121. The recording paper 113 is continuously conveyed by the conveying roller 124 and the conveying driven roller 125. After the rear end portion of the recording paper 113 passes through the first paper detection sensor 206a, is conveyed a predetermined amount, and passes through the tip portion of the switch plate 123, the conveyance stops. Next, the printer 100 conveys the recording paper 113 in the direction of returning it in the reverse direction and stops at the printing start position shown in FIG. 4(c) (S104). At this time, the rear end portion of the recording paper 113 passes above the switch plate 123, passes below the paper feeding roller 121, partitions the lower portion of the battery 126, and is conveyed to the space between the guide wall 127 holding the battery 126 and the paper storage unit wall 128. The paper storage unit wall 128 limits the number of sheets of the recording paper 113 that can be loaded in the paper storage unit 117.

[0040] When the paper feeding operation is completed and the recording paper 113 stops at the printing start position, the yellow (Y) ribbon leading operation of the ink ribbon 114 is performed (S105). Hereinafter, the ribbon leading operation will be described. When the conveyance of the recording paper 113 is completed up to the printing start position shown in FIG. 4(c), the ink ribbon 114 stored in the ink cassette 300 is pulled out. That is, the end of the take-up shaft 301 of the ink cassette 300 engages with the engaging portion of the printer 100, and is rotated counterclockwise in the figure by a drive mechanism (not shown), and the ink ribbon 114 wound around the supply shaft 302 is pulled out and wound around the take-up shaft 301. As shown in FIG. 3, markers 114a are provided at the leading ends of the respective color inks of the ink ribbon 114, and two markers 114a are provided at the leading end of yellow (Y). When the printer 100 detects that the reflected light is blocked by the marker 114a provided on the ink ribbon 114 by the ribbon detection sensor 207 which is a reflective optical sensor, the winding of the ink ribbon 114 is stopped and the leading operation is performed. The leading of yellow (Y) is determined by whether two markers 114a are detected (S106). When one marker 114a cannot be detected or no marker 114a can be detected within a predetermined time during the leading of yellow (Y), a state indicating an error is displayed on the display unit 102 as an abnormality of the ink cassette 300 (S107). Thereafter, the thermal head 116 is moved to the standby position shown in FIG. 4(a), and the printing operation is terminated (S129).

[0041] When the emergence of yellow (Y) is completed, the thermal head 116 is further rotated counterclockwise in the figure around the thermal head support shaft 119 and moved to the printing position where the ink ribbon 114 and the recording paper 113 are clamped between the platen roller 115 (S108). When the thermal head 116 moves to the printing position, as shown in FIG. 4(d), the recording paper 113 and the ink ribbon 114 are clamped between the thermal head 116 and the platen roller 115 and are conveyed toward the discharge port 101C while the ink applied to the ink ribbon 114 is heated by the thermal head 116 and transferred to the recording paper 113, and printing is performed (S109). During printing, since the ink ribbon 114 and the recording paper 113 are conveyed at the same speed, a torque limiter is incorporated in the ink ribbon conveyance mechanism of the printer 100 to slip when a load of a certain torque or more is applied.

[0042] When printing is performed by heating the ink ribbon 114 and the recording paper 113 with the thermal head 116, they are conveyed while maintaining a close contact state for a certain distance, and then conveyed in a direction away from each other. That is, the recording paper 113 is conveyed leftward in the figure by the conveyance roller 124, and the ink ribbon 114 is conveyed toward the guide shaft 303 of the ink cassette 300 while sliding on the peeling plate 129 of the thermal head 116. The ink ribbon 114 is attached to the recording paper 113 by the heating during printing by the thermal head 116, but is conveyed to the position of the peeling plate 129 and peeled off from the recording paper 113. When printing on the yellow image area of the recording paper 113 is completed, a drive mechanism (not shown) of the printer 100 rotates the thermal head 116 and retracts it to the position shown in FIG. 4(e) (S110). Then, the recording paper 113 is conveyed in the direction opposite to the printing operation to the position shown in FIG. 4(c) and moved to the printing start position (S111). Thereafter, the ink ribbon 114 is wound and conveyed in the same manner as the yellow (Y) printing operation, and is conveyed to the printing start position and stopped by detecting the marker 114a to perform magenta (M) printing (S112 to S115). Similarly, the marker 114a is detected to perform head priming, and cyan (C) and overcoat (OC) printing are performed (S116 to S127). When the overcoat printing is completed, as shown in FIG. 4(e), after the thermal head 116 is retracted from the recording paper 113, the recording paper 113 is conveyed toward the discharge port 101C, and when the rear end portion of the recording paper 113 passes through the conveyance roller 124, paper discharge is completed (S128). As shown in FIG. 4(f), when the paper discharge operation is completed, the thermal head 116 is rotated by a drive mechanism (not shown) to the standby position shown in FIG. 4(a), and the printing operation is terminated (S129).

[0043] Through the above procedure, the printing operation in which the inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and overcoat (OC) are overlaid and transferred to the recording paper 113 is completed.

[0044] The printer 100 of this embodiment performs a paper discharge operation so that the recording paper 113 does not completely discharge to the outside of the apparatus in the state after the paper discharge operation shown in FIG. 4(f). That is, in the state after the paper discharge operation shown in FIG. 4(f), the rear end portion of the recording paper 113 remains inside the printer 100. The printer 100 is a highly portable small mobile printer and is not provided with a member for stacking the printed recording paper 113. Further, it is assumed that the mobile printer has a use case in which the user prints while holding it in hand, and in that case, it is conceivable that the printed recording paper 113 may fall from the printer 100. Therefore, the printer 100 of this embodiment fixes a paper pressing plate 131 to a downstream upper paper guide member 130 located on the downstream side of the conveyance roller 124, and presses the printed recording paper 113 against the downstream lower paper guide member 132 with a slight force to prevent accidental dropping. To enable the next printing, it is necessary for the user to remove the printed recording paper 113. When the second paper detection sensor 206b detects the recording paper 113 (S130), if the rear end portion of the recording paper 113 remains inside the printer 100, an error display is performed on the display unit 102 to prompt the user to remove the recording paper 113 (S131). After that, the detection of the recording paper 113 by the second paper detection sensor 206b continues (S132). If the printed recording paper 113 for which the printing operation has been completed is removed, the process shifts to the standby state shown in FIG. 4(a), and the next printing becomes possible (S133).

[0045] Through the above procedure, a series of printing operations are completed.

[0046] <Configuration of Host Device> With reference to FIG. 6, the schematic configuration of the host device of this embodiment will be described.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the 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.

[0048] The control unit 601 is a controller that includes an interface circuit for exchanging data with each component of the host device 600 described later, and a CPU or MPU that performs arithmetic processing for controlling the overall operation of the host device 600. The control unit 601 controls each component of the host device 600 by reading and executing a program stored in the non-volatile memory 603 described later.

[0049] The display / operation unit 602 is composed of a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The display / operation unit 602 displays a home screen, a web page, a menu screen, image data to be printed, a handwriting screen, etc. Further, the display / operation unit 602 includes a touch panel that is integrally configured on the display screen and can detect a touch operation on the display screen.

[0050] The control unit 601 can detect the following operations or states on the touch panel.

[0051] Touch down: A finger or stylus that was not touching the touch panel has newly touched the touch panel.

[0052] Touch on: The state of touching the touch panel with a finger or stylus.

[0053] Touch move: Moving while touching the touch panel with a finger or stylus.

[0054] Touch up: The finger or stylus that was touching the touch panel has been released (the end of the touch).

[0055] Touch off: A state where nothing is touching the touch panel.

[0056] In an application operating on the host device 600 or the like, a GUI can be configured such that the user can directly operate the display screen by associating the input coordinates on the touch panel with the display coordinates on the display screen. Note that the touch panel may be a device capable of acquiring the contact intensity (pressure).

[0057] The user can use an editor software program to draw line drawings such as characters and pictures on the overcoat surface using a finger or a stylus on the touch panel.

[0058] The non-volatile memory 603 is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, and for example, a flash ROM or the like is used. In the non-volatile memory 603, constants, programs, etc. for the operation of the control unit 601 are stored. Here, the program refers to a program for executing the flowchart described later, and includes a printer control software program for controlling the printer 100 and an editor software program for drawing line drawings on the overcoat surface.

[0059] The work memory 604 uses a volatile memory such as a RAM, and is used as a work area for expanding constants, variables, programs read from the non-volatile memory 603, etc. for the operation of the control unit 601. In addition, the work memory 604 temporarily holds print instructions including image transfer data, overcoat transfer data, and print setting information to be transmitted to the printer 100 via the communication unit 606.

[0060] The image processing unit 605 performs various image processes such as color conversion processing, pixel correction processing, and filter processing on the image data to generate image transfer data, converts the line drawings created by the user using the editor software program into a drawing unit to be added to the overcoat, and converts the overcoat data with the drawing unit added into overcoat transfer data for the printer 100.

[0061] The communication unit 606 is an interface that is communicably connected to the printer 100 by a wired or wireless method, transmits print image data and print instructions to the printer 100, and receives information regarding the operating state from the printer 100.

[0062] <Explanation of Image Conversion Process>Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, an image conversion process for adding a line drawing as a drawing portion to an overcoat in the present embodiment will be described.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagram (a) illustrating a line drawing drawn by a user on an overcoat surface, and enlarged views (b) and (c) of a part of the line drawing. FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams of an image conversion process for adding a line drawing as a drawing portion to an overcoat. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an image conversion process for adding a line drawing created by a user as a drawing portion to an overcoat. Note that the process in FIG. 10 is realized by expanding a program stored in the non-volatile memory 603 to the work memory 604 and executing it by the control unit 601 to control each component of the host device 600. Further, the process in FIG. 10 is started when a software program of an editor of the host device 600 is activated.

[0064] S80 2 In S80, the control unit 601 determines whether the user newly creates a drawing portion or edits an already created drawing portion. The determination here follows the user's selection operation. That is, the user can select whether to newly create a drawing portion or edit an already created drawing portion on a menu screen of the editor or the like. When the control unit 601 determines that the user has selected to newly create a drawing portion, the process proceeds to S80 3 and when it determines that the user has selected to edit an already created drawing portion, the process proceeds to S810.

[0065] In S803, the control unit 601 determines the line width when the user newly creates a drawing portion. The determination here follows the user's selection operation. That is, the user can select the line width when creating a drawing portion.

[0066] In S804, the control unit 601 draws a line drawing drawn by the user using a finger or a stylus on the display unit / operation unit 602.

[0067] In S805, the control unit 601 determines whether there are overlapping lines in the line drawing created by the user in S804. If the control unit 601 determines that there are overlapping lines in S804, the process proceeds to S8051, and if it determines that there are no overlapping lines, the process proceeds to S806.

[0068] In S8051, the control unit 601 performs a process (correction process 1) of correcting the line drawing in which lines overlap in S804.

[0069] The process of the user drawing a single line in S804 continues from when a touch down on the touch panel is detected until a touch up is detected while a touch on or a touch move is being detected. While the user is drawing a line in S804, the determination as to whether multiple lines drawn by the user overlap in S805, and if the lines are separated, the determination as to whether the interval between the lines is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels, are continuously executed. And when it is determined in S805 that multiple lines drawn by the user overlap and the interval between the lines is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels, the process proceeds to S8051 and a process of appropriately correcting the separated lines is performed. Details of this correction process 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8(b1) to (b3).

[0070] In S806, the control unit 601 determines whether the creation of a line drawing by the user has ended. This determination is made based on an explicit operation by the user or the elapse of a predetermined time without a new touch down being detected after the last touch up was detected during the creation of the line drawing. If the control unit 601 determines that the creation of the line drawing by the user has ended, the process proceeds to S807, and if it determines that the creation of the line drawing by the user has not ended, the process returns to S804.

[0071] In S807, the control unit 601 determines whether there is a line to be deleted in the line drawing created by the user in S804. The determination here follows the user's deletion operation. That is, the user can use the deletion tool of the editor or the like to specify and delete a desired line drawing. If the control unit 601 determines that there is a line to be deleted in the line drawing created by the user in S804, the process proceeds to S8052, and if it determines that there is no line to be deleted, the process proceeds to S808.

[0072] In S8052, the control unit 601 deletes the line specified by the user as the deletion target (deletion process 1). The details of this deletion process 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9(a1) to (a4).

[0073] In S808, the control unit 601 performs a process of converting the line drawing created by the user into a drawing unit to be added to the overcoat.

[0074] In S809, the control unit 601 stores the overcoat data with the drawing unit generated in S808 in the non-volatile memory 603 and ends the process.

[0075] On the other hand, when it is determined in S802 that the drawing unit already created is to be edited, in S810, the control unit 601 reads out the overcoat data with the drawing unit stored in the non-volatile memory 603. In S811, the control unit 601 determines whether the editing content is the addition of a line drawing or the deletion of an already created drawing unit. If it determines that it is the addition of a line drawing, the process proceeds to S812, and if it determines that it is not the addition of a line drawing but the deletion of a drawing unit, the process proceeds to S8111. The determination here follows the user's selection operation. That is, the user can select whether to add a line drawing or delete a drawing unit on the menu screen of the editor or the like.

[0076] In S8111, the control unit 601 performs a process of deleting the drawing unit specified by the user as the deletion target (deletion process 2).

[0077] In S812 and S813, the control unit 601 sets the line width specified by the user or the default line width, and adds the line drawing created by the user.

[0078] In S814, it is determined whether there are overlapping lines as a result of the user adding a line drawing in S813. If the control unit 601 determines in S813 that there are overlapping lines, the process proceeds to S8141; if it determines that there are no overlapping lines, the process proceeds to S815.

[0079] In S8141, the control unit 601 performs a process (correction process 1) of correcting the line drawing with overlapping lines in S813.

[0080] The process of the user drawing a single line in S813 continues from when a touch - down on the touch panel is detected until a touch - up is detected while a touch - on or touch - move is being detected. While the user is drawing a line in S813, the determination in S814 as to whether multiple lines drawn by the user overlap and, if the lines are separated, whether the interval between the lines is less than or equal to a predetermined number of pixels, is continuously executed. And when it is determined in S814 that multiple lines drawn by the user overlap and the interval between the lines is less than or equal to a predetermined number of pixels, the process proceeds to S8141 and a process of appropriately correcting the separated lines is performed. Details of this correction process 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8(b1) to (b3).

[0081] In S815, the control unit 601 determines whether the addition of the line drawing by the user has ended. This determination is made based on an explicit operation by the user or the elapse of a predetermined time without a new touch - down being detected after the last touch - up was detected during the creation of the line drawing. If the control unit 601 determines that the addition of the line drawing by the user has ended, the process proceeds to S816; if it determines that the addition of the line drawing has not ended, the process returns to S813.

[0082] In S816, the control unit 601 determines whether there is a line to be erased among the line drawings added by the user in S813. The determination here follows the user's deletion operation. That is, the user can specify and delete a desired line drawing using an erasure tool in the editor or the like. When the control unit 601 determines that there is a line to be erased among the line drawings added by the user in S813, the process proceeds to S8161, and when it determines that there is no line to be erased, the process proceeds to S817.

[0083] In S8161, the control unit 601 erases the line specified by the user as the erasure target (erasure process 1). The details of this erasure process 1 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9(a1) to (a4).

[0084] In S817, the control unit 601 determines whether the line drawing added by the user in S813 is in contact with or overlapping the created drawing part. When the control unit 601 determines that the added line drawing is in contact with or overlapping the created drawing part, the process proceeds to S8171, and when it determines that it is not in contact with or overlapping, the process proceeds to S818.

[0085] In S8171, the control unit 601 performs a process of erasing the pixel data of the contour part and the inner area of the contour part of the created drawing part overlapping the line drawing added by the user in S813, and setting a high-gloss area of two pixels in the outer area of the contour part of the line drawing in the erased drawing part (correction process 2). The details of this correction process 2 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9(b1) to (b4), (c1) to (c3).

[0086] In S818, the control unit 601 performs a process of converting the line drawing added by the user into a drawing part to be overwritten so as to be merged with the created drawing part, and the process proceeds to S809.

[0087] <Explanation of the conversion process>Next, the process of converting the line drawing in S808 and S818 in FIG. 10 into a drawing part will be described.

[0088] FIG. 7(a) illustrates a line drawing 700 drawn by a user on the overcoat surface with a finger or a stylus on the touch panel of the host device 600. FIG. 7(b) is an enlarged view of a part of the line 701 of the line drawing 700. FIG. 7(c) illustrates a drawing portion 705 converted from the line drawing of (b).

[0089] As shown in FIG. 7(a), the user can draw the line drawing 700 on the overcoat surface with a finger or a stylus on the touch panel of the host device 600. The line 701 shown in FIG. 7(b) is a part of characters or pictures hand-drawn by the user with a predetermined line width. 702 is a non-drawing area around the line 701. As shown in FIG. 7(c), the line 701 shown in FIG. 7(b) includes a contour portion 703 composed of pixels with a first gloss (low gloss), and pixels in the area inside the contour portion 703, which are a mixed pattern portion 704 in which pixels with a first gloss and pixels with a second gloss (high gloss) higher than the first gloss are mixed, and a drawing portion 705, draw is converted into a non-drawing portion 7021 composed of pixels in the area outside the drawing portion 705. The contour portion 703 surrounds the mixed pattern portion 704 to emphasize the edge of the line drawing 700, and has the effect of improving the visibility of the drawing portion 705 on the overcoat surface. In the mixed pattern portion 704, the high-gloss pixels and the low-gloss pixels are dispersed and arranged at an appropriate ratio so as not to cause peeling failure of the overcoat while reducing the gloss. Since the contour portion 703 surrounding the mixed pattern portion 704 is composed of a width of at least one pixel and the mixed pattern portion 704 is composed of a width of at least two pixels, the line width is at least four pixels. When the width of the pixels of the contour portion 703 is two pixels or more, the visibility is improved, but when the number of the lines 701 increases, peeling failure of the overcoat is likely to occur. Also, when the mixed pattern portion 704 is one pixel or less, low-gloss pixels cannot be arranged, so the visibility of the drawing portion 705 on the overcoat surface decreases.

[0090] Figs. 8(a1) to (a3) are diagrams for explaining the processing when two lines are in contact. Figs. 8(a1) to (a2) are line drawings drawn on the touch panel, and Fig. 8(a3) shows the drawing part converted from the line drawing. In Figs. 8(a1) to (a2), since the line 805 and the line 806 are arranged in contact without a gap, they are converted into the drawing part 807 as one line drawing as shown in Fig. 8(a3). 8071 indicates the contour part, 8072 indicates the mixed pattern part, and 8073 indicates the outer area of the drawing part, respectively.

[0091] Figs. 8(b1) to (b3) are diagrams for explaining the correction process 1 (S8051, S8141 in Fig. 10) when two lines are separated. Figs. 8(b1) to (b2) are line drawings drawn on the touch panel, and Fig. 8(b3) shows the drawing part converted from the line drawing. In Figs. 8(b1) to (b2), since the line 808 and the line 809 are separated, the interval between the lines is determined (S805 in Fig. 10). And when the interval between the lines is two pixels less than in this case, it is determined that the two lines overlap, and the deletion process 1 of S8051 in Fig. 10 is performed, and the pixels of the line 809 drawn later are corrected so that the interval between the lines becomes two pixels or more. As shown in Fig. 8(b2), a deletion area 809a is provided in the pixels close to the line 808 drawn at the tip of the line 809 drawn later, the data of the pixels corresponding to the deletion area 809a of the line 809 is erased, and as shown in Fig. 8(b3), it is converted into individual drawing parts 810 and 811 such that the interval between the line 808 and the line 809 becomes two pixels or more.

[0092] Figs. 9(a1) to (a4) are diagrams for explaining the deletion process 1 (S8052, S8161 in Fig. 10) of erasing a part of the line of the line drawing or the deletion process 2 (S8052, S8161 in Fig. 10) of erasing a part of the created drawing part. Figs. 9(a1) to (a3) are line drawings or created drawing parts drawn on the touch panel, and Fig. 9(a4) shows the drawing part converted from the line drawing. As shown in Fig. 9(a1), when the user wants to erase the line or the created drawing part 913 from the line or the created drawing parts 912, 913, if the line or the created drawing part 913 is selected and deleted on the screen as shown in Fig. 9(a2), as shown in Fig. 9(b3) lineor the created drawing part 913 is deleted. After the line or the created drawing part 913 is deleted, as shown in Fig. 9(b4), the line 912 is converted into a drawing part, or only the created drawing part 912 remains.

[0093] Figs. 9(b1) to (b4) are diagrams for explaining the process (S8171 in Fig. 10) when the line 915 is in contact with the created drawing part 914. Figs. 9(b1) to (a3) are the line drawings added to the created drawing part, and Fig. 9(b4) shows the created drawing part and the drawing part converted from the added line drawing. For the created drawing part 914 shown in Fig. 9(b1), as shown in Fig. 9(b2), the added line 915 is provided with a deletion area 915a in the pixels close to the created drawing part 914 as shown in Fig. 9(b3). As shown in Fig. 9(b4), the data of the pixels corresponding to the deletion area 915a of the line 915 is erased, and it is converted into a drawing part 917 such that the distance from the created drawing part 914 is two pixels or more.

[0094] Figs. 9(c1) to (c3) are diagrams for explaining the process (S8171 in Fig. 10) when the line 919 overlaps the drawing part 918. Figs. 9(c1) to (c2) are the line drawings added to the created drawing part, and Fig. 9(c3) shows the created drawing part and the drawing part converted from the added line drawing. When the added line 919 overlaps the created drawing part 918 as shown in Fig. 9(c1), a second contour part 918a composed of high-gloss pixels is formed around the line 919 overlapping with the line 919 in the drawing part 918 as shown in Fig. 9(c2), and it is converted into individual drawing parts 920 and 921. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 9(c3), the drawing part 921 is arranged on the created drawing part 920, and excessive continuity of low-gloss pixels can be prevented.

[0095] Spreading the distance between line drawings or between a created drawing part and a line drawing is to minimize the continuous portions of low-gloss pixels and reduce the peeling defect of overcoat.

[0096] <Tone, Glossiness, Pixel Ratio of Mixed Pattern Portion, and Formation Method during Overcoat Transfer of this Embodiment>Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the tone, glossiness, and pixel ratio of the mixed pattern portion during overcoat transfer of this embodiment will be described.

[0097] FIG. 11(a) illustrates the relationship between the tone and glossiness during overcoat transfer. The tone during overcoat transfer is represented by 256 gradations, and the greater the tone, the greater the energy during overcoat transfer. For the tone during overcoat transfer with a drawing portion added, the high-gloss pixels 1101 in the mixed pattern portion of the outer region of the contour portion and the inner region of the contour portion are in the range of approximately 80 to 180 gradations, the contour portion and the low-gloss pixels 1102 in the mixed pattern portion are in the range of approximately 210 to 230 gradations. Also, the glossiness of the overcoat surface transferred at 210 to 230 gradations is 35 or less, the glossiness of the overcoat surface transferred at 80 to 180 gradations is 50 or more, and the glossiness of the overcoat surface where the mixed pattern portion is transferred is 35 to 50.

[0098] FIG. 11(b) illustrates the relationship between the ratio of low-gloss pixels in the mixed pattern portion and the glossiness. The ratio 1104 of the low-gloss pixels 1102 in the mixed pattern portion is at most 40 to 75%, and conversely, the ratio of the high-gloss pixels 1101 is at most 60 to 25%. Also, the low-gloss pixels 1102 that can be continuously arranged in the mixed pattern portion are 3 pixels at the mode value, 5 pixels at the average value, and 40 pixels at the maximum value in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Similarly, the high-gloss pixels 1101 that can be continuously arranged in the mixed pattern portion are 2 pixels at the mode value and the average value, and 25 pixels at the maximum value. The high-gloss pixels 1101 and the low-gloss pixels 1102 in the mixed pattern portion are arranged dispersedly. FIG. 11(c) shows an example of the arrangement of the mixed pattern portion. The mixed pattern portion 110 5 is arranged with low-gloss pixels and high-gloss pixels in an appropriate ratio, distribution, and continuity. For example, in a part of the region 1106 of the mixed pattern portion, the high-gloss pixels 1101 are continuously arranged in 2 pixels in the main scanning direction and continuously arranged in 7 pixels in the sub-scanning direction. Also, for example, in a part of the region 1107 of the mixed pattern portion, the low-gloss pixels 1102 are arranged in the main scanning direction 9Pixels are arranged continuously in the sub-scanning direction 2 This is an example in which pixels are arranged continuously. In this way, by arranging the low-gloss pixels 1102 or the high-gloss pixels 1101 as unit blocks of an arbitrary-sized rectangle with appropriate ratios, distribution, and continuity, it is possible to transfer an overcoat that ensures the visibility of the drawing portion without causing peeling failure of the overcoat due to excessive roughening of the overcoat surface.

[0099] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of forming a mixed pattern portion for each size of the recording paper according to the present embodiment.

[0100] When transferring an overcoat with a drawing portion added, a mixed pattern portion created in advance for each size of the recording paper 113 is used, and the area used as the mixed pattern portion is changed according to the recording paper 113. FIG. 12(a) illustrates the usage areas of the mixed pattern portion 1201 when the recording paper 113 is of size C (1211), size L (1212), or size P (1213). FIG. 12(b) shows an example of transfer using the mixed pattern portion of the drawing portion corresponding to size P of the recording paper 113. By arranging the mixed pattern portion of FIG. 12(a) on the base plane 1202 of the mixed pattern portion of the drawing portion corresponding to size P of the recording paper 113 and cutting out the area excluding the contour portion 1221 converted from the line drawing and the outer area 1223 of the contour portion 1221, the mixed pattern portion 1222 of the base plane is exposed to form the drawing portion of the overcoat.

[0101] [Other Embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of each embodiment to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors of a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. Further, the present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0102] The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0103] 100... Thermal printer, 102... Display unit, 201... Control unit, 211... Communication unit, 213... Image processing unit, 600... Host device, 601... Control unit, 602... Display / operation unit, 605... Image processing unit, 606... Communication unit

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus for generating overcoat transfer data for transferring an overcoat onto an image formed on a recording paper by a printing means, comprising: drawing means for creating a line drawing to be added to the overcoat; image processing means for converting the line drawing into a drawing portion to be added to the overcoat and generating overcoat transfer data for transferring the drawing portion onto the recording paper by the printing means; the drawing portion includes a contour portion and an inner region of the contour portion; the contour portion is composed of pixels of a first gloss; the inner region of the contour portion is configured as a mixed pattern portion in which pixels of a second gloss higher than the first gloss are mixed with the pixels of the first gloss; an outer region of the contour portion is composed of pixels of the second gloss; An image processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. When the first line drawing and the second line drawing are in contact with each other, the image processing means converts the first line drawing and the second line drawing into a single line drawing and converts it into a drawing portion. When the first line drawing and the second line drawing are separated from each other, the second line drawing is corrected so that the distance from the first line drawing is equal to or more than a predetermined number of pixels and converted into a drawing portion. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When a first line drawing is added to a created first drawing portion, if the first drawing portion and the first line drawing do not overlap, the image processing means corrects the distance between the first drawing portion and the first line drawing so that it is equal to or more than a predetermined number of pixels and converts it into a drawing portion. If the first drawing portion and the first line drawing overlap, a second contour portion composed of pixels of the second gloss is formed in the region outside the first line drawing that overlaps the first line drawing in the first drawing portion and converted into a drawing portion. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The contour portion surrounding the mixed pattern portion is composed of a width of at least one pixel, the mixed pattern portion is composed of at least two pixels, and the width of the line drawing is composed of at least four pixels. The predetermined number of pixels is two pixels. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The drawing means can select a line drawing to be deleted from a plurality of line drawings, or can select a drawing portion to be deleted from a plurality of created drawing portions. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. In the mixed pattern portion, the ratio of the pixels of the first gloss is at most 40 to 75%, and the number of consecutive pixels in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction during overcoat transfer is 3 pixels at the mode value, 5 pixels at the average value, and 40 pixels at the maximum value. The ratio of the pixels of the second gloss is at most 60 to 25%, and the pixels of the first gloss and the pixels of the second gloss are dispersed and arranged at a predetermined ratio such that the mode value and the average value are 2 pixels and the maximum value is 25 consecutive pixels. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The glossiness of the drawing portion of the overcoat transfer data is represented by 256 gradations, and the greater the gradation, the greater the energy during overcoat transfer. The pixels of the first gloss are a first gradation in the range of 210 to 230 gradations, and the pixels of the second gloss are a second gradation in the range of 80 to 180 gradations. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The glossiness of the overcoat surface transferred by the pixels of the first gloss is 35 or less, the glossiness of the overcoat surface transferred by the pixels of the second gloss is 50 or more, and the glossiness of the overcoat surface transferred by the mixed pattern portion in which the pixels of the first gloss and the pixels of the second gloss are mixed is 35 to 50. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Further comprising a touch panel, The drawing means creates a line drawing to be added to the overcoat according to a user operation on the touch panel. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The image processing apparatus has the printing means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The image processing apparatus has a transmission means for transmitting the overcoat transfer data generated by the image processing means to an external printing apparatus having the printing means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A control method for an image processing apparatus that generates overcoat transfer data for transferring an overcoat onto an image formed on a recording sheet, Creating a line drawing to be added to the overcoat; Converting the line drawing into a drawing portion to be added to the overcoat and generating overcoat transfer data for transferring onto a recording sheet in a printing apparatus. The drawing unit includes a contour portion and an inner region of the contour portion. The contour portion is composed of pixels with a first gloss, and the inner region of the contour portion is configured as a mixed pattern portion in which pixels with a first gloss and pixels with a second gloss having a higher gloss than the first gloss are mixed. The outer region of the contour portion is composed of pixels with the second gloss. A control method for an image processing apparatus, characterized by the above.

13. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as each means of the image processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 11.

14. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the image processing apparatus according to Claim 12.

Images