Abstract: An input unit receives first image data to be printed with a first ink. A luminance value calculator calculates the luminance value of each pixel included in the first image data. A luminance value converter converts the luminance value to a value which is equal to or greater than a previously-set luminance setting lower limit, and is equal to or less than a previously-set luminance setting upper limit. A printing unit prints a first image based on the first image data with the luminance values converted by the luminance value converter on a print body with a first ink, and prints a second image based on second image data on the print body with a glossy second ink to form a glossy image including the first and second images superimposed on the print body.

Abstract: An input unit receives first image data corresponding to a first print image of a first ink. A density acquisition unit acquires a density value of each pixel included in the first image data. A glossy image density decision unit sets a gloss density value to the minimum possible value of the gloss density value when the density value of the pixel is less than a predetermined value, and sets the gloss density value to a value larger than the minimum possible value when the density value of the pixel is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. A dithering processor performs dithering based on the set gloss density value to create second image data corresponding to a second print image of a second glossy ink. A transfer device transfers the first and second print images on a print body to form a glossy image on the print body.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus capable of forming images of good quality over a long term on image formation target objects is provided. The image formation target object has a plurality of transfer frames, and the image formation apparatus has a control unit configured to control a formation of the image with respect to at least one of the transfer frames such that the image includes an image of a first range that is transferred and formed in a density within a first density range for which a first density is a maximum density, and an image of a second range that is transferred and formed in a second density that is higher density than the first density, after the first range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a platen roller, an ink ribbon, a transfer target, a thermal head, and a controller. When continuous n-spot transfer regions set on the transfer target are named as first to n-th (n is an integer of 2 or more) transfer regions in a reverse direction to an alignment sequence of first to n-th ink layers, the controller executes transfer operations of transferring inks of first to k-th (1?k?n) ink layers to the n-spot transfer regions by using first to n-th ink sets from k=1 to k=n. By the transfer operations, a color image to which n-color inks are transferred is formed on the first transfer region.

Abstract: N is defined to be an integer of 2 or more, and K is a positive integer that satisfies K<N. An arithmetic operation unit performs 2K ways of processing, which are a sum of 2K?1 ways of processing for obtaining converted gradation data based on addition of high-order gradation data composed of high-order (N?K) bits of N-bit original gradation data and low-order K-bit data of the original gradation data, and processing directly using the high-order gradation data as the converted gradation data. A selector selects, in response to each of a plurality of heating resistors, any of the converted gradation data as gradation data for performing gradation recording by using a line thermal head including the plurality of heating resistors, the converted gradation data being obtained by the 2K ways of processing.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of realizing a high quality printing at low cost is provided. In the printing apparatus, an ink film is wound around and stretched between a first bobbin and a second bobbin, while a transfer film is wound around and stretched between a third bobbin and a fourth bobbin, and the printing apparatus has a platen roller and a thermal head configured to put the ink film and the transfer film into pressed contact, in the transfer operation, and a driving unit configured to move the ink film between the first bobbin and the second bobbin. The driving unit has a motor, a first transmission route portion configured to constantly transmit a torque to the first bobbin, and a second transmission route portion, branching from the first transmission route portion, configured to selectively transmit the torque to the second bobbin.

Abstract: An input unit receives first image data corresponding to a watermark image by a first glossy ink. An image data transmitter composes the first image data and data representing a basic transfer pattern as a background of the watermark image to create and send second image data representing a watermark composite image. The basic transfer pattern is configured to transfer the first ink so that first pixels to which the first ink is transferred and second pixels to which the first ink is not transferred are dispersedly mixed. A printing unit prints a third image based on third image data printed using a second ink on a print body and prints the watermark composite image based on the second image data using the first ink on the print body to form a watermarked image including the third image and the watermark composite image superimposed on the print body.

Abstract: An input unit receives first image data to be printed with a first ink. A luminance value calculator calculates the luminance value of each pixel included in the first image data. A luminance value converter converts the luminance value to a value which is equal to or greater than a previously-set luminance setting lower limit, and is equal to or less than a previously-set luminance setting upper limit. A printing unit prints a first image based on the first image data with the luminance values converted by the luminance value converter on a print body with a first ink, and prints a second image based on second image data on the print body with a glossy second ink to form a glossy image including the first and second images superimposed on the print body.

Abstract: An input unit receives first image data corresponding to a first print image of a first ink. A density acquisition unit acquires a density value of each pixel included in the first image data. A glossy image density decision unit sets a gloss density value to the minimum possible value of the gloss density value when the density value of the pixel is less than a predetermined value, and sets the gloss density value to a value larger than the minimum possible value when the density value of the pixel is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. A dithering processor performs dithering based on the set gloss density value to create second image data corresponding to a second print image of a second glossy ink. A transfer device transfers the first and second print images on a print body to form a glossy image on the print body.

Abstract: N is defined to be an integer of 2 or more, and K is a positive integer that satisfies K<N. An arithmetic operation unit performs 2K ways of processing, which are a sum of 2K?1 ways of processing for obtaining converted gradation data based on addition of high-order gradation data composed of high-order (N?K) bits of N-bit original gradation data and low-order K-bit data of the original gradation data, and processing directly using the high-order gradation data as the converted gradation data. A selector selects, in response to each of a plurality of heating resistors, any of the converted gradation data as gradation data for performing gradation recording by using a line thermal head including the plurality of heating resistors, the converted gradation data being obtained by the 2K ways of processing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a platen roller, an ink ribbon, a transfer target, a thermal head, and a controller. When continuous n-spot transfer regions set on the transfer target are named as first to n-th (n is an integer of 2 or more) transfer regions in a reverse direction to an alignment sequence of first to n-th ink layers, the controller executes transfer operations of transferring inks of first to k-th (1?k?n) ink layers to the n-spot transfer regions by using first to n-th ink sets from k=1 to k=n. By the transfer operations, a color image to which n-color inks are transferred is formed on the first transfer region.

Abstract: An ink ribbon conveyance mechanism conveys an ink ribbon including color ink layers. A transfer film conveyance mechanism conveys a transfer film on which transfer frames are formed at a predetermined pitch in a longitudinal direction and demarcated by frame marks having light transmissivity lower than that of the rest of the transfer film. A line sensor is arranged to extend in a width direction of the transfer film across end portions of the frame marks in the width direction. A thermal head is brought into press (contact with a platen roller with the ink ribbon and transfer film interposed in between. When forming color images on a selected one of the transfer frames, the controller adjusts positions of the images to be formed on the selected transfer frame in the width direction based on light-reception information outputted from the line sensor.

Abstract: A printing apparatus capable of realizing a high quality printing at low cost is provided. In the printing apparatus, an ink film is wound around and stretched between a first bobbin and a second bobbin, while a transfer film is wound around and stretched between a third bobbin and a fourth bobbin, and the printing apparatus has a platen roller and a thermal head configured to put the ink film and the transfer film into pressed contact, in the transfer operation, and a driving unit configured to move the ink film between the first bobbin and the second bobbin. The driving unit has a motor, a first transmission route portion configured to constantly transmit a torque to the first bobbin, and a second transmission route portion, branching from the first transmission route portion, configured to selectively transmit the torque to the second bobbin.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus capable of forming images of good quality over a long term on image formation target objects is provided. The image formation target object has a plurality of transfer frames, and the image formation apparatus has a control unit configured to control a formation of the image with respect to at least one of the transfer frames such that the image includes an image of a first range that is transferred and formed in a density within a first density range for which a first density is a maximum density, and an image of a second range that is transferred and formed in a second density that is higher density than the first density, after the first range.

Abstract: Thermal transfer printing method and apparatus are provided to make initial character image data left on a spent ink ribbon illegible. In the method, after forming an initial character image on an ink layer in black of the ink ribbon, a forefront of the ink layer is aligned with a forefront position of an intermediate transfer film. Then, overwrite character image data is applied on a thermal head to produce a first superimpose character image on the ribbon and a first superimpose character image on the film. After that, the forefront position of the ink layer is shifted from the forefront position of the film by a predetermined distance and the overwrite character image data is applied on the thermal head to produce a second superimpose character image on the ribbon and a second superimpose character image on the film.

Abstract: Thermal transfer printing method and apparatus are provided to make initial character image data left on a spent ink ribbon illegible. In the method, after forming an initial character image on an ink layer in black of the ink ribbon, a forefront of the ink layer is aligned with a forefront position of an intermediate transfer film. Then, overwrite character image data is applied on a thermal head to produce a first superimpose character image on the ribbon and a first superimpose character image on the film. After that, the forefront position of the ink layer is shifted from the forefront position of the film by a predetermined distance and the overwrite character image data is applied on the thermal head to produce a second superimpose character image on the ribbon and a second superimpose character image on the film.

Abstract: Thermal transfer printing method and apparatus are provided to make initial character image data left on a spent ink ribbon illegible. In the method, after forming an initial character image FGi1 on an ink layer 11b in black of the ink ribbon 11, a forefront position S1 of the ink layer 11b is aligned with a forefront position S2 of an intermediate transfer film 25. Then, overwrite character image data UGD1 is applied on a thermal head 19 to produce a first superimpose character image KG1i1 on the ribbon 11 and a first superimpose character image KG1m1 on the film 25. After that, the forefront position S1 of the ink layer 11b is shifted from the forefront position S2 of the film 25 by a predetermined distance and further, the overwrite character image data UGD1 is applied on the thermal head 19 to produce a second superimpose character image KG2i1 on the ribbon 11 and a second superimpose character image KG2m1 on the film 25.

Abstract: A re-transfer printing machine 60 uses an ink film 33 having a sublimation-ink area of sublimation inks Y, M, C and an invisible-ink area of an invisible ink UVS and an intermediate-transfer film 11 having a protecting layer 11c and an ink receptor layer 11d enabling the sublimation inks and the invisible ink to be received. The machine includes an overlap detecting part 76-5 for detecting whether a print image contains an overlapping between a sublimation-ink image 18 and an invisible-ink image 20 and a controller 6 for controlling a transfer operation corresponding to detection by the overlap detecting part. If the overlap detecting part detects that the print image contains the overlapping, the controller allows the machine to transfer the sublimation-ink and invisible-ink images to different areas in the receptor layer. If not, the controller allows the machine to transfer the sublimation-ink and invisible-ink images to an identical area 212 in the receptor layer.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing machine 10 for thermally transferring image information on an information carrying medium to a printing medium is provided. The thermal transfer printing machine 10 includes a first platen roller 11 adapted so as to be rotatable, a second platen roller 12 adapted so as to be rotatable, the second platen roller 12 being separated from the first platen roller 11 and also paralleled thereto substantially, and a thermal print head 21 disposed between the first and second platen rollers 11, 12. The thermal print head 21 is adapted so as to be movable between a first transfer position to allow the thermal print head 21 to oppose the first platen roller 11 and a second transfer position to allow the thermal print head 21 to oppose the second platen roller 12.

Abstract: A re-transfer printing machine 60 uses an ink film 33 having a sublimation-ink area of sublimation inks Y, M, C and an invisible-ink area of an invisible ink UVS and an intermediate-transfer film 11 having a protecting layer 11c and an ink receptor layer 11d enabling the sublimation inks and the invisible ink to be received. The machine includes an overlap detecting part 76-5 for detecting whether a print image contains an overlapping between a sublimation-ink image 18 and an invisible-ink image 20 and a controller 6 for controlling a transfer operation corresponding to detection by the overlap detecting part. If the overlap detecting part detects that the print image contains the overlapping, the controller allows the machine to transfer the sublimation-ink and invisible-ink images to different areas in the receptor layer. If not, the controller allows the machine to transfer the sublimation-ink and invisible-ink images to an identical area 212 in the receptor layer.