Abstract: A neural network system includes a separable convolution subnetwork. The separable convolution subnetwork includes a plurality of separable convolutional neural network (SCNN) layers arranged in a stack manner in sequence. Each of the plurality of SCNN layers applies a first grouped convolution to an input to the SCNN layer. An input to the first grouped convolution includes a plurality of channels, and the first grouped convolution is a spatial convolution which divides channels of an input to the first grouped convolution into groups in a channel-wise manner, convolves the grouped channels, and couples the convolved channels to generate an output.

Abstract: A quantization unit executes quantization processing for first print data corresponding to a first scan using a first threshold matrix and a third threshold matrix, and executes the quantization processing for second print data corresponding to a second scan using a second threshold matrix and a fourth threshold matrix, and a first degree that a dot arrangement that is a result of quantization using the third threshold matrix and a dot arrangement that is a result of quantization using the fourth threshold matrix hold an exclusive relationship is smaller than a second degree that a dot arrangement that is a result of quantization using the first threshold matrix and a dot arrangement that is a result of quantization using the second threshold matrix hold the exclusive relationship.

Abstract: A quantized value for a pixel of interest in an input image is derived by using a predetermined threshold value matrix. Then, based on a pixel value group in a predetermined reference area including the pixel of interest in the input image and a threshold value group corresponding thereto, directionality of correction is determined. Further, based on the pixel value group and the threshold value group, whether or not the pixel of interest satisfies a predetermined condition for changing the quantized value is determined. Then, based on both the determination results, the quantized value is corrected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: a derivation unit configured to derive a target luminance characteristic based on a viewing condition of an image and a print luminance characteristic predicted based a reflection characteristic corresponding to data thereon; a unit configured to generate print image data on an image by converting input image data by using a tone conversion characteristic that is set based on these characteristics, in which the derivation unit derives, in a case where a reproduction range of an illumination intensity in the print luminance characteristic is different, the target luminance characteristic so that a liner area of an output luminance in a case where the reproduction range is relatively large becomes large.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing apparatus for generating image data for recording in a recording apparatus including a recording unit including a plurality of nozzles discharging ink, comprising a converting unit which converts, based on characteristic information according to a characteristic of each nozzle included in the recording unit, image data corresponding to an input print job into image data to be used for recording by the recording unit; and a control unit which executes one of a plurality of correction processes based on image data obtained by reading an image recorded by the recording unit, wherein the plurality of correction processes include first correction processing that is performed after the recording of the image according to the print job is stopped, and second correction processing that is performed without stopping the recording of the image according to the print job.

Abstract: To enable highly accurate density unevenness correction while suppressing a reduction in productivity in printing accompanying correction value calculation for density unevenness correction. Based on an image obtained by scanning a chart including patches having uniform density for each tone value, a density characteristic of each nozzle is acquired. A non-ejectable nozzle that cannot eject ink normally is detected by analyzing a pattern for detecting the non-ejectable nozzle in the image obtained by scanning the chart. At the time of acquiring the density characteristic, the density characteristic is acquired based on a density measured value of an area of the image, which corresponds to a nozzle that is not detected as the non-ejectable nozzle.

Abstract: An object is to enable highly accurate density unevenness correction while suppressing a reduction in productivity of printing accompanying correction value calculation for density unevenness correction. In the image processing apparatus, density correction information that specifies an output tone value for implementing a target density for an input tone value for each nozzle and which does not include the influence by a non-ejectable nozzle that cannot eject ink normally is acquired. In a case where a non-ejectable nozzle is detected during printing processing, output tone values corresponding to the detected non-ejectable nozzle and peripheral nozzles thereof among output tone values specified in the density correction information are changed.

Abstract: Provided is quantization processing that can reduce color development defect due to dot overlapping and can output an image with reduced granularity when the image is printed by using multiple kinds of colorants. To this end, dot arrangement information for a colorant for which dot arrangement is already determined among multiple kinds of colorants is acquired for a predetermined region of the image, and an evaluation value of each pixel included in the predetermined region is derived based on the arrangement information. In addition, for the predetermined region, a target value for a predetermined colorant for which dot arrangement is yet to be determined is derived based on the image. Then, whether or not to arrange a dot of the predetermined colorant in the predetermined region is determined based on the target value and the evaluation value.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a unit configured to generate gradation data corresponding to an achromatic color generated by combining two or more colors among a plurality of colors, for an excess amount of a total gradation value exceeding a predetermined value, the total gradation value being a sum of gradation values of the plurality of colors used for recording a pixel of interest, and generate gradation data corresponding to the plurality of colors, based on the generated gradation data corresponding to the achromatic color; and a unit configured to quantize the generated gradation data, and generate data to control recording of dots corresponding to the pixel of interest. The predetermined value is a gradation value indicating whether or not to record the dots in an overlapping manner, in case that the dots corresponding to the total gradation value are recorded.

Abstract: An object is to enable highly accurate density unevenness correction while suppressing a reduction in productivity of printing accompanying correction value calculation for density unevenness correction. In the image processing apparatus, density correction information that specifies an output tone value for implementing a target density for an input tone value for each nozzle and which does not include the influence by a non-ejectable nozzle that cannot eject ink normally is acquired. In a case where a non-ejectable nozzle is detected during printing processing, output tone values corresponding to the detected non-ejectable nozzle and peripheral nozzles thereof among output tone values specified in the density correction information are changed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that generates image data to be output to an image forming apparatus printing an image, and includes: a generation unit configured to generate, based on an input image, first generation amount data indicating a generation amount of each of one or more kinds of ink dot for each pixel and second generation amount data indicating a generation amount of a blank dot for which the ink dot is not formed for each pixel; and a processing unit configured to determine a dot arrangement pattern indicating an arrangement of each of the one or more kinds of ink dot by performing quantization processing using the first generation amount data and the second generation amount data.

Abstract: A quantized value for a pixel of interest in an input image is derived by using a predetermined threshold value matrix. Then, based on a pixel value group in a predetermined reference area including the pixel of interest in the input image and a threshold value group corresponding thereto, directionality of correction is determined. Further, based on the pixel value group and the threshold value group, whether or not the pixel of interest satisfies a predetermined condition for changing the quantized value is determined. Then, based on both the determination results, the quantized value is corrected.

Abstract: Provided is quantization processing that can reduce color development defect due to dot overlapping and can output an image with reduced granularity when the image is printed by using multiple kinds of colorants. To this end, dot arrangement information for a colorant for which dot arrangement is already determined among multiple kinds of colorants is acquired for a predetermined region of the image, and an evaluation value of each pixel included in the predetermined region is derived based on the arrangement information. In addition, for the predetermined region, a target value for a predetermined colorant for which dot arrangement is yet to be determined is derived based on the image. Then, whether or not to arrange a dot of the predetermined colorant in the predetermined region is determined based on the target value and the evaluation value.

Abstract: A determination unit determines whether a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of pixel values of a plurality of pixels in a region of interest in N-gradation multi-valued data, where N?4, representing the pixel values of the plurality of pixels is less than a determination threshold value. A generation unit generates M-gradation quantization data represented by an M-gradation quantization value, where 3?M<N, based on the N-gradation multi-valued data and the determination. In a case where the determination unit determines that the difference is less than the determination threshold value, the generation unit generates the M-gradation quantization data so that each of the plurality of pixels corresponding to the region has a value that is one of two consecutive values of the M-gradation quantization values in the generated M-gradation quantization data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides processing for performing highly-accurate density nonuniformity correction while saving the number of patches. A chart generation unit obtains measurement data of the latest test chart. A patch tone calculation unit obtains an output characteristic expressing measurement values for input tone values based on the obtained measurement data and calculates selected tone values to be used as the input tone values for a test chart from the obtained output characteristic. A chart image generation unit generates the test chart by using the calculated selected tone values as the input tone values and not using at least one initial tone value as the input tone value.

Abstract: Provided is quantization processing that can reduce color development defect due to dot overlapping and can output an image with reduced granularity when the image is printed by using multiple kinds of colorants. To this end, dot arrangement information for a colorant for which dot arrangement is already determined among multiple kinds of colorants is acquired for a predetermined region of the image, and an evaluation value of each pixel included in the predetermined region is derived based on the arrangement information. In addition, for the predetermined region, a target value for a predetermined colorant for which dot arrangement is yet to be determined is derived based on the image. Then, whether or not to arrange a dot of the predetermined colorant in the predetermined region is determined based on the target value and the evaluation value.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a generation unit configured to generate a sharpness recovery amount for recovering degradation of a spatial frequency response from a target image; and a line width correction unit configured to perform line width correction processing for the target image based on the sharpness recovery amount, and the line width correction unit corrects a line width in accordance with a sign of a pixel whose absolute value of the sharpness recovery amount is large in a case where signs of the sharpness recovery amounts reverse between adjacent pixels of the target image.

Abstract: To implement non-ejection complementation processing while securing a chance for a nozzle in which an ejection failure has occurred to recover as a normal nozzle. Positional information for specifying an abnormal nozzle in which an ejection failure has occurred among a plurality of nozzles arrayed in a nozzle column is acquired and based on the positional information, input image data is converted into halftone image data. At this time, at least part of densities that are assumed to be obtained by a pixel line of the abnormal nozzle are distributed to pixels on a pixel line of a neighboring nozzle that is located in close proximity to the abnormal nozzle and in which no ejection failure has occurred so that in the halftone image data, at least in part of tones, the pixel on the pixel line of the abnormal nozzle has a density.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: a derivation unit configured to derive a target luminance characteristic based on a viewing condition of an image and a print luminance characteristic predicted based a reflection characteristic corresponding to data thereon; a unit configured to generate print image data on an image by converting input image data by using a tone conversion characteristic that is set based on these characteristics, in which the derivation unit derives, in a case where a reproduction range of an illumination intensity in the print luminance characteristic is different, the target luminance characteristic so that a liner area of an output luminance in a case where the reproduction range is relatively large becomes large.