Abstract: An image-processing apparatus for quantizing multi-level (M-level) image data into N-level values, where M>N>1, using a multi-level error-diffusion process or a minimum-average multi-level error method is disclosed. The image-processing apparatus includes: means for outputting correction data; means for setting a quantization-threshold value; means for comparing the correction data and the quantization-threshold value so as to output N-level image data; and means for calculating an error generated with generating the N-level image data.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a medium by jetting one or more droplets on the medium. The image forming apparatus includes a dot brightness changing part for changing a dot brightness of at least one target dot forming an outline part of the image to a brightness relatively greater than the dot brightness of other dots forming the outline part.

Abstract: An image forming method is disclosed in an inkjet recording apparatus, which uses L (L?1) kinds of ink, includes a recording head capable of ejecting “n” sizes of ink droplets M[n] (n?1), and records an image on a recording medium by separating a tone forming region on the recording medium when the sizes of the ink droplets are determined to be M[1], M[2], . . . in order from the smallest size. When beading is generated by ink droplets M[i] (i?1) or more, the method includes the steps of forming a halftone pattern by arraying dots of the ink droplets in a mesh type or a line type with a fixed pitch in the ink droplets M[j] (j?i), and not ejecting the ink droplets M[j] onto all pixel positions of the recording medium other than the positions of the halftone pattern.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus is disclosed, including: a jaggy correction process part for recording a dot for the jaggy correction at a border portion of an image. A droplet amount of each of color inks forming the dot for the jaggy correction using the color inks is selectively determined to be less than a droplet amount of an ink forming a dot for the jaggy correction using the black color.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, including a color conversion part configured to conduct a color conversion of image data. The color conversion part extends an information amount of an output value in the color conversion based on a first minimum information amount possible to depict a gradation in a lattice point interval of an input value in a look up table used for the color conversion.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a line-type liquid discharging head including nozzles configured to jet liquid droplets. The nozzles are aligned in a sheet width direction. The line-type liquid discharging head includes plural nozzle rows each including an alignment of a plurality of the nozzles configured to discharge liquid droplets of the same color. A distance L1 between the nozzle rows is L1=T11×V1, where T1 is a liquid transfer amount impregnating time of a standard sheet and V1 is a sheet conveying speed.

Abstract: A disclosed inkjet recording apparatus for performing recording by jetting a recording liquid onto a recording medium includes an image processing unit configured to obtain an output halftone level by performing halftone processing on input image data, to select a dot arrangement order according to the obtained output halftone level, and thereby to generate dot data where dots are arranged in a grid-like pattern. The disclosed inkjet recording apparatus is configured to use a pigmented ink as the recording liquid when the recording medium is a commercial printing paper, and to record the dots in a staggered arrangement where positions of the dots in odd/even-numbered columns or odd/even-numbered rows in the dot data are shifted in a sub-scanning direction or in a main-scanning direction.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide methods for synthesizing polynucleotides comprising an unknown nucleotide sequence in a region containing their 5?-end. By using a single gene-specific primer, nucleotide sequences complementary to each other are added respectively at the 5?-and 3?-ends of a desired polynucleotide, to synthesize a desired polynucleotide. Requisite nucleotide sequences can be easily added by incubating with a primer, double-stranded DNA, and template-dependent DNA polymerase. By applying the present invention to 5? RACE, genes expressed in a low-level, which cannot be obtained by known methods, have been efficiently obtained.

Abstract: An image forming method provided with the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of first nozzles for depositing a black color ink and a plurality of second nozzles for depositing color inks other than a black color ink to form a processed black color, the first nozzles and the second nozzles being mounted on a recording head of an image forming apparatus scanning relative to a recording medium in a first direction, the first nozzles shifted relative to the second nozzles in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; (b) scanning the recording head in a first direction; (c) while scanning the recording head in the first direction, for printing a black image, depositing the black color ink by the first nozzles onto a first recording position of the recording medium and depositing the color inks by the second nozzles onto a second recording position of the recording medium.

Abstract: A threshold value matrix is used for converting a multi-level image data into a plural-level image data which represents a dot pattern by a smaller number of gradation levels than the multi-level image data, and comprises threshold values used for making a dot representation solely by a dot pattern while maintaining an identical keytone for all halftone levels.

Abstract: An imaging method is disclosed for realizing full color printing using an ink head configured to discharge black ink and a plurality of color inks. The imaging method involves printing a monochrome image portion by printing a plurality of first rasters using black ink and an arbitrary number of the color inks, and printing a second raster in between the first rasters using pseudo black ink that is realized by the remaining number of the color inks.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording ink which contains at least a pigment, a dispersant, a water-soluble solvent, a wetting agent and water, wherein the pigment contains at least one of diketopyrrolopyrrole red pigment and phthalocyanine green pigment in order to obtain a recording ink and ink set which excel in discharge stability with no head clogging during printing and can obtain high quality images with good color tone on the regular paper as well as on an exclusive recording paper; and ink cartridge, ink record, inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method which utilize the recording ink and ink set respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for reproducing a black color by using an ink other than a black ink when recording an image on a recording medium is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes an image processing part for disposing dots of multiple colors in various gradation levels, the image processing part being configured to dispose the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position.

Abstract: A disclosed image processing apparatus includes an adjusting unit configured to convert input image data into image formation data, an arithmetic unit configured to calculate an image formation ink cost based on the converted image formation data, and a determining unit configured to compare the calculated image formation ink cost with a black-and-white image formation ink cost, wherein the calculated image formation ink cost is fixed based on a determination result of the first determining unit.

Abstract: An organized dither matrix is composed of a main matrix having dispersibility and a sub-matrix having randomness, and the intensity of a frequency characteristic of an output image relatively increases from a low frequency component, through an intermediate frequency component, to a high frequency component in respective tone levels.

Abstract: An image processing method processes image data to be output to an image forming apparatus that is capable of making a two-way recording to form an image on a recording medium by recording in a forward path and a return path of a scan by an ink-jet recording head. The image processing method includes a halftone process that is based on an inclined line-group keytone and maintains keytone continuity, including a dither process in which the inclined line-group keytone appears at a stage where the recording in the forward path is made.

Abstract: An image processing method performs processing to generate image data based on input data and output the image data to an image forming device. The image forming device includes a printing head in which first nozzles for ejecting color ink drops are arranged in a symmetrical formation to forward and backward scanning directions and second nozzles for ejecting black or gray ink drops are arranged in an unsymmetrical formation with respect to the first nozzles. The image forming device is adapted to perform a uni-directional printing or a bidirectional printing with the printing head. In the image processing method, a black generation processing to the input data is performed, and when performing the black generation processing, a black-generation start level for the bidirectional printing is delayed to a shadow-side gradation level from a black-generation start level for the uni-directional printing.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus is capable of forming an image using a black recording liquid and at least one color recording liquid and generating image data on an image to be output. When an input image is black, the image data is generated for forming the image with the black recording liquid and using the color recording liquid for the image.

Abstract: A disclosed dither matrix is used in halftone processing for converting input image data having M input halftone levels into output image data having N (M>N>2) output halftone levels. In the halftone processing, a concentration type dither matrix is used as the dither matrix when an input halftone level is within a range of input halftone levels corresponding to an output halftone level that is lower than a predetermined threshold level T (N>T>1), and a dispersion type dither matrix is used as the dither matrix when the input halftone level is within a range of input halftone levels corresponding to an output halftone level that is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold level T.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a line-type liquid discharging head including nozzles configured to jet liquid droplets. The nozzles are aligned in a sheet width direction. The line-type liquid discharging head includes plural nozzle rows each including an alignment of a plurality of the nozzles configured to discharge liquid droplets of the same color. A distance L1 between the nozzle rows is L1=T11×V1, where T1 is a liquid transfer amount impregnating time of a standard sheet and V1 is a sheet conveying speed.