Abstract: The object of the invention is to convert a low-quality original image into a high-quality fractal-interpolated image. From a low-quality original image, original image blocks of n×n size, which are mutually overlapping and each centered on each pixel of the original image, are acquired. Also, similar image blocks of 2n×2n size, which are each similar to each of the original image blocks, are detected from the original image by affine transformation. The detected similar image blocks are reduced to the same size as the original image blocks, and then substituted for the original image blocks respectively. Then, overlapping portions of the substituted similar image blocks are adjusted by averaging. As a result, a high-quality fractal-interpolated image is generated.

Abstract: A color printer 20 allocates all of the image processing memory resources for image processing on image data GD lined up in the main scanning direction of a print head IH, secures an amount of memory resources for each of the lined up image data GD, and releases the memory resources as the image processing completes. A CPU 51 secures image processing memory resources for an image datum 1 in the storage area of a RAM 53, and releases the secured memory resources when the image processing on the image datum 1 is complete. The CPU 51 repeatedly implements this processing on each image datum contained in one print job.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to convert a low-quality original image into a high-quality fractal-interpolated image. From a low-quality original image, original image blocks of n×n size, which are mutually overlapping and each centered on each pixel of the original image, are acquired. Also, similar image blocks of 2n×2n size, which are each similar to each of the original image blocks, are detected from the original image by affine transformation. The detected similar image blocks are reduced to the same size as the original image blocks, and then substituted for the original image blocks respectively. Then, overlapping portions of the substituted similar image blocks are adjusted by averaging. As a result, a high-quality fractal-interpolated image is generated.

Abstract: The number of lines in each of at least two printing areas is detected each time a print head conducts main scanning by detecting the presence or absence of dots of dot-pattern data on a line basis, the two printing areas being obtainable separately with a blank area therebetween with lines free from being printed. A decision is made on a printing direction by deciding specialized one-way printing for printing a printing block in the same direction as the direction of an immediately prior printing pass or specialized two-way printing for printing the printing block in a direction in which the movement of the print head becomes minimized in value. The printing block is what is to be printed through the next main scanning according to the relation between the number of lines in each of the printing and blank areas and the number of dot-forming elements of the print head.

Abstract: A print data processing apparatus includes input data holding means for holding basic data sent from a host computer, an intermediate code converting means for preparing intermediate codes, an intermediate code storage means for sequentially dividing the intermediate codes into a predetermined processing unit and storing the divided intermediate codes, an attribute storage means storing modification data and position data in a sheet forwarding direction of intermediate buffers, an attribute judgment means for selecting data related to a single scanning line to be currently processed based on the position data in the sheet forwarding direction, a print data preparing means for preparing print data, an output data holding means for holding the print data, and a print data transfer means for outputting the print data to a print mechanism.

Abstract: A dot pattern data generating device including a character generator constructed to be readable by character code data for storing data representing a character pattern in the form of a matrix according to existence or non-existence of dots in the matrix. The device includes a region readout circuit for reading a local pattern of the matrix with one dot location from the matrix read from the character generator being centered in the matrix portion. An arithmetic circuit is also included for computing horizontal and vertical values from the local pattern. A pattern generating circuit generates a plurality of dots with respect to one dot of the original pattern on the basis of the horizontal and vertical values to generate an enlarged pattern. The enlarged character pattern is generated at a high speed without enlarging stepped portions of the oblique lines simulating smooth portions by generating enlargement dots corresponding thereto.