Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing apparatus, and an object thereof is to improve resolution and also suppress indention of contour, thereby improving image quality. In order to achieve the object in a case where multi-gradation image data is quantized to be converted into quantized pixel patterns, a smoothing portion of a quantized image is detected and a contour of the quantized image is corrected by interpolating pixels of the detected smoothing portion the quantized pixel pattern of the smoothing portion in the detected quantized image is replaced by a pixel pattern for smoothing stored in a memory.

Abstract: An ink jet color recording method forms a multi-color image on a single recording medium using a monochrome recording apparatus, which includes a mounting portion for detachably mounting an ink recording head for recording by ejecting a monochrome ink, a feed unit for feeding the recording medium, and a discharge unit for discharging the recording medium. First recording information is supplied to a first ink recording head, attached to the mounting portion, for ejecting a first ink, recording is performed using the first ink on the recording medium fed to the recording region by the feed unit, and the recording medium is discharged by the discharge unit.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus, having a printer that performs recording by Jetting ink from a recording head according to recording data, comprises a plurality of signal lines that supply the recording data to the printer and are connected to a host for controlling the printer, and an information transfer unit for transferring the information to the host. Herein, the plurality of signal lines include at least a first signal line for transferring recording data and commands from the host to the printer, and a second signal line for transferring printer information to the host. Thus, the ink-jet recording apparatus offers excellent cost-efficiency, system reliability and operability.

Abstract: Random masks each having a given size and defining a random array of non-record pixel locations and record pixel locations are placed in association with record areas in mask registers. Using the placed masks, record data is thinned-out and supplied to a recording head. An image is then recorded. Thus, since thinning-out masks do not have periodicity, any inherent density nonuniformity loses periodicity. Consequently, high-definition images can be produced.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus performs the recording, using a recording head for discharging the ink onto the recording medium to effect the recording, while moving said recording head in a main scan direction. The recording head has a plurality of discharge orifice groups in the main scan direction, each of which has a plurality of discharge orifices for discharging the inks of different colors provided in a direction different from the main scan direction.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus for recording onto a recording medium by using a recording head for discharging the ink, comprising a heater provided in the recording head and a resistor provided externally of the recording head to determine the resistance of the heater provided in the recording head, thereby selecting the drive conditions of the recording head.

Abstract: When a recording mode of a printer is changed to a resolution expansion mode when an internal temperature of a recording head falls or by an external indication, the number of divided blocks is changed so that the overlap of on time zones of block sub-division signals is prevented in order to assure that heaters of the recording head are energized for a sufficient time period. Thus, the heater energization time period for each block is extended without extending the total recording time.

Abstract: An ink jet head unit according to the present invention has an ink container which includes a plurality of absorbers and enables stable ink supply and reduces running cost. A volume Z of the absorber disposed near an ink supply port satisfies 3 V<Z<10 V, where V is the sum of a volume of a liquid passage, a volume of a common liquid chamber and a volume of the ink supply passage of the recording head.

Abstract: A magnetic tape, in which a protrusion on a magnetic layer or a back layer on a cutting surface of the magnetic tape is eliminated. When a magnetic tape T comprising a magnetic layer 22, a base layer 21 and a back layer 23 is cut to a predetermined width, protrusion of the magnetic layer 22 or the back layer 23 is formed on the end surface of the magnetic tape T. Ultraviolet laser or visible laser is irradiated on the end surface while the magnetic tape T is running to eliminate the protrusion and the end surface is shaped to have cross-section of approximately rectangular or approximately circular shape.

Abstract: In a multi-scan method for printing a printing area by n (4) scans of a head and printing individual scan lines with n different ejection ports, a paper feed amount of transporting performed between the individual n scans is set to a value less than an amount of {(a length of total ejection port)/(n-1)}, and thereby close ejection ports in the ejection port arrangement in the head can be used as the n ejection ports for the individual lines, and an application position deviation between the ejection ports for individual lines due to a head mount error or the like can be reduced. As a result, unevenness of density due to deviation of dots in a scanning direction can be suppressed.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method uses black ink and a plurality of inks having different colors, which have ink penetration properties different from that of the black ink. The method includes generating multi-level black recording datum on the basis of a multi-level color recording datum of a discrimination pixel, wherein a ratio of generation of black recording datum is changed in accordance with a multi-level color recording datum of a pixel marginal to the discrimination pixel; and recording a color image on the basis of the multi-level color recording datum and the multi-level black recording datum generated by the generating step.

Abstract: An information transmitting mechanism is described for transmitting information of an ink tank of an ink jet recording apparatus to a controller thereof. The recording apparatus performs recording by scanning a carriage on which a recording head and the ink tank are mounted; the ink tank is removably mounted to said recording head. The information transmitting mechanism includes the ink tank and the recording head; in particular, the ink tank has an information mark. The recording head is connected to the ink tank and has a signal terminal making a signal connection with the ink tank and with the controller of the apparatus. The content of the information mark is transmitted to the controller through the signal terminal. The information relating to the ink tank is transmitted to the controller through the head terminal and through the carriage terminal. The information relating to the recording head is transmitted to the controller through the carriage terminal.

Abstract: According to an image processing method and apparatus of the present invention, an outline portion is extracted from input image data, and a pixel whose dot size is to be changed is extracted. The input image data is printed without any change, and the pixel whose dot size is to be changed is overlap-printed while the dot size is increased. Therefore, smoothing can be sufficiently performed in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction without increasing the dot density and decreasing the recording speed.

Abstract: An image is recorded on a recording medium by recording dots of a black ink and a color ink discharged onto the recording medium from a recording head. A boundary proximity-degree detecting circuit detects the degree of positional proximity, i.e., closeness, between the recording dots of the black ink and the recording dots of the color ink at the boundary between these dots. A dot substituting circuit performs, in accordance with the detected degree of positional proximity, substitution of the black pixels with recording dots of a color ink at the boundary. Thus, pixels of the image to be recorded are replaced with recording dots of a color ink by an extent which is determined based on the degree of positional proximity between the pixels of the different colors. A sharp black image can be obtained with minimized color mixing at the boundary between the black image region and the color region, regardless of the degree of positional proximity between these regions.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus which simultaneously performs image exposure and development, including an electrophotographic photosensitive body having a conductive layer, an electrophotoconductive layer, and an electric charge supply layer for contacting a developer sequentially formed on a translucent substrate, wherein a value of the surface energy of the outer layer of the photosensitive body is 30 dyne/cm or less in order to present fogging generated during development.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises an ejection orifice for ejecting an ink, a supply portion, communicating with the ejection orifice, for supplying an ink stored therein to the ejection orifice, an ejection energy producer, arranged in the supply portion, for applying energy for ink ejection to the ink, a pressure producer, arranged in the supply portion at a position different from the ejection energy producer, for producing a pressure wave in the supply portion, and a controller for controlling the pressure producer to produce a pressure wave different from a pressure wave produced in the supply portion by the ejection energy producer.

Abstract: When it is determined that a temperature of a recording head exceeds a predetermined temperature, a head exchange inhibit mode shift flag is set. Thus, even if an input to command the exchange of the recording head which is at a high temperature is made, the exchange operation is inhibited or the exchange is disabled.

Abstract: In the case of printing in three-value level utilizing two kinds of inks mutually different densities for one color (higher and lower density inks), it is assumed that a reflection density of a region having a predetermined area when solid print is performed only by the lower density ink, and that when solid print is performed only by the higher density ink are expressed ODt and ODn, respectively. Since the granular appearance of the ink dots is expressed in terms of reflection density of one dot, the granular appearance of a lower density ink dot at a portion of image formed only by the lower density ink dots and the granular appearance of a higher density ink dot at a portion of image formed by the higher and lower density ink dots are expressed in terms of values of ODt and (ODn-ODt) divided by the number of pixels included the above region, respectively.

Abstract: A column band pattern memory (10) stores six different column band patterns "SML, SLM, MSL, MLS, LSM, and LMS" obtained by re-arranging three different area modulation ranks (L, M, and S). A column band pattern generator (12) irregularly selects one of the column band patterns stored in the column band pattern memory (10) on the basis of a numerical value generated by a random number generator (11). The selected column band pattern is input to a dot area determination unit (13), and dot areas in units of columns are determined on the basis of the order of dot area modulation ranks (e.g., the order of S, M, and L) in the selected column band pattern. A pulse controller (14) performs pulse control to form dots in accordance with the dot areas determined by the dot area determination unit (13).

Abstract: An ink tank for storing the ink to be supplied to an ink jet head mounted on an ink jet apparatus for forming an image by discharging multiple different inks, comprising, a first ink vessel for receiving a first ink, as well as having a first atmosphere communicating part for communicating the inside of vessel with the atmosphere, and a first ink supply port for supplying the ink to said ink jet head, and a second ink vessel for receiving a second ink, as well as having a second ink supply port for supplying the ink to said ink jet head, wherein said second ink vessel is disposed within said first ink vessel, with said second ink supply port exposed to the outside