Abstract: The image output system of the invention collects a preset number of adjacent pixels to one pixel group to divide a number of pixels constituting an image into multiple pixel groups and specifies a pixel group tone value as a representative tone value of each pixel group. The image output system refers to a conversion table to generate dot number data of each pixel group. The conversion table stores dot number data, which represents number of dots to be created in one pixel group, in relation to a combination of a pixel group classification number allocated to each pixel group and the specified pixel group tone value of the pixel group. The image output system then refers to a priority order of pixels representing potentials of dot creation in respective pixels of one pixel group, determines the positions of dot-on pixels in each pixel group according to the generated dot number data of the pixel group, and actually creates dots according to the determined positions of the dot-on pixels.

Abstract: The method of the present invention generates print data to be supplied to a printing module, which ejects ink to form dots on a printing medium. This method includes a dot data generation step of generating dot data, which represent a dot formation in respective pixels, according to pixel values of given video data with regard to the respective pixels. The dot data generation step includes the step of generating the dot data, such that a dot formation with respect to at least part of the pixel values in a pixel belonging to an end area located on an end of the printing medium is different from the dot formation in a pixel belonging to a middle area located in a middle of the printing medium, so as to prevent adhesion of ink to the printing module.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of generating a dither matrix that stores each of a plurality of threshold values in each of elements for determining a status of dot formation of each print pixel of a print image to be produced on a printing medium by carrying out halftone processing on image data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing method of processing image data indicative of an image represented with a prescribed number of input tones by each of pixel groups composed of a plurality of print pixels, and generating dot data representing a dot on-off state of dot formation on each of the print pixels to be formed on a print medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing method of processing image data indicative of an image represented with a prescribed number of input tones by each of pixel groups composed of a plurality of print pixels, and generating dot data representing a status of multiple sizes of dot formation on each of the print pixels to be formed on a print medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing method of processing image data indicative of an image represented with a prescribed number of input tones by each of pixel groups composed of a plurality of print pixels, and generating dot data representing a status of dot formation on each of the print pixels to be formed on a print medium.

Abstract: This invention provides a printing method of printing on a printing medium. The method includes: a dot data generating step of performing a halftone process on image data representing a input tone value of each of pixels constituting an original image, for generating dot data representing a status of dot formation on each of print pixels of a print image to be formed on the print medium; and a print image generating step of forming a dot on each of the print pixels for generating the print image according to the dot data. The halftone process is configured to give specified characteristics to all of dot patterns formed on printing pixels belonging to each of a plurality of basic pixel groups constituting the print image. The print image is formed by mutually combining dots formed on print pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel groups for which a physical difference is assumed with dot formation using the print image generating step, in a common print area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dot data processing apparatus for generating data of dots to be formed on a printing medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dot data processing apparatus for receiving multi-value quantization result values being results of multi-value quantization of each of pixel groups composed of a plurality of pixels, and converting the multi-value quantization result values into data of dots to be formed on a printing medium, for image data indicative of an image represented by a prescribed number of tones. The multi-value quantization result values are generated by selectively referring one of correspondence relationships of a pixel group tone value representing a tone value of the pixel group, with a multi-value quantization result value indicating a result of the multi-value quantization for each of pixels making up the pixel group.

Abstract: When image data is converted into an expression format based on the dot on-off state, such conversion is performed in a unit of a raster group comprising a predetermined number of adjacent rasters. When this is done, the binarization errors occurring in each pixel of the last raster located in the last position of such raster group are diffused into surrounding pixels and stored in a first storage unit. The errors are read out from the first storage unit for dot on-off state determination regarding the first raster of the raster group adjacent to the above-mentioned last raster, and binarization errors occurring in connection with this determination are stored in a second storage unit that permits faster reading and writing of data than the first storage unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a printing method of printing on a print medium. The method includes: a dot data generating step of performing a halftone process on image data representing a input tone value of each of pixels constituting an original image, for generating dot data representing a status of dot formation on each of print pixels of a print image to be formed on the print medium; and a print image generating step of forming a dot on each of the print pixels for generating a print image according to the dot data. The print image generating step includes the step of generating the print image by mutually combining dots formed on print pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel groups in a common print area. The plurality of pixel groups have a physical difference each other at the dot formation, the dot formation being performed with respect to each of the pixel groups.

Abstract: This invention provides a printing method of printing on a printing medium. The method includes: a dot data generating step of performing a halftone process on image data representing a input tone value of each of pixels constituting an original image to determine a status of dot formation on each of print pixels of a print image to be formed on the print medium, for generating dot data representing the determined status of dot formation; and a print image generating step of forming a dot on each of the print pixels for generating the print image according to the dot data. The print image generating step includes the step of generating the print image by mutually combining dots formed on print pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel groups in a common print area, the plurality of pixel groups having a physical difference each other at the dot formation, the dot formation being performed with respect to each of the pixel groups.

Abstract: The technique of the invention ensures high-speed output of an image including a large number of pixels. In an image output control system of the invention, an image processing device makes image data subjected to a preset series of image processing and supplies processed image data to an image output device to output a resulting processed image. The image processing device collects a predetermined number of plural pixels among a large number of pixels constituting the image to one pixel group, specifies number of dots to be created in the pixel group, and outputs dot number data representing the specified number of dots to be created in the pixel group to the image output device. The image output device stores multiple priority orders of pixels for dot formation in each pixel group.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing method of processing image data representing an image expressed by a prescribed number of tones to perform multi-value quantization for each pixel making up the image, using a smaller number of tones than the prescribed number of tones, the image processing method comprising: an association preparation step of preparing associations of a pixel group tone value representing a tone value of a pixel group composed of a plurality of pixels, with a multi-value quantization result value indicating a result of the multi-value quantization for the pixels making up the pixel group; a pixel group tone value determining step of extracting a set of pixels corresponding to the pixel group from the image data representing the image, and determining the pixel group tone value for the each pixel group composed of the extracted set of pixels; a multi-value quantization step of acquiring the multi-value quantization result value for the each pixel group making up the image bas

Abstract: A specific number of adjacent pixels are combined into blocks. The tone values of the pixels in a target block are detected when the dot on-off state is determined, and the fact that the target block does or does not satisfy specific processing conditions is confirmed based on the relation between the magnitudes of the tone values thus detected. The dot on-off state is determined for the target block in block units if the target block satisfies the processing conditions. The conversion procedure can be rapidly performed by adopting this approach. The dot on-off state is determined for the pixels of the target block if the processing conditions are not satisfied. Image quality is thereby prevented from being adversely affected. Image quality can thus be preserved and image data rapidly converted to a specific expression format based on the dot on-off state by performing the conversion procedure in accordance with an appropriate method selected based on whether the processing conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: Pixels are grouped into groups of pixels, comprising a plurality of pixels each, and representative tone values are determined for each of a plurality of regions into which the groups of pixels are split. Decisions are made as to whether or not to output dots to the individual pixels in the group of pixels based on the multilevel halftoning resultant values obtained through performing multilevel halftoning on the representative tone values, to thereby output an image. The multilevel halftoning resultant values can accelerate the creation and transfer of data, enabling rapid outputting of images.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for generating a dither matrix includes: setting an evaluation function for calculating an evaluation value of the dither matrix; providing a dither matrix as an initial state which stores in respective elements each of a plurality of threshold values for deciding presence or absence of dot formation for each pixel according to an input tone value; fixing an element for storing a threshold value in an increasing order from a smaller threshold value while transposing at least one of the plurality of threshold values stored in a part of the elements and a threshold value stored in another part of the elements; and outputting a dither matrix in which elements for storing are fixed with regard to at least part of the plurality of threshold values.

Abstract: This invention is a printing method of forming dots on a print medium by ejecting a colored ink and a quality-enhancing ink. This method generates dot data representing a state of dot formation of the color dot and the transparent dot at each pixel based on the color dot recording rate table and the transparent dot recording rate table. The transparent dot recording rate table is configured to require a less process load for generation of the dot data than the color dot recording rate table.

Abstract: Sets of multiple pixels are grouped into pixel groups, and on the basis of tone value distribution in each pixel group, it is decided whether to divide the pixel group. For pixel groups that are not divided, a representative tone value is determined for the pixel group, and for pixel groups that are divided, a representative tone value is determined for each region created by the division. Next, from multilevel halftoning result values derived by multilevel halftoning of the representative tone values, the dot on-off state is determined for each pixel in the pixel groups, and the image is output. At this time, for divided pixel groups, the dot on-off state is determined for each pixel in the regions, based on the multilevel halftoning result value for each region. With multilevel halftoning result values, data creation and transfer can be performed rapidly.

Abstract: An image printing process of the invention first specifies a pixel group tone value of each pixel group consisting of a preset number of multiple pixels and refers to one of correlation maps selected for the pixel group to convert the specified pixel group tone value to a multivalue code. Each of the correlation maps sets multivalue codes in correlation to pixel group tone values. The multivalue codes of all pixel groups constituting an image are output as control data to an image output device. The image output device determines the dot on-off state in respective pixels of each pixel group according to the received control data and actually creates dots on an output medium to complete an output image. Each correlation map referred to for the multivalue coding has a slightly lower tone resolution in a higher tone value area than in a lower tone value area. This arrangement desirably reduces the data volume of the control data, while preventing deterioration of the picture quality.