Abstract: In a mask pattern that determines whether ink is to be discharged and recorded for each pixel, a distance between recording permitting pixels at a portion employed for recording nozzles corresponding to a region where the temperature of a recording medium is relatively low after ink droplets are applied is set to be longer than a distance between recording permitting pixels at a portion employed for a recording region corresponding to a region on the recording medium other than the above-described region.

Abstract: When a number of passes of multi-pass recording has been changed, a repetitive cycle of a drive pattern is changed, depending on change of feeding amount caused by change of the number of passes. Accordingly, the drive pattern is set to a size corresponding to the changed feeding amount.

Abstract: A dither pattern is formed in such a manner that threshold values 1 to 16 are dispersed in regard to the order of magnitudes of the threshold values. First, there is made a calculation of multiplying each value of the image data by a ratio of 1/2. Thereby, there is produced the divided 17-valued data where every value of all pixels is “2”. Next, binarization is carried out for the divided data by using the dither pattern. As a result, binary data at the first pass is obtained. Next, there is obtained the data by a product of a ratio (1/2+1/2) obtained by adding 1/2 to the above ratio and each value of the image data. Binarization is carried out for the image data by using the dither pattern. This produces binary data. Finally, dot data for the second pass is obtained by subtracting data from the binary data.

Abstract: The generation of dot data of planes depending on a plurality of scannings and ink colors in an ink jet printing apparatus is performed based on the error diffusion processing for each plane without causing a problem of grain. Specifically, in a binarization processing, C divided data D8c/2 is subjected to an error diffusion processing to calculate binary (dot) data D2c1 for the first pass of C. Next, M divided data D8m/2 is compensated by being added with a term of Kc1m1(D8c/2-D2c1). Then, this compensated data [D8m/2+Kc1m1(D8c/2-D2c1)] is subjected to an error diffusion processing to calculate dot data D2m1 for the first pass of M. In this manner, the generation of the respective planes performs correction to reflect the results of the binarization processing of the respective previously processed planes to subject the compensated data to an error diffusion processing.

Abstract: Provided are a data processing method and a data processor for ink jet printing, which are capable of achieving uniform and high-quality images while stabilizing density and color development in each of pixels. To this end, a mask pattern for setting permission and non-permission to print dots in each area is arranged non-periodically by using an integral multiple of m×n areas as one unit. The m×n areas allow one pixel to be expressed in half-tone. Thereby, density in the pixel is stable since a plurality of dots printed in the same pixel are printed approximately in the same event. Moreover, since each of the units (clusters) is non-periodically arranged, a uniform image can be obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating data used to apply a plurality of inks similar in color and different in color material density, including a first ink and a second ink higher in color material density than the first ink, onto a pixel area on a recording medium with a recording head includes a generation unit configured to generate the data in such a way that out of a plurality of pixels constituting the pixel area, a number of pixels onto which dots of the first ink are applied in an overlapped manner is greater than a number of pixels onto which dots of the second ink are applied in the overlapped manner.

Abstract: In a mask pattern used in effecting multi-path recording, (A) a recording permission ratio in each pixel row of a non-boundary area of a first pattern portion corresponding to a first nozzle block is substantially a first value, and a recording permission ratio in each pixel row of a non-boundary area of a second pattern portion corresponding to a second nozzle block adjacent the first nozzle block is substantially a second value, and (B) in a boundary area including a boundary between the first pattern portion and the second pattern portion, the recording permission ratio in each pixel row is between the first value and the second value, and the recording permission ratios in each pixel line are made different depending on a position with respect to a scanning direction.

Abstract: Provided are a data processing method and a data processor for ink jet printing, which are capable of achieving uniform and high-quality images while stabilizing density and color development in each of pixels. To this end, a mask pattern for setting permission and non-permission to print dots in each area is arranged non-periodically by using an integral multiple of m×n areas as one unit. The m×n areas allow one pixel to be expressed in half-tone. Thereby, density in the pixel is stable since a plurality of dots printed in the same pixel are printed approximately in the same event. Moreover, since each of the units (clusters) is non-periodically arranged, a uniform image can be obtained.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method capable of suppressing generation of bronze phenomenon regardless of the color gamut is provided. For this purpose, in multipass printing, there are set more pixels permitted to print by at least one type of achromatic color ink than pixels permitted to print by chromatic color ink in the last print scan to a unit region. Accordingly, it becomes possible to apply achromatic color ink having a high bronze phenomenon reduction effect on the topmost layer of the print medium, and thereby generation of bronze phenomenon can be suppressed without any hue shift.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus, for each level, employs a plurality of density patterns to prevent cancelation of a granularity reduction effect that has been provided by an increase in resolution. Specifically, when determining an arrangement of dot-on areas in the density pattern, the dot-on areas is not located in the areas of a first row of the each of the plurality of density patterns. Thereby, whitish areas appear with the same cycle as a use cycle of the density patterns in a longitudinal direction and thus the whitish areas is not unevenly located. As a result, granularity is prevented from increasing.

Abstract: Provided are a data processing method and a data processor for ink jet printing, which are capable of achieving uniform and high-quality images while stabilizing density and color development in each of pixels. To this end, a mask pattern for setting permission and non-permission to print dots in each area is arranged non-periodically by using an integral multiple of m×n areas as one unit. The m×n areas allow one pixel to be expressed in half-tone. Thereby, density in the pixel is stable since a plurality of dots printed in the same pixel are printed approximately in the same event. Moreover, since each of the units (clusters) is non-periodically arranged, a uniform image can be obtained.

Abstract: A nozzle use range and a nozzle nonuse range are set in nozzles of a print head. In a forward direction printing in the first pas, printing is performed by the use nozzles thus set. After the first pass is performed, a print medium is conveyed by a nozzle arrangement length of the nozzle nonuse range in a conveyance direction. Along with it, the nozzle use range and the nozzle nonuse range for the second pass are set by shifting the nozzle use range. The backward direction printing in the second pass is performed in the nozzle use range thus set. Printing in an area having a width equivalent to a nozzle arrangement length of the use nozzles can be completed by the two passes in the forward and backward directions. A raster in the area to be printed is printed by the two different nozzles.

Abstract: In order to vary a threshold value for performing an error diffusion process depending on a pixel position, a threshold value matrix configured to have pluralities of rows and columns is prepared. In this case, pieces of data in the threshold value matrix are arrayed such that average values in the respective rows and average values in the respective columns are almost the same value. If such a threshold value matrix is used to perform the error diffusion process, the dot sparseness and denseness do not occur with a period of the matrix, and therefore the pattern or sweeping phenomenon specific to the error diffusion can be suppressed.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus and image processing method that are capable of outputting an image wherein seam lines caused by sudden conveyance error are difficult to notice even for a small number of multi passes printing. In order to achieve this, the number of dots that are printed in pixels is adjusted according to the density level so that the number of dots that are printed in pixels corresponding to boundary portions is larger than in pixels corresponding to areas that are not boundary portions, and so that the number of dots that are printed in pixels corresponding to boundary portions increases the higher the density level of the pixels is. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of white stripes in high-density areas without emphasizing black stripes in low-density areas.

Abstract: When a feeding amount for multi-pass printing is changed, the purpose related to an image quality using a binary data generation pattern can still be attained by, for example, a density pattern method. Specifically, a multi-pass printing mode is identified, and a density pattern selection matrix associated with a cycle of binary data generation is selected in accordance with the selected printing mode. That is, a density pattern selection matrix employed for binary data generation using a density pattern is changed to a size corresponding to the feeding amount designated by the selected printing mode. Thereby, a phenomenon that a unit used for image processing to gain a predetermined purpose related to an image quality does not match a unit area used for a printing operation is avoided, and an image printing purpose using a binary data generation pattern can be appropriately attained.

Abstract: A printing apparatus that includes nozzle arrays, formed of nozzles for ejecting ink of the first to fourth ink color groups, and that scans a print medium while moving the nozzle arrays to perform printing. For printing a unit area of a print medium, where printing is to be completed by performing a plurality of scans, the printing apparatus performs a plurality of scans, and conveys, between movements, a print medium a predetermined amount, which is equivalent to the width of the unit area. Then, to perform a plurality of scans using the nozzle arrays for the first to fourth ink color groups, print data are generated, so that for the nozzle arrays that belong to two ink color groups, the nozzle array for the first ink color group is employed to eject ink into the unit area prior to the nozzle array for the second ink color group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mask for divided printing that completes an image by plural scans using inks of different plural inks, the mask being able to suppress possible grains during printing to reduce image degradation resulting from beading. If for example, among the print permitting pixels for which the total repulsive potential is to be calculated, a print permitting pixel Do has the highest total repulsive potential, changes in repulsive potential after movement of the pixels are determined and the print permitting pixel Do is moved to a pixel having the lowest total repulsive potential after the movement. This processing is repeated to enable a reduction in the total energy of the entire plane. Consequently, the print permitting pixels are appropriately dispersed in overlapping plane masks so as to have few low frequency components.

Abstract: 17-valued data of a pixel in a multi-valued image is divided into two divisions for a two-pass printing, obtaining the division data. Next, by using an index pattern where arrangements of the numerals of 1 to 16 are dispersed, each dot data of C, M and Y in the division data is arranged. First, six dot data of C are assigned to the respective minor pixels of the numerals of 1 to 6 in accordance with a value of C1=6. Next, four dot data of M are assigned to the respective minor pixels of the numerals of 7 to 10 in accordance with a value of M1=4. Further, one dot data of Y is assigned to the minor pixel of the numerals of 11 in accordance with a value of Y1=1.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus that prints each raster in a multi-pass printing mode by causing a printhead having a plurality of nozzles forming a nozzle array to scan in a direction intersecting with the nozzle array is provided, in which the nozzles are divided into groups, each including adjacent nozzles, one nozzle selected from each group is united into one block, drive of nozzles is controlled such that drive timings of nozzles differ among a plurality of blocks in each group, and a sequence in which nozzles are driven is determined for each scan in the multi-pass printing mode such that printed dots are most equally printed in the raster.

Abstract: When a feeding amount for multi-pass printing is changed, the purpose related to an image quality using a binary data generation pattern can still be attained by, for example, a density pattern method. Specifically, a multi-pass printing mode is identified, and a density pattern selection matrix associated with a cycle of binary data generation is selected in accordance with the selected printing mode. That is, a density pattern selection matrix employed for binary data generation using a density pattern is changed to a size corresponding to the feeding amount designated by the selected printing mode. Thereby, a phenomenon that a unit used for image processing to gain a predetermined purpose related to an image quality does not match a unit area used for a printing operation is avoided, and an image printing purpose using a binary data generation pattern can be appropriately attained.