Abstract: While high print resolution, high image quality mode and a low print resolution, high speed mode are provided, image processes are made in common between them to the extent possible, and the same gradation characteristics and image densities can be obtained between them. For this purpose, for the high image quality mode, a dot arrangement pattern is prepared for a pixel region having gradation data of K levels, which determines the presence or absence of print dots at K-1 areas, and in which the printing of 1 dot is permitted at all of the K-1 areas. On the other hand, for the high speed mode, a dot arrangement pattern which determines the presence or absence of print dots at a number of areas less than K-1 is prepared, and in which the sum of the number of dots permitted to be printed at the pixel region is K-1.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus for controlling ink supply amount/registration adjustment in a printing press. The apparatus includes a base, sensor head, sensor head moving unit, first detector, second detector, and control unit. The sensor head moving unit includes a upward/downward position adjusting unit which adjusts the upward/downward position of the sensor head. The second detector detects the upward/downward position of a color bar when color matching data of a color patch of each color in the color bar is measured by the first detector. The upward/downward position adjusting unit adjusts the upward/downward position of the sensor head based on the upward/downward position of the color bar, which is detected by the second detector. A method of controlling ink supply amount/registration adjustment in a printing press is also disclosed.

Abstract: On a region of a recording medium that is scanned by overlapping portions of overlapping heads a plurality of times, an image is recorded in at least one scan, without using ejection nozzles in one nozzle array corresponding to the overlapping portions of the overlapping heads and by using ejection nozzles in the other nozzle array corresponding to the overlapping portions.

Abstract: Provided are method of controlling nozzles of an inkjet head and an apparatus for measuring the amounts of ink ejected from the nozzles of the inkjet head. The method includes: preparing a mass measuring device, which measures the mass of ink by using an oscillation change, in a pixel; ejecting ink into the pixel from a nozzle of the inkjet head, and measuring the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle by using the mass measuring device; and adjusting a voltage waveform applied to the nozzle of the inkjet head.

Abstract: A method for generating a clustered halftone representation of a continuous-tone image for printing includes applying a search technique. In the search technique, evaluation of a similarity between an initial halftone and the continuous-tone image includes application of an initialization filter to an initial error image that represents a difference between the initial halftone and the continuous-tone image. Evaluation of a similarity between each updated halftone, formed by modifying a previously-evaluated halftone, and the continuous-tone image includes application of an update filter that is different from the initialization filter to an updated error image that represents a difference between the updated halftone and the continuous-tone image. Relating computer program product and data processing system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method includes the steps of: shooting an ink containing a color material in a penetrant by ink jet method to a surface of a print medium; and supplying only a penetrant containing no color material at a position on the print medium corresponding to a position at which the ink has been shot to diffuse the supplied penetrant in the print medium in order to control distribution of the color material supplied in the print medium as the ink is shot at the print medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing small-batch series of printed plastic films, in which the resolution and colors of the print correspond to the print generated by means of the rotogravure method, wherein the film (1) is printed by means of an array of print heads (2a, 2b) in the ink jet method using an ink which contains the same dyes and/or pigments, and the properties of the ink are adjusted to the ink jet printing method.

Abstract: The low and high occupancy rate matrix sets are stored in the inkjet printer which performs printing with dots having different sizes. For the original image where banding unevenness easily appears, used is the low occupancy rate matrix set where the occupancy rate of all dots is lower than 100% in the maximum value of gray level and the proportion of the large dots is high in a high range of gray level. For the original image where reproducibility of details is required, used is the high occupancy rate matrix set where the occupancy rate of all dots becomes 100% in a value of gray level lower than the maximum value of gray level and the proportion of the small dots is high in a middle range of gray level. It is therefore possible to perform appropriate printing in accordance with the classification of the original image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fluid receiving member having fluid receiving cells in which the fluid receiving cells are configured to receive at least one of an ink repellant and an ink, a fluid ejector unit configured to eject the ink repellant to a first set of the fluid receiving cells, and an inking unit configured to apply the ink to a second set of the fluid receiving cells.

Abstract: A target pixel is processed according to a blended combination of two or more error diffusion techniques. For example, the two or more techniques may include a standard error diffusion technique and rank ordered error diffusion. Additionally, or alternatively, a quantization resolution is selected for the target pixel based on information regarding the pixel. For example, a quantization resolution is selected based on a relative position of the target pixel or based on a value of the target pixel and/or values of pixels neighboring the target pixel.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording device which includes recording elements by performing deposition of ink droplets including main droplets forming main dots on a recording medium and satellite droplets accompanying the main droplets and forming subsidiary dots; a dot pattern storage device which beforehand stores a plurality of dot patterns; and a dot pattern selector device which selects the dot patterns from the dot pattern storage device, wherein when one pixel satisfies i+j?k, where i is a main dots total number to be recorded for the pixel, j is a subsidiary dots total number to be recorded for the pixel and k is a number of the main dots to be recorded for the pixel by the recording elements of one type, then the dot pattern selector device selects certain dot patterns for the pixel.

Abstract: An ink-jet image forming apparatus for scanning a recording medium in a main scanning direction by an ink-jet head, and conveying the recording medium in a sub scanning direction so that a printing area formed at every scan by the recording head overlaps with an adjacent printing area at their boundary area. The apparatus includes a distribution determining unit that determines a dot distribution at every scan in the overlapped boundary area, a nozzle determining unit that determines an alternative nozzle capable of forming dots instead of an non-ejectable nozzle in the overlapped boundary area, and a dot determining unit that determines a dot size or a dot density from the alternative nozzle, on the basis of a printing position by the alternative nozzle and the dot distribution determined by the dot distribution determining unit.

Abstract: A correction value setting method includes: generating, based on a first correction value that has been set in advance and is used in correcting a density of an image to be printed on a first medium, a second correction value that has a larger correction amount than the first correction value and a third correction value that has a smaller correction amount than the first correction value; printing respectively a first pattern to which the first correction value is applied, a second pattern to which the second correction value is applied, and a third pattern to which the third correction value is applied, on a second medium that differs in type from the first medium, by ejecting liquid from a head including a plurality of nozzles that eject liquid; and setting, based on the first pattern, the second pattern, and the third pattern that have been printed on the second medium, one of the first correction value, the second correction value, and the third correction value, as a correction value used in correcting

Abstract: A method for operating an inkjet imaging system includes generating a coverage area map that identifies areas of an image that have different coverage area densities. Color inkjet ejectors form an image on an image receiving member, and clear inkjet ejectors eject halftone patterns on the image receiving member and on the ink forming the image. The halftone levels of the clear ink in each area on the image and image receiving member are selected in response to the coverage area density for each area.

Abstract: An image compensating method. First, multiple scanning lines are used to scan a document and a longitudinal black and white pattern, in order to produce the actual gray level value for multiple pixels with respect to each of the scanning lines and the document, as well as a correctional gray level value for complete black and a correctional gray level value for complete white with respect to the longitudinal black and white pattern. Then, the compensational gray level value with respect to the actual gray level value for each of the pixels is obtained according to the correctional gray level value for complete black, the correctional gray level value for complete white, the theoretical gray level value for complete black, the theoretical gray level value for complete white, and the actual gray level value for each of the pixels. Then, the procedure is complete.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a droplet discharge head includes discharging a plurality of droplets on an inspection workpiece from a nozzle row of the droplet discharge head at least twice in different positions on the inspection workpiece thereby forming a plurality of dot pattern rows each including a plurality of dot patterns, inspecting each of the dot patterns included in a first dot pattern row among the dot pattern rows by sequentially acquiring, using an image processing, a predetermined inspection value of the each of the dot patterns determined based on a shape of the each of the dot patterns, and initiating inspection of a second dot pattern row among the dot pattern rows when inspection of the first dot pattern row is interrupted upon one of the predetermined inspection values sequentially acquired exceeding a predetermine threshold established in advance according to a type of the predetermined inspection value.

Abstract: A data generating circuit incorporated in an ASIC includes a first jetting mode memory circuit which stores information related to a plurality of first jetting modes, a time-sequence information memory circuit which stores time-sequence information of a jetting mode which associates one of the plurality of first jetting modes, for each jetting timing of the nozzle, a second jetting mode memory circuit which stores information related to a plurality of second jetting modes, which are more than types of the plurality of first jetting modes, and a jetting mode selecting circuit which selects a jetting mode at an arbitrary jetting timing among the plurality of second jetting modes, based on the first jetting modes at the arbitrary jetting timing and at least one of the previous and subsequent jetting timings.

Abstract: While a conveying error of a roller depends on the eccentricity of the roller, the amount and the state of the eccentricity sometimes makes the roller have different conveying errors from one point in the longitudinal direction of the roller to another. There is provided a construction for obtaining a correction value that is suitable for the correction of the conveying error even in such a case as described above. To this end, plural test patterns are formed in the longitudinal direction of the roller. Then, a suitable correction value for correcting the conveying error that depends on the eccentricity of the roller is obtained on the basis of these test patterns.

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: An inkjet printing system (10) includes two inkjet fluid ejectors (14, 15) fluidically coupled to a respective reservoir (16, 17), one of which contains a colorant inkjet ink composition (18), and the other of which contains a latex coating composition (20). One of the fluid ejectors (14, 15) is configured to eject the colorant ink composition (18) onto a medium (24) to form a printed image (26). The other fluid ejector (14, 15) is configured to eject the latex coating composition (20) on the medium (24) i) on a region of the medium (24) surrounding the printed image (26), or ii) on the printed image (26) and on the region of the medium (24) surrounding the image (26). The optical density of the printed image (26) is improved.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the apparatus, a transparent inkjet head includes a first plurality of nozzles, and a color inkjet head includes a second plurality of nozzles. A color value measurement unit is configured to measure color values of ink applied to a plurality of pixels based on signals applied to the second plurality of nozzles of the color inkjet head and signals applied to the first plurality of nozzles of the transparent inkjet head. A control unit is configured to compare the measured color values of the ink applied to the plurality of pixels with a target value and to change the signals applied to the first plurality of nozzles of the transparent inkjet head such that the measured color values of the ink applied to the plurality of pixels are uniform.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a novel system and method for minimizing dot visibility in color marking devices capable of dot-on-dot printing. The present method achieves minimum dot visibility for a given dispersed-dot screen by performing a CMYK to CMYKRGB conversion which uses less visible dots as much as possible before more visible dots are introduced. The output color dot coverages are calculated sequentially to minimize the coverage of more visible dots in a decreasing order of brightness. Resulting images have noticeably reduced halftone graininess, particularly in the mid to darker tone areas. The present method is also computationally efficient.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, which performs the printing using a polish and a colorant includes a reduction region setting portion that sets a reduction region, which is a region where an amount of the polish is reduced, at a dark portion side of a color gamut of the printing apparatus in a device-independent color space; and a color conversion portion which converts color of an image to be input to the printing apparatus into a print color to be expressed by the polish and the colorant, wherein, among pixels constituting the image, in a pixel included in the reduction region, the color conversion portion reduces the amount of the polish compared to a pixel not included in the reduction region, and converts color of the image to the print color.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printing position adjusting method capable of performing dot adjustment value acquisition processing that can accommodate diversified user needs of recent years, and a printing system capable of achieving the adjusting method. The printing position adjusting method according to the present invention provides a plurality of types of dot adjustment value acquisition processing capable of acquiring an adjustment value for matching printing positions, and enables selection of a single appropriate dot adjustment value acquisition processing type among the plurality of types of dot adjustment value acquisition processing according to the type of the print medium to be used. Consequently, a user will be able to suitably execute dot adjustment value acquisition processing with high accuracy in correspondence with the desired high level of quality.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided with a line-type ink jet head having a plurality of blocks on each of which a set of ink ejection elements are arranged. A drive signal generating unit is configured to generate a drive voltage signal including a prepulse to be applied to the set of the ink ejection elements for each block, based on data indicating a number of times of ejecting ink to each pixel; and a first storage unit is configured to store a drive signal adjustment value to adjust a set of a voltage value of the drive voltage signal and a width of the prepulse for each block. The drive signal generating unit generates the drive voltage signal for each block, based on the drive signal adjustment value for each block read out from the first storage unit.

Abstract: A drop mass deviation measuring apparatus, a drop mass deviation measuring method, a pattern forming system, and a control method measure mass deviations of drops discharged from a plurality of drop discharge units in real time with high precision. The apparatus utilizes a plurality of drops discharged from a plurality of drop discharge units, a drop moving force providing part to provide moving forces, having directions different from discharge directions of each of the plurality of drops, to the plurality of drops, a discharged drop position detection member to acquire drop position images individually reflecting the a position of each of the plurality of drops, and a drop mass deviation measurement control part to calculate a drop discharge direction separation angle of each of the plurality of drops using the drop position images acquired by the discharged drop position detection member to measure mass deviation of each of the drops.

Abstract: To reduce the trade-off between image quality and marking speed, high-resolution data for an image is evaluated, and an output value is created based on the evaluation of the high-resolution data. The output value has a larger output spacing than the high-resolution data, and approximates an edge of a solid defined by the high-resolution data, but within an output area defined by the larger output spacing.

Abstract: A printing device includes a controlling section that converts visible information, expressed using biaxial orthogonal coordinate data, into polar coordinate data, and binarizes the polar coordinate data to generate binarized polar coordinate data. Next, the controlling section performs landing position correction on the binarized polar coordinate data, and generates ink discharge data in which displacements of landing positions of ink drops, caused by the order in which the ink drops are discharged from discharge nozzles, are corrected.

Abstract: In a multipass printing that performs a plurality of printing scans over a unit area of a print medium by using a leading head and a follower head, the multivalued image data for the leading head is distributed according to the print volume information for up to the preceding printing scan. Then, the multivalued image data for the leading head is subjected to the grayscale level reduction operation to generate binary data. Based on the binary data, the print volume information is updated, after which the multivalued image data for the follower head is distributed according to the print volume information. This causes a plurality of printing scans or a plurality of print heads, that print the same unit area, to have a correlation among them, with the result that dots on a plurality of planes when overlapped have an excellent scattering characteristic.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a recording head having plural recording elements; a characteristics information acquisition device; a correction calculation device which corrects image data using recording point positional deviation information within acquired characteristics information, and generates image data suppressing a non-uniformity streak in an output image; a nearest recording point specifying device specifying, when image density is outside an output image density range, a second recording element concerning a recording position nearest to a recording position of a first recording element corresponding to first image data outside the output image density range; a sum density calculation device calculating sum density of the first image data and second image data; an image data modification device which preserves the calculated slim density; and a drive control device controlling driving of the recording head in accordance with the corrected image data and modified image data.

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: A printing method includes the steps of: receiving a colour image and separating the colour image into a plurality of distinct colour planes; dithering a first distinct colour plane to obtain dot data for the first distinct colour plane; dithering a second distinct colour plane to obtain dot data for the second distinct colour plane; providing the dot data for the first distinct colour plane to a first print head cartridge for printing by a plurality of nozzle rows of the first print head cartridge; and providing the dot data for the second distinct colour plane to a second print head cartridge positioned downstream from the first print head cartridge in a direction of print media propagation, the dot data for the second distinct colour plane for printing by a plurality of nozzle rows of the second print head cartridge.

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: A recording apparatus includes a moving unit that can be moved in predetermined directions including a transport direction of a recording medium, a first recording processing unit that is mounted on the moving unit and performs a first recording process in which a first process solution is used for the recording medium, a second recording processing unit that is mounted on the moving unit together with the first recording processing unit and performs a second recording process, in which a second process solution that is different from the first process solution is used, for a recording processing area of the recording medium for which the first recording process is performed by the first recording processing unit, and a control unit that controls the moving unit, the first recording processing unit, and the second recording processing unit.

Abstract: In the present invention, joint sections and non-joint sections are formed in nozzle arrays of a plurality of chips arranged in a print head. Correction values for correcting input image data are calculated for reducing color difference caused by variation in the ejection characteristics of the nozzles. In this calculation of correction values, first a first correction value corresponding to first nozzles that form a color measurement area is calculated based on the color measurement value obtained by measuring the color of a discrete color measurement area included in a patch formed by a nozzle array. Next, a second correction value for correcting input image data corresponding to second nozzles of the nozzle array is calculated based on the first correction value. Different complementary processing is used when calculating the second correction value corresponding to a non-joint section, and when calculating the second correction value corresponding to a joint section.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus that can accurately and efficiently reduce color unevenness that occurs in a color image, which is formed by color mixture of a plurality of different types of inks, due to a variation in ejection characteristic among nozzles. The inks are respectively ejected from the nozzle arrays to print patches; regions where color correction for test color images should be performed are specified; a different types of color correction processing for color signals corresponding to the color correction regions are performed to print color correction patches; a color correction patch to be used is selected; on the basis of selected color correction processing, a table parameter corresponding to a nozzle is formed; when the plurality of color correction patches are formed, only correction candidate values having larger color differences than a predetermined threshold value in a uniform color space are generated for color signals.

Abstract: Provided are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of reducing color unevenness due to variations in ejection characteristics among a plurality of nozzles when printing an image using a plurality of inks. To that end, a first image which is made up a color with noticeable color unevenness and similar colors is printed onto a print medium. The user then specifies a color and a nozzle position where color unevenness has occurred. On the basis of these results, parameters are set for a correction table referenced by are MCS processor. In so doing, it becomes possible to address the factor causing the color unevenness, and mitigate the effects of color unevenness in a focused way without incurring increases in processor load, memory requirements, or processing time as compared to the case of calibrating all lattice points.

Abstract: Area information is obtained with respect to a specified color and nozzle position having color unevenness. Then, coordinate information indicating a nozzle position corresponding to the above area information is obtained in a printing head or nozzle array corresponding to an ink color relating to the specified color information. Next, the number of candidate correction values or candidate patches is obtained on the basis of nozzle coordinates obtained corresponding to the area, by referring to a table. In this table, for example, the number of candidate correction values is small at a nozzle position where an effect due to the variations of nozzle ejection characteristics such as a nozzle ejection volume is small and a change direction is constant, and the number of candidate correction values is large at a nozzle position where an effect due to variations of nozzle ejection characteristics is large.

Abstract: Restriction information on a total colorant amount for a medium is obtained. Patches at grid points in a color space corresponding to a plurality of colorants at which the total colorant amount falls within a restriction represented by the restriction information, and a patch at a point surrounded by the patches are generated. Color values are obtained by measuring the colors of the patches printed on the medium. It is determined based on a color prediction value between the grid points whether the measured color values are appropriate, and if so, a color value at a grid point at which the total colorant amount exceeds the restriction is estimated based on the measured color values. A color separation table is created based on the measured color values and the estimated value.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording method is provided. The ink-jet recording method includes (i) supplying an aqueous treatment liquid containing a fixing agent for fixing the components contained in an aqueous ink, on an art paper or a coat paper, in an amount of from ?50% to +30% with respect to the value of ?V [ml/m2] determined by the following formula (I), and (ii) recording an image by ejecting an aqueous ink containing a colorant, resin particles, an aqueous organic solvent and water, on the art paper or coat paper by an ink-jet method. In Formula (I), Vr represents a roughness index of the art paper or coat paper obtained from a measurement of liquid absorbability according to the Bristow method, and Vi represents an amount of transfer at the inflection point where the value of the absorption coefficient of the art paper or coat paper changes in the measurement of liquid absorbability according to the Bristow method.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: a first group of large nozzles which eject large droplets of liquid for a color; a second group of small nozzles which eject small droplets of the liquid for the color, the small droplets having volume smaller than the large droplets; a dot data creation device which creates dot data according to input image data; a dot data correction device which corrects the dot data if there is an abnormal nozzle in one of the first and second groups, in such a manner that a corrective nozzle is selected from the other of the first and second groups, and droplet ejection performed by the corrective nozzle substitutes for droplet ejection that is originally to be performed by the abnormal nozzle; and a driving device which drives the large and small nozzles to eject the large and small droplets according to the corrected dot data.

Abstract: A plurality of types of positional shift postulated patterns are postulated wherein the positional shift of print head tips in a printer are postulated to have positional shift directions and distances. For each of the postulated positional shift postulated patterns, a base dithering mask is generated considering the ability to produce excellent dot dispersion characteristics when this postulated positional shift has occurred. Additionally, optimal dithering masks are generated through multiply combining the sets of threshold values that comprise the base dithering masks. Doing so enables the suppression of degradation of printed image quality, even when there are positional shifts between the print heads, in a half toning process for printing using a printer that is provided with a plurality of print heads that are arranged in a line across a printing range.

Abstract: A method for printing on transparent medium using an ink-jet printer. The method includes providing a grayscale image having a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a pixel value corresponding to a brightness of the pixel; converting each pixel value to an ink output value for the ink-jet printer using a conversion function, wherein the conversion function maps the darkest pixel value to an optical density of greater than 2.5 and maps all other pixel values to an appropriate output pixel value such that a resulting printed image is perceived to be linearly bright across the image.

Abstract: Displacement information indicating a displacement amount of landing position in a main scanning direction of ink droplets discharged respectively from the nozzle of the head module of the same array of the line head of each color is acquired for each head module of the same array (steps S5, S7). Based on the displacement information and concentration information for each array, a color degree of an image when the discharge amount of ink droplets discharged from a nozzle of a head module of each color is not adjusted is specified for each head module of each array (step S9). A correction voltage value of a drive signal for the discharge of the nozzle of the head module of each color, which is suitable to return the specified color degree to “0”, is calculated (step S11) and each corresponding nozzle is driven by the drive signal of the correction voltage value.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed that includes plural heads that are arranged in a main scanning direction, the heads including plural nozzle arrays that are arranged in the main scanning direction and configured to discharge droplets of recording liquids in at least three different colors including a yellow recording liquid. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge the yellow recording liquid are separately arranged in at least two of the heads. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge a first recording liquid of the recording liquids in a first color other than yellow are arranged together in one of the heads. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge a second recording liquid of the recording liquids in a second color other than yellow are arranged together in one of the heads.

Abstract: A method of generating half tone print data is disclosed. The method starts by determining an extent of overlap caused by temperature variations of overlapping end portions of a pair of consecutive printhead segments. A dither value is also generated from a dither matrix, and the dither value is combined with the extent of overlap to produce an output value. A mathematical operation is performed on continuous tone print data based on the output value, to produce the half tone print data.

Abstract: The color printing control device outputs color material reduction processed data generated by applying a color material reduction process to each pixel of bitmaps converted to color material colors to be used in printing, when it is judged that the color material reduction printing mode is specified. The color material reduction process includes chroma conversion that reduces chroma and under-color removal/black generation that replaces at least a portion of achromatic components generated by overlaying of a plurality of color materials.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus in which in a case of tone-expressing one pixel corresponding to a plurality of areas (printing resolution) in a multi-pass print, it is possible to output a uniform image without graininess or density unevenness over all-tone regions from a low-density region to a high-density region. To this end, by referring to dot patterns in which a print or a non-print of dots onto each pixel (area) corresponding to a printing resolution are in advance defined, quantization data is converted into binary data having the higher printing resolution. At this time, the dot patterns are prepared to be different from each other for M times of scans in a multi-pass print of M passes. In consequence, it is possible to restrict a variation of a coverage ratio due to a printing position displacement in each printing scan.

Abstract: A printing apparatus that measures a consumption of a colorant during printing, includes a shade level measuring unit that measures a print shade level on a print sheet, a range segment counting unit that counts the number of print sheets falling within each of a plurality of print shade range segments based on the measurement results of the shade level measuring unit, and an output unit that outputs the count results of the range segment counting unit on a per print shade range segment basis.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a first ink-jet recording head which forms a first layer having first undulations in accordance with an image to be recorded, a second ink-jet recording head which performs image recording of the image to be recorded and a third ink-jet recording head which forms a second layer having second undulations that are also in accordance with the image to be recorded but larger than such that the first undulations of the first layer that is to be formed by the first ink-jet recording head are large and the second undulations are fine or smaller in comparison therewith.