Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100141699 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND DITHER MASK - Provided is a printing apparatus that performs printing by moving a print head in main scan directions and sub scan directions relative to a printing medium, including: an input unit that inputs image data constituting an image; a halftone processing unit that converts the input image data to dot data indicating whether or not dots are formed; and a printing unit that performs printing by controlling ejection of ink from the print head based on the result of the halftone process, wherein, in a printing area where an ink duty is in a predetermined range, the printing unit forms dots by forward movement in which the print head relatively moves in one direction of the main scan directions and backward movement in which the print head relatively moves in the direction opposite to the one direction so that a forward-moving dot occurrence ratio that is a ratio of forming the dots by the forward movement and a backward-moving dot occurrence ratio that is a ratio of forming the dots by the backward movement are gradually increased with a biased magnitude relation as the ink duty is increased. | 06-10-2010 |
20100259791 | INK JET PRINTING APPARATUS AND PRINTING METHOD - Provided is an ink jet printing apparatus capable of printing halftone image data representing a halftone image including at least color components of cyan, magenta, and yellow, the ink jet printing apparatus including: an input unit which is used to input the halftone image data; a smoothing unit which creates smoothing image data by performing a smoothing process only on the yellow component in the halftone image data or performing a smoothing process having a smoothing degree relatively stronger than those of other color components on the yellow component; and a printing control unit which controls execution of a printing process on the basis of the smoothing image data. | 10-14-2010 |
20100259793 | PRINTING APPARATUS, PRINTING METHOD AND METHOD OF GENERATING DITHER MASK - A printing apparatus is provided with a halftone unit performing a halftone process in which a possibility of dot formation is determined for each pixel based on a dot occurrence rate of the pixel constituting image data, and a printing unit forming dots on a recording medium based on the possibility of dot formation. The halftone unit predicts the occurrence of dot overlap in which a plurality of dots overlaps on the printing medium and performs the halftone process based on an evaluation index according to the dot overlap. | 10-14-2010 |
20110063684 | PRINTING APPARATUS, PRINTING DATA GENERATING APPARATUS, PRINTING METHOD AND PROGRAM THEREOF - A printing apparatus is adapted to perform printing of image data corresponding to a plurality of pixels representing a predetermined image. The printing apparatus includes a halftone processing section including a comparison section and an error diffusion section. The comparison section is configured to compare, for at least one of the pixels, a related grayscale value relating to a data grayscale value of the input image data with a corresponding one of a plurality of thresholds included in a dither mask. The error diffusion section is configured to generate dot data for indicating the presence or absence of formation of a dot in each of the pixels according to an error diffusion method, on the basis of the data grayscale values of the input image data, and to control the easiness of the dot formation according to the error diffusion method, on the basis of a comparison result of the comparison section. | 03-17-2011 |
20110242174 | PRINTING DEVICE, PRINTING METHOD, AND PRINT DATA CREATION PROGRAM - A printing device for discharging ink from a print head to print an image includes a detection unit configured to detect pixels of at least a high-concentration side of an edge of the image as edge pixels based on image data including plurality of pixels, a halftone processing unit configured to create dot data expressing whether or not dots are formed based on the image data, and a printing unit configured to print the image by combining together dots formed at multiple different timings in a common print region of a print medium. The halftone processing unit is configured to create the dot data so that dots are formed disproportionately towards one of the multiple timings in positions on the print medium where dots corresponding to the edge pixels are formed. | 10-06-2011 |
20120242734 | PRINTING DEVICE AND PRINTING METHOD - When dot data indicating whether or not a dot is to be formed is formed on the basis of the gradation value for each pixel, dots belonging to a plurality of pixel groups having different printing conditions are printed in a common region in an overlapping manner, and the distribution of dots in the common region has a noise characteristic possessing a peak in the spatial frequency region on the high-frequency side. In a case where first and second pixels belonging to two pixel groups are proximal pixels in the common region in a predetermined gradation range in which probabilities k1 and k2 at which a dot is formed in the first and second pixels are such that k1<0.5 and k2<0.5, a probability K of a dot in both of the proximal pixels is set to be close to k1·k2. | 09-27-2012 |
20130135684 | PRINTING SYSTEM - A host computer generates pseudo-pixels by grouping pixels together. RGB representative values are assigned to the pseudo-pixels, which are then transferred to a printer. Meanwhile, for pixels that configured pseudo-pixels having an edge strength selected so that the transfer data amount is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the host computer carries out a halftone process and then transfers the dot data generated as a result to the printer. The printer then prints based on the transferred dot data and the representative values. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135685 | PRINTING SYSTEM AND PRINTING SYSTEM PROGRAM - A host computer groups a plurality of pixels to generate pseudo pixels, assigns representative values in an RGB format to the pseudo pixels, and transfers the representative values to a printer. Further, the host computer performs halftone processing and transfers generated dot data to the printer for pixels constituting the pseudo pixel which includes edges therein or of which boundary is the edge. The printer performs printing by using the transferred dot data and the representative values. | 05-30-2013 |
20140177003 | PRINTING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, CONTROL PROGRAM THEREOF, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF PRINTING MATERIAL - A printing apparatus is provided with a CPU. The CPU generates dot data where dots are regularly distributed and arranged in a case where gradation values which are represented by image data are a predetermined value or less by using a dither mask where thresholds are set for each printing pixel and comparing the gradation values of each of the pixels which configure the original image and the thresholds for each of the printing pixels which are set in the dither mask, and generates the dot data such that the degree of regularity of the dots which are distributed and arranged is reduced as the gradation values are increased in a case where the gradation values which are represented by the image data exceed the predetermined value through execution of a dot data generating module. | 06-26-2014 |
20140218431 | PRINTING DEVICE, PRINTING METHOD AND PROGRAM THEREOF - A printing device includes the following features. The first dot group in which dots are formed based on the first printing condition and the second dot group in which dots are formed based on a printing condition which is different from the first printing condition are formed together in a common region. In the common region, when the printing is performed in a plurality of conditions such that a difference of the dot pitch between a formation position of dots belonging to the first pixel group and a formation position of dots belonging to the second pixel group is 2/720 inch to 5/720 inch, the change in CIEL*a*b* of the printed image is within the preliminary determined range. | 08-07-2014 |
20140268241 | IMAGE DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, PRINT APPARATUS, AND PRINT SYSTEM - An image data processing apparatus processes previously halftoned data that has been halftoned so that a proportion of dot formation corresponding to gradation values of an image reaches a first dot generation rate, as image data representative of the image. The image data processing apparatus includes a re-halftone processing unit configured to carry out a re-halftone process by using an error diffusion technique based on first gradation values corresponding to ON-dots in the previously halftoned data, and an ON-dot gradation value setting unit configured to set second gradation values corresponding to the ON-dots in the re-halftone process using the error diffusion technique, such that the dot generation rate in the re-halftone process reaches a second dot generation rate different from the first dot generation rate | 09-18-2014 |
20140313251 | PRINTING DEVICE AND PRINTING METHOD - When dot data indicating whether or not a dot is to be formed is formed based on the gradation value for each pixel forming an image, dots belonging to a plurality of pixel groups are printed in a common region in an overlapping manner, and the distribution of dots formed in the common region has a noise characteristic possessing a peak in the spatial frequency region on the high-frequency side. In a case where first and second pixels belonging, respectively, to two pixel groups are proximal pixels in the common region in a predetermined gradation range in which probabilities k1 and k2 at which a dot is formed in the first and second pixels are such that k1<0.5 and k2<0.5, a probability K of a dot being formed in both of the proximal pixels is set to be close to k1·k2. | 10-23-2014 |
20140362415 | PRINTING APPARATUS, PRINTING METHOD, AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - The printing apparatus includes a comparator, a threshold setting section, and an error diffusion section. The comparator compares a first threshold which is aligned with a dither mask and the image data. The threshold setting section sets a second threshold which is used in the error diffusion method to one of a low threshold and a high threshold according to results of the comparing, and sets the low threshold to a value which is smaller than a gradation range of the image data in at least a low gradation area when it is determined that the image data exceeds the first threshold. The error diffusion section generates the dot data and to calculate distribution to pixels in the vicinity of gradation errors by comparing correction data where error distribution in the image data is complete using the error diffusion method and the low threshold or the high threshold. | 12-11-2014 |
20140362416 | PRINTING APPARATUS, PRINTING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - A printing apparatus includes a dot data generating section configured to: compare a first threshold which is aligned with a dither mask and a corresponding gradation value which corresponds with the image data which is input; generate the dot data by determining that dots are to be formed in a case where it is determined that the corresponding gradation value exceeds the first threshold and generate the dot data by determining the forming of dots due to application of an error diffusion method by comparing correction data, where error diffusion in the image data is complete, and a second threshold in a case where it is determined that the corresponding gradation value does not exceed the first threshold as a result of the comparing; and diffuse errors, which occur as a result of generating the dot data, to pixels in a predetermined range in the vicinity in both cases. | 12-11-2014 |
20150015914 | PRINTING APPARATUS, PRINTING METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND PROGRAM - A printing apparatus includes an input unit, a color converting section, a head, a gradation number converting processing section, a printing section, and a gradation number converting processing section. The gradation number converting processing section converts the ink amount data into an expected value for forming each of the dots for each of the inks with the hues and generates dot data which represents whether or not each of the dots is formed for each of the pixels based on the expected value. The gradation number converting processing section includes a dot converting section configured to perform converting, where the expected value for forming of dots in the plurality of types is determined from the ink amount data, according to the color image data in at least a portion of the color image data for at least one of the inks with the hues. | 01-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080211844 | Determination of ink ejection amount error for a printer - A plurality of same ink nozzle arrays are provided, and multiple color patches are printed with mutually different dot recording rates respectively using one of the same ink nozzle arrays. Color specification value of the plurality of color patches is measured for each same ink nozzle array. The ink ejection amount error of each same ink nozzle array is determined based on the color specification values of the plurality of color patches for each same ink nozzle array. It is also possible to select among the plurality of color patches a preferable color patch that is closest to a specified reference color patch, and to determine the ink ejection amount error from the dot recording rate of the preferable color patch. | 09-04-2008 |
20090147283 | Ejecion control of quality-enhancing ink - A printing control method of generating print data to be supplied to a print unit capable of forming dots on a print medium by ejecting ink droplets of at least one type of colored ink containing a color material and a quality-enhancing ink for enhancing quality of a printed material. The printing control method comprises a tone-decreasing step which includes the step of generating transparent dot data by a process configured such that size of first processing-targeted pixels is larger than size of second processing-targeted pixels, the first processing-targeted pixels being targeted for processing in the transparent dot data generating process, the second processing-targeted pixels being targeted for processing in the colored dot data generating process. | 06-11-2009 |
20100284030 | Color conversion apparatus, color conversion method, color change program and recording medium - There is provided a color conversion table having a plurality of pieces of reference color image data making correspondence between color data for a first image device and color data for a second image device and including a specified total information amount. The color conversion table is used to distribute the reference color image data over a prescribed area in a specified color space. Color data information for each reference color image data is increased more than a specified amount within a limit of the specified total information amount. Further, a color conversion table is created using an original table which highly accurately defines colors in part of the table. If such color conversion tables are referenced for color conversion, it is possible to suppress the storage capacity, provide color matching, and perform high accuracy color conversion. | 11-11-2010 |
20110032574 | Image output system for outputting image based on information of number of dots to be formed in predetermined area - 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. The dot number data does not include information on the positions of the dot-on pixels and has a small data volume, thus enabling high-speed data transfer. The dot number data is readily obtained by simply referring to the conversion table. This leads to high-speed output of high-quality image data. The technique of the invention thus enables easy and high-speed output of a high-quality image. | 02-10-2011 |
20110122425 | Technique for Image Data Recording - In an image output control system, an image processing device processes image data in accordance with a preset series of image processing and supplies processed image data to an image output device, which outputs the processed image. The image processing device determines the number of dots to be created in each pixel group, which has a preset number of multiple pixels included in an image, and outputs the number of dots as dot number data to the output device. In response to the dot number data, the output device selects one among multiple options for a priority order of individual pixels included in each pixel group, determines the positions of dot-on pixels in the pixel group, and creates dots at the determined positions of the dot-on pixels to output an image. In the image output control system, the image processing device supplies the dot number data to the output device. | 05-26-2011 |
20110141527 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND PRINTING APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING BIDIRECTIONAL PRINTING - A printing apparatus performs printing on a print medium. The printing apparatus includes: a dot data generator that performs a halftone process on image data, wherein the print image is formed by mutually combining print pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel position groups for which a physical difference is assumed at a formation of dots by the print image generator, in a common print area, and the halftone process is configured to determine the status of dot formation on each of the print pixels on an assumption of the physical difference. | 06-16-2011 |
20110149304 | Image Output Control System, Image Processing Device, and Image Processing Method - In an image output control system, 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 image. The image processing device collects a number of pixels among pixels constituting the image to one pixel group, specifies a 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, which stores multiple priority orders of pixels for dot formation in each pixel group. The image output device receives the output dot number data, selects one priority order among the stored multiple priority orders, determines position of each dot-on pixel in each pixel group, and actually creates a dot at the determined position of each dot-on pixel, so as to output a resulting image. Even when an image includes a large number of pixels, this arrangement ensures quick data supply and thereby high-speed image output. | 06-23-2011 |