Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Eri Noguchi

Yoshitomo Marumoto

Hiromitsu Yamaguchi

Tsuyoshi Shibata

Hitoshi Tsuboi

Takashi Ochiai

Ayako Uji

Ryoki Jahana

Makoto Akahira

Ryota Kato

Takeshi Egami

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&#xd7;n areas as one unit. The m&#xd7;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.

Processor, method and program for processing data using a mask pattern with print permission parts arranged at a distance of corresponding integral multiple areas

Processor, method, and program for processing data using a mask pattern with print permission parts arranged at a distance of corresponding integral multiple areas

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.

Data generation and printing with binarization pattern selected as function of pixel number corresponding to conveying amount of print medium

A recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium by scanning the recording medium with a recording head for discharging ink includes a thinning unit configured to thin data for discharging ink by the recording head on a plurality of areas formed by dividing scanning regions including at least a first scanning region and a second scanning region to be recorded each by one scan of the recording head in the scan direction, and a recording head drive unit configured to discharge ink by driving the recording head based on data which has been thinned by the thinning unit, wherein a boundary between the areas in the first scanning region is located in a different position from that of a boundary between areas in the second scanning region, which is adjacent to the first scanning region, in the scan direction.

Recording apparatus and recording method

A data processing apparatus includes a mask processor for performing a mask process for binary data, which is obtained by a binarization process using a dot arrangement pattern, by using mask patterns having print permitting pixels to generate binary data used for each of a plurality of scans of a print head to a same area of a print medium. An arrangement pattern of pixels that correspond to both of first data representing the print permitting pixels in at least one of the mask patterns and second data representing pixels to which dots are printed in the dot arrangement pattern satisfies the characteristics of (a) power spectrums of a low frequency region are smaller than power spectrums of a high frequency region, and (b) a peak of the power spectrums does not exist in a region lower side of half of the low frequency region.

Data processing apparatus, printing apparatus and method of creating mask pattern

Processor, method, and program for processing data using a mask pattern to print dots in each area in a non-periodic arrangement by using an integral multiple of the areas

An image having high quality is output, in which density unevenness due to a deflection in an ejecting direction is reduced, in an inkjet printer for forming an image by ejecting small droplets at a high frequency and high density. Thereby, in a mask pattern employed for multi-pass printing, a print permission rate of an ejection port positioned at the end of a ejection port array is set higher than those of ejection ports positioned at the other parts of the ejection port array. Thus, even if extremely small droplets are ejected at a high frequency and high-density, the generated density unevenness is reduced, and an image excellent in uniformity and having high definition can be output at a high speed.

Inkjet printer and inkjet printing method

The print permitting ratios of the masks in the first to fourth passes of a C ink are respectively 6.2%, 37.5%, 37.5%, and 18.8%. On the other hand, the print permitting ratios of the masks in the first to fourth passes of an M ink are respectively 12.5%, 37.5%, 37.5%, and 12.5%. In this way, the respective masks are set such that a larger amount of the C ink is applied in a later pass as compared with the M ink. Thereby, it is possible to reduce an amount of the M ink to be applied later with respect to the C ink functioning to 'reduce a permeation speed of an ink applied later by filling,' and it is possible to prevent a permeation speed from slowing down overall. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of beading due to a time to complete permeation becoming longer.

Ink-jet printing apparatus and ink-jet printing method

An image is output, the image having high quality in which density unevenness due to an end-deviation is excellently reduced in all colors in forming an image with use of a bidirectional inkjet printing head provided with ejection port arrays of a plurality of colors for small droplets of ink. Thereby, distributions of print permission rates of mask patterns to be used in performing a multi-pass printing are made different from each other in accordance with a distance between the two ejection port arrays for the same kind of ink. Thus, the degree of the end-deviation depending on the distance between the two ejection port arrays can be suppressed for every ejection port array.

There is provided an ink jet printing apparatus capable of printing an image having few joining stripes. Dot count is performed regarding an image printed in the vicinity of the joining stripe, and print duty is judged. Next, a dot count value is determined from the print duty. Then, a print data correction rank is determined beforehand in accordance with properties of the printing apparatus, and image data to be printed in the vicinity of the joining stripe is added or thinned out. Thus, an image can be printed which has few black and white stripes.

Image processing method and ink jet printing apparatus

The present invention allows a high-speed printing by a print head in which nozzles are arranged with a high density to reduce eddy flow caused between the print head and a print medium, providing an image with a high quality. Thus, the present invention allows the same printing region of the print medium to be sequentially printed by the respective nozzle arrays provided in the print head in accordance with image data thinned-out by the mask pattern M, thereby completing the image by multi-pass. Then, a plurality of pieces of image printed to be printed to the same printing region at which the nozzle arrays pass in one pass are alternately thinned-out by different high and low thinning-out ratios in the direction in which the nozzles are arranged.

Ink jet printing method and ink jet printing apparatus

A data processing apparatus includes a mask processor for performing a mask process for binary data, which is obtained by a binarization process using a dot arrangement pattern, by using mask patterns having print permitting pixels to generate binary data used for each of a plurality of scans of a print head to a same area of a print medium. A logical product pattern obtained by a logical product operation of an arrangement pattern of the print permitting pixels in at least one of the mask patterns and the dot arrangement pattern satisfies the characteristics of (a) frequency components of a low frequency region are fewer than that of a high frequency region, and (b) peaks of the frequency components do not exist in a region lower side of half of the low frequency region.

Beading caused by interferences between block patterns, which are driving patterns of two nozzle arrays at the time of printing with the use of the two nozzle arrays for the same color, and a mask is reduced. Specifically, when the mask is created, repulsive potentials are calculated between the mask and planes with the block patterns. That is, when a placement of a print permitting area in the mask is determined, the repulsive potentials are calculated between the mask and dots in the planes with the block patterns, and then the print permitting area is placed on the most dispersive position with the lowest energy. This allows the print permitting areas to be well dispersed in terms of the overlaps between the block patterns and the mask.

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Yokohama, Japan

Eri Noguchi