Image processing and ink-jet recording apparatus for carrying out processing for reducing amount of ink delivered from recording apparatus to recording medium

An image processing method for processing image data output to an ink-jet recording apparatus for performing color recording using inks of a plurality of colors, comprising steps of:

• applying the processing of thinning dots recorded with the inks of the plurality of colors to image data corresponding to each of the inks of the plurality of colors;
• and
• generating recording data for performing recording with the inks of the plurality of colors based on the image data processed in the applying the processing,
• wherein, in the applying the processing, thinning processing for image data corresponding to a chromatic ink from among the plurality of inks differs from thinning processing for image data corresponding to an achromatic ink from among the plurality of inks.

An image processing apparatus for processing image data output to an ink-jet recording apparatus for performing color recording using inks of a plurality of colors, comprising:

• a color-conversion processing section configured to convert input data into data corresponding to each of the plurality of colors;
• a gamma correction section configured to apply gamma correction to the data corresponding to each of the plurality of colors;
• and
• a quantization processing section configured to convert the data subjected to gamma correction by the gamma correction section into quantized data,
• wherein the gamma correction section performs correction to decrease a grayscale value represented by data,
• causes gamma correction for data corresponding to a chromatic ink from among the plurality of inks to differ from gamma correction for data corresponding to an achromatic ink from among the plurality of inks, and
• applies a smaller amount of correction to the data corresponding to the achromatic ink at a higher gray level than at a lower gray level.

An image processing method for processing image data output to an ink-jet recording apparatus for performing color recording using inks of a plurality of colors, comprising steps of:

• converting input image data into data corresponding to each of the plurality of colors;
• applying gamma correction to the data corresponding to each of the plurality of colors;
• and
• converting the data subjected to gamma correction into quantized data for each ink,
• wherein, in the applying gamma correction, correction for decreasing a grayscale value represented by data is performed,
• gamma correction for data corresponding to a chromatic ink from among the plurality of inks differs from gamma correction for data corresponding to an achromatic ink from among the plurality of inks, and
• a smaller amount of correction is applied to the data corresponding to the achromatic ink at a higher gray level than at a lower gray level.

A printer driver executed by a computer device that can be connected to an ink-jet recording apparatus for performing color recording using inks of a plurality of colors to output image data to the recording apparatus via an interface, the printer driver including program code executing steps of:

• converting input image data into data corresponding to each of the plurality of colors;
• applying gamma correction to the data corresponding to each of the plurality of colors;
• and
• converting the data subjected to gamma correction into binary data for each ink,
• wherein, in the applying gamma correction, correction for decreasing a grayscale value represented by data is performed,
• gamma correction for data corresponding to a chromatic ink from among the plurality of inks differs from gamma correction for data corresponding to an achromatic ink from among the plurality of inks, and
• a smaller amount of correction is applied to the data corresponding to the achromatic ink at a higher gray level than at a lower gray level.

An ink-jet recording apparatus for performing color recording using inks of a plurality of colors based on data sent from an externally connected computer device, comprising:

• a thinning unit configured to thin received data;
• and
• a recording unit configured to perform recording using the inks of the plurality of colors based on the data thinned by the thinning unit,
• wherein the thinning unit causes thinning processing for image data corresponding to a chromatic ink from among the plurality of inks to differ from thinning processing for image data corresponding to an achromatic ink from among the plurality of inks.

A recording control method in an ink-jet recording apparatus for performing color recording using inks of a plurality of colors based on data sent from an externally connected computer device, the recording control method comprising steps of:

• receiving data from the computer device;
• thinning the received data;
• and
• performing recording based on the data thinned in the thinning,
• wherein, in the thinning, thinning processing for image data corresponding to a chromatic ink from among the plurality of inks differs from thinning processing for image data corresponding to an achromatic ink from among the plurality of inks.