Technique for image data recording

An image output device that receives processed image data, which has gone through a preset series of image processing, and creates dots according to the received image data to output an image, said image output device comprising:

• a control data receiving module that receives dot formation data and identification information as control data with regard to a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image, where the dot formation data is generated according to one technique selected corresponding to a detected characteristic of the pixel group to represent either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation and the identification information identifies the selected technique;
• a priority order specification module that specifies a priority order of individual pixels in the pixel group for dot creation;
• a pixel position determination module that refers to the identification information and determines positions of dot-on pixels in the pixel group, based on the dot formation data and the specified priority order;
• and
• a dot formation module that creates dots at the determined positions of dot-on pixels.

An image processing device that causes input image data representing an image to go through a preset series of image processing and thereby generates control data, which is used for control of dot formation by an image output device that creates dots and outputs a resulting processed image, said image processing device comprising:

• a pixel group setting module that sets a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image;
• a characteristic detection module that detects a characteristic of the pixel group;
• a dot formation data generation module that selects a technique corresponding to the detected characteristic of the pixel group among multiple techniques provided as possible options and generates dot formation data with regard to the pixel group according to the selected technique, where the dot formation data represents either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation;
• and
• a control data output module that outputs the dot formation data with identification information for identifying the selected technique, as the control data to said image output device.

An image output control method that makes image data subjected to a preset series of image processing and creates dots according to a result of the preset series of image processing to output an image,

• said image output control method comprising:
• a first step of setting a pixel group having a predetermined number-of multiple pixels included in the image;
• a second step of detecting a characteristic of the pixel group;
• a third step of selecting a technique corresponding to the detected characteristic of the pixel group among multiple techniques provided as possible options and generating dot formation data with regard to the pixel group according to the selected technique, where the dot formation data represents either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation;
• a fifth step of specifying a priority order of individual pixels in the pixel group for dot creation;
• a sixth step of referring to identification information and determining positions of dot-on pixels in the pixel group, based on the control data and the specified priority order;
• and
• a seventh step of creating dots at the determined positions of dot-on pixels.

An image output method that receives processed image data, which has gone through a preset series of image processing, and creates dots according to the received image data to output an image, said image output method comprising the steps of:

• (A) receiving dot formation data and identification information as control data with regard to a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image, where the dot formation data is generated according to one technique selected corresponding to a detected characteristic of the pixel group to represent either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation and the identification information identifies the selected technique;
• (B) specifying a priority order of individual pixels in the pixel group for dot creation;
• (C) referring to the identification information and determining positions of dot-on pixels in the pixel group, based on the dot formation data and the specified priority order;
• and
• (D) creating dots at the determined positions of dot-on pixels.

An image processing method that causes input image data representing an image to go through a preset series of image processing and thereby generates control data, which is used for control of dot formation by an image output device that creates dots and outputs a resulting processed image, said image processing method comprising the steps of:

• (a) setting a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image;
• (b) detecting a characteristic of the pixel group;
• (c) selecting a technique corresponding to the detected characteristic of the pixel group among multiple techniques provided as possible options and generating dot formation data with regard to the pixel group according to the selected technique, where the dot formation data represents either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation;
• and
• (d) outputting the dot formation data with identification information for identifying the selected technique, as the control data to said image output device.

A computer program product comprising a medium and an image output control program stored therein, the image output control program is executed by a computer to make image data subjected to a preset series of image processing, create dots according to a result of the preset series of image processing, and thereby output an image,

• wherein said image output control program comprises:
• a first program code for setting a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image;
• a second program code for detecting a characteristic of the pixel group;
• a third program code for selecting a technique corresponding to the detected characteristic of the pixel group among multiple techniques provided as possible options and generating dot formation data with regard to the pixel group according to the selected technique, where the dot formation data represents either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation;
• a forth program code for specifying a priority order of individual pixels in the pixel group for dot creation;
• a fifth program code for referring to identification information and determining positions of dot-on pixels in the pixel group, based on the control data and the specified priority order;
• and
• a sixth program code for creating dots at the determined positions of dot-on pixels.

A computer program product comprising a medium and an image output control program stored therein, the image output program is executed by a computer to receive processed image data, which has gone through a preset series of image processing, create dots according to the received image data, and thereby output an image,

• wherein said image output program comprises:
• a first program code for receiving dot formation data and identification information as control data with regard to a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image, where the dot formation data is generated according to one technique selected corresponding to a detected characteristic of the pixel group to represent either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation and the identification information identifies the selected technique;
• a second program code for specifying a priority order of individual pixels in the pixel group for dot creation;
• a third program code for referring to the identification information and determining positions of dot-on pixels in the pixel group, based on the dot formation data and the specified priority order;
• and
• a forth program code for creating dots at the determined positions of dot-on pixels.

A computer program product comprising a medium and an image output control program stored therein, the image processing program is executed by a computer to make input image data representing an image subjected to a preset series of image processing and thereby generate control data, which is used for control of dot formation by an image output device that creates dots and outputs a resulting processed image,

• wherein said image processing comprises:
• a first program code for setting a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image;
• a second program code for detecting a characteristic of the pixel group;
• a third program code for selecting a technique corresponding to the detected characteristic of the pixel group among multiple techniques provided as possible options and generating dot formation data with regard to the pixel group according to the selected technique, where the dot formation data represents either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation;
• and
• a forth program code for outputting the dot formation data with identification information for identifying the selected technique, as the control data to said image output device.

An image output control system comprising an image processing device that makes image data subjected to a preset series of image processing, and an image output device that creates dots according to a result of the preset series of image processing to output an image,

• said image processing device comprising:
• a generator that sets a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image;
• a detector that detects a characteristic of the pixel group;
• a data operator that selects a technique corresponding to the detected characteristic of the pixel group among multiple techniques provided as possible options and generates dot formation data with regard to the pixel group according to the selected technique, where the dot formation data represents either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation;
• and
• a data transmitter that outputs the dot formation data with identification information for identifying the selected technique, as control data to said image output device,
• said image output device comprising:
• a receiver that receives the output control data;
• a priority order operator that specifies a priority order of individual pixels in the pixel group for dot creation;
• a position operator that refers to the identification information and determines positions of dot-on pixels in the pixel group, based on the control data and the specified priority order;
• and
• a dot creator that creates dots at the determined positions of dot-on pixels.

An image output device that receives processed image data, which has gone through a preset series of image processing, and creates dots according to the received image data to output an image, said image output device comprising:

• a receiver that receives dot formation data and identification information as control data with regard to a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image, where the dot formation data is generated according to one technique selected corresponding to a detected characteristic of the pixel group to represent either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation and the identification information identifies the selected technique;
• a priority order operator that specifies a priority order of individual pixels in the pixel group for dot creation;
• a position operator that refers to the identification information and determines positions of dot-on pixels in the pixel group, based on the dot formation data and the specified priority order;
• and
• a dot creator that creates dots at the determined positions of dot-on pixels.

An image processing device that causes input image data representing an image to go through a preset series of image processing and thereby generates control data, which is used for control of dot formation by an image output device that creates dots and outputs a resulting processed image, said image processing device comprising:

• a generator that sets a pixel group having a predetermined number of multiple pixels included in the image;
• a detector that detects a characteristic of the pixel group;
• a data operator that selects a technique corresponding to the detected characteristic of the pixel group among multiple techniques provided as possible options and generates dot formation data with regard to the pixel group according to the selected technique, where the dot formation data represents either a number of dots to be created in the pixel group or positions of dot formation;
• and
• a data transmitter that outputs the dot formation data with identification information for identifying the selected technique, as control data to said image output device.