Image processing apparatus, printing apparatus, and image processing method

A printing apparatus that, for dividing an image into a plurality of divided images to perform printing, performs printing based on print data for each of the plurality of divided images, said apparatus comprising:

• quantization means for quantizing multi-valued data of each of the plurality of divided images to be made print data of lower gradation value than the multi-valued data;
• information generation means for generating print quantity information used for correcting the multi-valued data before the quantization, based on print data obtained by the quantization;
• correcting means for correcting the multi-valued data before the quantization by using the print quantity information;
• and
• selection means for selecting the print data from respective print data of the plurality of divided images which is obtained by the quantization, by determining whether to cause said print quantity information generation means to generate the print quantity information based on the print data obtained by the quantization or not.

An image processing method that, for dividing an image into a plurality of divided images to perform printing, generates print data for each of the plurality of divided images, said method comprising:

• a quantization step of quantizing multi-valued data of each of the plurality of divided images to be made print data of lower gradation value than the multi-valued data;
• an information generation step of generating print quantity information used for correcting the multi-valued data before the quantization, based on print data obtained by the quantization;
• a correcting step of correcting the multi-valued data before the quantization by using the print quantity information;
• and
• a selection step of selecting the print data from respective print data of the plurality of divided images which is obtained by the quantization, by determining whether to cause said print quantity information generation means to generate the print quantity information based on the print data obtained by the quantization or not.

A program that is read by a computer to cause the computer to function as an image processing apparatus that, for dividing an image into a plurality of divided images to perform printing, generates print data for each of the plurality of divided images, said function comprising:

• quantization means for quantizing multi-valued data of each of the plurality of divided images to be made print data of lower gradation value than the multi-valued data;
• information generation means for generating print quantity information used for correcting the multi-valued data before the quantization, based on print data obtained by the quantization;
• correcting means for correcting the multi-valued data before the quantization by using the print quantity information;
• and
• selection means for selecting the print data from respective print data of the plurality of divided images which is obtained by the quantization, by determining whether to cause said print quantity information generation means to generate the print quantity information based on the print data obtained by the quantization or not.