Image processor and image processing method

An image processor for processing input image data that corresponds to a pixel area on a printing medium in order to print in that pixel area by a plurality of relative movements between a plurality of printing element groups that print dots of the same color and the printing medium, comprising:

• a generation unit configured to perform a generation process for generating from the input image data a plurality of density data that corresponds to the plurality of printing element groups;
• and
• a quantization unit configured to perform a quantization process on each of the plurality of density data, wherein
• at least one of the generation process and the quantization process is performed so that the ratio of the number of dots that are to overlap and be printed in the same position in a pixel area by the plurality of printing element groups with respect to the total number of dots to be printed in a pixel area by the plurality of printing element groups differs according to an image characteristic of the input image data.

An image processing method for processing input image data that corresponds to a pixel area on a printing medium in order to print in that pixel area by a plurality of relative movements between a printing unit that prints dots and the printing medium, comprising step of:

• performing a generation process for generating from the input image data a plurality of density data that corresponds to the plurality of relative movements;
• and
• performing a quantization process on each of the plurality of density data, wherein
• at least one of the generation process and the quantization process is performed so that the ratio of the number of dots that are to overlap and be printed in the same position in a pixel area by the plurality of relative movements with respect to the total number of dots to be printed in a pixel area by the plurality of relative movements differs according to an image characteristic of the input image data.

An image processing method for processing input image data that corresponds to a pixel area on a printing medium in order to print in that pixel area by a plurality of relative movements between a plurality of printing element groups that prints dots of the same color and the printing medium, comprising steps of:

• performing a generation process for generating from the input image data a plurality of density data that corresponds to the plurality of printing element groups;
• and
• performing a quantization process on each of the plurality of density data, wherein
• at least one of the generation process and the quantization process is performed so that the ratio of the number of dots that are to overlap and be printed in the same position in a pixel area by the plurality of printing element groups with respect to the total number of dots to be printed in a pixel area by the plurality of printing element groups differs according to an image characteristic of the input image data.