US 2012/0268752 A1 · DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, DATA PROCESSING METHOD AND INKJET PRINTING APPARATUS

Abstract

A data processing apparatus, a data processing method and an inkjet printing apparatus are offered that are capable of reducing, in any kind of image, the occurrence of color unevenness while achieving a high speed output via a bi-directional printing. In order to achieve this, forward scan print ratio and backward scan print ratio with respect to a predetermined area comprising a plurality of pixels is set based on multi-value image data of the predetermined area. Next, binary print data for the forward scans and binary print data for the backward scans at the predetermined area is generated based on the multi-value image data and the set print ratios. According to such a configuration it is possible to increase the ratio of bi-directional printing with respect to areas at which color unevenness appears with difficulty, and increase the ratio of one-directional printing at areas where color unevenness appears with ease.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A data processing apparatus for printing an image on a print medium by causing plurality of print heads, that are arranged in a main scanning direction and ejecting different inks, to eject ink based on binary print data while repeating forward scans and backward scans of said plurality of print heads in relation to said main scanning direction, comprising:

a print ratio setting unit that sets the print ratio between said forward scans and the print ratio of said backward scans with respect to a predetermined area comprising plurality of pixels based on multi-value image data of said plurality of pixels;
and
a print data generation unit that generates binary print data for said forward scans at said predetermined area and binary print data for said backward scans at said predetermined area based on said multi-value image data and said print ratio of said forward scans and said print ratio of said backward scans set by said print ratio setting unit.

A data processing method for printing an image on a print medium by causing plurality of print heads, that are arranged in a main scanning direction and eject different inks, to eject ink based on binary print data while repeating outbound scans and inbound scans of said plurality of print heads in relation to said main scanning direction, comprising:

a print ratio setting step that sets the print ratio between said forward scans and the print ratio of said backward scans with respect to a predetermined area comprising plurality of pixels based on multi-value image data of said plurality of pixels;
and
a print data generation step that generates binary print data for said forward scans at said predetermined area and binary print data for said backward scans at said predetermined area based on said multi-value image data and said print ratio of said forward scans and said print ratio of said backward scans set by said print ratio setting step.

An inkjet printing apparatus for printing an image on a print medium by causing plurality of print heads, that are arranged in a main scanning direction and eject different inks, to eject ink based on binary print data while repeating forward scans and backward scans of said plurality of print heads in relation to said main scanning direction, comprising:

a print ratio setting unit that sets the print ratio between said forward scans and the print ratio of said backward scans with respect to a predetermined area comprising plurality of pixels based on multi-value image data of said plurality of pixels;
a print data generation unit that generates binary print data for said forward scans at said predetermined area and binary print data for said backward scans at said predetermined area based on said multi-value image data and said print ratio of said forward scans and said print ratio of said backward scans set by said print ratio setting unit;
and
a unit that print an image on said print medium by causing said print head to eject ink while repeating said forward print scans and said backward print scans based on binary print data generated by said print data generation unit.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Data processing apparatus, data processing method and inkjet printing apparatus

Life of this patent

Data processing apparatus, data processing method and inkjet printing apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15