Threshold matrix generation method, image data generation method, image data generation apparatus, image recording apparatus, and threshold matrix

A threshold matrix generation method of generating a threshold matrix that is compared with a multi-tone original image when halftoning said original image, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which an angle formed by said row direction and a direction in which a linear area that includes said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element extends is 45 degrees.

An image data generation method of generating image data, comprising the steps of:

• generating a threshold matrix;
• and
• generating halftone image data in which a multi-tone original image is halftoned by comparing said original image with said threshold matrix,
• wherein said step of generating said threshold matrix includes the steps of:
• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which said each determined matrix element is located in the same position as said undetermined matrix element with respect to said row direction or said column direction.

An image data generation method of generating image data, comprising the steps of:

• generating a threshold matrix;
• and
• generating halftone image data in which a multi-tone original image is halftoned by comparing said original image with said threshold matrix,
• wherein said step of generating said threshold matrix includes the steps of:
• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which an angle formed by said row direction and a direction in which a linear area that includes said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element extends is 45 degrees.

An image data generation apparatus for generating image data, comprising:

• a matrix storage part that stores a threshold matrix;
• and
• an image data generation part that generates halftone image data in which a multi-tone original image is halftoned by comparing said original image with said threshold matrix,
• wherein said threshold matrix is generated by executing the steps of:
• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which said each determined matrix element is located in the same position as said undetermined matrix element with respect to said row direction or said column direction.

An image data generation apparatus for generating image data, comprising:

• a matrix storage part that stores a threshold matrix;
• and
• an image data generation part that generates halftone image data in which a multi-tone original image is halftoned by comparing said original image with said threshold matrix,
• wherein said threshold matrix is generated by executing the steps of:
• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which an angle formed by said row direction and a direction in which a linear area that includes said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element extends is 45 degrees.

An image recording apparatus comprising:

• a dot output element that records a dot at a dot recording position on a recording medium;
• a movement mechanism that moves said dot recording position on said recording medium relative to said recording medium;
• a matrix storage part that stores a threshold matrix;
• an image data generation part that generates halftone image data in which a multi-tone original image is halftoned by comparing said original image with said threshold matrix;
• and
• an output control part that controls output of said dot output element based on said halftone image data in parallel with movement of said dot recording position on said recording medium relative to said recording medium,
• wherein said threshold matrix is generated by executing the steps of:
• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which said each determined matrix element is located in the same position as said undetermined matrix element with respect to said row direction or said column direction.

An image recording apparatus comprising:

• a dot output element that records a dot at a dot recording position on a recording medium;
• a movement mechanism that moves said dot recording position on said recording medium relative to said recording medium;
• a matrix storage part that stores a threshold matrix;
• an image data generation part that generates halftone image data in which a multi-tone original image is halftoned by comparing said original image with said threshold matrix;
• and
• an output control part that controls output of said dot output element based on said halftone image data in parallel with movement of said dot recording position on said recording medium relative to said recording medium,
• wherein said threshold matrix is generated by executing the steps of:
• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which an angle formed by said row direction and a direction in which a linear area that includes said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element extends is 45 degrees.

A computer-readable storage medium that records a threshold matrix that is compared with a multi-tone original image when halftoning said original image,

• said threshold matrix being generated by executing the steps of:
• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which said each determined matrix element is located in the same position as said undetermined matrix element with respect to said row direction or said column direction.

A computer-readable storage medium that records a threshold matrix that is compared with a multi-tone original image when halftoning said original image,

• said threshold matrix being generated by executing the steps of:
• a) obtaining an evaluation value element for a given undetermined matrix element in a matrix area based on a positional relationship between each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element while taking into consideration repetitive application of a threshold matrix when halftoning an original image, said undetermined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in a turn-on order has not been determined, said turn-on order indicating an order in which dots are added with increasing tone level, said matrix area being an area where said threshold matrix is generated and in which a plurality of matrix elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, said determined matrix element being a matrix element whose position in said turn-on order has been determined;
• b) adding up an evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element so as to obtain an evaluation value for said undetermined matrix element;
• c) performing said steps a) and b) for all undetermined matrix elements;
• d) determining, in said turn-on order, a position of an undetermined matrix element that is most highly evaluated based on the evaluation value among said all undetermined matrix elements;
• e) repeating said steps a) through d) until positions of said all undetermined matrix elements in said turn-on order are determined;
• and
• f) determining a threshold value of each matrix element in said matrix area in accordance with said turn-on order,
• wherein, at least in a case where a ratio of the number of determined matrix elements to the number of said plurality of matrix elements is within a predetermined range, said step a) includes the steps of:
• a1) obtaining said evaluation value element based on a distance in said row direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element and a distance in said column direction between said undetermined matrix element and said each determined matrix element;
• and
• a2) if said positional relationship between said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element is a predetermined specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is more highly evaluated based on said evaluation value, and if said positional relationship is not said specific positional relationship, correcting said evaluation value element regarding said each determined matrix element such that said undetermined matrix element is less evaluated based on said evaluation value,
• said specific positional relationship being a relationship in which an angle formed by said row direction and a direction in which a linear area that includes said each determined matrix element and said undetermined matrix element extends is 45 degrees.