Method of predicting and processing image fine structures

Abstract

A method of predicting and processing image fine structures which, by simulating the interference-generated image fine structures with a continuous-tone printer or a display, enables the image fine structures to be predicted as faithfully as can be achieved by high quality machines without sacrificing the advantages of the continuous-tone printer or display (i.e., convenience in handling and the low costs of materials and machine), thus ensuring that moiré, line discontinuities, imperfections in straight lines and other image fine structures that will appear in a printed document can be predicted on a hard or soft proof in an accurate and convenient way within a short time, and which also ensures that the intensity of moiré and other peculiar patterns that occur can be freely adjusted in accordance with the type of the printing machine to be used. The pixel values of the original image separated into pixels for each of the CMY or CMYK plates are converted to pixel values for predicting image fine structures which will appear in a printed halftone image, characterized in that the values of the pixel to be converted and neighboring pixels are subjected to weighted averaging with adjustable weights dependent on the period of grid units that is determined by the screen ruling and screen angle for said printed halftone image.

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