Image processing method and apparatus and recording apparatus

An image processing method of obtaining image information for recording an image by using recording materials having different densities in accordance with an image density, the method comprising:

• a step of providing a memory for storing superimpose record information concerning recording materials with different densities and corresponding to the density;
• a selection step of selecting superimpose record information stored in the memory, on the basis of a density of each pixel of an input image signal;
• a prediction step of predicting a density change of a recording material based on a change of characteristic of the recording material due to an elapse of time;
• and
• a determination step of correcting the superimpose record information selected in the selection step, on the basis of the density change predicted in the prediction step, and determining the corrected superimpose record information as recording information for recording.

A recording apparatus including a plurality of recording heads for performing recording by using recording materials having different densities, comprising:

• storage means for storing superimpose record information concerning recording materials with different densities and corresponding to an image density;
• selection means for selecting superimpose record information stored in said storage means, on the basis of a density of each pixel of an input image signal;
• prediction means for predicting a density change of a recording material based on a change of characteristic of the recording material due to an elapse of time;
• determination means for correcting the superimpose record information selected by said selection means, on the basis of the density change predicted by said prediction means, and determining the corrected superimpose record information as recording information for recording;
• and
• recording control means for recording each pixel on a recording medium by driving said plurality of recording heads in accordance with the recording information determined by said determination means.