Image processing apparatus and method for quantizing first and second multi-valued data

An image processing method for processing data used for printing an image on a print medium with use of multiple inks, the image processing method being executed by one or more processors and comprising the following steps of:

• acquiring first multi-valued data corresponding to a first colored ink to be precedently applied to a same area of the print medium among the multiple inks, and second multi-valued data corresponding to a second colored ink to be applied to the print medium succeedingly to the first colored ink among the multiple inks;
• quantizing the first multi-valued data to generate first quantized data representing printing or non-printing of a dot of the first colored ink, and quantizing the second multi-valued data to generate second quantized data representing printing or non-printing of dot of the second colored ink,
• wherein, in the quantizing step, (i) quantizing the first multi-valued data is based on a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and not based on the second multi-valued data, and (ii) quantizing the second multi-valued data is based on both of a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and the first multi-valued data, and
• wherein, in the quantizing step, quantizing the first multi-valued data and the second multi-valued data so as to, on the same area of the print medium, make dispersibility of dots to be printed based on the first quantized data higher than dispersibility of dots to be printed based on the second quantized data;
• and
• printing the image on the print medium based on the first quantized data and the second quantized data.

An image processing apparatus for processing data used for printing an image on a print medium with use of multiple inks, the image processing apparatus comprising:

• one or more processors and one or more memories storing code of a computer program that, when executed, causes the one or more processors to perform the following steps:
• acquiring first multi-valued data corresponding to a first colored ink to be precedently applied to a same area of the print medium among the multiple inks, and second multi-valued data corresponding to a second colored ink to be applied to the print medium succeedingly to the first colored ink among the multiple inks;
• quantizing the first multi-valued data to generate first quantized data representing printing or non-printing of dot of the first colored ink, and quantizing the second multi-valued data to generate second quantized data representing printing or non-printing of dot of the second colored ink,
• wherein, in the quantizing step, (i) quantizing the first multi-valued data is based on a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and not based on the second multi-valued data, and (ii) quantizing the second multi-valued data is based on both of a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and the first multi-valued data, and
• wherein, in the quantizing step, the first multi-valued data and the second multi-valued data are quantized in a case where the dot of the first ink and the second ink at least partially overlap each other on the same area of the print medium,
• and wherein the quantizing step further comprises:
• changing an amount of a relative difference between the threshold value and the second multi-valued data based on the first multi-valued data;
• a generation step of generating the second quantized data on a basis of the amount of the relative difference, that results from the changing in the changing step, between the threshold value and the second multi-valued data;
• and
• printing the image on the print medium based on the first quantized data and the second quantized data.

An image processing method for processing data used for printing an image on a print medium with use of multiple inks, the image processing method being executed by one or more processors and comprising the steps of:

• acquiring first multi-valued data corresponding to a first colored ink to be precedently applied to a same area of the print medium among the multiple inks, and second multi-valued data corresponding to a second colored ink to be applied to the print medium succeedingly to the first colored ink among the multiple inks;
• and
• quantizing the first multi-valued data to generate first quantized data representing printing or non-printing of a dot of the first colored ink, and quantizing the second multi-valued data to generate second quantized data representing printing or non-printing of a dot of the second colored ink,
• wherein, in the quantizing step, (i) quantizing the first multi-valued data is based on a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and not based on the second multi-valued data, and (ii) quantizing the second multi-valued data is based on both of a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and the first multi-valued data, and
• wherein, in the quantizing step, quantizing the first multi-valued data and the second multi-valued data is performed in a case where the dot of the first ink and the second ink at least partially overlap each other on the same area of the print medium,
• and wherein the quantizing step further includes:
• a changing step of changing an amount of a difference between the threshold value and the second multi-valued data based on the first multi-valued data;
• a generation step of generating the second quantized data on a basis of the amount of the difference, that results from the changing in the changing step, between the threshold value and the second multi-valued data;
• and
• printing the image on the print medium based on the first quantized data and the second quantized data.

An image processing apparatus for processing data used for printing an image on a print medium with use of multiple inks, the image processing apparatus comprising:

• one or more processors and one or more memories storing code of a computer program that, when executed, causes the one or more processors to perform the following steps:
• acquiring first multi-valued data corresponding to a first colored ink to be precedently applied to a same area of the print medium among the multiple inks, and second multi-valued data corresponding to a second colored ink to be applied to the print medium succeedingly to the first colored ink among the multiple inks;
• quantizing the first multi-valued data to generate first quantized data representing printing or non-printing of dot of the first colored ink, and quantizing the second multi-valued data to generate second quantized data representing printing or non-printing of dot of the second colored ink,
• wherein, in the quantizing, (i) quantizing the first multi-valued data is based on a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and not based on the second multi-valued data, and (ii) quantizing the second multi-valued data is based on both of a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and the first multi-valued data, and
• wherein the threshold value matrix is formed so as to keep power in a low frequency range lower than power in a high frequency range in a dot pattern to be printed in accordance with each of the first quantized data and the second quantized data, when each of values of the first multi-valued data and the second multi-valued data indicates middle gradation;
• and
• printing the image on the print medium based on the first quantized data and the second quantized data.

An image processing apparatus for processing data used for printing an image on a print medium with use of multiple inks, the image processing apparatus comprising:

• one or more processors and one or more memories storing code of a computer program that, when executed, causes the one or more processors to perform the following steps:
• acquiring first multi-valued data corresponding to a first colored ink to be precedently applied to a same area of the print medium among the multiple inks, and second multi-valued data corresponding to a second colored ink to be applied to the print medium succeedingly to the first colored ink among the multiple inks;
• quantizing the first multi-valued data to generate first quantized data representing printing or non-printing of dot of the first colored ink, and quantizing the second multi-valued data to generate second quantized data representing printing or non-printing of dot of the second colored ink,
• wherein, in the quantizing step, (i) quantizing the first multi-valued data is based on a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and not based on the second multi-valued data, (ii) quantizing the second multi-valued data is based on both of a threshold value matrix configured by arraying multiple threshold values and the first multi-valued data, and
• wherein the threshold value matrix is formed so as to keep power in a low frequency range in an arrangement of first pixels lower than power in a low frequency range in an arrangement of second pixels, the first pixels being pixels on which lower threshold value than a predetermined value are determined, and the second pixels being pixels on which higher threshold value than the predetermined value are determined;
• and
• printing the image on the print medium based on the first quantized data and the second quantized data.