CN100440920C

CN100440920C - Image output control system, image output device, and image processing device

Info

Publication number: CN100440920C
Application number: CNB2004800080570A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 角谷繁明
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2003-03-27
Filing date: 2004-03-29
Publication date: 2008-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2024-03-29
Also published as: CN101299796A; CN1765117A; CN101299796B

Abstract

The invention provides an image output control system for processing image data with an image processing device and transmitting the obtained data to an image output device for outputting the image. In the image processing device, a predetermined number of pixels constituting the image is grouped into a pixel group and the number of dots formed in the pixel group is calculated. Data on the dot count obtained is output to the image output device. The image output device stores a plurality of sequences of pixels for each of which a dot is formed in the pixel group. Upon reception of the data on the dot count, one sequence is selected and the pixel position within the pixel group is determined, after which a dot is formed at the pixel position and an image is output. Thus, the data on the dot count is supplied from the image processing device to the image output device. Accordingly, even for an image consisting of a plenty of pixels, data can be supplied rapidly and the image can be output rapidly.

Description

Image output control system, image autput device and image-processing system

Technical field

The present invention relates to pictorial data implement the technology of output image after the fixed image processing, in detail, relating to will be through the pictorial data of image processing rapidly to the image autput device transmission, thereby makes the technology of rapidization of output of image.

Background technology

On various output mediums such as print media and liquid crystal panel, form image point, thus the image autput device of performance image, and the output device as various visual machines is used widely.In these image autput devices, image is subdivided into the state processing of the zonule that is called " pixel ", forms image point on these pixels.When on pixel, forming image point, undoubtedly,, can only become and form image point or do not form some states in the image point each pixel., from whole image, but might produce the zone of the dense formation of image point and the zone of sparse formation.Like this, by changing the formation density of image point, just can output image.For example, when forming the image point of black ink on printing, the zone of the dense formation of image point seems secretly, otherwise it is bright that the zone of sparse formation then seems.In addition, when forming the image point of luminous point on liquid crystal panel, the zone of the dense formation of image point seems bright, and it is dark that the zone of sparse formation then seems.So,, just can export the image of many gray scales if suitably control the formation density of image point.

Be intended to control the data of the formation density of image point, by data to the image that will export, implement produce after the fixed image processing.The data that obtain are supplied to image-processing system.In image-processing system, the data according to supplying with form image point on each pixel.Its result just can form image point, output image with appropriate density on output medium.

In recent years, to these image autput devices, the high quality of output image and the requirement of big imageization had been proposed.For the requirement of high quality, image Segmentation is become thinner pixel, be a valid approach.Like this, after pixel diminished, the image point that forms on pixel was just not eye-catching, can make image quality be improved (for example, the spy opens the 2000-115716 communique).In addition, for the requirement of big imageization, also can realize by the method that increases pixel number.Undoubtedly, make each pixel become big, also can strengthen output image, but can bring the decline of image quality like this, so for the requirement of maximizing, it is effective increasing pixel number.

; after satisfying the requirement of the high quality of output image and big imageization; the problem of rapid output image will certainly appear being difficult to; in other words; the situation of increase pixel number is with regard to needless to say for big imageization; to when pixel diminishes one by one for the high quality of image, the pixel number that the result also makes 1 image comprise increases.As previously mentioned, because image autput device is an output image after the data of formation of control image point that receive to supply with, so after the pixel number that 1 image comprises increases, supplying with the required time of data will increase, output image just becomes the thing of a difficulty rapidly.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is directed to the above-mentioned problem of prior art, purpose is the data of the formation of control image point are supplied with image autput device rapidly, thereby the output of image is changed rapidly.

In order to achieve the above object, the 1st image output control system of the present invention adopts following structure.Promptly it is characterized in that:

Thereby be comprise to pictorial data implement fixed image processing image-processing system and form the image output control system of the image autput device of image point output image according to the result of this image processing,

Described image-processing system has:

By group of pixels,, determine the image point number decision unit of the number of the image point of formation in this group of pixels for a plurality of pixels that constitute described image according to described pictorial data according to a plurality of conclusions of decide;

To supply with the individual logarithmic data feed unit of described image autput device according to the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels decision;

Described image autput device comprises:

Acceptance is accepted the unit about the individual logarithmic data of the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels;

Give the sequence selection unit of the sequence of the specific pixel that in described group of pixels, is formed with image point in each pixel of each described group of pixels;

According to the data of described image point number and the sequence of described selection, to the pixel location that in described group of pixels, forms image point each pixel location that determines decision unit according to this group of pixels;

Form the image point formation unit of image point according to the pixel location of described decision.

In addition, the of the present invention 1st visual output control method corresponding with above-mentioned image output control system is characterized in that:

Be to pictorial data implement fixed image processing, form image point according to the result of this image processing, thus the visual output control method of output image,

By group of pixels,, determine the 1st operation of the number of the image point of formation in this group of pixels for a plurality of pixels that constitute described image according to described pictorial data according to a plurality of conclusions of decide;

Give the 2nd operation of the sequence of the specific pixel that in described group of pixels, is formed with image point in each pixel of this each group of pixels;

According to the number of the image point of described decision and the sequence of described selection, in described group of pixels, forming the pixel location of image point each the 3rd operation that determines according to this group of pixels;

Form the 4th operation of image point according to the pixel location of described decision.

In this image output control system of the present invention and visual output control method, give each group of pixels by a plurality of pixels constitute, generate the data of the number of the image point that should form in this group of pixels.In addition, be formed with the sequence of the pixel of image point in the particular pixels group in each pixel.And, when forming image point,, determine to form in this group of pixels the pixel location of image point according to the data of the number of the image point of specific sequence and group of pixels.According to the pixel location of such decision, form image point.

The number of the image point that forms in the group of pixels can be with than representing that each pixel in the group of pixels has or not the data volume of the data much less of image point to represent.So,, transmit rapidly in case after pictorial data being transformed into the data of image point number of group of pixels, just can reduce the transmission quantity of data.Therefore, even a lot of image of number of picture elements for example also can be finished data delivery with the very short time, thus output image promptly.

In addition, the pixel location in the group of pixels, depend on the data of image point number and the sequence of pixel--represent which type of each pixel form the sequence of image point in proper order in this group of pixels.When the decision pixel location, use the specific sequence decision pixel location of each group of pixels here.Therefore, for example,, also can make each group of pixels on different pixel locations, form image point even form the group of pixels consecutive hours of the image point of same number.Like this, just not eye-catching with the image point that well-regulated pattern forms, just can avoid the danger that image quality is worsened.

In addition, when the data of supplying with the image point number, can also adopt the state of numeralization to supply with.And, determine pixel location after this data decoding can also being become the image point number that should form in the group of pixels.After the digital codingization with the image point number, just can amount of compressed data, transmit data effectively, and then output image promptly.

In this 1st image processing system and image processing method, can also adopt following method.At first, when decision image point number,, determine the number of the image point that should form in the described group of pixels according to the dither matrix of the corresponding additional critical value of each pixel of giving two-dimensional arrangements.Then, when the decision pixel location, the dither matrix with the described image point number of decision is used is divided into a plurality of group of pixels, according to the magnitude relationship to the additional critical value of each pixel correspondence in this group of pixels, the sequence of the pixel of specific each group of pixels decision.Then, from this sequence of a plurality of storages, select 1 the corresponding sequence of position with group of pixels on image,, determine pixel location according to sequence and the image point number selected.

After adopting dither matrix, can determine the image point number rapidly.In addition, if according to the identical matrix of dither matrix that uses with decision image point number, after the sequence that setting is used in order to determine pixel location by the image point number, the processing of decision image point number and the processing of decision pixel location are just integrated in person, so can suitably determine pixel location, and then can also be with very high image quality output image, as dither matrix, decentralized and intensive just needless to say, can also use various matrixes such as blue noise matrix or gradient noise matrix.After using such dither matrix, the image point of formation just becomes the image point of the characteristics that integrate various matrixes.

In order to achieve the above object, the 2nd image output control system of the present invention is characterized in that:

Described image-processing system has:

The a plurality of pixels that constitute described image are concluded a plurality ofly, generate the group of pixels generation unit of group of pixels;

At least for a plurality of these group of pixels, so that with the corresponding pictorial data of described group of pixels and this group of pixels in the corresponding relation of number of the image point that should form different state mutually all in each of this group of pixels, determine the image point number decision unit of the number of this image point;

To as control data, supply with the individual logarithmic data feed unit of described image autput device according to the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels decision;

Described image autput device comprises:

According to the data of described image point number, to the pixel location that in described group of pixels, forms image point each pixel location that determines decision unit according to this group of pixels;

According to the pixel location of described decision, the image point that forms image point forms the unit.

After adopting this image output control system, in image-processing system, because at least for a plurality of group of pixels, so that all mutual different state of each of group of pixels, the number of decision image point is so can reduce the possibility of the image point that forms with the pattern of rule.The 2nd visual output control method corresponding can also be constituted, at this moment also same action effect can be obtained with the 2nd image output control system.

In addition, in order to reach purpose of the present invention, image autput device of the present invention adopts following structure.Promptly it is characterized in that:

Be receive pass through the pictorial data of fixed image processing, according to this pictorial data, form image point, thereby the image autput device of output image comprises:

As described pictorial data, a plurality of pixels that will constitute described image according to fixed a plurality of states of concluding as group of pixels, accept the individual logarithmic data of the data of the image point number that should form in this group of pixels and accept the unit;

Give the sequence discrete cell of the sequence of the specific pixel that in described group of pixels, is formed with image point in each pixel of each described group of pixels;

According to the data and the described specific sequence of the image point number of described acceptance, to the pixel location that in described group of pixels, forms image point each pixel location that determines decision unit according to this group of pixels;

In addition, the of the present invention image output method corresponding with above-mentioned image autput device is characterized in that:

Be receive pass through the pictorial data of fixed image processing, according to this pictorial data, form image point, thereby the image output method of output image comprises:

As described pictorial data, a plurality of pixels that will constitute described image according to fixed a plurality of states of concluding as group of pixels, accept the operation A of the data of the image point number that should form in this group of pixels;

Accept the process B of the sequence of the specific pixel that in described group of pixels, is formed with image point in each pixel of the group of pixels of data of described image point number to each;

According to the data and the described specific sequence of the image point number of described acceptance, in described group of pixels, forming the pixel location of image point each operation C that determines according to this group of pixels;

According to the pixel location of described decision, form the step D of image point.

In this image autput device of the present invention and image output method, accept the data of the image point number that should form in the group of pixels, according to this pictorial data, decision forms the pixel location of image point in group of pixels, on the pixel location of decision, form image point, thus output image.

As previously mentioned, the number of the image point that forms in the group of pixels can be with than representing that each pixel in the group of pixels has or not the data volume of the data much less of image point to represent.So, as described above behind the output image, even a lot of image of number of picture elements for example also can promptly be accepted data, so output image promptly.

In addition, the sequence of the pixel that uses in order to determine pixel location in the group of pixels gives each group of pixels specific, therefore, for example, even form the group of pixels consecutive hours of the image point of same number, also can give each group of pixels decision different pixel locations.Like this, just not eye-catching with the image point that well-regulated pattern forms, the just danger that image quality is worsened.

In addition, when the data of accepting the image point number, can also adopt the data of accepting the numeralization state, again this data decoding is become the data of number of the image point that should form in expression group of pixels after, the decision pixel location.After the digital codingization with the image point number, with regard to the energy amount of compressed data, so can accept the data of image point number, more promptly output image effectively.

In this image autput device and image output method, a plurality of pixels that adjoin each other and have institute's allocation relation can be concluded as described group of pixels.

Pixel as the group of pixels conclusion, may not adjoin each other, if but the pixel that will adjoin each other and have institute's allocation relation, as described group of pixels conclusion, the processing of the pixel location in decision image point number or the decision group of pixels is become easily, so be desirable.

And then, in this image autput device and image output method, can be in advance with this sequence by with the form of sequence matrix of fixed order two-dimensional arrangements, store described a plurality of sequence, when the decision pixel location, from a plurality of sequences of this sequence matrix storage, selects 1 corresponding sequence in position with group of pixels on image, determine pixel location.

At this moment, a plurality of sequences with suitable order collating sequence matrix stores can relate to a plurality of group of pixels, obtain suitable pixel location.Its result can improve the distribution of the image point of formation, with very high image quality output image.

In this sequence matrix, can adopt following method, according to dither matrix, set.At first, dither matrix is divided into a plurality of group of pixels.The group of pixels that obtains like this comprises a plurality of pixels, gives the critical value of the corresponding additional dither matrix of each pixel.According to the magnitude relationship of these critical values, set the sequence of each pixel in the group of pixels for each group of pixels.

The critical value of dither matrix, setting the image point that makes formation for becomes suitable distribution, so use the sequence matrix of setting according to dither matrix, just can export the very high image of image quality that image point suitably distributes.

In addition, in the decision group of pixels, when the pixel location of formation image point, can also adopt following method.That is: according to the sequence of selecting, give the sequence valve that is formed with the order of image point in each pixel in each pixel decision group of pixels.Then, the data of the image point number of comparison group of pixels and the sequence valve of decision, thus detect the pixel location that forms image point in this group of pixels.

Like this, only compare the sequence valve and the image point number of certain pixel, just can judge immediately whether this pixel forms image point.For example, if certain group of pixels forms N image point, sequence valve is more little, and easy more formation image point just can be thought the pixel formation image point of sequence valve from the 1st to N.So, at this moment, detect the pixel of sequence valve below the image point number, just can determine to form the pixel location of image point rapidly.

Perhaps, can also adopt following method decision pixel location.At first, establish number of picture elements that group of pixels comprises and be image point number that N, this group of pixels form when being M, generate by meaning M continuous data that form image point and meaning the intermediate data that the individual continuous data of the N-M that does not form image point constitute.These intermediate data, the data of the image point number that can be formed by group of pixels generate at an easy rate.Then, according to the sequence of selecting, determine to be formed with in each interior pixel of this group of pixels the sequence valve of the order of image point for each pixel.Then,, read the data that meet, thereby detect the pixel location that forms image point in this group of pixels from described intermediate data according to this sequence valve.

Like this, as long as read the partial data that accords with sequence valve, just can judge rapidly whether this pixel forms image point, so can determine to form the pixel location of image point rapidly from middle data.

In addition, read when the data that meet, can also adopt following method from middle data.At first, with intermediate data, to the direction that means that the data that form image point are assigned with, displacement is equivalent to the data of the number of described sequence valve.Then, as the data that meet, read and be positioned at the data that this moves the end of side.

Like this, make the intermediate data displacement after, as long as read the data of the end that is positioned at intermediate data all the time,, be very suitable so can read the data that meet easily.

And then in order to reach purpose of the present invention, the 1st image-processing system of the present invention adopts following structure.Promptly it is characterized in that:

Be the pictorial data of image autput device that forms output image behind the image point to representing that this is visual, implement fixed image processing, generate the image-processing system of the control data that uses for the formation of controlling this image point,

Have:

At least for a plurality of these group of pixels, so that the corresponding relation of the number of the image point that should form in the pictorial data corresponding and this group of pixels all mutually different state in each of this group of pixels, determine the image point number decision unit of the number of this image point with described group of pixels;

To as described control data, supply with the individual logarithmic data feed unit of described image autput device according to the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels decision.

In addition, of the present invention 1st image processing method corresponding with above-mentioned image-processing system is characterized in that:

Be the pictorial data of image autput device that forms output image behind the image point to representing that this is visual, implement fixed image processing, generate the image processing method of the control data that uses for the formation of controlling this image point,

Have:

The a plurality of pixels that constitute described image are concluded a plurality ofly, generate the operation (a) of group of pixels;

At least for a plurality of these group of pixels, so that the corresponding relation of the number of the image point that should form in the pictorial data corresponding and this group of pixels all mutually different state in each of this group of pixels, determine the operation (b) of the number of this image point with described group of pixels;

To as described control data, supply with the operation (c) of described image autput device according to the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels decision.

In the 1st image-processing system of the present invention and the 1st image processing method,, also can export different individual logarithmic datas in a plurality of group of pixels even when identical pictorial data occurs continuously.Therefore: in image autput device, can avoid a plurality of group of pixels to form image point, so can avoid causing the phenomenon of image quality deterioration conscientiously with well-regulated pattern formation image point in identical position.

In addition, the number of the image point that forms in the group of pixels can be with than representing that each pixel in the group of pixels has or not the data volume of the data much less of image point to represent.So, even a lot of image of number of picture elements also can promptly be supplied with image autput device with data, promptly output image.

In addition, when decision image point number, a plurality of critical values of the pictorial data of the number of picture elements that pictorial data that can also be by the pixel of relatively being concluded by group of pixels and being equivalent to is concluded by this group of pixels, thereby the number of decision image point.Here, a plurality of critical values both can be used as and had constituted the matrix of the same critical value of arranging of pixel of group of pixels, only also can be used as the set or the ordered series of numbers of the critical value that is made of a plurality of critical values.

Like this, preestablish many group critical values, can easy and suitably determine the number of the image point that should form in the group of pixels.

In addition, when supplying with control data, can also will supply with after the digital codingization of image point number earlier.After the digital codingization with the image point number, with regard to the energy amount of compressed data, so can supply with control data effectively.

In this image-processing system and image processing method, can also according to fixed a plurality of conclusion pixels, thereby generate a plurality of group of pixels of cutting apart described pixel, while determines the number of the image point that this group of pixels should form for each group of pixels according to the pictorial data of the pixel of this group of pixels conclusion.

When the number of image point of decision group of pixels, store after can also judging whether to form image point to each pixel at first in advance, then according to judged result, give the number of each group of pixels decision image point.,,, give the number of each group of pixels decision image point, just do not need to store in advance the judged result of a plurality of pixels, so be desirable method again according to the pictorial data of each group of pixels if earlier image Segmentation is become a plurality of group of pixels.

In the 1st image-processing system and the 1st image processing method, as the corresponding relation of the image point number of pictorial data that group of pixels is concluded and group of pixels, mutually different sample attitude in each group of pixels can adopt various sample attitudes.But adopt following manner better.That is: after the number of the decision group of pixels image point that should form, the gamma error that pictorial data that group of pixels is concluded is produced is cancelled out each other between the group of pixels in deciding scope at least.Like this, can adopt the whole bag of tricks, for example add clutter etc. to pictorial data.But, can realize as previously mentioned, by decision image point number according to dither matrix.

Like this, if the gamma error that in group of pixels, produces cancel out each other between the group of pixels in deciding scope at least, so because can reduce error, so can improve the quality of output image.

In addition, in order to reach purpose of the present invention, the 2nd image-processing system of the present invention adopts following structure.Promptly it is characterized in that:

Have:

Storage has in advance set the dither matrix memory cell of the dither matrix of critical value for each pixel of two-dimensional arrangements; With a plurality of pixels of constituting described image according to fixed concluding a plurality ofly, generate the group of pixels generation unit of group of pixels;

The described critical value that corresponding pixel is set in the pixel data of each group of pixels of concluding by more described group of pixels and the described dither matrix, thus the image point number decision unit of the number of the image point that should form in this group of pixels determined;

Like this, compare by critical value with dither matrix, determine the image point number of each group of pixels after, just can suitably determine the image point number, and then can be with very high image quality output image, so be very desirable according to pictorial data.

And then the present invention can also be as being held by computer-implemented, as to be intended to realize above-mentioned visual output control method, image output method and image processing method program.Therefore, the present invention also comprises following program, or as the sample attitude that has write down this program recording medium.In other words, the of the present invention program corresponding with above-mentioned visual output control method promptly is characterized in that:

Thereby be by computer-implemented, according to pictorial data is implemented the result that obtains of fixed image processing form the program of image point output image, have:

By group of pixels,, determine the 1st function of the number of the image point of formation in this group of pixels for a plurality of pixels that constitute described image according to described pictorial data according to a plurality of conclusions of decide;

Give the 2nd function of the sequence of the specific pixel that in described group of pixels, is formed with image point in each pixel of each described group of pixels;

According to the image point number of described decision and the sequence of described selection, in described group of pixels, forming the pixel location of image point each the 3rd function that determines according to this group of pixels;

Form the 4th function of image point according to the pixel location of described decision.

Described the 1st function and described the 2nd function that this program realizes can also be as following functions.I.e. the 1st function is the dither matrix according to the corresponding additional critical value of each pixel of giving two-dimensional arrangements, determines the function of the number of the image point that should form in the described group of pixels.In addition, the 2nd function, can be used as the dither matrix that realization will determine that described image point number is used, be divided into a plurality of group of pixels, according to the magnitude relationship of giving the corresponding critical value of adding of each pixel in this group of pixels, the function of the sequence of the pixel of specific each group of pixels decision and from by the sequence of each group of pixels storage of described dither matrix is selected the function of the function of 1 sequence corresponding with the position of group of pixels on described image.

Perhaps, program of the present invention can also be held as following sample attitude.Promptly can also hold as the program that realizes following function:

Be by computer-implemented, receive pass through the pictorial data of fixed image processing, according to this pictorial data, form image point, thereby the program of output image comprises:

As described pictorial data, a plurality of pixels that will constitute described image according to fixed a plurality of states of concluding as group of pixels, accept the function (A) of the data of the image point number that should form in this group of pixels;

Give the function (B) of the sequence of the specific pixel that in described group of pixels, is formed with image point in each pixel of each the described group of pixels of data accepted described image point number;

According to the data and the described specific sequence of the image point number of described acceptance, in described group of pixels, forming the pixel location of image point each function that determines (C) according to this group of pixels;

According to the pixel location of described decision, form the function (D) of image point.

And then the of the present invention program corresponding with above-mentioned image processing method is characterized in that:

Be by the pictorial data of image autput device to representing that this is visual computer-implemented, that form output image behind the image point, implement fixed image processing, generate the program of the control data that uses for the formation of controlling this image point,

Realize following function:

The a plurality of pixels that constitute described image are concluded a plurality ofly, generate the function (a) of group of pixels;

At least for a plurality of these group of pixels, so that the corresponding relation of the number of the image point that should form in the pictorial data corresponding and this group of pixels all mutually different state in each of this group of pixels, determine the function (b) of the number of this image point with described group of pixels;

To as described control data, supply with the function (c) of described image autput device according to the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels decision.

Add, the present invention can also can be held by the recording medium that computer writes down with reading as these various programs.

If make computer read in these programs or be recorded the program of media recording, use the above-mentioned various functions of this computer realization after, even a lot of image of pixel, also output image rapidly.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is to be example with the print system, tells about the key diagram of the summary of invention.

Fig. 2 is the key diagram of expression as the structure of the computer of the image-processing system of present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is the key diagram of brief configuration of the printer of expression present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is the key diagram of the arrangement of expression ink ejecting head ink inside nozzle Nz.

Fig. 5 is the flow chart of the flow process that the image printing that carries out is handled in the image-processing system of expression the 1st execution mode.

Fig. 6 (a), Fig. 6 (b) are the key diagrams that the situation of image dissection degree conversion is carried out in expression.

Fig. 7 is the flow chart that the individual logarithmic data of expression the 1st execution mode generates the flow process of handling.

Fig. 8 is the key diagram that amplifies the part of illustration dither matrix.

Fig. 9 represents to judge with reference to dither matrix whether each pixel forms the key diagram of the situation of image point.

Figure 10 (a), Figure 10 (b) are the data conditions of image point number is obtained in expression according to group of pixels key diagrams.

Figure 11 is the flow chart that the pixel location of expression the 1st execution mode determines the flow process of processing.

Figure 12 (a)～Figure 12 (d) is that the pixel location that is illustrated in the 1st execution mode determines to obtain in the processing key diagram of image point number according to the situation of the data decision pixel location processing of image point number.

Figure 13 (a)～Figure 13 (c) is the key diagram of the situation of obtaining the image point number in the individual logarithmic data generation processing that is illustrated in the 1st variation.

Figure 14 (a)～Figure 14 (c) is the key diagram that the individual logarithmic data that is illustrated in the 2nd variation generates the situation of obtaining the image point number in handling.

Figure 15 is the flow chart that the pixel location of expression the 2nd variation determines the flow process of processing.

Figure 16 is the flow chart that the individual logarithmic data of expression the 2nd execution mode generates the flow process of handling.

Figure 17 (a), Figure 17 (b) are that expression is according to there being non-flanged, with the key diagram of the situation of the gray value of each pixel in the average gray value displacement group of pixels in the group of pixels.

Figure 18 (a)～Figure 18 (c) is in expression the 2nd execution mode, by the key diagram of the form of the data of computer output.

Figure 19 is in expression the 2nd execution mode, by the key diagram of other sample attitude of the data mode of computer output.

Figure 20 is the flow chart that the pixel location of expression the 2nd execution mode determines the flow process of processing.

Figure 21 is the flow chart of the flow process handled of the image printing of expression the 3rd execution mode.

Figure 22 is the schematic diagram of the map table of reference during the large, medium and small image point data conversion of expression the 3rd execution mode is handled.

Figure 23 (a), Figure 23 (b) are that the individual logarithmic data that is illustrated in the 3rd execution mode generates in the processing, are generated the key diagram of image point number data conditions by the image point data.

Figure 24 is the flow chart that the individual logarithmic data of expression the 3rd execution mode generates the flow process of handling.

Figure 25 represents with reference to dither matrix, the key diagram of the situation of the pixel location of the various image points of decision formation.

Figure 26 is for the number digital codingization of various image points and the schematic diagram of the map table of reference.

Figure 27 is that expression generates in the processing with the individual logarithmic data at the 3rd execution mode, does not obtain to the particular pixels position key diagram of the situation of image point number.

Figure 28 is the flow chart that the pixel location of expression the 3rd execution mode determines the flow process of processing.

Figure 29 is illustrated in the pixel location decision processing of the 3rd execution mode, determines the key diagram of the situation of pixel location according to the data of image point number.

Figure 30 is the schematic diagram of the decoding table of reference during the pixel location decision that is illustrated in the 1st variation of the 3rd execution mode is handled.

Figure 31 is the flow chart that the pixel location of the 1st variation in expression the 3rd execution mode determines the flow process of processing.

Figure 32 is the flow chart that the pixel location of the 2nd variation in expression the 3rd execution mode determines the flow process of processing.

Figure 33 is the flow chart that the pixel location of the 2nd variation in expression the 3rd execution mode determines the flow process of processing.

Figure 34 (a)～Figure 34 (c) is that the pixel location that is illustrated in the 2nd variation of the 3rd execution mode determines in the processing, the schematic diagram of the situation of the kind of use intermediate data decision image point.

Figure 35 is illustrated in the flow chart that the individual logarithmic data that carries out in the image printing processing of the 1st variation generates the flow process of handling.

Figure 36 represents to obtain to essence the schematic diagram of the situation of image point number according to the average gray value in the group of pixels.

Figure 37 is illustrated in the flow chart that the individual logarithmic data that carries out in the image printing processing of the 2nd variation generates the flow process of handling.

Figure 38 is the flow chart that is illustrated in the flow process of the pixel location decision processing of carrying out in the image printing processing of the 3rd variation.

Figure 39 is the schematic diagram of the sequence of the pixel in a plurality of group of pixels of expression storage.

Embodiment

In order more clearly to tell about effect of the present invention, effect, below, embodiments of the present invention told about in the following order.

The summary of A, execution mode:

B, the 1st execution mode:

B-1, device constitute:

The summary that B-2, image printing are handled:

The individual logarithmic data of B-3, the 1st execution mode generates to be handled:

The pixel location decision of B-4, the 1st execution mode is handled:

B-5, variation:

C, the 2nd execution mode:

The individual logarithmic data of C-1, the 2nd execution mode generates to be handled:

The pixel location decision of C-2, the 2nd execution mode is handled:

D, the 3rd execution mode:

The image printing of D-1, the 3rd execution mode is handled summary:

The individual logarithmic data of D-2, the 3rd execution mode generates to be handled:

The pixel location decision of D-3, the 3rd execution mode is handled:

D-4, variation:

E, other variation:

The summary of A, execution mode:

Before telling about execution mode in detail,, tell about the summary of embodiments of the present invention with reference to Fig. 1.Fig. 1 is to be example with the print system, tells about the key diagram of the summary of execution mode.Print system as image output control system, by constituting as the computer 10 of image-processing system with as printer 20 of image autput device etc., with fixed program, the computer 10 of packing into, and after it is carried out, computer 10 and printer 20 etc. play a role as a print system just as a whole.Printer 20 is by forming image point on print media, thus printed image.The pixel data of 10 pairs of images that will print of computer implement fixed image processing, generate and be intended to control printer 20 forms image point on each pixel data, supply with this printer 20.

Here, in common print system, computer with pictorial data be transformed into each pixel that expression constitutes image whether form image point data after, supply with printer, form image point according to these data, thereby printed image.Here, after the number of picture elements of the image that prints increases, be accompanied by it, represent each pixel whether form image point the data volume of data also to increase, just need the long time so supply with data by computer to printer, the time that the printshop needs also will increase.Consider this point, just in computer shown in Figure 1 10, image point number decision module and number data generation module are set, carry out following processing.

Image point number decision module by the group of pixels according to a plurality of conclusions of decide, according to pictorial data, determines the image point number that forms in this group of pixels for a plurality of pixels that constitute image.Here, the individual logarithmic data of each group of pixels, pictorial data can be generalized into group of pixels after, generate by judging after whether each group of pixels forms image point.Perhaps after the form of expression that whether forms image point that earlier image transform is become, with pixel reduce fixed a plurality of, generate group of pixels, determine the image point number that forms in each group of pixels.In addition, as a plurality of pixels that group of pixels is concluded, not that the pixel that adjoins each other is good.In addition, the number data generation module with the data of the image point number of each group of pixels decision, is supplied with to printer 20.

In printer shown in Figure 1 20, sequence memory module, pixel location decision module and image point are being set are forming module.In the sequence memory module, storing a plurality of sequences that in group of pixels, are formed with the pixel of image point in each pixel.The pixel location decision module, on one side the canonical sequence memory module, one side determines should form in each group of pixels the pixel location of image point in the following manner.At first, behind the individual logarithmic data of a group of pixels of reception, from a plurality of sequences of sequence memory module storage, select 1 sequence.Then, according to the sequence of selecting, from a plurality of pixels that constitute group of pixels,, select as the pixel that should form image point with the pixel of the number of individual logarithmic data appointment.Like this, after the pixel location decision module receives a logarithmic data, select sequence for each group of pixels, decision forms the pixel location of image point.Image point forms module, forms image point on the pixel of decision like this.Its result just forms image on print media.

Like this, in print system shown in Figure 1, by computer 10 when printer 20 is supplied with expression and whether is formed the data of image point, be not the data of supplying with each pixel, but supply with the data of the number of the image point that each group of pixels of expression forms.Like this, and supply with the situation that whether forms image point to each pixel and compare, can reduce the data volume of supply.Therefore, for example, when the number of picture elements increase that pixel comprises, also can supply with data, printed images rapidly rapidly to printer 20 by computer 10.Below, be example with this print system, tell about various execution modes in detail.

B, the 1st execution mode:

B-1, device constitute:

Fig. 2 is the key diagram of expression as the structure of the computer 100 of the image-processing system of present embodiment.Computer 100 is to be the center with CPU102, the well-known computer that ROM104 and RAM106 etc. is formed by connecting with bus 116.

Computer 100 is with the disk controller DDC109 that is intended to read the data in diskette 1 24 and the mini disk 126 etc., be intended to video interface VIF112 of carrying out the peripheral interface PIF108 of exchanges data and be intended to drive CRT114 with ancillary equipment etc. and be connected.Peripheral interface PIF108, with after the color printer 200 chatted and hard disk 118 etc. be connected.In addition, if digital camera 120 and colour scanner 122 etc. is connected with PIF108, the image that all right printed digital camera 120 and colour scanner 122 obtain.And if installation network interface unit NIC110 just is connected computer 100 with communication line 300, can also obtain the data of storage device 310 storages that are connected with communication line 300.

Fig. 3 is the key diagram of brief configuration of the color printer 200 of expression present embodiment.Color printer 200 is the ink-jet printers that can form bluish-green, fuchsin, Huang, black 4 look ink dots.Undoubtedly, on the basis of these 4 kinds of colors, can also form and comprise that bluish-green (pale blue is green) ink that dye strength is low and low fuchsin (light fuchsin) ink of dye strength amount to the ink-jet printer of 6 look ink dots.In addition, according to circumstances later on, sometimes bluish-green ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, black ink, pale blue green ink and light magenta ink are called for short C ink, M ink, Y ink, K ink, LC ink, LM ink respectively.

Color printer 200 as shown in the figure, is made of following parts: drive the printhead 241 that carries on carriage 240, spray the mechanism of ink and formation image point; Under the effect of tray motor 230, make the mechanism of this carriage 240 towards the axially reciprocating of platen 236; Under the effect of paper feeding motor 235, carry the mechanism of printing P; The formation of control image point, the control circuit 260 that moves the conveying that reaches printing of carriage 240.

On carriage 240, the chuck 242 of taking in the K ink and the chuck 243 of taking in the various inks of C ink, M ink, Y ink are installed.Behind chuck for installing on the carriage 240 242,243, the various inks in the chuck are given the ink ejecting head 244～247 of each the following color that is arranged on printhead 241 by not shown ingress pipe by feed.

Fig. 4 is the key diagram of the arrangement of expression ink ejecting head 244～247 ink inside nozzle Nz.As shown in the figure, in the bottom surface of ink ejecting head, form 4 groups of nozzle rows of the versicolor ink of ejection C, M, Y, K, every group nozzle rows is being put 48 nozzle Nz with certain injector spacing K.

Control circuit 260 becomes by bus interconnective structures such as CPU and ROM, RAM.Control circuit 260, action by control tray motor 230 and paper feeding motor 235, thereby the main scanning action of control carriage 240 and subscan action simultaneously also according to the printed data of being supplied with by computer 100, are controlled each nozzle at suitable moment ejection ink droplet.Like this, under the control of control circuit 260, on the appropriate location on the print media, just form versicolor ink dot, thereby can make color printer 200 printing color images.

In addition, the method from ink ejecting head ejection ink droplet of all kinds can adopt the whole bag of tricks.That is: can adopt the mode of using piezoelectric element ejection ink, and make (foam) back of bubbling in the ink via spray the method etc. of ink droplet with being configured in heater on the ink via.In addition, can also replace the ejection ink, phenomenon that use to utilize heat to duplicate etc. forms the mode of ink dot on printing, and utilizes static to make ink powder of all kinds printer attached to the mode on the print media.

Color printer 200 with above-mentioned hardware configuration by driven bracket motor 230, makes the versicolor ink ejecting head 244～247 of ejection for printing P, moves along main scanning direction; Also, printing P is moved along sub scanning direction by driving paper feeding motor 235.Control circuit 260 is according to printed data, Yi Bian make carriage 240 carry out main scanning and subscan repeatedly, Yi Bian drive nozzle ejection ink in due course, color printer 200 printing color image on printing just like this.

The summary that B-2, image printing are handled

Fig. 5 be the expression computer 100 of present embodiment and 200 pairs of pictorial data of color printer implement after the fixed image processing, the flow chart of the flow process of the processing of printed image on print media.This image printing is handled, and just as described later, first half utilizes the function of the built-in CPU of computer 100, and latter half utilizes the function of the built-in CPU of the control circuit 260 of color printer 200 to implement.Below, tell about the image printing of present embodiment with reference to Fig. 5 and handle.

After computer 100 beginning image printings are handled, at first, begin to read in should conversion pictorial data (step S100).Here, pictorial data is to tell about as the RGB color image data.But be not limited to, also can use equally the pictorial data of monochrome.

After reading in color image data, carry out colour switching and handle (step S102).So-called colour switching is handled, and is with the RGB color image data by the combination performance of the gray value of R, G, B, the processing by the pictorial data of the combination performance of gray value of all kinds that is transformed into that printing uses.As previously mentioned, color printer 200 uses the 4 chromatic ink printed images of C, M, Y, K.Therefore, the colour switching in present embodiment is handled, and is with the pictorial data by R, G, B performance of all kinds, is transformed into the data that showed by C, M, Y, K gray value of all kinds.The processing of pictorial data is carried out with reference to the three-dimensional numerical table that is known as color look up table (LUT).In LUT, storing color image data in advance to RGB, C, M, Y, the K gray value of all kinds that the process colour switching obtains is so if carry out conversion with reference to this LUT, just can promptly carry out colour switching.

After finishing the colour switching processing, beginning image dissection degree conversion process (step S104).So-called " image dissection degree conversion process " is the image dissection degree with pictorial data, is transformed into the processing of the image dissection degree (printing image dissection degree) that printer 200 prints.As previously mentioned, in order to improve print image quality, pixel being diminished, is very effective with higher image dissection degree printing., when improving printing image dissection degree, may not need to improve the image dissection degree of original pictorial data.Because when forming image point, printed image, whether each pixel can only form either-or on the image point, even changed the size etc. of image point, also only several at most gray scales of the grey that each pixel can show.Different therewith, the pictorial data of reading in, even the data of 1 byte, each pixel also can show 256 gray scales.Like this, just there is very big difference in the gray scale that each pixel can show, sets the image dissection degree higher than the image dissection degree of the pictorial data of reading in for so will print the image dissection degree, just can improve print image quality.Based on this reason, in the step S104 of Fig. 5, carry out the image dissection degree of pictorial data is transformed into higher image dissection degree--the processing of printing image dissection degree.

Fig. 6 (a), Fig. 6 (b) are the key diagrams of the situation of the image dissection degree conversion carried out in the 1st execution mode of expression.In addition, as previously mentioned, through colour switching, can acquisition and versicolor each the pictorial data of C, M, Y, K, but in the processing of telling about afterwards, to these versicolor pictorial data which, all carry out equally.So, tell about the following not particular color of just telling about for fear of loaded down with trivial details.

Fig. 6 (a) is the schematic diagram after the part in the pictorial data after the colour switching is enlarged.As shown in the figure, pictorial data is gray value to be distributed to each data of lattice-like arranged picture.A plurality of rectangles shown in Fig. 6 (a) schematically show pixel respectively, the numerical value shown in the rectangle, and the gray value of each pixel is distributed in expression.For image dissection degree with these pictorial data, be transformed into higher image dissection degree, can between pixel, carry out interpolation operation, thereby generate new pixel.But in the present embodiment,, adopt the method that pixel is divided into littler pixel, carry out the conversion of image dissection degree as the easiest method.

Fig. 6 (b) is that the key diagram that pixel carries out the situation of image dissection degree conversion is cut apart in expression.In illustrated embodiment, with each pixel, be divided into 4 fens at main scanning direction (being left and right directions in the drawings), be divided into 2 fens at sub scanning direction (being above-below direction in the drawings), thereby 1 pixel is divided into 8 pixels.Dotted line among Fig. 6 (b), the divided situation of expression pixel.Give the little pixel that generates like this, distribute and the identical gray value of gray value of cutting apart preceding original pixel.After implementing above processing, the image dissection degree of pictorial data just is being for conversion into 4 times image dissection degree, is being for conversion into 2 times image dissection degree on sub scanning direction on the main scanning direction.Undoubtedly, the increase ratio of image dissection degree can be set various ratios as required for.

As mentioned above, the image dissection degree is transformed into printing image dissection degree after, computer 100 (step S100) just begins a logarithmic data and generates and handle (step S106).Carry out following processing here.Pictorial data after the colour switching is the gradation data that gray value is assigned to each pixel.To this, printer 200 forms image point with appropriate density at pixel location, thus printed image.Like this, with gradation data be transformed into whether form the data of form performance of image point by each pixel after, need be to printer 200 transmission.In addition, will represent whether to form the data of image point, transmit to printer 200, because along with number of picture elements increases, the time that transmission needs will increase, so be difficult to rapid printed image with pixel unit.So, in the image printing of present embodiment is handled, with pixel according to fixed a plurality of, conclude as group of pixels, with the data of the image point number that forms in the group of pixels, to printer 200 transmission.Here, the data of the image point number that forms in the group of pixels can be transformed into pictorial data after whether each pixel of expression form the data of image point in advance, with a plurality of pixels, conclude as group of pixels.Perhaps as described later, can earlier a plurality of pixels be reduced group of pixels, determine the number of the image point that each pixel forms in the group of pixels then.Generate at the individual logarithmic data of step S106 and to handle, generate the number of the image point that forms in the group of pixels like this after, carry out processing to printer 200 transmission.Generate the detailed content of handling about individual logarithmic data, hereinafter repeat.

The CPU that the control circuit 260 of printer 200 is built-in, accept the data of the image point number supplied with by computer 100 after, (step S108) handled in the decision of beginning pixel location.Carry out following processing here.As previously mentioned, computer 100 replaces the data whether each pixel of expression forms image point, and supply schedule shows the data of the number of the image point that forms in the group of pixels.Therefore, in pixel location decision was handled, the data of the image point number of accepting according to each group of pixels determined to form in the group of pixels processing of the pixel location of image point.The detailed process that decision is handled about pixel location will be told about later.

Like this, after decision should form the pixel location of image point, just form the processing (step S110) of image point at the pixel location of decision.In other words, as telling about like that of using that Fig. 3 carries out,, spray ink droplet Yi Bian drive ink gun, thereby on printing, form ink dot Yi Bian make carriage 240 carry out main scanning and subscan repeatedly.Like this, by forming image point, just print out the image corresponding with pictorial data.

Fig. 7 is the flow chart that the individual logarithmic data of expression the 1st execution mode generates the flow process of handling.Below, with reference to flow chart, tell about a logarithmic data in detail and generate the content of handling.

After beginning logarithmic data generates and handles, at first, conclude fixed a plurality of pixels, generate group of pixels (step S200).Here, owing in image dissection degree conversion process, 1 pixel is divided into 8 pixels, conclude as group of pixels so just will cut apart 8 pixels that obtain behind the same pixel.For example, the pixel in the upper left corner in Fig. 6 (a) in Fig. 6 (b), is divided into 8 pixels that are positioned at upper left vertical 2 row, horizontal 4 row, so conclude these pixels, generates group of pixels.In addition, the pixel as group of pixels is concluded needs not to be pixel adjacent to each other, if having fixed position relation, whatsoever the pixel of sample can be concluded as group of pixels.

In addition, when the pixel that same pixel is cut apart is concluded as group of pixels like this, can also omit the image dissection degree conversion process of Fig. 5.At this moment, in following telling about, the part of " group of pixels " will be arranged, change and pronounce " carry out the conversion of image dissection degree before pixel " after, just can carry out roughly the same processing.

Then, from the pixel of concluding, set a pixel (having pixel in mind) (step S202) of having in mind in order to judge whether to form image point as group of pixels.Then, relatively distribute to the gray value of having pixel in mind and the critical value of dither matrix, thereby judge whether have pixel in mind forms image point (step S204).The numerical table of the two dimension that so-called dither matrix is a plurality of critical values to be stored by lattice-like.About using dither matrix to judge whether to form the processing of image point, can tell about according to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.Fig. 8 is the key diagram of the part of illustration dither matrix.In illustrated dither matrix, give and be respectively 64 pixels in length and breadth, add up to 4096 pixels, storing at random and from the scope of gray value 1～255, do not omitting the critical value that ground is selected.Here, the gray value of critical value is selected from 1～255 scope, because pictorial data is 1 byte data in the present embodiment, distributes to the gray value of pixel, is the value corresponding with the value that can obtain 0～255.In addition, the size of dither matrix, being not limited to Fig. 8 illustrative is 64 pixels in length and breadth, comprises the vertical situation different with horizontal number of picture elements interior, can adopt various sizes.

Fig. 9 is with reference to dither matrix, judges and has the conceptual key diagram whether pixel forms the situation of image point in mind.When judgement is had pixel in mind and whether formed image point, at first, relatively have the gray value of pixel and the critical value of the storage of the correspondence position in the dither matrix in mind.The arrow of the fine dotted line shown in the figure schematically shows the situation of the critical value of the gray value of relatively having pixel in mind and the correspondence position in dither matrix storage.And, during greater than the critical value of dither matrix, just judge that this pixel forms image point at the gray value of having pixel in mind.Otherwise, when having the gray value of pixel in mind, just judge that this pixel does not form image point in the critical value of dither matrix.If describe according to Fig. 9, about the pixel in the upper left corner of pictorial data, because the gray value of this pictorial data is 97, the critical value of dither matrix is 1 again, forms image point so judge this pixel.In Fig. 9,, be after expression judges that this pixel forms image point, with the situation of judged result write memory with the arrow shown in the solid line.On the other hand, about the right adjacent pixel of this pixel, because the gray value of its pictorial data is 97, the critical value of dither matrix is 117, and a side of critical value is big, does not form image point so judge this pixel.In the step S204 of Fig. 7, carry out one side with reference to dither matrix like this, the processing whether pixel forms image point is had in the one side judgement in mind.

Then, judge whether carried out above processing (step S206), when also having untreated pixel in the group of pixels (step S206:no), return step S202, proceed this a series of processing pixels all in the group of pixels.Like this, to pixels all in the group of pixels, the judgement that whether forms image point finishes back (step S206:yes), detects the number of the image point that forms in the group of pixels, with corresponding additional state storage (step S208) in memory with group of pixels.In the example of Fig. 9, because, judge in 3 pixels, to form image point, so to this group of pixels, the number of storage image point is " 3 " to the group of pixels in the upper left corner of image.

Like this, after the processing of a group of pixels finished, judge the processing (step S210) that whether is through with of all pixels, if also have untreated pixel, just return step S200, generate new group of pixels after, proceed this a series of processing, store the number of the image point of this group of pixels formation.Like this,, detect the number of the image point of each group of pixels stored,, finish individual logarithmic data shown in Figure 7 and generate processing to printer 200 outputs (step S212) to the processing end back (step S210:yes) of all pixels in the image.

Figure 10 (a) implements the conceptual key diagram that above-mentioned logarithmic data generates the data that obtain after the processing to pictorial data.A plurality of matrixes shown in the figure are represented group of pixels respectively, the numerical value of expression in the group of pixels, the situation of the image point number that forms in this group of pixels of expression storage.In the present embodiment, after computer 100 was transformed into the sort of data shown in Figure 10 (a) with the pictorial data after the colour switching, only the data of the number that each group of pixels is stored were to printer 200 outputs.Like this, only export the data of number after, the data that whether form image point with each pixel of output expression are compared, data volume reduces, so can export rapidly.About this point, remarked additionally again.

Figure 10 (b) is the key diagram that each pixel in the plain group of indicated object judges whether to form the situation of image point.Fine dotted line among Figure 10 (b), the situation that the expression group of pixels is made of a plurality of pixels, the pixel of band oblique line, expression judges that this pixel forms image point.

Now, suppose whether each pixel of i.e. output expression forms the data of image point by the data of computer 100 to the state shown in printer 200 output Figure 10 (b).The kind of image point supposes it is a kind, and each pixel can only become a certain state that forms or do not form in the image point, so the data volume of each pixel is just enough with 1 bit.Because group of pixels constitutes with 8 pixels, thus should be to the data volume of printer 200 outputs, and each group of pixels just becomes 8 bits.

Different therewith, resemble present embodiment like this, when exporting the number of the image point that each group of pixels forms, because the number of the image point that forms in 1 group of pixels can only become 0～8 value, so as long as each group of pixels has 4 bits, just can show the number of image point.In other words, compare when whether forming the data of image point, can make data volume reduce half with each pixel of output expression.Therefore, by exporting the number of the image point that each group of pixels forms, just data can be exported to printer 200 rapidly.By the data of computer 100 transmission, in printer 200, handle like this, be transformed into the data whether each pixel of expression forms image point through the pixel location decision of hereinafter telling about.Below, tell about the pixel location decision and handle.

The pixel location decision of B-4, the 1st execution mode is handled:

Figure 11 is the flow chart that the pixel location that carries out in image printing is handled of expression the 1st execution mode determines the flow process of processing.This is handled, and the CPU that the control circuit of printer 200 260 is built-in accepts to implement after the data of image point number of each group of pixels of expression of being come by computer 100 transmission.In addition, Figure 12 is that the data that the image point number of each group of pixels of expression conceptually is shown determine to be transformed into the key diagram whether each pixel of expression forms the data conditions of image point after the processing through pixel location.Below, with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 12, tell about the content that the pixel location decision is handled.

After the decision of beginning pixel location is handled, at first, select 1 group of pixels (the step S300 of Figure 11), obtain the image point number (step S302) that this group of pixels forms as process object.In Figure 12 (a), the data of being given each expression image point number that the group of pixels transmission comes by computer 100 are shown conceptually.As the group of pixels of decision pixel location,, select the group of pixels in the upper left corner among the figure here.In the step S302 of Figure 11, the image point number as the group of pixels of selecting forms obtains " 3 ".

Below, with reference to flow chart, tell about a logarithmic data in detail and generate the content of handling.In handling, image printing carries out

Then, with reference to being formed with the sequence of image point in each pixel in the group of pixels, thereby determine the pixel that forms image point to handle (step S304).Here, with dither matrix, change as the sequence that forms image point and to read the back and utilize.As using that Fig. 8 tells about, on each pixel of dither matrix, critical value is being set.In addition, when judging whether certain pixel forms image point, the gray value of comparison picture data and the critical value of dither matrix if gray value is big, just conclude that this pixel forms image point.In other words, because the little pixel of critical value of dither matrix forms image point easily, so can consider to represent to form the pixel sequences of image point with dither matrix.In the present embodiment, be conceived to this character that dither matrix has, the sequence of dither matrix as each pixel in the group of pixels is used.

Refer again to Figure 12, tell about in detail.Here, as the group of pixels of object, be the group of pixels in the upper left corner among Figure 12 (a), so on dither matrix, obtain the critical value of the location storage corresponding with each pixel of this group of pixels.Figure 12 (b) is the schematic diagram of situation of reading the critical value of corresponding pixel location storage from dither matrix shown in Figure 8.The critical value of reading like this forms image point successively from the pixel of minimum.Because shown in Figure 12 (a), the number that the group of pixels in the processing forms image point is 3, so can shown in Figure 12 (c),, determine pixel location according to the sequence that is formed with image point in each pixel.In other words, in Figure 12 (c), the 2nd little pixel that pixel, the with dashed lines of the critical value minimum represented after surrounding with solid line can be surrounded, the 3rd little 3 pixels such as pixel that surround with chain-dotted line are as the pixel decision that forms image point.

By above operation, after the group of pixels of selecting as process object determined pixel location, whether judgement finishes (the step S306 of Figure 11) to the processing of all group of pixels, when also having untreated group of pixels (step S306:no), return step S300, select new group of pixels, proceed this a series of processing.After carrying out these processing repeatedly, illustrative each group of pixels of Figure 12 (a) is represented the data of image point number, just is transformed into the data whether each pixel of expression shown in Figure 12 (d) forms image point one by one, in addition, the pixel of band oblique line in Figure 12 (d), expression forms the pixel of image point.Then,, just finish pixel location decision shown in Figure 11 and handle, return the image printing of Fig. 5 and handle the processing end back (step S306 :) of all group of pixels.

More than, individual logarithmic data generation processing, the pixel location decision processing having told about the image printing processing of the 1st execution mode in detail and in this processing, carried out.Like this, in the image printing of the 1st execution mode is handled, will when printer 200 transmission, replace the data whether each pixel of expression forms image point by computer 100 through the data of image processing, transmission table shows the image point number that group of pixels forms.Like this, because can reduce the transmission quantity of data significantly, so even the number of picture elements that image comprises has increased, also can finish the transmission of data rapidly, rapid printed image.

In addition, as mentioned above, if the individual logarithmic data of computer 100 1 sides is generated the dither matrix of reference in the processing, the identical matrix of dither matrix as reference during decision is handled with the pixel location of printer 200 1 sides, so by computer 100 when the information of 200 of printers compression transmission image point number, pixel location is restored.In fact, relatively Figure 10 (b) and Figure 12 (d) just can know: judge the pixel location that obtains behind each pixel in computer 100 1 sides, with consistent at the pixel location of printer 200 1 sides decision, represent that pixel location restores fully.Like this, on one side by the computer 100 rapid data of transmitting the image point numbers, suitably determine to form the pixel location of image point in printer 200 1 sides on one side, thereby print high-quality image rapidly.

B-5, variation:

In above-mentioned the 1st execution mode, there are various distortion.Below, simply tell about these distortion.

(1) the 1st variation:

As using that Fig. 7～Figure 10 tells about, individual logarithmic data at the 1st execution mode generates in the processing, earlier pictorial data is transformed into after whether each pixel of expression form the data of image point,, is transformed into after the data of image point number of each group of pixels of expression to printer 200 transmission again with the data that obtain.In other words,,, judge whether to form image point,, but dispense the information of relevant pixel location, only transmit the information that each group of pixels forms the image point number to the stage of printer 200 transmission with the state of particular pixels position although in computer 100.At this point, generate at the individual logarithmic data of the 1st variation and to handle, in particular pixels position not, only generate the image point number that forms in the group of pixels.

Figure 13 represents that the individual logarithmic data that carries out in the 1st variation generates the key diagram of the summary of handling.Figure 13 (a) is the key diagram that the individual logarithmic data of illustration the 1st variation generates the simple and easy dither matrix of reference in the processing.This normally used dither matrix of reference in the 1st execution mode sets critical value (with reference to Fig. 8) for each pixel.Different therewith, the simple and easy dither matrix of reference in the 1st variation sets critical value for each pixel, but make each group of pixels storage with the state of concluding together, in other words, after a plurality of critical values are generalized into 1 group, corresponding additional state storage with each group of pixels.In addition, the number of the critical value of each group of pixels storage is identical numeral with the quantity of the pixel that constitutes group of pixels.In the example of Figure 13 (a), be conceptually illustrated in the group of pixels in the upper left corner of simple and easy dither matrix, by corresponding additional storage by 255,212,177,170,109,58,42, the situation of the group of a 1}8 critical value that value constitutes.Equally, in its right adjacent group of pixels, storing by 242,223,186,161,79,70,48, the group of the critical value of a 5}8 value formation.

During the individual logarithmic data that carries out in the 1st variation generates and handles,, compare with the group of this critical value by pictorial data with group of pixels, from rather than the particular pixels position, but the image point number that should form in the decision group of pixels.,, establish pictorial data to be processed here, with the pictorial data of in the telling about of the 1st execution mode, using identical (with reference to Fig. 6 (b)) for the ease of telling about.After the group of pixels in the upper left corner of view image data, the gray value of all pixels all becomes 97 in this group of pixels as can be known.On the other hand, on simple and easy dither matrix in the group of pixels of correspondence position, storing 8 critical values 255,212,177,170,109,58,42,1} is in these 8 critical values, than the little value of the gray value 97 of group of pixels, have 58,42,1}3, form 3 image points so judge this group of pixels.In Figure 13 (b).With dashed lines surrounds a part of critical value, is the gray values of these critical values of expression less than group of pixels.Like this, if in advance according to the group of each group of pixels storage critical value, with the gray value of group of pixels relatively after, just the pixel location ground in the particular pixels group does not determine the image point number.To all group of pixels, carry out above operation after, just can be shown in Figure 13 (c), give each group of pixels decision image point number.

In addition, the simple and easy dither matrix of reference in the 1st variation becomes and the corresponding matrix of common dither matrix that uses in the telling about of the 1st execution mode.In other words, in the simple and easy dither matrix of Figure 13,, become critical value, be generalized into one group by group of pixels with each pixel storage of the dither matrix of Fig. 8 by the group of the critical value of each group of pixels storage.Like this, if with simple and easy dither matrix as the matrix corresponding with common dither matrix, use simple and easy dither matrix so, when the pixel location ground in the particular pixels group does not determine the image point number, also can obtain and use the pixel location in the common dither matrix one side particular pixels group simultaneously to determine the identical result of image point number.In fact, for identical pictorial data, the data (with reference to Figure 13 (c)) of using the data (with reference to Figure 10 (a)) of the image point number that common dither matrix obtains and using simple and easy dither matrix to obtain are in full accord.

In sum, in the 1st variation, only relatively press the group of the critical value that pixel stores and the gray value of pictorial data, just can obtain the image point number that group of pixels should form.In other words, because need be, so can obtain representing the data of the image point number of each group of pixels rapidly according to the gray value of critical value and pictorial data relatively one by one of the pixel in the group of pixels.

In addition, in the 1st variation, as long as because obtain number, so, just can further improve processing speed if in group separately, critical value is arranged storage according to size sequence less than the critical value of the gray value of pictorial data.Now, the illustration that refers again to Figure 13 is told about.The group of pixels in the upper left corner, the gray value of pictorial data is 97, according to size order storing 255,212,177,170,109,58,42, the group of 1} critical value.In addition, these critical values, both can begin from big critical value the storage, otherwise also can, from little critical value begin the storage.Because can obtain 0～255 value, so gray value 97 can be described as smaller value.Therefore, with this gray value,, relatively big or small successively from little critical value.In other words, at first and minimum critical value " 1 " relatively.Certainly, gray value " 97 " is big, so compare with one of adjacent storage bigger critical value " 42 " again.Specifically also because gray value " 97 " is big, thus again with adjacent critical value " 58 " relatively.Like this, gray value is relatively gone down successively from the critical value of a little side.Then, and critical value " 109 " relatively the time, judge that just gray value " 97 " is little.Because in a single day the critical value in the group, there is no need to compare one by one so after judging that gray value is little, just can know that later critical value is all big than gray value according to the size order storage again.Therefore,, this group of pixels is only compared 4 critical values, just can determine the image point number although each group of pixels is being stored 8 critical values.

Undoubtedly, when the gray value of pictorial data is bigger value, begin relatively good from the critical value of a bigger side.For example, in the above description, suppose that critical value is " 200 ", critical value " 255 " from maximum, as long as adjacent with it again critical value " 212 ", and then adjacent with it again critical value " 177 " waits 3 critical values comparisons, just can determine the image point number that this group of pixels should form.Like this, if, just can determine the image point number that should form in the group of pixels rapidly according to the corresponding additional critical value of size order storage with group of pixels.

(2) the 2nd variation:

In the decision of the pixel location of the 1st execution mode that preamble is told about is handled, receive the data of the image point number of representing according to group of pixels after, with reference to dither matrix, decision forms the pixel location (with reference to Figure 12) of image point in each group of pixels., because form the pixel location of image point according to image point number decision, thus may not know the critical value of each pixel, as long as know the sequence of pixel of the formation image point of each pixel in the group of pixels.In view of this point, in the decision of the pixel location of the 2nd variation is handled, replace dither matrix, with reference to the matrix of having stored the sequence of pixel (following this matrix is called " sequence matrix ") decision pixel location.

Figure 14 is illustrated in the pixel location decision processing of the 2nd variation the schematic diagram of the situation of canonical sequence matrix decision pixel location.Figure 14 (a) is the schematic diagram of sequence matrix.The rectangle that surrounds with heavy line among the figure, the expression group of pixels, each group of pixels is divided into 8 pixels as with shown in the fine dotted line.In addition, the numeral that shows in each pixel, the sequence of formation image point in the expression group of pixels (in other words, being the serial number that forms image point).

After using this sequence matrix, can determine pixel location easily according to the image point number.Here, be the data instance shown in Figure 12 (a) with the data of image point number, specifically tell about.In addition, the data used in handling of the pixel location decision of the 1st execution mode told about of these data and preamble are identical.After adopting the data shown in Figure 12 (a), the image point number that the group of pixels in the upper left corner forms just becomes " 3 ".Therefore, from the group of pixels in the upper left corner of the sequence matrix shown in Figure 14 (a), selecting sequence is 3 pixels of No. 1～No. 3, the decision pixel location.Figure 14 (b) is the schematic diagram that the situation of 3 pixel decision pixel locations is selected in expression like this, surrounds the solid line of the numeral in the pixel, and this pixel has been selected in expression.After all group of pixels are carried out above operation repeatedly, can shown in Figure 14 (c), determine the pixel location of all formation image points.In addition, the pixel of band oblique line in Figure 14 (c), expression forms image point.

Figure 15 is that the pixel location decision of above-mentioned the 2nd variation of expression is handled, is the flow chart of flow process of the processing of canonical sequence matrix decision pixel location.Below, simply tell about according to flow chart.When using sequence matrix decision pixel location, also at first select the group of pixels (step S350) of the plain position of 1 knack fixation.

Then, obtain the data (step S352) of image point number of the group of pixels of selection., copy telling about of Figure 14 here, select the group of pixels in the upper left corner, the image point number as group of pixels forms obtains " 3 ".

Then, from group of pixels, select 1 as behind the pixel of judging object (step S354), the canonical sequence matrix, thus obtain the serial number (step S356) that forms image point in the pixel of judging object.For example, here, because the group of pixels of selecting is the group of pixels in the upper left corner in image, so as the pixel of judging object if the pixel in the upper left corner in the group of pixels, with reference to the sequence matrix shown in Figure 14 (a), just can know pixel the 1st formation image point in group of pixels of judging object so.In other words, the serial number of this pixel becomes " 1 " number.In addition, pixel that it is right adjacent, serial number become " 6 " number.In the step S356 of Figure 15, the canonical sequence matrix is obtained the serial number as the pixel of judging object like this

The image point number (step S358) of the serial number of the pixel of then, relatively obtaining and group of pixels.Then, when judging the image point number (step S358:yes), just conclude in to form image point (step S360) as the pixel of judging object greater than the serial number of pixel.Otherwise, when judging the image point number (step S358:no), then conclude in this pixel, not form image point (step S362) less than the serial number of pixel.

Like this, after a pixel judged whether to form image point, judge the processing (step S364) that whether is through with of all pixels in the group of pixels of selecting.Then, when also having untreated pixel in the group of pixels (step S364:no), just return step S354, select new pixel after, carry out above-mentioned a series of processing.Carry out such processing repeatedly, judge that whether all pixels in the group of pixels form (step S364:yes) behind the image point, have just determined this group of pixels to form the pixel location of image point.So, judge the pixel location (step S366) that whether all group of pixels has been determined to form image point again.Then, when also having untreated group of pixels (step S364:no), just return step S350, select new group of pixels, carry out above-mentioned a series of processing.Carry out such processing repeatedly, judge that the processing to group of pixels finishes back (step S366:yes), just finish the pixel location decision of the 2nd variation shown in Figure 15 and handle.

Like this, according to the sequence that is formed with image point in each pixel in the group of pixels, behind the decision pixel location, relatively the serial number and the image point number of pixel as long as select the pixel of the serial number of pixel less than the image point number, just can determine to form the pixel location of image point.In other words, do not need the number of the pixel that one side calculate to select, one side is selected the pixel of the number that the image point number represents, so can determine pixel location easily.

In addition, the numerical value (being the serial number of pixel) of sequence matrix storage can only obtain the quantity of the pixel that 1 group of pixels comprises at most, is the little numerical value of critical value than the dither matrix storage.Therefore, sequence matrix can be with the capacity storage more much smaller than dither matrix.Owing to carry out the printer that pixel location decision is handled, often there not be to carry enough big memory capacity, so, can also obtain to save the advantage of the memory capacity of printer if the use sequence matrix determines pixel location.

In addition, the sequence matrix shown in Figure 14 (a), become and individual logarithmic data generate handle in order to judge whether each pixel forms image point and the corresponding matrix of the dither matrix of reference.In other words, determine to say in the telling about of processing that the critical value of setting can be thought and represent the sequence that image point forms in dither matrix at pixel location to the 1st execution mode.And the sequence of setting in the sequence matrix of Figure 14 (a) for each pixel in the group of pixels, becomes the sequence identical with the sequence that depends on dither matrix.Like this, if with sequence matrix, as with generate at individual logarithmic data handle in the corresponding matrix of dither matrix of reference, even when using sequence matrix so, also can suitably determine pixel location.In fact, relatively behind Figure 14 (c) and Figure 10 (b) as can be known: the pixel location that the canonical sequence matrix determines, with to judge whether each pixel forms the pixel location of obtaining behind the image point consistent, pixel location is suitably determined.

About this point, some replenishing arranged.Generate at the individual logarithmic data that preamble is told about and to handle, as long as know the image point number that forms in the group of pixels, the information of pixel location, i.e. information about forming in which pixel of each image point in group of pixels are unwanted information.Corresponding therewith, generate in the processing at individual logarithmic data, can replace dither matrix, use simple and easy dither matrix to obtain the image point number.In other words, if use dither matrix, can not only determine the image point number of formation in the group of pixels, and the pixel location that forms each image point also can determine, but owing to generate in the processing at individual logarithmic data, the information of pixel location is unwanted information, so can use the simple and easy dither matrix of the simplification after the information of omitting the decision pixel location from dither matrix.

On the other hand, in pixel location decision is handled, with the information of the image point number that provides group of pixels to form as prerequisite, as long as can determine form the pixel location of these image points.Corresponding therewith, in the pixel location decision is handled, can replace dither matrix, use sequence matrix decision pixel location.In other words, can use from dither matrix the sequence matrix of the simplification after the information of omitting the image point number that forms in the decision group of pixels.

And these simple and easy dither matrix and sequence matrix though each self-contained information is less than dither matrix, after they are lumped together, but become the matrix that can obtain with the equal information of dither matrix.So, the dither matrix of which kind of characteristic no matter, can both generate corresponding simple and easy dither matrix and sequence matrix, after using simple and easy dither matrix to generate a logarithmic data, re-use sequence matrix decision pixel location, thereby become and identical characteristic when using original dither matrix, can produce image point.

C, the 2nd execution mode:

In above the 1st execution mode of telling about, to 1 pixel is divided into a plurality of pixels, and the situation that those pixels that same pixel is divided into are concluded as group of pixels told about.1 pixel is divided into a plurality of pixels, for example, in the time will using, takes place easily than the high image dissection degree printed image of pictorial data of input etc.In this 1st execution mode, each pixel as group of pixels is concluded has identical gray value., the present invention can also be applicable to each pixel in the group of pixels, when having different gray values.For example, set printing image dissection degree for the image dissection degree identical, in 1 group of pixels, when comprising a plurality of pixel of pictorial data, be easy to generate the different situation of each pixel gray value in the group of pixels with the pictorial data of importing.In addition, in order to use and when generating new pixel than the high image dissection degree printed image of pictorial data of input, during gray value by the newly-generated pixel of interpolation operation decision, each pixel in the group of pixels, gray value becomes different values.And then printing image dissection degree even cut apart 1 pixel, generates a plurality of new pixels during only than 1 of the image dissection Du Lvegao of pictorial data, also can think to comprise the pixel that is generated by different pixels in 1 group of pixels.At this moment, each pixel in the group of pixels also is not limited to and has identical gray value.Below, as the 2nd execution mode, tell about using embodiments of the present invention in this case.

Figure 16 is the flow chart that the individual logarithmic data of expression the 2nd execution mode generates the flow process of handling.The individual logarithmic data of the 1st execution mode that this processing was also said with preamble generates to be handled equally, is by the processing of the CPU enforcement of computer 100 in image printing shown in Figure 5 is handled.

Generate at the individual logarithmic data of the 2nd execution mode and to handle, also at first conclude fixed a plurality of pixels, generate group of pixels (step S400)., copy the 1st execution mode here, conclude 8 pixels of vertical 2 row, horizontal 4 row, generate group of pixels.Undoubtedly, as the inductive method of group of pixels, be not limited to this inductive method.Can adopt the whole bag of tricks to conclude.

Then, judge whether comprise edge (step S402) in the group of pixels.In the present embodiment, in a plurality of pixels that group of pixels comprises, the gray scale difference of maximum gray value and minimum gray value is institute's definite value when above, just concludes in this group of pixels to comprise the edge.Undoubtedly, the method for detecting at edge is not limited to this method, can adopt the whole bag of tricks.

Then, conclude when group of pixels does not comprise edge (step S402:no), calculate the average gray value of group of pixels, replace the gray value (step S404) of each pixel with average gray value.Each pixel in its result, group of pixels becomes identical gray value, so can use the same method of saying with preamble of the 1st execution mode, the image point number that forms in the decision group of pixels.

Figure 17 represents in the judgement group of pixels non-flanged to be arranged, conclude when not having the edge, with the key diagram of the situation of the gray value of each pixel in the average gray value displacement group of pixels.In Figure 17 (a), the gray value of each pixel in the group of pixels is shown.The group of pixels in the upper left corner in the drawings, maximum gradation value and minimum gradation value are respectively gray value 100 and gray value 97, its gray scale difference is 3, becomes smaller value.Different therewith, be positioned at the bottom-right group of pixels of this group of pixels, maximum gradation value is 32, and minimum gradation value is 99, and gray scale difference is up to 33.So, set suitable critical value (for example gray value 20), the gray scale difference in the group of pixels is just concluded to comprise the edge during greater than critical value.Otherwise the gray scale difference in the group of pixels is then concluded not comprise the edge during less than critical value, calculates the average gray value in the group of pixels, replaces the gray value of all pixels with average gray value.

Figure 17 (b) is that expression is judged when group of pixels does not comprise the edge like this, with the situation of the gray value of each pixel in the average gray value displacement group of pixels.In illustrated embodiment, the group of pixels of the group of pixels in the upper left corner and right neighbour or below, gray scale difference is all very little, so all pixels in the group of pixels are replaced with average gray value 99,103,94 respectively.The gray value of this pixel is by the group of pixels with the average gray value displacement, because each pixel in the group of pixels becomes identical gray value, so can be the same with the 1st execution mode that preamble was said, the image point number (the step S406 of Figure 16) that should form in the decision group of pixels.

Different therewith, bottom-right group of pixels, gray scale difference is considered to comprise the edge up to 33, so do not carry out this gray value displacement.For this group of pixels, compare the gray value of pixel and the critical value of dither matrix on one side, whether forming image point (with reference to Fig. 9) so that judge each pixel, storage is to the judged result (the step S408 of Figure 16) of each pixel.

Like this, after the processing end to a group of pixels, judge whether the processing of all pixels in the pictorial data finishes (step S410).When also having untreated pixel (step S410:no), just return step S400, generate new group of pixels, continue to carry out repeatedly a series of processing.Like this, with all pixels, conclude as group of pixels, finish step S410:yes after the above-mentioned processing), whether the image point number to the group of pixels that does not comprise the edge is stored step S406 then forms image point to printer 200 outputs (step S412) with each pixel of step S408 storage to the group of pixels that comprises the edge.Its result, whether each pixel forms the data of image point in the data of the image point number of group of pixels and the expression group of pixels, just exports to printer 200 with the state that mixes.Generate at the individual logarithmic data of the 2nd execution mode and to handle, on one side for the data of distinguishing the image point number with represent that the data whether each pixel forms image point export, so export these data with following form.

Figure 18 is in expression the 2nd execution mode, by the key diagram that form of computer 100 to the data of printer 200 outputs.When exporting the image point number of group of pixels formation, shown in Figure 18 (a), on average each group of pixels is exported the data of 4 bits.Because 1 group of pixels adopts 8 pixels to constitute,, there are 4 bits just can show the image point number here, so the image point number can only be got 0～8 value.On the other hand, not output image point number, but when exporting each pixel and whether forming image point, just with the formation dateout shown in Figure 18 (b).In other words, in 4 bits originally, set the some values (in the illustration of Figure 18 (b), being set at " 9 ") in 9～15, in the data of subsequently 8 bits, set each pixel and whether form image point.Because the image point number can only be got 0～8 value, so when the data of 4 bits of front became value more than 9, the data of 8 bits subsequently just can be interpreted as not being expression image point number, but represent whether each pixel forms image point.Then, if each bit is for example corresponding one by one with each pixel according to the sort of serial number shown in Figure 18 (c), just can export the data that whether form image point in the expression group of pixels.During with this form dateout shown in Figure 180, for the group of pixels that does not comprise the edge, as the data of 4 bits to printer 200 transmission; For the group of pixels that comprises the edge, then as the transfer of data of 12 bits.

Undoubtedly, the data whether data of image point number and each pixel of expression the are formed image point back output intent that mixes is not limited to this method, for example, and the bit of can also additional identification using.For example, resemble shown in the symbol (a) among Figure 19, when the bit of identification usefulness was " 0 ", the data of concluding 4 bits subsequently were data of expression image point number.In addition, resemble shown in the symbol (b) among Figure 19, when the bit of identification usefulness was " 1 ", the data that can conclude 8 bits subsequently were the data whether each pixel of expression forms image point.Like this during dateout, for the group of pixels that does not comprise the edge, just as the data of 5 bits to printer 200 transmission; For the group of pixels that comprises the edge, then as the transfer of data of 9 bits.

The volume of transmitted data of the transmission method of the transmission method of Figure 18 and Figure 19 relatively, as can be known: for the group of pixels that does not comprise the edge, adopt the method for Figure 18, volume of transmitted data reduces than the method that adopts Figure 19., for the group of pixels that comprises the edge, but be to adopt the method for Figure 19 can reduce volume of transmitted data on the contrary.Therefore, comprise the ratio at edge in the group of pixels when big, can adopt and use the method transmission data of identification with Figure 19 of bit; Otherwise, comprise the ratio hour at edge, then can adopt the method transmission data of Figure 18.Usually, the ratio that comprises the edge in the group of pixels is so not big, so adopt the method for Figure 18 can transmit data rapidly.

In the step S412 of Figure 16, as mentioned above, the data of the image point number of group of pixels and represent whether each pixel forms the data of image point, with the state that mixes to printer 200 outputs.Like this, export the data of all group of pixels after, the individual logarithmic data that just finishes the 2nd execution mode shown in Figure 16 generates to be handled, and returns image printing and handles.

The pixel location decision of C-2, the 2nd execution mode is handled:

As previously mentioned, in the 2nd execution mode, whether the data of image point number and each pixel of expression form the data of image point, are sended over by computer 100 simultaneously, so in printer 200, just determine to form the pixel location of image point in the following manner.In addition, in following telling about, adopt method transmission data shown in Figure 180.

Figure 20 is the flow chart that is illustrated in the handling process of the pixel location of decision formation image point in the 2nd execution mode.After beginning to handle, at first read in the data (step S500) of preceding 4 bits.Then, judge that the data of reading in are more than 9 (step S502).As previously mentioned, here, the number of picture elements that group of pixels comprises is 8, and the image point number can only be got 0～8 value.Therefore,, just can think that these data do not represent the image point number, but the data of expression back are the data whether each pixel of expression forms image point if the data of reading in are the values more than 9.Otherwise,, just can think that these data are data of the image point number of expression group of pixels formation if the data of reading in are 0～8 values.

Whether therefore, judging the data read in more than 9, is not 9 when above (step S502:no), and the data of reading in are interpreted as the data of image point number, the same with above-mentioned the 1st execution mode, the pixel location (step S504) of formation image point in the decision group of pixels.

On the other hand, the data of reading in are 9 when above (step S502:yes), read in the data of 8 bits subsequently, these data are interpreted as whether each pixel of expression forms the data of image point, thereby decision form the pixel location (step S506) of image point.

Like this, behind the pixel location to a group of pixels decision formation image point, judge whether the processing of all group of pixels finishes (step S508).When also having untreated group of pixels, just return step S500, proceed a series of processing.Like this, carry out above-mentioned processing repeatedly, till to all group of pixels decision pixel locations, after the processing end to all group of pixels, just finish the pixel location decision of the 2nd execution mode shown in Figure 20 and handle, return image printing and handle.

The individual logarithmic data that Figure 16～shown in Figure 19 is carried out in employing generates to be handled and after the image printing of the 2nd execution mode that pixel location decision shown in Figure 20 is handled handles, when the gray value of each pixel is not identical value in group of pixels, also can be to the data of the group of pixels transmission table aspect point number that do not comprise the edge, so can be promptly to printer 200 transmission data, printed images rapidly.

In addition, in the image printing of the 2nd execution mode is handled,,, just long more to the time that printer 200 transmission data are required so it is big more to comprise the ratio of group of pixels at edge because whether each pixel of group of pixels transmission expression that comprises the edge is formed the data of image point.Therefore, improve detected unskirted determinating reference after, just be not easy to detect the edge, shorten thereby make, and then printed image rapidly to the 200 transmission required times of data of printer.Yet, on the other hand, for the group of pixels that does not detect the edge, because the gray value of each pixel in the group of pixels is replaced by average gray value, so in order to shorten data transmission period the edge determinating reference carried too high back (after being not easy to detect the edge), just might make print image quality decline.

, the demanding image of print image quality will print the image dissection degree that the image dissection degree is set the pictorial data that is higher than input for usually.Because be transformed into the high image dissection degree, so (the step S104 of Fig. 5) cut apart pixel, when generating new pixel, perhaps carried out interpolation operation when generating new pixel in image dissection degree conversion process, in most of group of pixels, gray value all is to change a little.Therefore,, in most of the cases, do not improve the edge determinating reference and can in most group of pixels, detect yet, can keep rapid transmission data under the preceding topic of high picture quality less than the edge for the demanding image of print image quality.

On the other hand, the image dissection degree of the pictorial data of printing image dissection degree and input is the low image dissection of same degree when spending, and the ratio that detects the edge in the group of pixels just increases.So, in order to shorten, just need to improve determinating reference to the 200 transmission required times of data of printer, make the edge be not easy to detect.,, often pay attention to image quality, and do not require printing rapidly, will print the image dissection degree and set lower value for the time this so, the problem that image quality descends also can not occur even improve the determinating reference at edge.

D, the 3rd execution mode:

More than tell about various execution modes, can only show with state that forms image point or the situation that do not form 2 corresponding gray values of the state of image point pixel one by one and tell about., in printer, the printer that has can pass through to change the size of the image point that forms, or changes the concentration of the ink that uses in order to form image point, and pixel can show more gray value separately thereby make one by one.The present invention also can be suitable for effectively to the many-valued printer of this what is called.Below, tell about the 3rd execution mode that the present invention is used for many-valued printer.

The summary that the image printing of D-1, the 3rd execution mode is handled:

Figure 21 is the flow chart of the flow process handled of the image printing of expression the 3rd execution mode.The image printing of the 3rd execution mode is handled, and the difference of the maximum of handling with the image printing of the 1st execution mode that uses Fig. 5 to tell about is: the data after colour switching is handled are transformed into the data of large, medium and small image point.Below, be the center with this difference, tell about the image printing of the 3rd execution mode and handle.In addition, here.To printer 200 is that the situation that can change the many-valued printer of image point size is told about.But undoubtedly, following tells about, and for not changing the image point size, and changes the printer of the concentration of ink, and the printer that can change the concentration of image point size and ink simultaneously, also can be suitable equally.

In the image printing of the 3rd execution mode is handled, also with the image printing of the 1st execution mode handle the same, at first, read in should conversion pictorial data (step S600), the pictorial data of reading in is carried out colour switching processing (step S602).After the colour switching processing, pictorial data is transformed into the gray value data by C, M, the versicolor gray value performance of Y, K.

, in the printer 200 of the 1st execution mode that preamble is told about, can not change the size of image point here, can only become according to shades of colour and form image point or do not form some states in the image point.Therefore, according to the data after the colour switching processing, judge immediately whether each pixel forms image point.Different therewith, in the printer 200 of the 3rd execution mode, can change the size of image point, form three kinds of image points such as big image point, middle image point, baby elephant point.Therefore, the gradation data that the back obtains is handled in colour switching, be transformed into data that big image point uses, data that middle image point is used and the data (step S604) of baby elephant point usefulness according to shades of colour earlier.

By the conversion of gradation data, carry out with reference to map table shown in Figure 22 to each image point data of big image point, middle image point, little image point.As shown in the figure, corresponding with gradation data in map table, storing elephant point data, middle image point data and baby elephant point data, with reference to this map table, the gradation data after the turn colors conversion.

Then, each data of elephant point data, middle image point data and baby elephant point data are carried out image dissection degree conversion process (step S606).The conversion of image dissection degree can be adopted the whole bag of tricks, but tells about easyly, the same with the 1st execution mode here in order to make, and adopts the method cut apart pixel conversion image dissection degree.In the new pixel of cutting apart back formation, set the identical gray value of gray value with original pixel.

Like this, the image dissection degree is transformed into printing image dissection degree after, carry out a logarithmic data and generate and handle (step S608).In the 3rd execution mode, printer 200 can form three kinds of image points such as big image point, middle image point, baby elephant point.Corresponding therewith, generate in the processing at individual logarithmic data, generate the data of the image point number of these various image points, an image point logarithmic data that obtains is exported to printer 200.

Figure 23 is that the individual logarithmic data that is illustrated in the 3rd execution mode generates in the processing, is generated the key diagram of image point number data conditions by the image point data.Figure 23 (a) is each pixel of concluding to as group of pixels, sets the schematic diagram of the image point data conditions of large, medium and small various image points.Solid line matrix shown in the figure is represented group of pixels respectively.Group of pixels is made of a plurality of pixels, and each pixel is set the image point data, but for diagram is simplified, in Figure 23, has omitted the demonstration of pixel one by one, the substitute is as the demonstration of setting the image point data to group of pixels.For example, the group of pixels in the upper left corner of Figure 23 (a) shows Data (L, M, S)=(2,90,32), and expression sets the image point data " 32 " of the image point data " 90 " of the image point data " 2 " of big image point, middle image point, little image point for each pixel of this group of pixels.Undoubtedly, as in the 1st execution mode, also telling about, when all pixels of formation group of pixels have identical gray value, also can not carry out image dissection degree conversion process, generate in the processing, carry out the conversion of image dissection degree substantially at individual logarithmic data.

Individual logarithmic data at the 3rd execution mode generates in the processing, to the image point data of these various image points, by the processing of hereinafter telling about, generates the image point logarithmic data shown in Figure 23 (b).In Figure 23 (b), also the same with Figure 23 (a), the rectangular of solid line is represented group of pixels.

Group of pixels is made of a plurality of pixels, but has omitted the demonstration of pixel one by one, is shown to the data that group of pixels generates the image point number.For example, in the group of pixels in the upper left corner of Figure 23 (b), show Dot (L, M, S)=(1,2,1), expression as the image point number of big image point, middle image point, little image point, generates " 1 ", " 2 ", " 1 " to constituting each pixel of this group of pixels respectively.Individual logarithmic data about the 3rd execution mode generates the content of handling, and hereinafter repeats.

Printer 200 carries out the pixel location decision and handles (step S610) after accepting the data of image point number of computer 100 output.In the 3rd execution mode, because form 3 kinds of image points such as big image point, middle image point, baby elephant point, so in the pixel location decision was handled, decision formed the pixel location of these various image points.Content about the pixel location decision of the 3rd execution mode is handled hereinafter repeats.

After determining pixel location like this, Yi Bian printer 200 makes carriage 240 carry out main scanning and subscan repeatedly, Yi Bian drive ink gun, thus on printing, form large, medium and small each image point (step S612).Its result just prints out the image corresponding with pictorial data.

Below, the individual logarithmic data of telling about the 3rd execution mode generates the content of handling.Figure 24 is the flow chart that the individual logarithmic data of expression the 3rd execution mode generates the flow process of handling.This is handled also and is implemented by computer 100 built-in CPU

After the individual logarithmic data that begins the 3rd execution mode generates and handles, CPU at first from pictorial data, conclude fixed a plurality of pixels, generate group of pixels (step S700).In the image dissection degree conversion process (the step S606 of Figure 21) of before individual logarithmic data generates processing, carrying out, the same with the 1st execution mode, generate new pixel after cutting apart pixel, conclude as group of pixels so also will cut apart a plurality of pixels that obtain behind the same pixel here.

Then, to each pixel in the group of pixels, read in the image point data (step S702) of big image point, middle image point, little image point.In addition,, constitute the pixel of group of pixels here, have identical gray value after all cutting apart by identical pixel, thus also can read in the image point data one by one to each pixel, and the value that each group of pixels is read in a pixel is got final product.

Like this, read in the image point data of various image points after, with reference to dither matrix, judge whether to form big image point, middle image point, little image point (step S704).Figure 25 represents to judge and have the key diagram that pixel should form the method for which image point in big image point, middle image point, the little image point in mind with reference to dither matrix.In addition, in Figure 25,, use the data shown in Figure 23 (a),, use matrix shown in Figure 8 as dither matrix as the image point data.

Figure 25 represents the group of pixels to the visual upper left corner, judges whether to form the situation of various image points.Among the figure, the rectangular tables of heavy line is shown group of pixels, and group of pixels is divided with fine dotted line, and the expression group of pixels is made of a plurality of pixels.In addition, the numerical value shown in the pixel is illustrated in the value of the critical value of setting on the correspondence position of dither matrix.

After beginning to judge whether to form image point, at first, the critical value that the image point data of bigger image point and dither matrix are set, the pixel that the object-point data are big is judged to form big image point.The symbol of Figure 25 (a), expression judges whether to form the situation of big image point like this to each pixel in the group of pixels.Specifically, because the image point data of big image point are " 2 ", be the pixel of " 1 " so have only the gray value in the upper left corner, the value of image point data is big, and remaining pixel all is that the value of critical value of dither matrix is big.Therefore, in this group of pixels, only form 1 big image point.In the symbol (a) of Figure 25, the critical value of giving dither matrix is the additional thin oblique line of the pixel of " 1 ", and expression judges that this pixel forms big image point.

Judged whether form big image point after, image point in then judging whether to form.When the centering image point is judged, with the image point data of big image point and the image point data addition of middle image point, the intermediate data that image point is used in calculating.The critical value set of this intermediate data and dither matrix relatively.Then, with the pixel of intermediate data, predicate the pixel of image point in the formation greater than critical value.At this moment, to concluding the pixel that forms big image point, the judgement of image point in whether not forming.If use the symbol (b) of Figure 25 specifically to tell about, because the image point data of big image point are " 2 ", the image point data of middle image point are " 90 ", so the intermediate data that image point is used in calculating is " 92 ".But, because the pixel in the upper left corner in the group of pixels concluded to form big image point, so do not carry out this relatively.Then, be the pixel of " 42 " and the pixel of " 58 " for the critical value of dither matrix, because intermediate data is big, so conclude image point in the formation.In the symbol (b) of Figure 25, give these pixels additional oblique line, expression judges that this pixel forms middle image point.

Judged whether form in behind the image point, judge whether to form little image point at last.When little image point was judged, the intermediate data that middle image point is used and the image point data addition of little image point calculated the intermediate data of baby elephant point usefulness.To also not concluding the pixel that forms image point, the critical value set of this intermediate data and dither matrix relatively.Then, the pixel that intermediate data is big predicates the pixel that forms little image point.If use the symbol (c) of Figure 25 specifically to tell about, because the intermediate data that middle image point is used is " 92 ", the image point data of middle image point are " 90 ", so add that the image point data of little image point are " 32 ", the intermediate data that calculates baby elephant point usefulness is " 124 ".The critical value set of this intermediate data and dither matrix relatively.Then, be the pixel of " 109 " for the critical value of dither matrix, because intermediate data is big, form little image point so conclude this pixel.In the symbol (c) of Figure 25, give these pixels additional thick oblique line, expression judges that this pixel forms middle image point.In the step S704 of Figure 24, each pixel in the group of pixels is judged whether to form big image point, middle image point, little image point like this.

After judging whether to form various image points, store the number (step S706) of the various image points that this group of pixels should form.In the example of Figure 25,,

store

1,2,1 respectively as the number of big image point, middle image point, little image point.

Like this, a plurality of pixels are reduced group of pixels, after storing the number of the various image points that should form in this group of pixels, whether the processing of judging all pixels that pictorial data comprises finishes (step S708), when also having untreated pixel (step S708:no), just return step S700, generate new group of pixels after, proceed a series of processing.Like this, to the processing end back (step S708:yes) of all group of pixels, just each group of pixels is stored the number of this various image points and export (step S710) to printer 200.

Here, in order further to reduce data volume, to the individual logarithmic data of various image points, with following numeralization state output to printer 200 outputs.

Figure 26 is for the number digital codingization of various image points and the schematic diagram of the map table of reference.In map table,, set code clerk singly according to the combination of the various image point numbers of big image point, middle image point, little image point.For example, any number of big image point, middle image point, little image point all is 0 combination, and setting code clerk is " 0 ".In addition, the number of big image point and middle image point is 0, and the number of little image point is " 1 " individual combination, and setting code clerk is " 1 ".

Like this, the number of various image points is transformed into code clerk after, to printer 200 outputs, just can reduce data volume.About its reason, tell about several below.Here because with group of pixels as what constitute by 8 pixels, be 8 so can obtain the maximum number of various image points.Like this, the data of image point number concerning the kind of every kind of image point, have 4 bits just enough.Because the kind of image point is 3 kinds, so each group of pixels data necessary amount just becomes 12 bits.

Different therewith, as shown in figure 26, because code clerk can only be obtained 0～164 value, so after the numeralization, as long as each group of pixels has 8 bits just enough.In other words, only just can make data volume reduce 1/3rd like this.

And then, in the combination of various image point numbers, also comprise many absent variable combinations in actual print, these combinations are not needed to set code clerk certainly.Like this, if set code clerk only for necessary combination, which each group of pixels data necessary amount will also be lacked than 8 bits, so data volume is further reduced.

In the step S710 of Figure 24, for the foregoing reasons, with after the digital codingization of the number of various image points to printer 200 outputs.Like this, according to group of pixels with the state of numeralization with the number of various image points after printer 200 outputs, individual logarithmic data that just finishes the 3rd execution mode generates to be handled, and returns the image printing processing of Figure 21.

In addition, generate at the individual logarithmic data of above the 3rd execution mode of telling about and to handle, on one side the characteristics pixel judge whether to form various image points on one side.But to the information that printer 200 is supplied with, it is the information of image point number, does not supply with the information of pixel location.Therefore, the 1st variation the same (with reference to Figure 13) of the 1st execution mode that can tell about with preamble is not obtained to the particular pixels position image point number.Figure 27 be this not particular pixels position obtain the schematic diagram of situation of the image point number of various image points.

Figure 27 is that expression is example with the group of pixels of using in the telling about of Figure 25, and does not obtain to the particular pixels position key diagram of method of the image point number of various image points.When multiple image point is calculated the image point number, also the same with the image point number of calculating single image point, use simple and easy dither matrix.As previously mentioned, so-called simple and easy dither matrix, be in dither matrix with group of pixels in the corresponding critical value of each pixel, be used as not the matrix of the group storage of the critical value of concluding by group of pixels accordingly with each pixel.

For example, corresponding with each pixel in the group of pixels in group of pixels shown in Figure 25, set the critical value of dither matrix.Different therewith, in the Figure 27 that uses simple and easy dither matrix, on group of pixels, setting these critical values group 255,212,177,170,109,58,42,1}.Below, according to Figure 27, the method for the image point number of not obtaining to the particular pixels position various image points is told about.

The image point number, according to the image point number of obtaining big image point earlier, the image point number of image point is obtained the order of the image point number of little image point at last and is calculated in obtaining again.The situation of the image point number of big image point is obtained in the symbol of Figure 27 (a) expression, the situation of the image point number of image point during the symbol of Figure 27 (b) expression is obtained, the situation of the image point number of little image point is obtained in the symbol of Figure 27 (c) expression, in order to obtain the image point number of big image point, the group of the image point data of bigger image point and the critical value set to group of pixels.Then, only judge that the number less than the critical value of image point data forms big image point.In the example shown in the symbol (a) of Figure 27, because the image point data of big image point are " 2 ", so have only 1 less than the critical value of image point data, like this, the image point number that can obtain big image point is 1.In the symbol (a) of Figure 27, add thin oblique line for critical value " 1 ", expression concludes that this critical value forms big image point exactly.

After obtaining the image point number of big image point, again with the image point data of big image point and the image point data addition of middle image point, the intermediate data that image point is used in obtaining.Then, the group of this intermediate data and critical value relatively only judges that the number less than the critical value of intermediate data forms middle image point.But discord has judged that the critical value that forms big image point compares.In the example shown in the symbol (b) of Figure 27, because the image point data of big image point are " 2 ", the image point data of middle image point are " 90 ", so the image point data that image point is used in obtaining are " 92 ".Except judging the critical value " 1 " that forms big image point, there are 2 less than the critical value of this intermediate data " 92 ".Like this, the number that can obtain the middle image point that this group of pixels forms is 2.In the symbol (b) of Figure 27, add oblique line for critical value " 42 " and critical value " 58 ", expression concludes that these critical values form middle image point exactly.

After obtaining the image point number of image point, the intermediate data of baby elephant point usefulness is obtained in the image point data addition of intermediate data that middle image point is used and little image point again.Then, the group of this intermediate data and critical value relatively, thus obtain the image point number of little image point.In the example shown in the symbol (c) of Figure 27, because the intermediate data that middle image point is used is " 92 ", the image point data of little image point are " 32 ", are " 124 " so obtain the image point data of baby elephant point usefulness.In the critical value that does not form any image point, has only 1 less than the critical value of this intermediate data, so can judge that the number of the little image point that this group of pixels forms is 1.In the symbol (c) of Figure 27, add oblique line for critical value " 109 ", expression concludes that this critical value forms little image point exactly.

Like this, if one side with reference to simple and easy dither matrix, is simultaneously calculated the image point number of various image points, just ground, particular pixels position calculates the image point number.Like this, as long as the group comparison of image point data or intermediate data and critical value just can be calculated the image point number, and the critical value that does not need to set with each element compares, so can calculate the data of the image point number of various image points rapidly.

The pixel location decision of D-3, the 3rd execution mode is handled:

As previously mentioned, in the decision of the pixel location of the 3rd execution mode is handled, obtain the image point number of various image points by each group of pixels after, data that will expression image point number are to printer 200 transmission.

In printer 200, receive the data that transmission comes, after decision forms the pixel location of various image points,, on printing, form various image points according to decision, thus printed image.Below, tell about the processing that forms the pixel location of various image points according to the data decision of expression image point number.

Figure 28 is the flow chart that the pixel location of expression the 3rd execution mode determines the flow process of processing.These control circuit 260 built-in CPU that handle by printer 200 implement.

After the pixel location that begins the 3rd execution mode determines to handle, at first, select the group of pixels (step S800) of the plain position of knack fixation, then, from transmit next data, obtain the data (step S802) of the group of pixels of selection.Here, as telling about, with the data of image point number state transfer with numeralization with Figure 26.Therefore, the data decoding of numeralization is become the data (step S804) of the image point number of the various image points of expression.

The decodingization of data from a side of code clerk, is carried out with reference to map table shown in Figure 26.For example, if the data of numeralization are " 126 ", so just can be decoded into the data of the image point number of 7 of big image points, 0 of middle image point, 1 of baby elephant point by image point number corresponding in the map table with code clerk " 162 ".

After obtaining the image point number of various image points like this, by the reference dither matrix, thereby decision forms the pixel location (step S806) of various image points.About this processing, told about with reference to Figure 29.

Figure 29 be expression to certain group of pixels, when giving the image point number of various image points, on one side with reference to dither matrix, decision on one side forms the key diagram of situation of the pixel location of these image points.The square line of the heavy line shown in the figure, the expression group of pixels.Divide the fine dotted line of group of pixels, the expression group of pixels is made of a plurality of pixels.In addition, the numerical value shown in the pixel, be illustrated in the dither matrix correspondence position on the critical value set.

In addition, dither matrix uses and the same matrix of matrix that uses in order to calculate the image point number.

Now, the number of supposing the various image points that this group of pixels forms is behind 1 of 1 of the big image point, 2 of middle image points, baby elephant point, at first the pixel location of the big image point of decision formation.As previously mentioned, the critical value of dither matrix can be thought and represent the difficulty or ease that image point forms, so if only form 1 big image point, that just forms on the pixel of the critical value minimum of setting.After having determined the pixel location of big image point, the pixel location of image point during then decision forms.In image point form 2, and the pixel of critical value minimum formed big image point, thus just judge in 2 pixels of little pixel of critical value the 2nd and the 3rd little pixel, form in image point.Continue in after the image point, determine the pixel location of little image point.Little image point only forms 1, and from pixel to the 3 little pixels of critical value minimum formed big image point or image point, so just judge that critical value the 4th little pixel forms little image point.

Figure 29 represents like this order according to big image point, middle image point, little image point, and decision forms the situation of the pixel of image point.In the drawings, with the pixel of thin oblique line, the pixel that forms big image point is judged in expression; The pixel of isocline in the band, the pixel of image point in the formation is judged in expression; With the pixel of thick oblique line, the pixel that forms little image point is judged in expression.In the step S806 of Figure 28, like this on one side with reference to dither matrix, on one side decision form the pixel location of various image points.

Like this, behind the pixel location to the various image points of group of pixels decision formation, whether judgement finishes to determine the processing (step S808) of pixel location to the data of all group of pixels of computer 100 supplies.When also having untreated group of pixels (step S808:no), just return step S800, new group of pixels is continued to carry out repeatedly a series of processing.Like this, judge all group of pixels have been determined (step S808:yes) behind the pixel location, just finish pixel location decision shown in Figure 28 and handle, return image printing and handle.On printing paper, form various image points.Its result just prints out the image corresponding with pictorial data.

When printer 200 is so-called many-valued printers, handle by the image printing of above-mentioned the 3rd execution mode, can be on one side by the image point number of computer 100 to the various image points of printer 200 transmission, on one side printed image.Like this, can more promptly supply with, so even a lot of image of number of picture elements, also printed image rapidly than supplying with the data whether each pixel of expression form image point.

D-4, variation:

In the pixel location decision of above-mentioned the 3rd execution mode is handled, also there are various variation.Below, tell about these variation.

(1) the 1st variation:

In the pixel location decision of above-mentioned the 3rd execution mode is handled, told about when the data decodingization with numeralization, be decoded into the data conditions of the image point number of various image points.; as mentioned above; because according to big image point, middle image point; the order of little image point; the decision pixel location; so can not be the image point number that is decoded into various image points also, but be decoded into the total number of the total number of the number of big image point, big image point and middle image point, big image point, middle image point and little image point.For example, in the illustration of Figure 29, replace and to be decoded as { big image point: 1, middle image point: 2, little image point: 1 }, and be decoded as { big image point: 1, big image point+middle image point: 3, big image point+middle image point+little image point: 4 }.

Figure 30 is the schematic diagram of expression decoding table of reference in order to carry out this decoding.After this form decoding, can determine to form the pixel location of image point rapidly.Below, tell about the pixel location decision of this 1st variation and handle.

Figure 31 is the flow chart that the pixel location of the 1st variation in expression the 3rd execution mode determines the flow process of processing.Below, tell about according to flow chart.After beginning the pixel location decision processing of the 1st variation, at first select the group of pixels of the plain position of knack fixation, obtain the individual logarithmic data (step S830) of this group of pixels.This logarithmic data is supplied with the state of numeralization in the individual logarithmic data generation that preamble is told about is handled.

Then, with reference to decoding table shown in Figure 30, the number data conversion of numeralization is become the aggregate value of the number of the aggregate value of the number of the number of big image point, big image point and middle image point, big image point and middle image point and little image point.Then, with the number of the big image point that obtains critical value THL as big image point, the critical value THm of image point in the aggregate value conduct of the number of big image point and middle image point, the aggregate value of the number of big image point and middle image point and little image point is as the critical value THs (step S832) of little image point.

After obtaining the critical value of various image points, select 1 pixel (step S834) from group of pixels, then, the canonical sequence matrix is obtained the serial number N (step S836) of the pixel of selection.Then, judge the serial number N of pixel and critical value THL, the THm of various image points, the magnitude relationship (step S838) of THs.Its result is if the serial number N of pixel just judges that less than the critical value THL of big image point this pixel forms big image point (step S840).Though but the serial number N of pixel during greater than the critical value THL of big image point less than the critical value THm of middle image point, just judges that this pixel forms middle image point (step S842).Though but the serial number N of pixel during greater than the critical value THm of middle image point less than the critical value THs of little image point, just judges that this pixel forms little image point (step S844).In addition, the serial number N of pixel just judges that this pixel does not form image point (step S846) during greater than the critical value THs of little image point.

Tell about if enumerate object lesson, the critical value THL that establishes big image point now is 2, and the critical value THm of middle image point is 3, and the critical value THs of little image point is 5.In this group of pixels, because big image point only forms 2, so big image point is at the pixel (serial number that is pixel is No. 1 a pixel) of the easiest formation image point be only second to formation in the pixel (serial number that is pixel is No. 2 a pixel) of its easy formation image point.Like this, can judge at the serial number N of pixel and form big image point in less than the pixel of the critical value THL of big image point.In addition, because the critical value THL of big image point is 2, the critical value THm of middle image point is 3, so in this group of pixels, only form 1 middle image point.Here, the serial number of pixel is the pixel of No. 1 and No. 2, has formed big image point, so middle image point is being to form in the 3rd the pixel just.Therefore, can judge image point in the serial number N of pixel forms in greater than the critical value THL of big image point, pixel less than the critical value THm of middle image point.Equally, owing in this group of pixels, only form 2 little image points.So, can judge at the serial number N of pixel to form little image point in less than the pixel of the critical value THs of little image point greater than the critical value THm of middle image point.Then, can judge during serial number N at pixel is greater than the pixel of the critical value THs of little image point and do not form image point.

Like this, after the kind of the image point that decision should form to pixel, judge whether all pixels in the group of pixels of selecting have been determined image point kind (step S848).When also having untreated pixel (step S848:no), just return step S834, select 1 new pixel, proceed above-mentioned a series of processing.Carry out this processing repeatedly, all pixels in the group of pixels have been determined (step S848:yes) after the image point kind, just this group of pixels decision is formed the pixel location of various image points.So, judge whether all group of pixels have been determined pixel location (step S850).When also having untreated group of pixels (step S850:no), just return step S830, carry out a series of processing repeatedly.After carrying out this operation repeatedly, judge all group of pixels have been determined pixel location (step S850:yes), just finish the pixel location decision of the 1st variation shown in Figure 31 and handle.

In the pixel location decision of above the 1st variation of telling about is handled, when data decodingization with numeralization, as shown in figure 30, decoding changes into the aggregate value of the number of the aggregate value of the number of the number of big image point, big image point and middle image point, big image point and middle image point and little image point.Then, they are used as critical value, judge the order of pixel and the magnitude relationship of these critical values, thereby can determine the kind of the image point that this pixel should form immediately.

(2) the 2nd variation:

In addition,, do not judge magnitude relationship, can determine to form in the group of pixels pixel location of image point yet if on form, work hard with the data decodingization of numeralization.Below, tell about this 2nd variation.

Figure 32 is the flow chart that the pixel location of the 2nd variation in expression the 3rd execution mode determines the flow process of processing.In the pixel location decision of the 2nd variation is handled, also after beginning processing, at first select the group of pixels of the plain position of knack fixation, obtain the individual logarithmic data (step S860) of the numeralization of this group of pixels.

Then, with reference to decoding table shown in Figure 33, the number data decoding of numeralization is changed into intermediate data.As shown in figure 33, intermediate data is 8 a numeric string, from the figure place of low level one side, set the numeral (being " 2 ") of image point in the numeral (being " 3 "), expression of the big image point of expression, the numeral (being " 1 ") of the little image point of expression, the numeral (being " 0 ") that expression does not form image point successively here here here here.For example, big image point be 1, middle image point be 2, when little image point is 3, the numeral of the figure place of lowest order is just set the numeral " 3 " of the big image point of expression for, set " 2 " of the number of image point the expression from the 2nd and the 3rd figure place of low level, set " 1 " of the number of the little image point of expression from the figure place of the 4th of low level～6th, on remaining figure place, set the digital " 0 " that expression does not form image point.As a result, intermediate data at this moment becomes the numeral " 00111223 " of 8 figure places shown in Figure 34 (a).Anti-speech, this intermediate data becomes represents that big image point is that 1, middle image point are that 2, little image point are 3 combinations.In Figure 33, setting the individual logarithmic data of numeralization and the corresponding relation of this intermediate data.In the step S862 of Figure 32,, carry out the number data conversion of numeralization is become the processing of intermediate data with reference to this corresponding relation.In addition, here, intermediate data becomes the data of 8 figure places, is to be 8 corresponding to the number of picture elements that group of pixels comprises.So when the number of picture elements that 1 group of pixels comprises was K, intermediate data just became the data of K figure place.

Then, from the group of pixels of the plain position of knack fixation, select 1 pixel as object (step S864), the canonical sequence matrix is obtained the serial number N (step S866) of the pixel of selection.Then,, obtain the numeral of setting on the N figure place,, just on this pixel, form (step S868) with the digital corresponding image point that obtains from the low level of the intermediate data obtained just now.For example, the intermediate data of supposing group of pixels is the data shown in Figure 34 (a), and the order of pixel is the 3rd, so because be " 2 " from the 3rd of the lower-order digit numeral of setting, so judge on this pixel image point in the formation.Figure 34 (b) is to read after the 3rd numeral of setting of lower-order digit, the schematic diagram of the situation of image point during decision forms on this pixel.

Like this, after the kind to pixel decision image point of in group of pixels, selecting, judge whether all pixels in the group of pixels have been determined image point kind (step S870).When also having untreated pixel (step S870:no), just return step S864, from group of pixels, select 1 new pixel, carry out above-mentioned a series of processing.Carry out this processing repeatedly, judge all pixels in the group of pixels have been determined (step S870:yes) after the image point kind, just to the pixel location of the various image points of this group of pixels decision formation.So, judge whether all group of pixels have been determined pixel location (step S872).When also having untreated group of pixels (step S872:no), just return step S860, select new group of pixels, proceed a series of processing.After carrying out this operation repeatedly, judge all group of pixels have been determined pixel location (step S872:yes), just finish the pixel location decision of the 2nd variation shown in Figure 32 and handle.

In the pixel location decision of above the 2nd variation of telling about is handled, when the number data decodingization with numeralization, be transformed into the intermediate data of the number of the sort of expression image point shown in Figure 33, read the numeral on the figure place of the order that is equivalent to pixel, thus the kind of decision image point.Like this, adopt from middle data and read this extremely shirtsleeve operation of value that the relevant position is set, just can determine the kind of image point rapidly.

In addition, different with above-mentioned various execution modes in the pixel location decision of the 2nd variation is handled, can not carry out the kind that condition judgment ground determines image point.In the computer in recent years,, utilizing the technology of so-called pipeline processes for the high speed of realizing handling.But then, we know: for the processing that comprises condition fork, even adopt the technology of pipeline processes, also fail to improve processing speed in addition, the situation that processing speed is descended.In the pixel location decision of the 2nd above-mentioned variation is handled,,, on this viewpoint, can be described as the processing that is fit to high speed processing so the effect of pipeline processes is not fully exerted because can not carry out the kind of condition judgment ground decision image point.

In addition, in above telling about, told about from middle data, read the situation of the numeral of the set positions corresponding with the order of pixel.But also fixedly make the intermediate data displacement read-out position, thereby read the numeral of the set positions corresponding with the order of pixel.Below, the example of use Figure 34 is told about this method.Now, the order of establishing as the pixel of object is No. 3, and the image point kind that forms of this pixel so just is set on the 3rd figure place of the low level of middle data (with reference to Figure 34 (b)).So, with intermediate data displacement to the right 2 figure places, generate the data shown in Figure 34 (c), read the numeral of setting on the figure place of lowest order.If the order as the pixel of object is N, so with intermediate data to the right after the displacement N-1 figure place, the numeral of reading on the figure place of lowest order gets final product.Like this, if make the intermediate data displacement, the position of reading number is fixed on the identical position all the time.Because the operation of the figure place displacement of intermediate data can extremely promptly be implemented, so fixedly behind the position of reading number, just can easier and promptly determine the image point kind.

E, other variation:

Also there are various variation in the present invention except above-mentioned execution mode.Below, simply tell about these variation.

(1) the 1st variation:

Individual logarithmic data at above-mentioned various execution modes generates in the processing, uses so-called dithering to judge whether to form image point., need only gray value, obtain the image point number, with just becoming suitable density so use which kind of gimmick good according to pictorial data.

For example, can generate as the individual logarithmic data of variation shown in Figure 35 and handle, calculate the average gray value of each pixel in the group of pixels,, obtain to essence the image point number that forms in the group of pixels according to this average gray value.Below, according to the flow chart of Figure 35, simply tell about.

After a beginning logarithmic data generates and handles, at first with fixed a plurality of pixels conclude (step S900) as group of pixels, calculate the average gray value (step S902) of each pixel in the group of pixels,, obtain to essence the image point number that forms in the group of pixels according to this average gray value.In other words, corresponding with average gray value as shown in figure 36, be predetermined the image point number that forms in the group of pixels, according to this corresponding relation, according to the average gray value of group of pixels, decision image point number.In addition, in Figure 36, the image point kind is shown is 3 kinds situation, but the image point kind is not limited to 3 kinds.

Then, after the image point number that each group of pixels storage determines like this (step S906), judge whether the processing to all pixels finishes (step S908).Then,, return step S900, continue to carry out repeatedly a series of processing if when also having untreated pixel.After judging the processing of all pixels that is through with, use Figure 30 of storage image point number, adopt the method numeralization of telling about after, with the data of the image point number of numeralization to printer 200 outputs (step S910).

In printer 200, after the data of acceptance by the image point number of computer 100 outputs, carry out the pixel location decision processing that preamble is told about, printed image.Like this, because can obtain the data of the image point number of each group of pixels easily, thus can export the data of image point number rapidly, and then printed image more promptly.

(2) the 2nd variation:

Individual logarithmic data at above-mentioned various execution modes generates in the processing, after at first a plurality of pixels being concluded as group of pixels, and the image point number that forms in the decision group of pixels., can also judge at first whether each pixel forms image point, then a plurality of pixels is concluded as group of pixels.

For example, in variation shown in Figure 37, at first pictorial data is adopted so-called error-diffusion method,, judge whether to form image point (step S950) all pixels.Then, with fixed a plurality of pixels conclude (step S952) as group of pixels, the image point number (step S954) that storage forms by the group of pixels number.

The storage of each group of pixels after the image point number of decision, judges whether the processing to all pixels finishes (step S956) like this, when also having untreated pixel, returns step S900, continues to carry out repeatedly a series of processing.After judging the processing of all pixels that is through with, the image point number of each group of pixels storage is exported (step S958) to printer 200.

In printer 200, after the data of acceptance by the image point number of computer 100 outputs, carry out the pixel location decision processing that preamble is told about, determine to form the pixel location of image point by group of pixels.In addition, in variation shown in Figure 37, obtain the image point number, but at this moment also can determine pixel location with reference to dither matrix as previously mentioned according to error-diffusion method.

In addition, we know, in general, when the use error diffusion method judges whether to form image point, in the low density zone of the formation of image point, can obtain the few good image quality of clutter.Therefore, when for example in many group of pixels of also not forming of one of image point of printing, forming the low density image of the sort of image point of group of pixels sparse distribution of image point,, obtain the image point number of group of pixels according to error-diffusion method, image point is suitably distributed, obtain high-quality image.

(3) the 3rd variation:

In the above various execution modes of telling about, told about situation according to dither matrix decision pixel location.When the sequence matrix of telling about with reference to preamble determines pixel location on one side on one side, though be not directly with reference to dither matrix, because sequence matrix generates according to dither matrix, so can think that indirect ground is according to dither matrix decision pixel location., if can use different sequences to give each group of pixels decision pixel location, just may not determine according to dither matrix.

For example, can shown in the flow chart of Figure 38, store a plurality of sequences, select suitable sequence therefrom for each pixel, the decision pixel location.Below, simply tell about according to the flow chart of Figure 38.

The CPU that the control circuit 260 of printer 200 is built-in after the pixel location decision of beginning variation is handled, at first selects the group of pixels of the plain position of knack fixation, obtains the data (step S970) of the image point number of this group of pixels.Then, from a plurality of sequences of storage in advance, select a sequence (step S972) arbitrarily.In the ROM of control circuit 260,, storing a plurality of sequences in advance to each pixel in the group of pixels.Figure 39 is the schematic diagram of a plurality of sequences of ROM storage.In step S972, from these sequences, select 1 sequence.

Then, with reference to the sequence of selecting, form the pixel location (step S974) of image point in the decision group of pixels.Like this, behind group of pixels decision pixel location, judge whether the processing to all group of pixels finishes (step S976), when also having untreated group of pixels, just return step S970, proceed a series of processing, the decision pixel location.Then, till the processing that finishes all group of pixels, carry out above-mentioned processing repeatedly.

Do like this, also can be according to the data of the image point number of each group of pixels, decision forms the pixel location of image point.In addition, the sequence of reference in order to determine pixel location is almost selected different sequences according to group of pixels, does not form image point and causes the danger that image quality worsens so do not exist with a pattern.

More than, various execution modes are told about.But the present invention is not limited to above those execution modes.In the scope of its aim, can implement with various sample attitudes.

For example, can by communication line, implement behind the main storage of supply computer system or the external memory realizing the software program (application program) of above-mentioned functions.Undoubtedly, implement after can also reading in CD-ROM and floppy disk saved software program.

In addition, in the above embodiment, told about the printer that applies the present invention on printing, form image point, printed image.But range of application of the present invention is not limited to printer.For example, on liquid crystal display picture, with appropriate density the light point is disperseed, thereby in the liquid crystal indicator of representing gradation continually varying image etc., also can use the present invention rightly.

Claims

1, a kind of image output control system comprises: thus to pictorial data implement the image-processing system of fixed image processing and the image autput device that forms the image point output image according to the result of this image processing, it is characterized in that:

Described image-processing system has:

By group of pixels, decide the image point number decision unit of the number of the image point that forms in this group of pixels for a plurality of pixels that constitute described image according to described pictorial data according to a plurality of conclusions; With

To supply with the individual logarithmic data feed unit of described image autput device according to the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels decision,

Described image autput device comprises:

According to each described group of pixels, the sequence discrete cell of the sequence of the specific pixel that in described group of pixels, is formed with image point in each pixel;

According to the data and the described specific sequence of described image point number, to the pixel location that in described group of pixels, forms image point each pixel location that determines decision unit according to this group of pixels; And

The image point that forms image point according to the pixel location of described decision forms the unit,

Described logarithmic data feed unit has the unit of supplying with the data of described image point number with the state of numeralization;

Described logarithmic data accepted the unit, has the data of the image point number of accepting described being encoded, is decoded into the unit of the number of the image point that should form in the described group of pixels again;

Described pixel location decision unit is according to the data of the image point number of described decoding and the sequence of described selection, determines the unit of described pixel location.

2, image output control system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described sequence discrete cell is from the multiple sequence of preparation in advance, selects 1 sequence for described each group of pixels, thus the unit of specific this sequence.

3, image output control system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described image point number decision unit is the dither matrix according to the corresponding additional critical value of each pixel of giving two-dimensional arrangements, determines the unit of the number of the image point that should form in the described group of pixels;

Described sequence selection unit,

Be at the dither matrix that will determine that described image point number is used, be divided into a plurality of group of pixels,, will give the sequence of the pixel that each group of pixels determines according to the magnitude relationship of giving the corresponding additional critical value of each pixel in this group of pixels, when storing as described a plurality of sequences

Also from a plurality of sequences, select the unit of 1 sequence corresponding with the position of group of pixels on described image according to dither matrix decision.

4, image output control system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described image-processing system has:

Will be according to the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels decision, the control data that uses as being used to control the formation of image point is supplied with the individual logarithmic data feed unit of described image autput device.

5, image-processing system as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that:

Described image point number decision unit has:

Store a plurality of about described group of pixels pictorial data and this group of pixels in the correspondence relation storage of corresponding relation of number of the image point that should form; With

With reference to this corresponding relation, thus the pictorial data of the pixel of concluding according to described group of pixels, the unit of the number of the image point that forms in the decision group of pixels.

6, as claim 4 or 5 described image-processing systems, it is characterized in that:

Described logarithmic data feed unit, be digital codingization with the image point number after, the unit of supplying with as described control data.

7, image-processing system as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that:

Described logarithmic data feed unit has:

According to fixed a plurality of conclusion pixels, thereby generate the group of pixels generation unit of a plurality of group of pixels of cutting apart described pixel; With

The pictorial data of the pixel of concluding according to this group of pixels determines the unit of the number of the image point that this group of pixels should form for each group of pixels.

8, image-processing system as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that:

Described image point number decision unit, be by determining the number of the image point that described group of pixels should form, thereby make the gamma error of the pictorial data generation that group of pixels is concluded, determine the unit of the number of image point at least between the group of pixels in deciding scope with cancelling out each other.

9, image output control system as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that:

Described image-processing system has:

Storage has in advance set the dither matrix memory cell of the dither matrix of critical value for each pixel of two-dimensional arrangements;

With a plurality of pixels of constituting described image according to fixed concluding a plurality ofly, generate the group of pixels generation unit of group of pixels;

The described critical value that corresponding pixel is set in the pixel data of each pixel of concluding by more described group of pixels and the described dither matrix, thus the image point number decision unit of the number of the image point that should form in this group of pixels determined;

10, a kind of image autput device, receive pass through the pictorial data of fixed image processing, according to this pictorial data, form image point, thereby output image is characterized in that: comprising:

According to the data and the described specific sequence of the image point number of described acceptance, to the pixel location that in described group of pixels, forms image point each pixel location that determines decision unit according to this group of pixels; And

According to the pixel location of described decision, the image point that forms image point forms the unit,

Described logarithmic data accepted the unit, has the state with numeralization, accepts the data of described image point number, is decoded into the unit of the number of the image point that should form in the described group of pixels again;

Described pixel location decision unit has according to the data of the image point number of described decoding and the sequence of described selection, determines the unit of described pixel location.

11, image autput device as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that:

12, image autput device as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that: described logarithmic data accepted the unit, is the unit of accepting by adjoining each other and having the described image point number of the group of pixels that a plurality of pixels of institute's allocation relation constitute of data.

13, image autput device as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that:

Described sequence discrete cell,

Be with described a plurality of sequences, with this sequence by with the form storage of sequence matrix of fixed order two-dimensional arrangements the time,

Also from a plurality of sequences of described sequence matrix storage, select the unit of 1 sequence corresponding with the position of group of pixels on described image.

14, image autput device as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that:

Described sequence selection unit, be to add the dither matrix of critical value to each pixel correspondence of two-dimensional arrangements, be divided into a plurality of described group of pixels, according to the magnitude relationship of giving the corresponding critical value of adding of each pixel in this group of pixels, will be to the sequence of the pixel of each group of pixels decision, as described sequence matrix storage the unit.

15, image autput device as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that:

Described pixel location decision unit has the sequence according to described selection, gives the sequence valve decision unit of the sequence valve of the order that each pixel determines to be formed with in each pixel in the described group of pixels image point; With

According to the data and the described sequence valve of the image point number of described group of pixels, detect the pixel location that forms the pixel location of image point in this group of pixels and detect the unit.

16, image autput device as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that:

Described pixel location decision unit has:

If the number of picture elements that described group of pixels comprises is an image point number that N, this group of pixels form when being M, according to the data of the image point number of described group of pixels, generate by meaning M continuous data that form image point and meaning the intermediate data generation unit of the intermediate data that the individual continuous data of the N-M that does not form image point constitute; With

Sequence according to described selection, give the sequence valve of the sequence valve of the order that each pixel determines to be formed with in each pixel in the described group of pixels image point, again according to this sequence valve, from described intermediate data, read the data that meet, detect the unit thereby detect the pixel location that forms the pixel location of image point in this group of pixels.

17, image autput device as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that:

Described pixel location detects the unit, be with described intermediate data, to the direction that means that the data that form image point are assigned with, after a displacement is equivalent to the data of number of described sequence valve, be positioned at the data that this moves the end of side by reading, thereby detect the unit of described pixel location.

18, a kind of visual output control method is characterized in that:

Be to pictorial data implement fixed image processing, form image point according to the result of this image processing, thereby the visual output control method of output image comprises:

For a plurality of pixels that constitute described image by according to the group of pixels of fixed a plurality of conclusions, according to described pictorial data, determine the 1st operation of the number of the image point that forms in this group of pixels;

Form the 4th operation of image point according to the pixel location of described decision,

In described the 1st operation, has the operation of supplying with the data of described image point number with the state of numeralization; With

Accept the data of the image point number of described being encoded, be decoded into the operation of the number of the image point that should form in the described group of pixels again;

Described the 3rd operation is according to the data of the image point number of described decoding and the sequence of described selection, determines the operation of described pixel location.

19, visual output control method as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that:

Described the 1st operation is to have added the dither matrix of critical value according to each pixel correspondence of giving two-dimensional arrangements, determines the operation of the number of the image point that should form in the described group of pixels;

Described the 2nd operation has:

Dither matrix with the described image point number of decision is used is divided into a plurality of group of pixels, according to the magnitude relationship of giving the corresponding additional critical value of each pixel in this group of pixels, store in advance each group of pixels decision pixel sequence operation and

From the sequence of each group of pixels storage of described dither matrix, select the operation of 1 sequence corresponding with the position of group of pixels on described image.

20, image output method as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that:

In the described image processing, have:

The a plurality of pixels that constitute described image are concluded a plurality ofly, generate the operation a of group of pixels;

At least for a plurality of these group of pixels, so that the corresponding relation of the number of the image point that should form in the pictorial data corresponding and this group of pixels all mutually different state in each of this group of pixels, determine the operation b of the number of this image point with described group of pixels;

Will be according to the data of the image point number of described each group of pixels decision, the control data that uses as being used to control the formation of image point is supplied with the operation c of described image autput device.

21, a kind of image output method, be receive pass through the pictorial data of fixed image processing, according to this pictorial data, form image point, thereby the image output method of output image is characterized in that: comprising:

According to the pixel location of described decision, form the step D of image point,

Among the described operation A, have state, accept the data of described image point number, be decoded into the operation of the number of the image point that should form in the described group of pixels again with numeralization;

Among the described operation C, have, determine the operation of described pixel location according to the data of the image point number of described decoding and the sequence of described selection.

22, a kind of image output control system comprises: thus to pictorial data implement the image-processing system of fixed image processing and the image autput device that forms the image point output image according to the result of this image processing, it is characterized in that:

Described image-processing system has:

Described image autput device comprises:

Described sequence selection unit,