CN1691741A

CN1691741A - Image processing device, printing control device, image processing method

Info

Publication number: CN1691741A
Application number: CN 200510007912
Authority: CN
Inventors: 角谷繁明
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2000-10-06
Filing date: 2001-10-05
Publication date: 2005-11-02

Abstract

When image data is converted into an expression format based on the dot on-off state, such conversion is performed in a unit of a raster group comprising a predetermined number of adjacent rasters. When this is done, the binarization errors occurring in each pixel of the last raster located in the last position of such raster group are diffused into surrounding pixels and stored in a first storage unit. The errors are read out from the first storage unit for dot on-off state determination regarding the first raster of the raster group adjacent to the above-mentioned last raster, and binarization errors occurring in connection with this determination are stored in a second storage unit that permits faster reading and writing of data than the first storage unit. The remaining rasters following the first raster are converted into dot rows by conducting dot on-off state determination for each pixel therein in parallel with the process to convert the first raster into a dot row while taking into account the binarization errors that occurred in the first raster. Consequently, the errors that are taken into account by the pixels of the same raster are stored in the second storage unit that permits faster high-speed reading and writing of data, and the image data for the raster group can be converted at a high speed.

Description

Image-processing system, print control, image processing method

The application is dividing an application of following application:

Denomination of invention: image-processing system, print control, image processing method and recording medium

The applying date: October 5 calendar year 2001

Application number: 01803036.X (PCT/JP01/08837)

Technical field

The present invention relates to the technology of conversion, specifically, just relate to this view data is transformed to according to the technology that has or not about the view data of the form of expression of the formation of the point of each pixel with the view data of the tone value performance of a plurality of pixels of composing images.

Background technology

By form the image display device that point comes represent images on the such display media of print media or liquid crystal panel, the output device as various image machines uses widely.Such image display device can only show certain state that whether forms a little partly, still, according to the tone value of the image formation density at control point suitably, just can show tone continually varying image.

In such image display device, for the tone value according to image forms a little with appropriate density, be used for to each pixel judge that the method that has or not a formation has the method that for example is called error-diffusion method and on mathematics with the method that is called the minimum method of mean error of its equivalence etc.

The method that is called error-diffusion method will form point or not form a little and the error of the tone that takes place performance spreads and stores to the not judgement pixel of purpose pixel periphery in advance the purpose pixel, when judgement has the unmatchful point of not judging pixel to form, judge to have or not a formation, in order to eliminate from the next error of neighboring pixel diffusion.In addition, the error that is called the tone performance that the method for the minimum method of mean error will not take place by the judgement that has or not a formation in advance stores the purpose pixel into to the neighboring pixel diffusion, replace when judgement has the unmatchful point of not judging pixel to form, read the error of neighboring pixel storage, judge that the point that unmatchful purpose pixel is arranged forms, in order to offset these errors.

In these methods, owing to image is made of a large amount of pixels, so, can not have or not the judgement of a formation simultaneously to whole pixels.On the other hand, view data is according to the sequentially feeding of the row (being called grating) of the pixel that obtains by scanning according to the relation that generates of scanning original image.On those grounds, have or not the judgement of a formation just to carry out along the grating of composing images.That is, begin order from the pixel of the end that is positioned at grating and have or not the judgement of a formation,, just begin to carry out the processing of adjacent grating if having or not the judgement of the whole pixels on this grating to be through with.In such method, even be mutual adjacent pixels on image, the pixel that belongs to different grating can not be handled continuously, so, to judge that the error of the tone performance that takes place stores in the error buffer, reads use when needed from error buffer by a formation in advance.Like this, by being reflected in the error of the tone performance that takes place in the neighboring pixel, and judging and have or not a formation, just can form point with the corresponding appropriate density of the tone value of image in order to eliminate error, as a result, just can on image display device, show images with high image quality.

But in such method, the error of the tone performance that must be continually takes place during with the judgement that has or not a formation is is at every turn read and write in error buffer, thereby can not promptly have or not the judgement of a formation.Promptly, in error-diffusion method, each judge that have or not when forming must be with should be to the propagated error write error buffer of neighboring pixel diffusion, perhaps, in the minimum method of mean error, each judge have or not when forming and the error of the tone performance that takes place in neighboring pixel must be read from error buffer, no matter which kind of situation, all will read and write continually, thereby judgement has or not a formation all to need the regular hour error buffer.If judge to have or not a formation to need the regular hour, just be difficult to display image promptly.

Summary of the invention

The present invention's motion in order to solve the problems referred to above in the prior art, thus purpose aims to provide by not causing image quality aggravation and shortens and judge to have or not and form the technology that the needed time can promptly show images with high image quality.

For at least a portion that addresses the above problem, image-processing system of the present invention adopts following structure.Promptly, the present invention is a kind of view data of the tone value that receives each pixel of expression and forms and this view data is transformed to the image-processing system of the form of expression that has or not a formation by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel to have or not in each pixel that constitutes this grating, it is characterized in that:have the grating all living creatures and become unit, raster transform unit, end, the 1st error diffusion unit, first raster converter unit, the 2nd error diffusion unit and all the other raster transform unit, the grating all living creatures become the unit mutually many adjacent gratings gather and generate the grating group; Raster transform unit, end is selected to be arranged in the end grating at the end of above-mentioned grating group and is formed and this end raster transform is had or not the point range of a formation for expression by each pixel that constitutes this end grating being judged have or not; The 1st error diffusion unit calculates by judging each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned end grating and above-mentionedly has or not the hue error that forms and take place and to a plurality of pixels diffusions of not judging of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel in each pixel; The first raster converter unit is selected to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group beginning position adjacent with above-mentioned end grating and is had or not a formation by considering to judge to the above-mentioned hue error of each pixel diffusion of this first raster and to each pixel that constitutes this first raster from this end grating, and this first raster is transformed to the point range that expression has or not a formation; The above-mentioned hue error that the 2nd error diffusion unit will take place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster is to the pixel of the not judging diffusion of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel; All the other raster transform unit form and are point range with these all the other raster transforms with the processing that this first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range parallelly by each pixel of considering to be subordinated to the grating group identical with these all the other gratings except all the other gratings of above-mentioned first raster and judged the above-mentioned tone error of the pixel diffusion that has or not a formation and judged these all the other gratings from above-mentioned grating group is had or not, and above-mentioned the 1st error diffusion unit and above-mentioned the 2nd error diffusion unit are will to store the 1st error storage part into to the error from the pixel diffusion of judging the grating group that the above-mentioned pixel that has or not a formation is different and the error that will spread to the identical grating group's of the pixel that has or not this point to form with judgement pixel stores the unit of the 2nd error storage part into.

In addition, of the present invention 1st image processing method corresponding with above-mentioned the 1st image-processing system be receive each pixel of expression tone value view data and form and this view data be transformed to the image processing method of the form of expression that has or not a formation by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel in each pixel that constitutes this grating, to have or not, it is characterized in that: may further comprise the steps, promptly

(A) many adjacent gratings gather the step that generates the grating group mutually;

(B) select to be arranged in the end grating at the end of above-mentioned grating group and form and this end raster transform is had or not the step of the point range of a formation for expression by each pixel that constitutes this end grating being judged have or not;

(C) each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned end grating is calculated by judging above-mentionedly had or not the hue error that forms and in each pixel, take place and to the step of a plurality of pixels diffusions of not judging of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel;

(D) select to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group beginning position adjacent and have or not a formation, this first raster is transformed to the step that expression has or not the point range of a formation by considering to judge to the above-mentioned hue error of each pixel diffusion of this first raster and to each pixel that constitutes this first raster from this end grating with above-mentioned end grating;

(E) the above-mentioned hue error that will take place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster is to the step of the pixel of the not judging diffusion of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel;

(F) by each pixel of considering to be subordinated to the grating group identical with these all the other gratings except all the other gratings of above-mentioned first raster and judged the above-mentioned hue error of the pixel diffusion that has or not a formation and judged these all the other gratings from above-mentioned grating group is had or not form and with the processing that this first raster the is transformed to above-mentioned point range step that is point range with these all the other raster transforms abreast;

Above-mentioned steps (C) and above-mentioned steps (E) are will to store the 1st error storage part into to the error with the pixel diffusion of judging the grating group that the above-mentioned pixel that has or not a formation is different and the error that will spread to the identical grating group's of the pixel that has or not this point to form with judgement pixel stores the step of the 2nd error storage part into.

In such the 1st image-processing system and image processing method, be unit with grating group by the adjacent optical grating constitution of specifying the bar number, be point range by each grating that constitutes this grating group being judged the point that has or not each pixel forms and with each raster transform.Here, do not judge pixel when diffusion in that the hue error that will take place by the judgement that has or not a formation is peritropous, will store discriminatively to the error that the grating group's different with this judgement pixel pixel spreads to the sum of errors of the pixel diffusion that belongs to the grating group identical with the judgement pixel that this hue error takes place.To first raster, read pixel diffusion hue error that come and that stored from adjacent grating group, have or not a formation and this first raster is transformed to point range by judgement.On the other hand, to above-mentioned all the other gratings, consider to be subordinated to and be positioned at the identical grating group of grating with this and judged the pixel diffusion hue error that come and that stored that has or not a formation, have or not a formation by judgement, with the processing that this first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range abreast with these all the other raster transform point ranges.

Like this, if with the processing that above-mentioned first raster the is transformed to point range processing that to carry out above-mentioned all the other raster transforms abreast be point range, just conversion grating group's view data promptly.In addition, owing to carry out conversion by the grating group unit with regard to view data, so, just can be to the error of the pixel diffusion that belongs to identical grating group than Zao the reading of error of spreading to the pixel that belongs to different grating group.Therefore, as long as will store discriminatively with the error that spreads to the pixel that belongs to different grating group to the error of the pixel diffusion that belongs to identical grating group, reading error promptly just, thus processing can more promptly be carried out by grating group unit changing image data.

In such image-processing system, the error to the diffusion of identical grating group's pixel can be stored as can be than the processing of at least one side in the error of different grating groups' pixel diffusion is promptly carried out the storage of data or read.

When pressing grating group unit changing image data, have or not by judgement to form a hue error that takes place, to the pixel than to different grating groups of the pixel diffusion that belongs to identical grating group spread many.Therefore, can be as long as will be stored as than the processing of at least one side in the error of the pixel diffusion that belongs to different grating group is promptly carried out the storage of data or read, just can effectively and promptly carry out the processing of propagated error to the error of the pixel diffusion that belongs to identical grating group.

In such image-processing system, the error of the grating group's that subtend is different pixel diffusion, can store simultaneously at least and pixel count more than the identical number of pixel count that constitutes above-mentioned first raster, simultaneously, the error of the grating group's that subtend is identical pixel diffusion can be stored the pixel count that lacks than the pixel count that constitutes this first raster simultaneously.

When pressing grating group unit changing image data, error to the diffusion of identical grating group's pixel is used in the conversion of this grating group's view data being carried out conversion, needn't store later on, so the storage part of storing this error just can be stored to other the error of pixel diffusion that belongs to this grating group.Therefore, the error of the grating group's that subtend is identical pixel diffusion as long as can only store the pixel count that lacks than the pixel count that constitutes this first raster, just can be used storage part effectively.

In the image-processing system of the conversion of carrying out above-mentioned view data that uses a computer, can store the arithmetic unit of this computer to the error of identical grating group's pixel diffusion into and can directly carry out in the memory element that writes or read of data, can store this arithmetic unit into to the error of different grating groups' pixel diffusion and carry out indirectly in the memory element that writes or read of data.

Can write direct from the arithmetic unit of computer or the memory element of sense data can promptly write or read, therefore,, can promptly store or read error to identical grating group's pixel diffusion by storing in such memory element.Such memory element be not limited to can from above-mentioned arithmetic unit directly carry out writing of data or read a side memory element, also can be directly to carry out the memory element that writes and read from arithmetic unit.

In such image-processing system, at the above-mentioned periphery of having judged the pixel that has or not a formation, make the hue error that in each pixel of above-mentioned end grating, takes place when belonging to different grating group's the pixel of not judging diffusion, can be only to the pixel diffusion of the above-mentioned first raster adjacent with above-mentioned end grating.

Like this, hue error is the pixel of above-mentioned first raster only just from the diffusion of different grating groups' pixel, can be to the pixel diffusion of above-mentioned all the other gratings.Therefore, only have or not the error of reading above-mentioned the 1st error storage portion stores when forming, judge to have or not a formation,, can read the error of the 2nd error storage portion stores, judge to have or not a formation for all the other gratings in each pixel of judging above-mentioned first raster.As a result, overall processing has just been simplified, so, can promptly judge the processing that has or not a formation.

In addition, in such image-processing system, the view data with each 2 grating is transformed to point range one by one, can with the end grating that is arranged in the first raster of these 2 grating fronts and is positioned at the back as described below be transformed to point range like that.That is, each pixel of this end grating is had or not by judgement form the hue error that takes place and spread to the pixel of the pixel of this end grating and the grating group's adjacent above-mentioned first raster with this end grating.In addition, have or not a pixel that forms the hue error that the takes place end grating after the pixel of this first raster and this first raster to spread each pixel of this first raster by judgement.Can consider the hue error that like this diffusion comes, each pixel at each grating group's end be judged have or not a formation.

Like this, as long as one by one each 2 grating is transformed to the processing of point range, just a plurality of gratings can be transformed to abreast the processing of point range by simple processing.

In such image-processing system, to have or not when forming the hue error that takes place by judgement each pixel from the not judgement pixel diffusion of the distant place of pixel more than being positioned at designated value that this hue error takes place, can be only to spreading with the pixel of having judged the grating group that the grating group that has or not this point formation is different.

To have or not a hue error that formation takes place when not judgement pixel at a distance spreads by judgement, and, also can big influence not arranged image quality even how many locations of pixels of diffusion departs from.Therefore, when at a distance not judgement pixel diffusion, as long as the concentrated area to the pixel diffusion of having judged the grating group that the grating group that has or not a formation is different, just can carry out the processing of propagated error simply.

In addition, at least a portion that addresses the above problem, the 2nd image-processing system of the present invention adopts following structure.Promptly, the present invention is a kind of view data of the tone value that receives each pixel of expression and forms and this view data is transformed to the image-processing system of the form of expression that has or not a formation by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel to have or not in each pixel that constitutes this grating, it is characterized in that: have the grating all living creatures and become the unit, select grating converter unit, the 1st hue error memory cell, first raster converter unit, the 2nd hue error memory cell and all the other raster transform unit, the grating all living creatures becomes the unit that mutual many adjacent gratings are gathered generation grating group; Select the grating converter unit to comprise at least to be arranged in the end grating at above-mentioned grating group's end to select grating from this grating group, have or not a formation by each pixel of the grating that constitutes this selection is judged, the raster transform that should select has or not the point range of a formation for expression; The 1st hue error memory cell is calculated by judge the above-mentioned hue error that forms and take place that has or not in each pixel each pixel of the grating that constitutes above-mentioned selection, makes it corresponding with each pixel of having carried out this judgement, and stores in the 1st storage part; The first raster converter unit selects to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group's adjacent with above-mentioned end grating beginning position, periphery in each pixel that constitutes this first raster, consider to have judged the above-mentioned hue error of the neighboring pixel storage that has or not a formation, by judging that this each pixel has or not a formation, is transformed to point range with this first raster; The 2nd hue error memory cell makes the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster corresponding with each pixel of having carried out above-mentioned judgement, and stores in the 2nd storage part; All the other raster transform unit are to considering belonging to the grating group identical with these all the other gratings and judging the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in the pixel that has or not a formation except remaining grating of above-mentioned first raster from above-mentioned grating group, have or not a formation by each pixel of judging these all the other gratings, with the processing that above-mentioned first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range be point range with these all the other raster transforms abreast.

Of the present invention 2nd image processing method corresponding with the 2nd such image-processing system be receive each pixel of expression tone value view data and form and this view data be transformed to the image processing method of the form of expression that has or not a formation by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel in each pixel that constitutes this grating, to have or not, it is characterized in that: may further comprise the steps.That is,

(B) the end grating that comprises the end that is arranged in above-mentioned grating group is at least selected grating from this grating group, has or not a formation by each pixel of the grating that constitutes this selection is judged, the raster transform that should select has or not the step of the point range of a formation for expression;

(C) each pixel of the grating that constitutes above-mentioned selection is calculated by judge the above-mentioned hue error that forms and take place that has or not in each pixel, made it corresponding and step that store with each pixel of having carried out this judgement;

(D) select to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group's adjacent beginning position with above-mentioned end grating, periphery in each pixel that constitutes this first raster, consider to have judged the above-mentioned hue error of the neighboring pixel storage that has or not a formation, this first raster is transformed to the step of point range by judging this each pixel to have or not a formation;

(E) make the above-mentioned hue error that in constituting each pixel of above-mentioned first raster, takes place and distinguish mutually, while and the step of storing corresponding with each pixel of having carried out above-mentioned judgement in the hue error of described step C storage;

(F) to from above-mentioned grating group, considering belonging to the grating group identical and judging the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in the pixel that has or not a formation with these all the other gratings except remaining grating of above-mentioned first raster, have or not a formation by each pixel of judging these all the other gratings, with the processing that above-mentioned first raster the is transformed to above-mentioned point range step that is point range with these all the other raster transforms abreast.

In such the 2nd image-processing system and image processing method, the same with above-mentioned the 1st image-processing system with image processing method, with the grating group by the adjacent optical grating constitution of specifying the bar number is unit, to constituting each grating of this grating group, by judging that each pixel has or not a formation, be point range with each raster transform.At this moment, in the 2nd image-processing system and image processing method, make the hue error that in each pixel of above-mentioned end grating, takes place corresponding with each pixel of carrying out this judgement and store, have or not the hue error of each pixel storage of the above-mentioned end grating of the periphery of reading this pixel when forming in the pixel of judging above-mentioned first raster, judge to have or not a formation.Like this, the hue error that takes place in each pixel of first raster is stored discriminatively with the hue error that takes place in each pixel of above-mentioned end grating in advance.To above-mentioned all the other gratings, consideration is belonging to the grating group identical with these all the other gratings and is judging the hue error that takes place in the pixel that has or not a formation, have or not a formation by judgement, with the processing that this first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range be point range with these all the other raster transforms abreast.

Like this, as long as above-mentioned first raster and all the other gratings are transformed to point range to view data by the grating group unit abreast, changing image data promptly just.In addition, owing to press grating group unit changing image data, so the hue error that takes place in the above-mentioned end grating of the grating group in processing is different with the hue error that takes place in other gratings, after present grating group's processing end and read.Therefore, as long as will in the grating of grating group's end, hue error that takes place and the hue error that in other gratings, takes place store discriminatively, reading error promptly just, thereby changing image data promptly.

In such image-processing system, the hue error that takes place in the grating beyond the grating of end can be stored as can than the hue error that in the grating of end, takes place can promptly carry out the storage of data or read at least one side's processing.

When pressing grating group unit changing image data, owing in 1 grating group, only there is 1 end grating, other gratings then exist more than 1, so, have or not when forming in judgement, the hue error that takes place in the grating beyond the grating of end will be read continually than the hue error that takes place in the grating of end.Therefore, as long as the hue error that will in the grating beyond the end, take place be stored as can than the hue error that in the grating of end, takes place promptly carry out the storage of data or read at least one side's processing, just can effectively and promptly carry out processing by the conversion of grating group unit.

In such image-processing system, to the hue error that in each pixel of above-mentioned end grating, takes place, can store simultaneously at least and pixel count more than the pixel equal number that constitutes this end grating, simultaneously, to the hue error that in each pixel of above-mentioned first raster, takes place, can only store the pixel count that lacks than the pixel that constitutes this first raster by body.

When pressing grating group unit changing image data, have or not by judgement and to form the hue error that takes place and have or not use when forming in that identical grating group's pixel is judged, and needn't store afterwards, so the storage part of storing this hue error can be used for being stored in the hue error that other pixels of belonging to identical grating group take place.Therefore, to the hue error that in each pixel of first raster, takes place, can only store the pixel count that lacks than the pixel that constitutes this first raster, thereby can use storage part effectively.

In the image-processing system of the conversion of carrying out above-mentioned view data that uses a computer, the hue error that takes place in each pixel of above-mentioned first raster can store the arithmetic unit of this computer into and can directly carry out in the memory element that writes or read of data, and the hue error that takes place in each pixel of above-mentioned end grating can store this arithmetic unit into and carry out indirectly in the memory element that writes or read of data.

Can from the arithmetic unit of computer, write direct or the memory element of sense data can write or read rapidly, therefore, as long as the hue error that will take place in the pixel of first raster stores in such memory element, conversion grating group's view data promptly just.Such memory element can be the memory element that writes or read that can carry out data from this arithmetic unit.

In such image-processing system, only the hue error that will take place in each pixel that constitutes this grating the above-mentioned end grating among the above-mentioned grating group stores in this each pixel, can be used as in that above-mentioned first raster is judged and have or not the above-mentioned hue error of considering when forming, consider the hue error of each pixel of above-mentioned end grating, above-mentioned first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range.

Like this, can be only have or not the hue error that takes place in the pixel of the above-mentioned end grating that reads out in the grating group that belongs to different when forming in each pixel of judging above-mentioned first raster, read out in the hue error that takes place in different grating groups' the pixel when forming and have or not in each pixel of judging all the other gratings, so, conversion grating group's view data promptly.

In addition, in such image-processing system, the view data with each 2 grating is transformed to point range one by one, can with the end grating that is arranged in the first raster of these 2 grating fronts and is positioned at the back as described below be transformed to point range like that.Promptly, only the hue error that will take place in the grating of end stores in above-mentioned the 1st storage part, have or not when forming in each pixel that judge to constitute first raster, read the hue error of each pixel storage of this end grating and judge that the hue error that takes place stores in above-mentioned the 2nd storage part in each pixel.To the end grating after this first raster, consider the hue error that in each pixel of this first raster, takes place abreast and be transformed to point range with the processing that this first raster is transformed to point range.

Like this, as long as each 2 raster transform is a point range one by one, just can carry out abreast a plurality of raster transforms by simple processing is the processing of point range.

In such the 1st image-processing system or the 2nd image-processing system, for the hue error that takes place in each pixel that is reflected in above-mentioned first raster and with above-mentioned all the other raster transforms is point range, can form and be point range by considering from the propagated error of this first raster, judge to have or not to each pixel diffusion of these all the other gratings with these all the other raster transforms.Perhaps, can be by the hue error of considering in each pixel of this first raster, to take place, judge to have or not to form and be point range with these all the other raster transforms.

Use these methods, can be reflected in the hue error that takes place in each pixel of above-mentioned first raster, and can be point range above-mentioned all the other raster transforms.

In addition, to on print media, forming ink-jet point and the Printing Department of printing image, be used to control the printed data of the formation of ink-jet point by output, in the print control of this Printing Department of control, can utilize above-mentioned the 1st image-processing system of the present invention or the 2nd image-processing system.

That is, in above-mentioned the 1st image-processing system or the 2nd image-processing system, receive the view data of the tone value of each pixel of expression, can considerably this view data be transformed to by having or not a view data that forms decision.Therefore, if the 1st such image-processing system or the 2nd image-processing system are applied to above-mentioned print control, just view data promptly can be transformed to printed data.If the printed data that will obtain is like this exported to above-mentioned Printing Department, just can promptly print images with high image quality by this Printing Department.

In addition, the present invention also can use a computer and realize realizing that the program of above-mentioned the 1st image processing method or the 2nd image processing method reads in computer.Therefore, the present invention also comprises following form as recording medium.Promptly, the recording medium corresponding with above-mentioned the 1st image processing method is by the view data of the tone value that receives each pixel of expression and judges according to the grating that the row of this pixel form that each pixel that constitutes this grating has or not and form and will realize this view data is transformed to by having or not a program of the method for the form of expression that forms to be recorded as the recording medium that can be read by computer, it is characterized in that: following functional programs realized in record, promptly

(A) many adjacent gratings gather the function that generates the grating group mutually;

(B) select to be arranged in the end grating at the end of above-mentioned grating group and form and this end raster transform is had or not the function of the point range of a formation for expression by each pixel that constitutes this end grating being judged have or not;

(C) each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned end grating is calculated by judging above-mentionedly had or not the hue error that forms and in each pixel, take place and to the function of a plurality of pixels diffusions of not judging of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel;

(D) select to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group beginning position adjacent and have or not a formation, this first raster is transformed to the function that expression has or not the point range of a formation by considering to judge to the above-mentioned hue error of each pixel diffusion of this first raster and to each pixel that constitutes this first raster from this end grating with above-mentioned end grating;

(E) the above-mentioned hue error that will take place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster is to the function of the pixel of the not judging diffusion of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel;

(F) by each pixel of considering to be subordinated to the grating group identical with these all the other gratings except all the other gratings of above-mentioned first raster and judged the above-mentioned hue error of the pixel diffusion that has or not a formation and judged these all the other gratings from above-mentioned grating group is had or not form and with the processing that this first raster the is transformed to above-mentioned point range function that is point range with these all the other raster transforms abreast;

Simultaneously, realize with above-mentioned functions (E) as above-mentioned functions (C) will be to the functional programs of storing discriminatively with the error that the error of the pixel diffusion of having judged the grating group that the above-mentioned pixel that has or not a formation is identical and pixel to different grating groups spread for record.

In addition, the recording medium corresponding with above-mentioned the 2nd image processing method is by the view data of the tone value that receives each pixel of expression and judges according to the grating that the row of this pixel form that each pixel that constitutes this grating has or not and form and will realize this view data is transformed to by having or not a program of the method for the form of expression that forms to be recorded as the recording medium that can be read by computer, it is characterized in that: following functional programs realized in record, promptly

(B) the end grating that comprises the end that is arranged in above-mentioned grating group is at least selected grating from this grating group, has or not a formation by each pixel of the grating that constitutes this selection is judged, the raster transform that should select has or not the function of the point range of a formation for expression;

(C) each pixel of the grating that constitutes above-mentioned selection is calculated by judge the above-mentioned hue error that forms and take place that has or not in each pixel, made it corresponding and function that store with each pixel of having carried out this judgement;

(D) select to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group's adjacent beginning position with above-mentioned end grating, periphery in each pixel that constitutes this first raster, consider to have judged the above-mentioned hue error of the neighboring pixel storage that has or not a formation, this first raster is transformed to the function of point range by judging this each pixel to have or not a formation;

(E) the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in constituting each pixel of above-mentioned first raster is distinguished mutually in the hue error of described step C storage, corresponding with each pixel of having carried out above-mentioned the judgement simultaneously and function of storing;

(F) to from above-mentioned grating group, considering belonging to the grating group identical and judging the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in the pixel that has or not a formation with these all the other gratings except remaining grating of above-mentioned first raster, have or not a formation by each pixel of judging these all the other gratings, with the processing that above-mentioned first raster the is transformed to above-mentioned point range function that is point range with these all the other raster transforms abreast.

As long as the program of these recording mediums is read computer and uses the above-mentioned various functions of this computer realization, just the view data of representing the tone value of each pixel promptly can be transformed to by having or not a view data of the form of expression that forms.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the summary construction diagram of the print system of present embodiment.

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 summary construction diagram as the printer of the image display device of present embodiment.

The flow chart of the flow process of Fig. 4 view data conversion process that to be expression undertaken by the image-processing system of present embodiment.

Fig. 5 is the key diagram that notion formula ground expression use error diffusion method is judged the situation that has or not a formation.

Fig. 6 is the key diagram of expression to the situation of each pixel specification error diffusion coefficient.

Fig. 7 is the key diagram that shortens the principle in processing time during the tone transformation of coefficient that is illustrated in embodiment 1 is handled by the processing of carrying out a plurality of gratings abreast.

Fig. 8 is the flow chart of the flow process handled of the tone transformation of coefficient of expression embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 be the formula of passing through be illustrated in the key diagram of handling the situation of a plurality of gratings in the variation 1 that the tone transformation of coefficient of embodiment 1 handles abreast.

Figure 10 be the notion formula be illustrated in the key diagram of handling the situation of a plurality of gratings in the variation 2 that the tone transformation of coefficient of embodiment 1 handles abreast.

Figure 11 be the notion formula be illustrated in the key diagram of handling the situation of a plurality of gratings in the variation 3 that the tone transformation of coefficient of embodiment 1 handles abreast.

Figure 12 be the notion formula be illustrated in subtend spreads in the variation 4 that the tone transformation of coefficient of embodiment 1 handles error key diagram at a distance to the error diffusion matrix of a certain pixel diffusion of error buffer.

Figure 13 be the notion formula be illustrated in embodiment 2 the tone transformation of coefficient handle in by the processing of carrying out a plurality of gratings abreast the key diagram of the principle in crushed grain processing time.

Figure 14 is a key diagram of during the tone transformation of coefficient that is illustrated in the variation of embodiment 2 is handled each pixel being set the situation of weight coefficient.

Figure 15 is the flow chart of the flow process handled of the tone transformation of coefficient of expression embodiment 2.

Figure 16 be the notion formula be illustrated in the key diagram of handling the situation of a plurality of gratings in the variation 1 that the tone transformation of coefficient of embodiment 2 handles abreast.

Embodiment

The form of the best that carries out an invention

For effect of the present invention and effect more clearly are described, below, according to following order explanation embodiments of the invention.

A. embodiment

B. embodiment 1

B-1. apparatus structure

B-2. the summary of view data conversion process

B-3. the tone transformation of coefficient of embodiment 1 is handled

B-4. variation

C. embodiment 2

C-1. the tone transformation of coefficient of embodiment 2 is handled

C-2. variation

A. embodiment

Below, with reference to Fig. 1 embodiments of the invention are described.Fig. 1 is to be the key diagram that example is used to illustrate embodiments of the invention with the print system.This print system is by constituting as the computer 10 of image-processing system and color printer 20 etc.Computer 10 just is transformed to this view data the printed data that has or not each color dot to show that utilization can be printed by color printer 20 when image machines such as digital camera or color scanner receive the tone images data of coloured image.The conversion of such view data uses the program of the special use that is called printer driver 12 to advance

OK.The tone images data of coloured image also can and make by the computer 10 various application programs of use.

Printer driver 12 is made of resolution conversion module, look conversion module, tone transformation of variables module and a plurality of modules of being called staggered module.Tone transformation of variables module is that carrying out the tone images data conversion is the module that has or not the processing of the form of expression of a formation.The tone transformation of variables module of present embodiment has or not when forming in that the purpose pixel is judged, considers the hue error that takes place in neighboring pixel, judges that in order to eliminate error the purpose pixel has or not a formation.For the processing of being undertaken by other modules, the back explanation.Color printer 20 is according to the printed data by these each module conversion, by form ink dot of all kinds and young man with the mentality of an old fogy's coloured image on print media.

The view data of supplying with printer driver 12 shown in Fig. 1 notion formula like that, being the tone value that makes each pixel that constitutes original image begins the order data structure exported of 1 grating, 1 grating ground one by one from an end of image.Resolution conversion module in the printer driver 12 and look conversion module carry out their processing in 1 grating, 1 grating ground one by one according to the data structure of the view data of supplying with, in the tone transformation of variables module of print system of the present invention, utilize the described method in back to carry out the processing of the grating of adjacent mutually appointment bar number abreast.Fig. 1 is as an example, and the situation of 3 gratings is handled in the expression of notion formula ground abreast.Details, the back explanation, but, if can carry out the processing of many gratings so abreast, then between a plurality of gratings of handling abreast, just can consider the hue error that in each grating, takes place and carry out the judgement of a formation, so, will hue error or propagated error store in the error buffer one by one.That is, in the tone transformation of variables module of present embodiment, needn't read and write continually error buffer, so, the judgement of a formation can promptly be had or not.

Like this, consider the hue error between many gratings, take place and have or not the concrete method of the judgement of a formation just to have various forms abreast, below, use various embodiment that these various forms are described.

B. embodiment 1

B-1. apparatus structure

Fig. 2 is the key diagram of expression as the structure of the computer 100 of the image-processing system of embodiment 1.Computer 100 is is the center with CPU102, ROM104 or RAM106 etc. is interconnected the well-known computer that constitutes by bus 116.CPU102 is made of actual arithmetic unit of handling and the temporary transient a plurality of registers of the data in the processing that keep.The data that register keeps can be handled at high speed than the data of RAM106 storage far away.

Be used to read in the data of diskette 1 24 or mini disk 126 disk controller DDC109, be used for carrying out the peripheral interface PI/F108 of the transmitting-receiving of data, the video interface VI/F112 that is used to drive CRT114 etc. and be connected with computer 100 with ancillary equipment.The described color printer 200 in back is connected with PI/F108 with hard disk 118 grades.In addition, if digital camera 120 or color scanner 122 etc. is connected with PI/F108, also can print the image that is taken into by digital camera 1220 or color scanner 122.In addition,, computer 100 is connected with communication line 300, just can obtain the data of storage device 310 storages that are connected with communication line if network interface unit NIC110 is installed.

Fig. 3 is the key diagram of schematic configuration of the color printer 200 of expression embodiment 1.Color printer 200 is the ink-jet printers that can form the point of green grass or young crops, magenta, Huang, 4 look China inks such as black.Certainly, also can use the ink-jet printer that outside this 4 look China ink, can form the ink dot that amounts to 6 looks that comprises magenta (light magenta) China ink that the low green grass or young crops of dye strength (light greenish blue) is black and dye strength is low.In addition, also can use the ink-jet printer that can form the ink dot that amounts to 7 looks that comprises lightness low (dark) yellow (dark yellow) China ink.Below, according to circumstances different, abbreviate green grass or young crops China ink, magenta ink, Huang Mo, tusche, light greenish blue China ink, light magenta ink, dark yellow ink as C ink, M China ink, Y China ink, K China ink, LC China ink, LM China ink and DY China ink respectively.

Color printer 200 as shown in the figure, print head 241 on carriage 240 is used to carry out the ejection of ink and mechanism that some forms by drive carrying, the control circuit 260 of transmission that makes this carriage 240 transmit the mobile and printing of forming of the mechanism of printing P and control point and carriage 240 along the mechanism of the axially reciprocating of platen 236, by paper pushing motor 235 by tray motor 230 constitutes.

On carriage 240, the print cartridge 242 of taking in the K ink and the print cartridge 243 of taking in the various inks of C ink, M ink, Y ink are installed.When print cartridge 242,243 was installed on the carriage 240, each ink in the box was just supplied with the following ink spray of all kinds 242～247 that is arranged on print head 241 by not shown ingress pipe.The ink spray 244 that the K ink is used as shown in the figure, a plurality of nozzle Nz by certain injector spacing k be arranged in alternately 2 row.The ink spray 245～247 of its allochromatic colour respectively is provided with 1 group of nozzle rows of arranging alternately by injector spacing k too.

Control circuit 260 is made of CPU261 and ROM262, RAM263 etc., control the main scanning and the subscan of carriage 240 by the action of control tray motor 230 and paper pushing motor 235, simultaneously, spray ink droplet in the suitable moment from each nozzle according to the printed data of supplying with from computer 100.Like this, under the control of control circuit 260, form ink dot of all kinds by the suitable position on print media, but just printing color image of color printer 200.

From the method for ink spray ejection ink droplet of all kinds, can variety of methods.That is, thus can use the mode of utilizing piezoelectric element ejection ink or make gassing in the ink via spray the method etc. of ink droplet with being configured in heater on the ink via.In addition, also can use phenomenons such as utilizing hot transfer printing, replace the ejection ink forming the mode of ink dot on the printing or utilizing static to make toner powder of all kinds be attached to the printer of the mode on the print media.

In addition, also can use control from the size of the ink droplet of ink spray ejection or once spray a plurality of fine ink droplets and thereby the method for number of controlling the ink droplet of ejection can be controlled at the printer of the size of the ink dot that printing forms, promptly so-called running point printer.

B-2. the summary of view data conversion process

Fig. 4 is that expression is carried out the image processing of appointment by the view data that the computer 100 as the image-processing system of embodiment 1 is received and this view data is transformed to the flow chart of the flow process of printed data.Such processing is started printer driver 12 by the operating system of computer 100 and is begun.Below, simply drip the view data conversion process that embodiment 1 is described with reference to Fig. 4.

When printer driver 12 begins to carry out the view data conversion process, begin to read in the TGB color image data (step S100) of answering conversion earlier.View data is dripped and is read in printer driver 12 by R (red), G (green), B (basket) 1 grating one by one of all kinds 1 grating.

Then, the resolution with the view data that is taken into is transformed to the resolution (step S102) that color printer 200 prints.When the resolution of color image data hangs down than the printing resolution, by carrying out linear interpolation, between adjacent image data, generate new data, on the contrary, when the resolution of color image data is higher than the printing resolution, by by the certificate of isolating between certain ratio, the resolution of view data is transformed to the printing resolution.

In such conversion during resolution, just carry out the look conversion process (step S104) of color image data.So-called look conversion process will be transformed to the processing of the view data that combination showed of the tone value of all kinds that is used by color printers such as C, M, Y, K 200 by the color image data that combination showed of the tone value of R, G, B exactly.The look conversion process can promptly be carried out by the numerical table with reference to 3 dimensions that are called look map table (LUT).More than Shuo Ming resolution conversion process (step S102) and look conversion process (step S104) are undertaken by each grating.

When the look conversion process finishes, just begin to carry out the tone transformation of variables and handle (step S106).So-called tone transformation of variables is handled, and is exactly the processing of the following stated.The tone data of conversion shows as the data with 256 tone amplitudes of all kinds by the look conversion process.In contrast, in the color printer 200 of present embodiment, can only adopt a certain state in " formation point " and " not forming a little ".That is, the color printer 200 of present embodiment can only show 2 tones partly.Therefore, the view data that must will have 256 tones is transformed to the view data of the 2 tones performance that can show with color printer 200.The processing of carrying out such tone transformation of variable is exactly that the tone transformation of variables is handled.As previously mentioned, in the tone transformation of variables of present embodiment is handled, have or not a formation, just can handle rapidly by judging a plurality of gratings abreast.Handle about the tone transformation of variables, the back describes in detail.

Like this, if the tone transformation of variables is handled and to be through with, the printer driver processing (step S108) that just begins to interlock.The staggered processing, the formation order of considering point exactly will be transformed to expression and have or not the view data of the form of formation a little to be transformed to the processing that should transmit to color printer 200 in proper order.Printer driver will interlock the view data handling and obtain at last as printed data to color printer 200 outputs (step S110).Color printer 200 forms ink dot of all kinds according to printed data on print media.As a result, corresponding with view data coloured image just has been printed onto on the print media.

Below, the processing that promptly has or not the judgement of a formation in the tone transformation of variables of embodiment 1 is handled by handling a plurality of gratings abreast is described.

B-3. the tone transformation of variables of embodiment 1 is handled

(a) summary of utilizing the tone transformation of variables of error-diffusion method to handle

Below, the method of carrying out the judgement that a plurality of gratings have or not a formation as an illustration abreast with carry out shortening the preparation that the principle of needed time is handled in the tone transformation of variables by parallel, illustrate simply and in so-called error-diffusion method, judge the method that has or not a formation along grating.

Fig. 5 is that the part that will judge the image that has or not a formation is amplified and the key diagram of notion formula ground expression.1 each 1 each lattice remarked pixel, line of pixels one line forms grating.For convenience of explanation, the grating above the chopping board shown in Fig. 5 (a) is called " grating 0 ", calls " grating 1 " with regard to the grating below it, other are Chao's " grating 2 ", " grating 3 " successively.In order to distinguish each pixel, each pixel also is designated as " Pmn ".Pixel Pmn represents n the pixel of grating m.View data after the look conversion process shown in Figure 4 is the data that make tone value of all kinds corresponding with each pixel.

Error-diffusion method as described below, has or not a formation along the judgement of grating individual element.Fig. 5 (a) is the expression of notion formula ground has or not the situation of a formation to pixel P11 a key diagram.As pixel P11, will judge that in this manual the pixel that has or not a formation is called the purpose pixel.Among the figure, represent the purpose pixel by live in pixel P11 with bold box.In addition, drawn the judgement that pixel that the region representation of oblique line should the zone has carried out having or not a formation among the figure.

Shown in Fig. 5 (a), purpose pixel P11 judged have or not when forming that its result in purpose pixel P11 hue error E11 will take place.That is, no matter pixel P11 has formed a little or has not formed point, the tone value that shows among the pixel P11 (below, such tone value is called end value) usually and the tone value of the view data of this pixel inconsistent.Therefore, hue error just takes place in the difference of the tone value of the view data of the end value of pixel P11 and pixel P11 in the purpose pixel.Error-diffusion method does not judge that to the periphery of purpose pixel pixel adds the weight of appointment, has or not the hue error diffusion that takes place when forming with judge at every turn.The peritropous weight coefficient of not judging that pixel when diffusion use is called the error diffusion coefficient, is the center with the purpose pixel, and each pixel is determined in advance.

Fig. 6 is the key diagram of the situation of decision error diffusion coefficient.The pixel of having drawn oblique line among Fig. 6 is the purpose pixel, according to the error diffusion coefficient that decides each pixel to the purpose locations of pixels.Like this, be that the center setting is called error diffusion matrix to the matrix of the error diffusion coefficient of neighboring pixel with the purpose pixel.For example, in the error diffusion matrix of Fig. 6 (a), for purpose pixel the right adjacent pixels, specification error diffusion coefficient K01 is " 1/4 ".Therefore, when using the error diffusion matrix of Fig. 6 (a), the right adjacent pixels is given in 1/4 error distribution of the hue error that takes place in the purpose pixel.Equally, for the lower-left of purpose pixel, just following, bottom-right each pixel, also be distributed in 1/4 error of the hue error that takes place in the purpose pixel.Error diffusion matrix is not limited to example shown in Figure 6, and the scope of propagated error and error diffusion coefficient etc. can be set at various values, in the error-diffusion method of reality, in order to obtain good image quality, according to circumstances uses suitable error diffusion matrix.Complicated for fear of explanation, in the following description, the narrowest matrix of range of scatter is that the error diffusion matrix of Fig. 6 (a) describes in the error diffusion matrix of usage example.

As error diffusion matrix, if use the matrix of Fig. 6 (a), shown in Fig. 5 (a), the hue error E11 that in purpose pixel P11, takes place respectively to the pixel P20 of the right adjacent pixels P12, lower left, under pixel P21, bottom-right pixel P22 etc. amount to 1/4 of 4 each assigned hue error E 00 of pixel.3 pixels such as pixel P20, the pixel P21 in 4 neighboring pixels, pixel P22 are different with purpose pixel P11, are the pixels that belongs to grating 2.Like this, just form when judging to the error (propagated error) of each pixel diffusion of purpose pixel periphery and to use at the point that carries out these each pixels, so, must drive each pixel difference into row and store.Therefore, propagated error just stores among the jumbo RAM106 of the propagated error that can store a large amount of pixels (referring to Fig. 2).

If the hue error of pixel P11 has been spread to neighboring pixel, just the right adjacent pixels P12 is begun to have or not the judgement of a formation.Fig. 5 (b) is that the expression of notion formula ground judges that purpose pixel P12 has or not the key diagram of the situation of a formation.Carrying out forming when judging, at first, read from neighboring pixel and distribute and the propagated error of accumulation, with the view data of the propagated error correction purpose pixel P12 that reads to purpose pixel P12.Shown in Fig. 5 (b), on purpose pixel P12, having accumulated from the neighboring pixel that has carried out some formation judgement is the error that 4 pixels such as pixel P01, pixel P02, pixel P03, pixel P11 are come according to above-mentioned error diffusion matrix diffusion.From RAM106, read this propagated error, revise the view data of purpose pixel P12, compare, judge to have or not a formation by correction value and the specified threshold value that will obtain.The state that has or not a formation is judged in Fig. 5 (c) expression to new purpose pixel P12.Judging the result have or not a formation, is in new purpose pixel P12 hue error E12 to have taken place, so, with illustrate with Fig. 5 (a) the same, according to error diffusion matrix this hue error is spread to neighboring pixel.

If the hue error that will take place in pixel P12 has spread to neighboring pixel, just begin to judge and have or not a formation to being positioned at more the right adjacent pixels P13.Hue error also takes place in new purpose pixel P13, so, according to error diffusion matrix this error is spread to neighboring pixel, and carry out more the judgement that the right adjacent pixels has or not a formation.Like this, if hue error has been spread to neighboring pixel, just make purpose pixel 1 pixel that moves right one by one, if arrived the pixel of the right-hand member of image, just temporarily turn back to the left end of image, begin the pixel (in example shown in Figure 5, being pixel P20) that is arranged in next grating is had or not the judgement of a formation.The same with grating 1, if grating 2 has also been arrived the pixel of the right-hand member of image, just turn back to the left end of image once more, begin to carry out the processing of grating 3.

Like this, in error-diffusion method, make the purpose pixel move 1 pixel one by one along grating exactly, consider the propagated error that comes from the neighboring pixel diffusion and have or not the judgement of a formation.The hue error that takes place in the purpose pixel by judgement is peritropous not to be judged the pixel diffusion and stores, and is judging that these do not judge that pixel has or not when forming and use.

Here, as previously mentioned, in neighboring pixel, also comprise with the purpose pixel under the different grating of grating on pixel.Have or not the judgement of a formation to carry out along grating, so, even distributed propagated error, before the processing that begins to carry out the grating under this pixel, propagated error that also must memory allocation.In addition, owing to comprise a large amount of pixels in the grating, so, must distribute the propagated error of coming by the state storage of each pixel of difference for a considerable amount of pixels.In order to store propagated error, use the reason of the big RAM106 of memory capacity just to be this.

In addition, to have or not in order will be at every turn the purpose pixel being judged that the hue error that takes place when forming is peritropous does not judge the pixel diffusion, must to read and write data continually RAM106.If RAM106 is read and write data continually, will increase the time of this read-write usefulness, have or not a needed time of formation thereby will prolong judgement.

(b) summary of the tone transformation of variables of present embodiment processing

In contrast, as described below in the tone transformation of variables of present embodiment is handled, many gratings are had or not abreast the judgement of a formation.Like this, will reduce the frequency that RAM106 is read and write data, so, the judgement of a formation can promptly be had or not.Below, the principle that promptly has or not the judgement of a formation by carrying out the processing of a plurality of gratings abreast is described.

Fig. 7 is the key diagram of principle of representing 2 gratings are had or not abreast the judgement of a formation as simple example.Here, these 2 gratings of grating j of grating i and its below are had or not abreast the judgement of a formation.

At first, judge the pixel Pi0 of the leftmost side of grating i.Fig. 7 (a) notion formula represents to judge that pixel Pi0 has or not the situation of a formation.Error from be arranged in grating i directly over the pixel Ph0 of grating h and distribution such as pixel Ph1 store pixel Pi0 into.Therefore, read the propagated error of pixel Pi0 storage from the RAM106 of computer 100, the tone value of correction image data in pixel Pi0 compares by correction value and the specified threshold value that will obtain, and pixel Pi0 judged have or not a formation.Like this, judging that pixel Pi0 has or not when forming, hue error just takes place in pixel Pi0, so, according to error diffusion matrix it is spread to neighboring pixel.Here, complicated for fear of explanation, use the fairly simple error diffusion matrix shown in Fig. 6 (a) to describe.For the ease of understanding, the matrix identical with the error diffusion matrix of Fig. 6 (a) is shown in Fig. 7 (b).The hue error that takes place in pixel Pi0 is distributed to 3 pixels such as pixel Pi1, pixel Pj0, pixel Pj1 according to the error diffusion matrix of Fig. 7 (b), and the value of these propagated errors stores in the register built-in among the CPU102.In Fig. 7 (a), represent that with thick arrow notion formula ground hue error is from the situation of pixel Pi0 to the neighboring pixel diffusion.

In this manual, propagated error between a plurality of gratings of Chu Liing is (in Fig. 7 abreast, for example from the pixel of grating i propagated error to the pixel diffusion of grating j) store into the register, not that propagated error (in Fig. 7, for example from the pixel of the grating j propagated error to the pixel diffusion of grating k) between the grating of handling abreast stores into the RAM106.As previously mentioned, register can be read and write at high speed than RAM106, so, by flexible use register, can more promptly carry out the tone transformation of variables and handle.Error between the grating of Chu Liing is not necessarily must store in the register abreast, can for example store among the RAM106 yet.Even these propagated errors that will use immediately store among the RAM106, usually, also can use the value in the cache memory of staying CPU102, so, in fact can read and write at high speed, handle thereby can promptly carry out the tone transformation of variables.

If pixel Pi0 has been judged a hue error that has or not a formation and spread generation, has just begun to carry out the judgement that has or not a formation of the right adjacent pixels Pi1.To pixel Pi1, be arranged in hue error that the pixel of the grating h of its lastrow takes place and spread, and store among the RAM106 in advance according to the error diffusion matrix of Fig. 7 (b).Therefore, read from what the diffusion of the pixel of grating h came and be stored in error the RAM106 in advance, distribute to pixel Pi1 and store the tone value of the view data of the propagated error correction pixel Pi1 the register into this propagated error with from pixel Pi0.Like this, the view data of pixel Pi1 is revised with regard to using from being positioned at grating h last pixel Ph0, pixel Ph1, pixel Ph2 and the next error of pixel Pi0 diffusion, so, can obtain the correction value that equates with common error-diffusion method.

Relatively the magnitude relationship of this correction value and specified threshold value formed point if correction value greater than threshold value, is just judged in pixel Pi1, otherwise just judgement does not form a little.Hue error also takes place in the result who judges in pixel Pi1, so 4 pixels distributing to periphery according to error diffusion matrix are pixel Pi2, pixel Pj0, pixel Pj1 and pixel Pj2.The value of distributing to the propagated error of these 4 pixels stores in the register of CPU102 by each pixel.In Fig. 7 (a), with thin solid arrow notion formula be illustrated in the hue error that takes place among the pixel Pi1 situation to the neighboring pixel diffusion.For pixel Pj0, stored the propagated error that comes from pixel Pi0 diffusion, so, will after spreading next propagated error and this value addition, store pixel Pi1.In addition, judged to have or not among the pixel Pi1 when forming, just do not needed to store to the employed register of propagated error of pixel Pi1 diffusion, so, in order to store the propagated error of distributing to other pixels from pixel Pi1, can use this register.

If judged and have or not a formation, just begin the pixel Pj0 of the left end that is positioned at grating j is had or not the judgement of a formation to being positioned at pixel Pi0 on the grating i and pixel Pi1.Promptly, here the hue error that takes place by the judgement that has or not a formation spreads to neighboring pixel according to the error diffusion matrix of Fig. 7 (b), so,, be exactly to have distributed all propagated errors to pixel Pj0 if distributed the propagated error of pixel Pi0 and the propagated error of pixel Pi1.Therefore, after the judgement that the point that has carried out these 2 pixels forms, carry out the judgement of pixel Pj0.

Fig. 7 (c) is that the expression of notion formula ground judges that pixel Pj0 has or not the key diagram of the situation of a formation.According to the error diffusion matrix shown in Fig. 7 (b), error spreads to pixel Pj0 from pixel Pi0 and pixel Pi1, and as mentioned above, the value of this error is not to store among the RAM106, but is stored in the register of CPU102.Therefore, use the tone value of these value correction image data in pixel Pj0, judge according to the magnitude relationship of correction value and threshold value to have or not a formation.The result who judges, the hue error that takes place in pixel Pj0 is according to the peritropous pixel Pj1 of error diffusion matrix, 3 pixel diffusions such as pixel Pk0, pixel Pk1.

Here, in example shown in Figure 7, abreast the pixel of the pixel of grating i and grating j is had or not the judgement of a formation.Like this, the judgement that has or not a formation of 2 pixels of pixel Pk0 and pixel Pk1 after being all over, is carried out in the judgement of the pixel of grating i and grating j.Therefore, can think to the propagated error of pixel Pk0 with to the value of the propagated error of pixel Pk1 and temporarily not use, so these values store among the RAM106.On the other hand, to use soon to the propagated error of pixel Pj1, so, store in the register of CPU102.Like this, because grating i and grating j are carried out the judgement that these 2 gratings have or not a formation abreast, so the error that the pixel to grating i that takes place in the grating on grating i spreads stores among the RAM106.Equally, the error that the pixel to grating k that takes place in grating j spreads also stores among the RAM106.In contrast, the error that the pixel to grating j that takes place in grating i spreads stores in the register of CPU102.In Fig. 7, in grating i and grating k, draw oblique line and represent to store among the RAM106 to the propagated error of the pixel diffusion of these gratings.

In addition, in Fig. 7 (c), point to the arrow of pixel Pk0 or the arrow use hollow arrow of pointing to pixel Pk1 from pixel Pj0, represent to be stored in the register of CPU102 to the propagated error that these pixels are distributed from pixel Pj0.Pixel Pj0 judged have or not a formation, so, storage can be used for other purposes to the register of the propagated error of pixel Pj0, be used to store propagated error to pixel Pj1.

Like this, if the hue error that will take place in pixel Pj0 has spread to neighboring pixel, the pixel Pi1 that just will judge grating i has or not a hue error that forms and take place to spread to neighboring pixel, then, judges that the pixel Pj1 of grating j has or not a formation.Fig. 7 (d) is the key diagram that the notion formula is represented this situation.When carrying out the judgement that pixel Pi2 has or not a formation, use is judged to have or not a formation from the next tone value that is stored in the propagated error correction image data the register that is stored in the propagated error the RAM106 and comes from pixel Pi1 diffusion of the pixel diffusion of grating h.The hue error that takes place by judgement spreads to neighboring pixel.As among Fig. 7 (d) with shown in the thick-line arrow like that, store in the register to the propagated error of neighboring pixel.Then, when carrying out the judgement that pixel Pj1 has or not a formation, use the tone value of the propagated error correction image data of register-stored, have or not a formation according to judging with the magnitude relationship of specified threshold value.By judging hue error that I take place and store among the RAM106, store in the register to the propagated error of the pixel of grating j to the propagated error of the pixel of grating k.By above-mentioned processing,, just carry out the processing of pixel Pi3 and pixel Pj2 according to same way if the processing of pixel Pi2 and pixel Pj1 is through with.

In the pixel of Fig. 7 (d), cause that with circle the number of mark represents the pixel of the pixel of grating i and grating j is judged the order that has or not a formation.As shown in the figure, the pixel of grating i and the pixel of grating j that is positioned at the lower left of this pixel are alternately had or not the judgement of a formation.Like this,, just the propagated error to the pixel of grating j can be stored in the register, will store among the RAM106 to the propagated error of the pixel of grating k if grating i and grating j are handled abreast.That is, can reduce that RAM106 is write the frequency of reading propagated error, thereby can promptly have or not the judgement of a formation.

As shown in Figure 7, be pixel Pi0 for the pixel of the left end of grating i, there is not the pixel of grating j in the lower left of this pixel, so flexible ground is positioned at the processing of the pixel Pi1 on the identical grating i after pixel Pi0.At the built on stilts pixel Pj-1 of the lower left of pixel Pi0 imagination, after the processing that is right after the pixel Pj-1 that pixel Pi0 makes somebody a mere figurehead, can not use the judged result that has or not a formation and give up so built on stilts pixel Pj-1.Like this,, also can carry out common processing to built on stilts pixel for the pixel of left end, so, just do not needed flexible processing.

Fig. 8 is the flow chart of flow process of the processing of the expression judgement that 2 gratings had or not abreast a formation.This processing is undertaken by the CPU102 of computer 100.As previously mentioned, the color printer of present embodiment is the printer that can form the ink dot of 4 looks such as C, M, Y, K, and tone transformation of variables shown in Figure 8 is handled and also undertaken by of all kinds, still, complicated for fear of explanation below, not the color of specific ink dot explanation.Certainly, except above-mentioned 4 looks, can also increase LC ink, LM ink, be applied to 6 look printers.

In addition, as previously mentioned, the color printer of present embodiment also can adopt can be to the running point printer that forms the flexible point of size of all kinds.When using the running point thulium, when for example using the running point printer of the various points that can form a little bigger, mid point, point, below the point just handled all size of the tone transformation of variables of explanation carries out.

Like this, along with the point that the color of the ink that uses increases and can form all size, carrying out the number of times that the tone transformation of variables handles also increases, so, carry out these and handle the needed time and also will prolong.The tone transformation of variables that is used for the present embodiment of following explanation is handled and can be handled rapidly, so, also extremely be fit to be applied to this situation.

When the tone transformation of variables that begins to carry out present embodiment is handled, at first, from the 1st grating of the grating handled abreast, obtain to judge the pixel that has or not a formation view data also to the propagated error (step S200) of this pixel diffusion.Here, establish each pixel Pin of n that pixel to be processed is grating i.View data Cdin also propagated error Edin stores among the RAM106.

Then, by the also propagated error Edin addition of view data Cdin with pixel Pin, the correction data Cxin (step S202) of calculating pixel Pin.The correction data Cxin that obtains more like this is specified threshold value th (step S204) also, if it is big to revise data, just judges to have formed point in pixel Pin, and the parameter Cr that represents judged result is write the value " 1 " (step S206) that expression forms point.Otherwise just judge in pixel Pin, not form a little, parameter Cr is write expression do not form a little value " 0 " (step S208).

If the pixel Pin of grating i judged have or not a formation, follow this judgement and the hue error (step S210) that takes place with regard to calculating.According to having formed a little or not formed a little, from revise data Cxin, deduct the tone value (end value) that in pixel Pin, shows, just can obtain hue error Ein.The error diffusion coefficient be multiply by the hue error that obtains, calculate propagated error to the neighboring pixel diffusion.The error diffusion coefficient is set each pixel according to error diffusion matrix.Also store register (step S212) into to the propagated error of the pixel of the grating i that obtains like this diffusion to the propagated error of the pixel diffusion that is arranged in the grating j under the grating i.To the propagated error of in addition pixel diffusion for example if the propagated errors of the pixel of oriented grating k diffusion etc. just store among the RAM106.

Like this, if to the judgement that has or not a formation of the pixel of grating i also the diffusion of error be through with, just begin the pixel Pjn-1 of grating j is had or not the judgement of a formation.That is, from RAM106, read the view data Cdin (step S214) of pixel Pjn-1, from register, read in propagated error Edin-1 (step S216) to pixel Pjn-1 diffusion.From the propagated error Edin-1 that register reads in, also comprise the propagated error that comes from the pixel Pin diffusion of the judgement of just having carried out having or not a formation.When the pixel Pin of grating i is the pixel Pi0 of left end, just built on stilts pixel Pj-1 is carried out such processing.

Secondly, with view data Cdin-1 and propagated error Edin-1 addition, calculate and revise data Cxin-1 (step S218), the correction data Cxin-1 that relatively obtains is specified threshold value th (step S220) also, if it is big to revise data, just judge to have formed point, the parameter Cr of expression judged result is write the value " 1 " (step S222) of expression formation point.Otherwise just write expression and do not form a little value " 0 " (step S224).Then, calculate the hue error Ejn-1 (step S226) that follows this judgement and in pixel Pjn-1, take place.From revise data Cxin-1, deduct the end value of pixel Pjn-1, just can obtain hue error Ejn-1.To multiply by the hue error that obtains according to the error diffusion coefficient that error diffusion matrix is set, calculate propagated error to the neighboring pixel diffusion.Like this, if obtained propagated error, just the propagated error that will spread to the pixel of grating j stores in the register, and the propagated error that will spread to the pixel of grating k stores (step S228) among the RAM106 into.

By above-mentioned processing, judge and the DIFFUSION TREATMENT of error is through with the processing of just judging whole pixels of grating i and grating j whether be through with (step S230) if the point of the pixel of the pixel of grating i and grating j formed.When also having untreated pixel, just make locations of pixels 1 pixel that moves right, promptly use value displacement " n " (the step S232) of " n+1 ", and turn back to step S200, proceed a series of processing.When not had untreated pixel, the processing of just judging all gratings be through with (step S234), when also having untreated grating, just make stop position move down 2 gratings, promptly use value displacement " i " (the step S236) of " i+2 ", and turn back to step S200, proceed a series of processing.When not had untreated grating, tone transformation of variables shown in Figure 8 is handled and is promptly come to an end, and turns back to view data conversion process shown in Figure 4.

As mentioned above, in the tone transformation of variables of embodiment 1 is handled, to the pixel of grating i also the pixel of grating j alternately judge abreast and have or not a formation.Like this, for the pixel of grating j, be right after after the pixel of grating i or have or not the judgement of a formation soon.Therefore, have or not a formation, will temporarily not store into the error buffer to the propagated error of neighboring pixel and also can directly judge from the pixel of grating i for the pixel of grating j, so, the frequency that writes can be reduced to error buffer.As long as can reduce the frequency that writes to error buffer, just can shorten judgement and have or not a needed time of formation, so, can promptly carry out the tone transformation of variables and handle.

In addition, when needs are saved the memory capacity of error buffer, carry out the judgement of other gratings is reused in order to judge the processing of the error buffer that has or not a formation and temporarily use.At this moment, in the tone transformation of variables of the foregoing description 1 is handled, error buffer can be provided with by per 1 grating, so the bar number of the whole gratings that error buffer can be stored reduces by half to 2 gratings.As a result, even do not carry out judging point is formed the processing that employed error buffer reuses for the judgement of other gratings, also can save the capacity of error buffer.Certainly,, can press per 1 grating step-up error buffer to these many gratings if handle abreast than many gratings more than 2, so, capacity that can the wine error buffer.

B-4. variation

(1) variation 1

More than, as simple example, the situation that 2 gratings is had or not abreast the judgement of a formation has been described, still, the bar number of the grating of Chu Liing is not limited to 2 abreast, also can carry out the processing of the grating more than 3 abreast.Fig. 9 is the key diagram of the situation of the notion formula ground expression judgement that 3 gratings had or not abreast a formation.In Fig. 9, to grating i, grating j also 3 gratings such as grating k have or not the judgement of a formation abreast.Complicated for fear of what illustrate, the same with the situation of Fig. 7, also use the error diffusion matrix shown in Fig. 6 (a) here.

Draw oblique line in grating i and grating L, the propagated error that the pixel of these gratings is distributed in expression stores among the RAM106.Numeral in the circle symbol of each pixel of grating i, grating j and grating k judges that each pixel has or not the order of a formation.As shown in the figure, for 3 pixels of beginning, according to judging and have or not a formation with the parallel reason identical order when 2 gratings illustrated in fig. 7 that is located in.From the 4th later pixel, 3 pixels of grating i, grating j and grating k as one group, are judged by this sequential parallel ground to have or not a formation.Here, owing to carry out the processing of 3 gratings of grating i～grating k abreast, to use soon to the error of the pixel diffusion of these 3 gratings, so, store in the register of CPU102.The error of the pixel of grating L diffusion is used after the processing of 3 gratings of grating i～grating k finishes, so the error that spreads to the pixel of grating L stores among the RAM106.By carrying out such processing repeatedly, just can carry out the judgement that has or not a formation of 3 gratings abreast.

Like this, have or not the judgement of a formation, just between mutually adjacent grating i and grating j or grating j and grating k, can obtain and handle abreast the identical effect of 2 gratings if carry out grating i～pixel of grating k abreast.

In addition, if carry out the processing of grating i～grating k abreast,, then judge after the pixel that is right after grating i or soon to have or not a formation for the pixel of grating k.Therefore, even will temporarily not store into the error buffer to the propagated error of neighboring pixel diffusion from the pixel of grating i, the pixel that also can directly judge grating k has or not a formation, so, read-write frequency can be reduced, thereby the needed time of the judgement that has or not a formation can be shortened to error buffer.

(2) variation 2

In above various embodiment, complicated for fear of what illustrate, error diffusion matrix has used the smaller matrix shown in Fig. 6 (a).Certainly, when using other error diffusion matrixs, also can judge abreast the pixel of a plurality of gratings after the same method to have or not a formation.As an example, use the error diffusion matrix of Fig. 6 (b), and explanation judges that abreast 2 gratings have or not the processing of a formation with reference to Figure 10.

For the ease of understanding, the error diffusion matrix that uses is shown in Figure 10 (a).This matrix is identical with the matrix shown in Fig. 6 (b).When using such error diffusion matrix, the hue error that is taking place in drawing the purpose pixel of oblique line is not only to spreading with purpose pixel adjacent pixels but also to its contiguous pixel.If with itself and Figure 10 (b) contrast, the hue error that takes place in pixel Pj2 is exactly to pixel Pi3 and pixel Pi4 diffusion for grating i, is exactly that individual pixel to pixel Pj0～pixel Pj4 spreads for grating j.In other words, for the pixel Pj0 of grating j, except propagated error and propagated error, also distributed propagated error from pixel Pi2 from pixel Pi1 from the pixel Pi0 of grating i.Therefore, after the judgement that has or not a formation that is included in 3 pixels among the grating i is finished, begin to be arranged in the judgement that has or not a formation of the pixel Pj0 of grating j.That is, when using the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 10 (a), the locations of pixels of the pixel of grating i and grating j concerns to be exactly that the pixel of grating j is with respect to the lag behind relation of 2 pixels of the pixel of grating i.Like this, when carrying out the processing of a plurality of gratings abreast, each locations of pixels relation that is included in each grating can decide according to the scope of diffusion hue error.Keeping such position relation, judging that abreast the pixel of these gratings has or not a formation.

Figure 10 (b) be expression to the pixel Pi2 of grating i also the pixel Pj0 of grating j have or not the key diagram of situation of the judgement of a formation continuously.Among the figure with circle cause the numeral that marks grating i also in the pixel of grating j this pixel which have or not the judgement of a formation.In addition, be illustrated in the situation that the hue error that takes place the pixel Pi2 spreads to neighboring pixel according to error diffusion matrix from the thick arrow notion formula ground that pixel Pi2 points to the pixel of periphery.If the hue error of pixel Pi2 has been spread to neighboring pixel, just judge that pixel Pj0 has or not a formation.The propagated error of distributing to the pixel of grating j in pixel Pj0 in the hue error that takes place stores in the register of CPU102, and the propagated error of distributing to the pixel of grating k stores among the RAM106.Point to the hollow arrow of the pixel of grating k from pixel Pj0 and represent that the propagated error of distributing to these pixels is stored in the RAM106.As in the circle along shown in like that, according to the such order of pixel Pj01 pixel Pi3, pixel Pj1 to the pixel of grating i also the pixel of grating j alternately have or not the judgement of a formation.The propagated error of distributing to the pixel of grating i or grating j stores in the register of CPU102, and the propagated error of distributing to grating k stores among the RAM106.Carry out above-mentioned processing repeatedly, if to grating i also whole pixels of grating j carried out having or not the judgement of a formation, just make the position of the grating of processing move down 2 row, by grating k and the grating under it are carried out same processing repeatedly, use the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 10 (a) just can carry out the judgement that 2 gratings have or not a formation abreast.

Like this, when grating i and grating j are had or not the judgement of a formation abreast, also be after the pixel that is right after grating i or the pixel of carrying out grating j soon has or not the judgement of a formation.Therefore, even will temporarily not store into the error buffer to the propagated error of neighboring pixel diffusion from the pixel of grating i, the pixel that also can directly carry out grating j has or not the judgement of a formation, so, can reduce read-write frequency to error buffer.As a result, the read-write frequency that reduces to error buffer just can shorten the needed time of the judgement that has or not a formation.

(3) variation 3

In above various embodiment, the situation of the hue error that takes place in the purpose pixel pixel diffusion of 1 grating under the pixel of the grating that the purpose pixel is arranged and this grating has been described, still, do not limit such situation.For example, if use the error diffusion matrix shown in Fig. 6 (d), the hue error that in the purpose pixel, takes place just under the grating that the purpose pixel is arranged the pixel of its following 2 gratings spread.Figure 11 judges that abreast 3 gratings have or not the key diagram of the processing of a formation when using error diffusion matrix shown in Fig. 6 (d) as the expression of routine notion formula ground.

For the ease of understanding, the error diffusion matrix that uses is shown in Figure 11 (a).This matrix is the identical matrix of matrix with Fig. 6 (d).Suppose and grating i, grating j and these 3 gratings of grating k are judged abreast have or not a formation.The hue error that takes place in the pixel of grating k is according to the pixel diffusion of 3 gratings of grating k～grating m under the error diffusion matrix of Figure 11 (a), for the pixel that is positioned on these 2 gratings of grating L and grating m, judgement has or not a formation after the processing of 3 gratings of grating i～grating k finishes.Therefore, the error to grating L and grating m diffusion stores among the RAM106.In Figure 11 (b), store into and draw oblique line in the pixel among the RAM106 and represent will spreading the error of coming.Like this, when using the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 11 (a), the grating in the register that error that diffusion comes stores CPU102 into alternately occurs and store 2 gratings among the RAM106 into.

(4) variation 4

Hue error when wide scope spreads, when spreading from the distant place of purpose pixel more than specifying far, can be spread to error buffer.For example, establish from the error of the distant place diffusion of purpose pixel more than 3 pixels and spread, can use the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 12 (a) to the pixel that has error buffer.In Figure 12 (a), to crossing at a distance 2 gratings, the pixel with dashed lines shows as one from the purpose pixel, is to be illustrated in there is error buffer in error in these zones in 2 gratings grating diffusion.Below, specifically describe with reference to Figure 12 (b), (c).Consider that the purpose pixel is positioned at the situation on the grating that has error buffer.At this moment, error buffer is positioned on the grating and 2 gratings under it that the purpose pixel is arranged, so the result is just with identical according to the situation of the matrix propagated error shown in Figure 12 (b).Secondly, consider that the purpose pixel is positioned at the situation on the grating that does not have error buffer, at this moment, error buffer is positioned on 2 gratings that are clipped in the middle from the grating that the purpose pixel will be arranged up and down, so the result is just with identical according to the situation of the matrix propagated error shown in Figure 12 (c).

The error diffusion matrix of the error diffusion matrix of more such Figure 12 (a) and Fig. 6 (c) corresponding with it as can be known, to the pixel K03 of Fig. 6 (c) and the error of pixel K13 diffusion, in Figure 12 (a), then concentrate in together to the zone at distance purpose pixel 3 pixel places (being expressed as K3 among the figure) and spread.Equally, to the pixel K04 of Fig. 6 (c) and the error of pixel K14 diffusion, in Figure 12 (a), then concentrate in together to the zone at distance purpose pixel 4 pixel places (being expressed as K4 among the figure) and spread.

The error that will take place in the purpose pixel is known on experience when spread the distant place, even how many locations of pixels of propagated error departs from, the deterioration of too big image quality can not take place also.Therefore, when wide scope spread, for pixel at a distance, even to the pixel diffusion that error buffer is arranged, image quality can not worsen yet with hue error.In above-mentioned various embodiment, not with error when error buffer spreads, just store in the register of CPU102.Therefore, for pixel at a distance, if store in the error buffer, just can save the employed register of the judgement that has or not a formation.If reduced the quantity of the register of memory error, simplify just can make to handle, in addition, if the register of saving is used for other purposes, just can promptly have or not the judgement of a formation.

In the above description, suppose error is spread to the pixel of crossing over 2 gratings, still,, also can cross over 3 gratings and spread if use the error diffusion matrix shown in Figure 12 (d).Like this, when more gratings spread,,, just can not cause image quality aggravation, thereby can simply and promptly handle if to the error buffer diffusion for to the error that spreads at a distance.

C. embodiment 2

Above tone transformation of variables as embodiment 1 is handled and the various embodiment of explanation, will have or not a hue error that forms and take place in the purpose pixel according to the peritropous pixel diffusion of the error diffusion coefficient of setting in error diffusion matrix by judgement.In this sense, can think that the method for embodiment 1 is based on the method that is called so-called error-diffusion method.Utilize not based on such method and, also can carry out the judgement that a plurality of gratings have or not a formation abreast based on the method that is called the minimum method of so-called mean error.Below, illustrate that the tone transformation of variables of such embodiment 2 is handled.

C-1. the tone transformation of variables of embodiment 2 is handled

Figure 13 be the notion formula be illustrated in embodiment 2 the tone transformation of variables promptly have or not the key diagram of principle of the judgement of a formation in handling by carrying out the processing of a plurality of gratings prejudicially.Before the detailed description that the tone transformation of variables that enters embodiment 2 is handled, prepare as it, use Figure 13 that the method that is called the minimum method of mean error is described simply earlier.

In the minimum method of mean error, judge that the purpose pixel has or not when forming, from judged the neighboring pixel that has or not a formation, read out in the hue error that takes place in each pixel, consider these hue errors, carry out the judgement that the purpose pixel has or not a formation.Below, with reference to Figure 13 (a) these processing are described.Figure 13 (a) is that expression judges that pixel Pi0 has or not the key diagram of the situation of a formation.Judge that pixel Pi0 has or not when forming, the hue error that takes place among pixel Ph0 that the weight coefficient of appointment be multiply by at pixel Pi0 periphery and the pixel Ph1 earlier, and calculate the value after their additions.In Figure 13 (a), in pixel Ph0 and pixel Ph1, be expressed as the symbol of Eh0, Eh1 respectively, be illustrated in the hue error Eh0 and the Eh1 that take place in each pixel.Secondly, use the view data of the value correction pixel Pi0 that calculates, judge according to the magnitude relationship of correction value that obtains and specified threshold value to have or not a formation.With the weight coefficient that hue error multiplies each other, in advance each pixel is set according to the relative position relation of each pixel and purpose pixel.Figure 13 (b) is that expression is the situation of weight coefficient is set at the center to each pixel of periphery a key diagram with the purpose pixel.The pixel of having drawn oblique line among the figure is the purpose pixel.For example, to purpose pixel left side adjacent pixels, set its weight coefficient and be " K0-1 ".The matrix that each pixel of purpose pixel periphery is set weight coefficient is not limited to the matrix of Figure 13 (b), can use various matrixes shown in Figure 14.

Like this, if pixel Pi0 has been carried out having or not the judgement of a formation, just begin being positioned at the judgement that the right adjacent pixels Pi1 has or not a formation.Carry out pixel Pi1 have or not the judgement of a formation time, according to the matrix of setting among Figure 13 (b), consider the hue error that in pixel Ph0, pixel Ph1, pixel Ph2 and pixel Pi0, takes place to have or not the judgement of a formation.If the judgement to pixel Pi1 is through with, and then just begin to judge to being positioned at the right adjacent pixels Pi2.Like this, just have or not the judgement of a formation along the grating individual element.As the result of the judgement that has or not a formation and the hue error that takes place store in the error buffer that is arranged among the RAM, after the judgement that has or not a formation that the whole pixels on the grating that is arranged in present processing are carried out finishes, in the processing that is arranged in 1 grating under it, from the error buffer of RAM, read once more and use.

As mentioned above, in order to use the minimum method of mean error to have or not the judgement of a formation, when the purpose pixel being had or not the judgement of a formation at every turn, the hue error of reading neighboring pixel in all must the error buffer from be arranged on RAM, in addition, for the hue error that will take place in the purpose pixel by judgement is used to carry out the judgement that has or not a formation of other pixels, must store in the error buffer in advance.Like this, because continually to error buffer read-write hue error, so, have or not the judgement of a formation just to need the regular hour.

In contrast, in the tone transformation of variables of the embodiment 2 of following explanation is handled,, can promptly have or not the judgement of a formation by carrying out the processing of a plurality of gratings abreast.Below, explanation promptly has or not the principle of the judgement of a formation by carrying out the processing of a plurality of gratings abreast with reference to Figure 13.

Figure 13 is the key diagram of principle of representing 2 gratings are had or not abreast the judgement of a formation as simple example.Here, suppose that 2 gratings to grating i and tight grating j under it have or not the judgement of a formation abreast.

At first, the pixel Pi0 of the leftmost side of grating i is had or not the judgement of a formation.The expression of Figure 13 (a) notion formula ground judges that pixel Pi0 has or not the situation of a formation.For purpose pixel Pi0 is judged, the same with above-mentioned mean error diffusion method, use the hue error Eh0 of pixel Ph0 and the hue error Eh1 of pixel Ph1.These hue errors are stored among the RAM106 of computer 100.The weight coefficient that to set in the matrix of Figure 13 (b) multiply by each hue error of reading from RAM106, revise the view data of purpose pixel Pi0.Judge that according to the correction value that obtains like this pixel Pi0 has or not a formation.In Figure 13 (a), be expressed as from the thick-line arrow notion formula ground that pixel Ph0 or pixel Ph1 point to purpose pixel Pi0 and judged that purpose pixel Pi0 has or not a formation and the hue error of considered pixel Ph0 or pixel Ph1.

If pixel Pi0 has been carried out having or not the judgement of a formation, after the hue error that will take place temporarily stores in the register of CPU102, begin the right adjacent pixels Pi1 of pixel Pi0 is had or not the judgement of a formation.As setting among Figure 13 (b), in the judgement that has or not a formation of pixel Pi1, consider the hue error that in each pixel of pixel Ph0, pixel Ph1, pixel Ph2 and pixel Pi0, takes place.In Figure 13 (a), point to from each pixel pixel Pi1 thin-line arrow notion formula be expressed as and carried out that purpose pixel Pi1 has or not the judgement of a formation and the hue error of considering these pixels.In this 4 each hue error, the hue error Eh1 of the hue error Eh0 of pixel Ph0 and pixel Ph1 has stored the value of using in advance in the judgement that has or not a formation to pixel Ph0 just now, so, can use this value.In addition, the hue error of pixel Pi0 can be used the value of obtaining just now.Therefore, as long as from RAM106, only read the hue error Eh2 of pixel Ph2, just can have or not the judgement of a formation to pixel Pi1.The hue error that takes place in pixel Pi1 as the result who judges stores in the register of CPU102 in advance.

In the tone transformation of variables of embodiment 2 is handled, if to being positioned at the judgement that pixel Pi0 on the grating i and pixel Pi1 have carried out having or not a formation, then just to being positioned at the judgement that pixel Pj0 on the grating j has or not a formation.Figure 13 (c) is that the expression of notion formula ground judges that pixel Pj0 has or not the key diagram of the situation of a formation.By the matrix of Figure 13 (b) as can be known, only the hue error of considered pixel Pi0 and pixel Pi1 just can be carried out the judgement that has or not a formation of pixel Pj0.As previously mentioned, these hue errors Ei0 and Ei1 obtained before pixel Pj0, and stored in the register of CPU102.Therefore, for pixel Pj0, from RAM106, do not read the judgement that hue error just can have or not a formation.Like this, if pixel Pj0 has been carried out having or not the judgement of a formation, just the hue error that will take place in pixel Pj0 stores in the error buffer of the register of CPU102 and RAM106, after, just the pixel of the pixel of grating i and grating j is alternately had or not the judgement of a formation.

The reason that the hue error of pixel Pj0 is stored in the error buffer of RAM106 is, after the processing of grating i and grating j finishes, when having or not the judgement of a formation to being positioned at pixel on the grating k, use hue error Ej0.In addition, not only storing in the error buffer but also store in the register of CPU102, is owing to will use carrying out the judgement that adjacent pixels Pj1 has or not a formation.Carrying out above-mentioned pixel Pi0 or pixel Pi1 when having or not the judgement of a formation, read the hue error that is stored in like this among the RAM106 and use.In Figure 13, drawing oblique line in the pixel of grating h and grating j is that the hue error of representing these pixels is stored in the error buffer.

In Figure 13 (d), the suitable expression in the pixel in the circle symbol has or not the order of the judgement of a formation to each pixel.Shown in Figure 13 (d), be the pixel that is positioned at the pixel Pi2 on the grating i in the pixel that after pixel Pj0, has or not the judgement of a formation.Hue error that has or not consideration in the formation judgement in such pixel is 4 tone values of pixel Ph1, pixel Ph2, pixel Ph3 and pixel Pi1, but, if the hue error of having used when having stored above-mentioned pixel Pi1 is just only read out in the judgement that the hue error that takes place among the pixel Ph3 can have or not a formation from RAM106.In addition, after pixel Pi2, the pixel Pj1 that carries out grating j has or not the judgement of a formation.In the judgement that has or not a formation of pixel Pj1, use the hue error of each pixel of pixel Pi0, pixel Pi1, pixel Pi2 and pixel Pj0, these hue errors were all obtained before judging, and stored in the register of CPU102.Therefore, for pixel Pj1, from RAM106, do not read the judgement that hue error just can have or not a formation.Like this, if obtained the hue error Ej1 of pixel Pj1, just hue error Ej1 is stored in the error buffer of the register of CPU102 and RAM106.

As mentioned above, the pixel of grating i and the pixel that is positioned at the grating j of this pixel lower left are alternately had or not the judgement of a formation.Like this, as long as can carry out the processing of the grating j adjacent abreast, for the pixel of grating j, just from RAM106, do not read the judgement that hue error can have or not a formation with grating i.That is, the frequency that the error buffer of RAM106 is read and write can be reduced, thereby the judgement of a formation can be promptly had or not.

As shown in figure 13, be pixel Pi0 for the pixel of the left end of grating i, owing to do not have the pixel of grating j in the lower left of this pixel, so flexible ground is positioned at the processing of the pixel Pi1 on the identical grating i after pixel Pi0.At the built on stilts pixel Pj-1 of the lower left of pixel Pi0 imagination, after the processing that is right after the pixel Pj-1 that pixel Pi0 makes somebody a mere figurehead, can not use the judged result that has or not a formation and give up so built on stilts pixel Pj-1.Like this,, also can carry out common processing to built on stilts pixel for the pixel of left end, so, just do not needed flexible processing.

Figure 15 is the flow chart of flow process of the processing of the expression judgement that 2 gratings had or not abreast a formation.This processing is undertaken by computer 100.Handle equally with the tone transformation of variables of the foregoing description 1, of all kinds the carrying out that also has by color printer handled in the tone transformation of variables of embodiment 2, and be complicated for fear of what illustrate, not the color of specific ink dot and describing.In addition, when using so-called running point printer, the various bands that the tone transformation of variables of embodiment 2 is handled by point carry out, and this situation with the foregoing description 1 is identical.

When the tone transformation of variables that begins to carry out embodiment 2 is handled, at first, from the 1st grating of the grating handled abreast, obtain the view data (step S300) of the pixel of the judgement that will have or not a formation.Here, consistent with embodiment 1, establish pixel to be processed (purpose pixel) and be each pixel Pin of n of grating i.View data Cdin stores among the RAM106.

Secondly, the hue error (step S302) of reading the neighboring pixel of purpose pixel Pin.So-called neighboring pixel, the pixel of consideration hue error in the judgement that has or not a formation of carrying out the purpose pixel in the appointed area of distance purpose pixel exactly.When carrying out the judgement that the purpose pixel has or not a formation, as neighboring pixel, can consider the pixel of various scopes, still, complicated for fear of explanation, below, consider the neighboring pixel shown in the matrix of Figure 14 (a).When step S302 reads the hue error of neighboring pixel, as use Figure 13 illustrates, the hue error of each pixel that will read when the judgement of the left side adjacent pixels Pin-1 that carries out purpose pixel Pin stores in the register in advance, step S302 can be from RAM106 the readout register hue error of not storing only.

Calculate the correction data Cxin (step S304) of purpose pixel Pin according to the view data Cdin of the hue error of the neighboring pixel of reading like this and purpose pixel Pin.That is, will multiply by the hue error of neighboring pixel, obtain the view data Cdin sum of these calculated values and purpose pixel Pin, as correction data Cxin to the weight coefficient of the appointment of each neighboring pixel decision.The weight coefficient of neighboring pixel is determined each pixel by the matrix of Figure 14 (a).

Correction data Cxin that obtains more like this and specified threshold value th (step S306) if it is big to revise data, just judge to have formed point in pixel Pin, and will represent to form the parameter Cr (step S308) that the value of putting " 1 " writes the expression judged result.Otherwise just judge in pixel Pin, not form a little, and will represent that the value " 0 " that does not form point writes parameter Cr (step S310).

If the pixel Pin of grating i has been carried out having or not the judgement of a formation, follow this judgement and the keynote error E in that takes place with regard to calculating, and store in the register of CPU102 (step S312).The same with embodiment 1, by from revise data Cxin, deducting the end value of purpose pixel Pin, just can obtain hue error Ein.

As described above, if the pixel Pin on the grating i has been carried out having or not the judgement of a formation and hue error stored in the register of CPU102, just begin the pixel Pjn-1 of the grating j of the lower left that is positioned at pixel Pin is had or not the processing of the judgement of a formation.At first, from RAM106, read the view data Cdin-1 (step S314) of pixel Pjn-1, from the register of CPU102, read the hue error (step S316) of each pixel of periphery.Pixel Pin when being positioned at the pixel Pi0 of left end of grating i, just carries out same processing to built on stilts pixel Pj-1.

Below, illustrate at step S316 and can from register, read the hue error of neighboring pixel and the reason that can from the error buffer of RAM106, not read.As previously mentioned,, considered the scope shown in Figure 14 (a),, considered to be positioned at the hue error of the pixel of the hue error of the pixel on the identical grating i and grating j so the pixel on carrying out grating j has or not in the judgement of a formation as neighboring pixel.Here, owing to the pixel of the pixel of grating i and grating j is had or not abreast the judgement of a formation, so what the pixel on carrying out grating j became neighboring pixel when having or not the judgement of a formation just is the pixel of just having carried out having or not the judgement of a formation before this all.Therefore, if will have or not a hue error that formation takes place temporarily to store in the register of CPU102,, also can from register, all read the hue error of neighboring pixel even from the error buffer of RAM106, do not read by judgement.

Like this,, can have or not the judgement of a formation, and calculate that wing should be judged and the hue error Ejn-1 that takes place if the hue error that pixel Pjn-1 has been read neighboring pixel is the same with the situation of pixel Pin.Promptly, calculate correction data Cxin-1 (step S318) according to the hue error of neighboring pixel and the view data Cdin-1 of purpose pixel Pjn-1, correction data Cxjn-1 that relatively obtains and specified threshold value th (step S320), if it is big to revise data, just judge in pixel Pjn-1, to have formed point, and will represent to form the parameter Cr (step S322) that the value of putting " 1 " writes the expression judged result.Otherwise just judge in pixel Pjn-1, not form a little, and will represent that the value " 0 " that does not form point writes parameter Cr (step S324).Then, from revise data Cxjn-1, deduct the end value of purpose pixel Pjn-1, calculate the hue error Ejn-1 that in purpose pixel Pjn-1, takes place.

By above-mentioned processing,, just this hue error Ejn-1 is stored in the error buffer of the register of CPU102 and RAM106 (step S328) if obtained the hue error Ejn-1 of the pixel Pjn-1 on the grating j.Here, hue error is stored into the reasons are as follows in register and the error buffer.That is, the pixel of the hue error Ejn-1 of pixel Pjn-1 on the judgement that has or not a formation of carrying out adjacent pixels Pjn and next grating k has or not in the judgement of a formation and uses.Here, owing to carry out the processing of grating i and grating j abreast, so the judgement that has or not a formation of adjacent pixels Pjn is carried out soon, still, Cai Jinhang after the judgement that is positioned at the pixel on the grating k then will finish in the processing of grating i and grating j.Therefore,, store in the register of CPU102, simultaneously,, also store in the error buffer of RAM106 in order in the judgement of the pixel of grating k, to use in order in the judgement of pixel Pjn, to use the hue error Ejn-1 of pixel Pjn-1.

By above-mentioned processing,, just judge processing to all pixels of grating i and grating j whether be through with (step S330) if having or not the judgement of a formation to be through with to the pixel of grating i and the pixel of grating j.If when also having untreated pixel, just make locations of pixels 1 pixel that moves right, promptly use the value displacement " n " of " n+1 ", and turn back to step S300, proceed a series of processing.If when not had untreated pixel, the processing of just judging all gratings whether be through with (step S332), if also have untreated grating, just make stop position move down 2 gratings, promptly use the value displacement " i " of " i+2 ", turn back to step S300 then, proceed a series of processing.If do not had untreated grating, tone transformation of variables shown in Figure 15 is handled and is promptly come to an end, and turns back to view data conversion process shown in Figure 4.

As mentioned above, handle, the pixel of the pixel of grating i and grating j is alternately had or not abreast the judgement of a formation according to the tone transformation of variables of embodiment 2.Like this, the pixel of grating j just is right after after the pixel of grating i or the very fast judgement that just has or not a formation, so,, also can have or not a judgement of formation to the pixel of grating j even will not store in the error buffer in the hue error of this generation of pixel of grating i in advance.If can the hue error that takes place in the pixel of grating i not stored in the error buffer, just can reduce the frequency that writes, thereby can promptly have or not the judgement of a formation to error buffer.Certainly, the bar number of the grating of Chu Liing is not limited to 2 abreast, also can have or not the judgement of a formation to more grating abreast.The bar number of the grating of Chu Liing is many more abreast, to error buffer to write frequency just few more, thereby can promptly have or not the judgement of a formation.

C-2. variation

The tone transformation of variables of the foregoing description 2 is handled, and uses the judgement that has or not a formation based on the method that is called so-called mean error minimum side.That is, just the hue error that takes place in the purpose pixel stores in this purpose pixel in advance, when carrying out the judgement that new pixel has or not a formation, considers to store into the judgement that hue error in the pixel of periphery has or not a formation.In addition, in the tone transformation of variables of the foregoing description 1 is handled, use the judgement that has or not a formation based on the method that is called so-called error-diffusion method.That is, just the hue error that takes place in the purpose pixel spreads to neighboring pixel, when carrying out the judgement that new pixel has or not a formation, considers the propagated error of judging the accumulation that the pixel diffusion comes from periphery, has or not the judgement of a formation.Opposite with them, also can have or not the judgement of a formation simultaneously with mean error minimum side and error-diffusion method.Below, the variation of such embodiment 2 is described simply.

Figure 16 is the key diagram that the tone transformation of variables of the notion formula variation of representing embodiment 2 is handled.Complicated for fear of what illustrate, suppose here grating i and grating j are handled abreast.In addition, with hue error when neighboring pixel spreads, spread according to the simple error diffusion matrix shown in Fig. 6 (a), when the hue error of considering neighboring pixel has or not the judgement of a formation, consider the hue error of each pixel according to the simple matrix shown in Figure 14 (a).

To be expression have or not the key diagram of situation of the judgement of a formation to the pixel Pi0 of the left end of grating i to Figure 16 (a).Pixel on judging grating h has or not when forming, and the hue error that takes place in each pixel is to each pixel diffusion of grating i and store.For example, the propagated error Edi0 that comes from grating h diffusion stores into the pixel Pi0, and the propagated error Edi1 that comes from grating h diffusion stores into the pixel Pi1, and propagated error Ei2 stores among the pixel Pi2.For the ease of understanding, the error diffusion matrix that uses is shown in Figure 16 (b).In addition, in Figure 16 (a), point to the arrow notion formula ground of the pixel of grating i from the pixel of grating h and represent from each pixel propagated error.

If pixel Pi0 has been carried out having or not the judgement of a formation, just wing is judged and the hue error Ei0 that takes place stores in the register of CPU102, begin to carry out the judgement that the right adjacent pixels Pi1 has or not a formation then.To the judgement that has or not a formation of pixel Pi1, handle the same carrying out with the tone transformation of variables of the embodiment 1 that uses Fig. 7 explanation.That is, read and spread in advance and be stored in propagated error Edi1 among the pixel Pi1, consider this propagated error Edi1 and, have or not the judgement of a formation according to view data from the error that the pixel Pi0 diffusion of the judgement of having carried out having or not a formation just now comes.Like this, the same if pixel Pi1 has been carried out having or not the judgement of a formation with the situation of pixel Pi0, will store in the register of CPU102 by the hue error that this judgement takes place.

By above-mentioned processing, if the pixel Pi0 on the grating i and pixel Pi1 have been carried out having or not the judgement of a formation, just the pixel Pj0 to the left end that is positioned at grating j judges.Figure 16 (c) is the situation that has or not a formation is judged in expression to the pixel Pj0 of grating j a key diagram.To the judgement of the pixel of grating j, use and judge based on the method for the minimum method of mean error and to have or not a formation.That is,, consider the weight of the appointment of each pixel decision to be had or not the judgement of a formation according to matrix to the hue error that in neighboring pixel, takes place.For the ease of understanding, the matrix that uses is shown in Figure 16 (d).

Shown in the matrix of Figure 16 (d) like that, to the judgement that has or not a formation of pixel Pj0, can use the hue error that in pixel Pi0 and pixel Pi1, takes place.As previously mentioned, these hue errors have been obtained and have been stored in the register of CPU102, so, can promptly have or not the judgement of a formation to pixel Pj0.Hue error has taken place in result that pixel Pj0 is judged exactly like this, so, just distribute propagated error to the neighboring pixel that is positioned on the grating k now according to error diffusion matrix.The distribution of propagated error, the error diffusion matrix of use Figure 16 (b).Here, because the pixel of grating i and grating j is handled abreast, so, be exactly after the processing of these gratings finishes to the judgement that has or not a formation of the pixel of grating k.Therefore, the propagated error to each pixel diffusion of grating k stores in the error buffer of RAM106 in advance.In Figure 16 (c), pixel Pk0 from pixel Pj0 sensing grating k and the hollow arrow of pixel Pk1 are represented to be stored in the error buffer of RAM106.

As mentioned above,, have or not the judgement of a formation,, have or not the judgement of a formation according to the minimum method of mean error the pixel of grating j according to error-diffusion method to the pixel of grating i.The hue error that takes place in the pixel of grating j spreads according to error diffusion normal direction neighboring pixel.By carrying out such processing repeatedly, can alternately have or not the judgement of a formation to the pixel of grating i and grating j.Figure 16 (e) is the key diagram of the situation of the such processing of notion formula ground expression.In Figure 16 (e), represent to be stored in the pixel of grating i from the propagated error that grating h diffusion comes by in the pixel of grating i, drawing oblique line.Equally, represent to be stored in the pixel of grating k by in the pixel of grating k, drawing oblique line from the propagated error that grating j diffusion comes.In addition, the numeral of in each pixel of Figure 16 (e), representing with the circle symbol, the order of the judgement that has or not a formation of pixel is carried out in expression.As shown in the figure, the pixel of grating i and the pixel of grating j that is positioned at its lower left as 1 group, are had or not the judgement of a formation by 1 group the position that makes processing, 1 pixel that moves right one by one, just can carry out the processing of grating i and grating j abreast.

Like this, have or not the judgement of a formation as long as the pixel of grating i and grating j hocketed abreast, the hue error that utilization takes place in the pixel of grating i, just can have or not the judgement of a formation to the pixel of after this grating j, thereby the hue error of pixel that just will grating i stores in the error buffer into.As a result, just the frequency that error buffer is read and write can be reduced, thereby the judgement of a formation can be promptly had or not.

In the above description, be to be applied to the pixel of grating i is had or not the judgement of a formation based on the method for error-diffusion method, to be applied to judgement based on the method for the minimum method of mean error to the pixel of grating j, but, to be applied to judgement based on the method for the minimum method of mean error to the pixel of grating i, judgement with the pixel of j also can obtain same effect.

In addition, in the variation of the embodiment 2 of above explanation, be the processing of carrying out 2 gratings of grating i and grating j abreast, still, also can have or not the judgement of a formation abreast to the pixel of more grating.

More than, various embodiment have been described, still, the invention is not restricted to above-mentioned all embodiment, in the scope that does not break away from its purport, can implement with various forms.For example, firmly memory or external memory that the software program (application program) of realizing above-mentioned functions is supplied with computer system by communication line can be carried out.Certainly, also can read in CD-ROM or floppy disk saved software program is carried out.

In addition, in above-mentioned various embodiment, the view data conversion process that comprises tone transformation of variables processing is carried out in computer, still, also can use part or all of image-processing system carries out image data conversion processing printer side or special-purpose.

In addition, image display device is not limited on print media to form ink dot and the printing equipment that prints image, also can be for example on liquid crystal display picture by disperseing bright spot to show the liquid crystal indicator of tone continually varying image with suitable lightness.

As mentioned above,, can not make image quality aggravation and changing image data promptly according to image-processing system of the present invention, print control and image processing method, so, extremely be fit to be applied to the output device of image.Particularly the utmost point is suitable for handling large-sized view data and prints images with high image quality or do not make image quality aggravation and promptly print the printing equipment of image.

Claims

1. the view data of a tone value that receives each pixel of expression and form and this view data is transformed to have or not the image-processing system of the form that a formation represents by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel in each pixel that constitutes this grating, to have or not, it is characterized in that

Have:

The grating all living creatures becomes the unit, and this grating all living creatures becomes the unit that mutual many adjacent described gratings are gathered generation grating group;

Raster transform unit, end, this raster transform unit, end are selected to be arranged in the end grating at the end of above-mentioned grating group and are formed and this end raster transform is had or not the point range of a formation for expression by each pixel that constitutes this end grating being judged have or not;

The 1st error diffusion unit, the 1st error diffusion unit calculate by judging each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned end grating and above-mentionedly have or not the hue error that forms and take place and it a plurality of pixel of not judging to the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel is spread in each pixel;

The first raster converter unit, this first raster converter unit is selected to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group beginning position adjacent with above-mentioned end grating and by having or not a formation for taking in and each pixel that constitutes this first raster judged to the above-mentioned hue error of each pixel diffusion of this first raster from this end grating, this first raster is transformed to the point range that expression has or not a formation;

The 2nd error diffusion unit, the above-mentioned hue error that the 2nd error diffusion unit will take place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster is to the pixel of the not judging diffusion of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel; And

All the other raster transform unit, these all the other raster transform unit, as for from above-mentioned grating group except all the other gratings of above-mentioned first raster, just by for being subordinated to the grating group identical and having judged the above-mentioned hue error of the pixel diffusion that has or not a formation and judged that each pixel of these all the other gratings has or not a formation with these all the other gratings, so as to the processing that this first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range be point range side by side with these all the other raster transforms.

2. by the described image-processing system of claim 1, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned the 1st error diffusion unit and above-mentioned the 2nd error diffusion unit are that the error that will spread in not belonging to the pixel of judging the above-mentioned grating group that pixel comprised who has or not a formation stores the 1st error storage part into, and the error that will spread in belonging to the pixel of judging the grating group that pixel comprised who has or not this some formation stores the unit of the 2nd error storage part into

Above-mentioned the 2nd error storage part be than above-mentioned the 1st error storage part can promptly carry out the storage of data or read at least one side's storage part.

3. by the described image-processing system of claim 2, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned the 1st error storage part is can be with the error of the above-mentioned diffusion storage part to store simultaneously with the pixel count of the identical number of pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster at least, and above-mentioned the 2nd error storage part is the storage part that the error of above-mentioned diffusion is stored simultaneously with the pixel count that lacks than the pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster.

4. by the described image-processing system of claim 3, it is characterized in that:

Use a computer and carry out the conversion of above-mentioned view data, the arithmetic unit that above-mentioned the 1st error storage part is the aforementioned calculation machine writes or the memory element of sense data indirectly, and above-mentioned the 2nd error storage part is that arithmetic unit directly writes or the memory element of sense data.

5. by the described image-processing system of claim 2, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned the 1st error diffusion unit be as with the pixel of having judged the grating group that the above-mentioned pixel that has or not a formation is different, and only to the unit of the pixel diffusion of the above-mentioned first raster adjacent with above-mentioned end grating.

6. by the described image-processing system of claim 2, it is characterized in that:

It is that mutual 2 adjacent above-mentioned gratings are concentrated in together the unit that generates above-mentioned grating group that above-mentioned grating all living creatures becomes the unit, above-mentioned the 1st error diffusion unit is with the unit of above-mentioned hue error to the pixel diffusion of the pixel of above-mentioned end grating and the above-mentioned first raster adjacent with this end grating, above-mentioned the 2nd error diffusion unit is the above-mentioned hue error that will take place in the pixel of above-mentioned first raster to the unit of the pixel diffusion of the pixel of this first raster and follow-up above-mentioned end grating after this first raster, above-mentioned all the other raster transform unit be with the processing of the above-mentioned first raster of conversion be the unit of point range with above-mentioned end raster transform abreast.

7. by the described image-processing system of claim 2, it is characterized in that:

At least one side in above-mentioned the 1st error diffusion unit or above-mentioned the 2nd error diffusion unit be above-mentioned hue error during from the pixel diffusion of the distant place of pixel more than designated value that this hue error takes place only to the unit of the pixel diffusion of having judged the grating group that the above-mentioned pixel that has or not a formation is different.

8. the view data of a tone value that receives each pixel of expression and form and this view data is transformed to have or not the image-processing system of the form that a formation represents by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel in each pixel that constitutes this grating, to have or not, it is characterized in that

Have:

The grating all living creatures becomes the unit, and this grating all living creatures becomes the unit that mutual many adjacent gratings are gathered generation grating group;

Select the grating converter unit, this selection grating converter unit selects to comprise at least the grating of the end grating that is positioned at the end of this grating group from above-mentioned grating group, have or not a formation by each pixel of the grating that constitutes this selection is judged, the raster transform of this selection is had or not the point range of a formation for expression;

The 1st hue error memory cell, the 1st hue error memory cell is calculated by judge the above-mentioned hue error that forms and take place that has or not in each pixel each pixel of the grating that constitutes above-mentioned selection, make it corresponding, and store in the 1st storage part with each pixel of having carried out this judgement;

The first raster converter unit, this first raster converter unit selects to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group's adjacent with above-mentioned end grating beginning position, by judging that for being stored in the periphery that is arranged in each pixel that constitutes this first raster and the above-mentioned hue error that has or not a formation to carry out the neighboring pixel of judgement having been taken in this pixel has or not a formation, so as to this first raster is transformed to point range;

The 2nd hue error memory cell, the 2nd hue error memory cell make the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster corresponding with each pixel of having carried out above-mentioned judgement, and store in the 2nd storage part; And

All the other raster transform unit, these all the other raster transform unit as for from above-mentioned grating group except remaining grating of above-mentioned first raster,, be point range side by side just with these all the other raster transforms so as to the processing that above-mentioned first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range by for belonging to the grating group identical and having judged that the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in the pixel that has or not a formation takes in each pixel of judging these all the other gratings and has or not a formation with these all the other gratings.

9. by the described image-processing system of claim 8, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned the 2nd storage part be can than above-mentioned the 1st storage part promptly carry out the storage of data or read at least one side's storage part.

10. by the described image-processing system of claim 8, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned the 1st storage part is the storage part that the hue error that takes place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned end grating can be stored simultaneously with the pixel count identical with the pixel count that constitutes this end grating, and above-mentioned the 2nd storage part is the hue error that will take place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster with the storage part of the pixel count body storage of lacking than the pixel count that constitutes this first raster.

11., it is characterized in that by the described image-processing system of claim 8:

Use a computer and carry out the conversion of above-mentioned view data, the arithmetic unit that above-mentioned the 1st storage part is the aforementioned calculation machine writes or the memory element of sense data indirectly, and above-mentioned the 2nd storage part is that arithmetic unit directly writes or the memory element of sense data.

12., it is characterized in that by the described image-processing system of claim 8:

Above-mentioned the 1st hue error memory cell is the unit that the hue error that takes place in each pixel of above-mentioned end grating that only will be in constituting above-mentioned grating group stores above-mentioned the 1st storage part into.

13., it is characterized in that by the described image-processing system of claim 8:

It is that mutual 2 adjacent above-mentioned gratings are concentrated in together the unit that generates above-mentioned grating group that above-mentioned grating all living creatures becomes the unit, above-mentioned the 1st hue error memory cell is the unit that the hue error that only will take place in the grating of above-mentioned end stores above-mentioned the 1st storage part into, and above-mentioned all the other raster transform unit are that the processing with the above-mentioned first raster of conversion is the unit of point range with above-mentioned end raster transform abreast.

14., it is characterized in that by claim 1 or the described image-processing system of claim 8:

Thereby above-mentioned all the other raster transform unit are to judge by the above-mentioned hue error of considering to be subordinated to the grating group identical with these all the other gratings and carried out having or not the pixel diffusion of the judgement of a formation to have or not the unit that to form these all the other raster transforms be point range with above-mentioned all the other raster transform point ranges the time.

15., it is characterized in that by claim 1 or the described image-processing system of claim 8:

Thereby above-mentioned all the other raster transform unit are by considering to belong to the grating group identical with these all the other gratings and carried out having or not the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in the pixel of judgement of a formation to judge to have or not the unit that to form these all the other raster transforms be point range when above-mentioned all the other raster transforms are point range.

16. print control, receive the view data of the tone value of each pixel of expression, form and this view data is transformed to the printed data of representing with the form that has or not a formation by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel in each pixel that constitutes this grating, to have or not, and control this Printing Department by export this printed data to Printing Department, this Printing Department forms ink dot so as to the printing image on print media, this print control is characterised in that

Have:

The 2nd error diffusion unit, the above-mentioned hue error that the 2nd error diffusion unit will take place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster is to the pixel of the not judging diffusion of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel;

All the other raster transform unit, these all the other raster transform unit, as for from above-mentioned grating group except all the other gratings of above-mentioned first raster, just have or not a formation by taking in each pixel of judging these all the other gratings for the above-mentioned hue error that is subordinated to the grating group identical and has judged the pixel diffusion that has or not a formation with these all the other gratings, so as to the processing that this first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range be point range side by side with these all the other raster transforms; And

The printed data output unit, this printed data output unit is exported as above-mentioned printed data the point range of the first raster of above-mentioned conversion and the point range of above-mentioned all the other gratings to above-mentioned Printing Department,

Above-mentioned the 1st error diffusion unit and above-mentioned the 2nd error diffusion unit are that the error that will spread in not belonging to the pixel of judging the above-mentioned grating group that pixel comprised who has or not a formation stores the 1st error storage part into, and will judge that the error that spread in the pixel that has or not the grating group that pixel comprised that this point forms stores the unit of the 2nd error storage part into to belonging to.

17. print control, receive the view data of the tone value of each pixel of expression, form and this view data is transformed to the printed data of representing with the form that has or not a formation by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel in each pixel that constitutes this grating, to have or not, and control this Printing Department by export this printed data to Printing Department, this Printing Department forms ink dot so as to the printing image on print media, this print control is characterised in that

Have:

The 2nd hue error memory cell, the 2nd hue error memory cell make the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned first raster corresponding with each pixel of having carried out above-mentioned judgement, and store in the 2nd storage part;

All the other raster transform unit, these all the other raster transform unit as for from above-mentioned grating group except remaining grating of above-mentioned first raster,, be point range side by side just with these all the other raster transforms so as to the processing that above-mentioned first raster is transformed to above-mentioned point range by for belonging to the grating group identical and having judged that the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in the pixel that has or not a formation takes in each pixel of judging these all the other gratings and has or not a formation with these all the other gratings; And

The printed data output unit, this printed data output unit is exported as above-mentioned printed data the point range of the first raster of above-mentioned conversion and the point range of above-mentioned all the other gratings to above-mentioned Printing Department.

18. the view data of a tone value that receives each pixel of expression also forms and this view data is transformed to have or not the image processing method of the form that a formation represents by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel to have or not in each pixel that constitutes this grating, it is characterized in that: may further comprise the steps, promptly

(A) many adjacent described gratings gather the step that generates the grating group mutually;

(C) each pixel that constitutes above-mentioned end grating is calculated by judge the above-mentioned hue error that forms and take place and will it step that spreads to a plurality of pixels of not judging of the periphery that is positioned at this each pixel of having or not in each pixel;

(D) select to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group beginning position adjacent and, this first raster is transformed to the step that expression has or not the point range of a formation by having or not a formation for taking in and each pixel that constitutes this first raster judged to the above-mentioned hue error of each pixel diffusion of this first raster from this end grating with above-mentioned end grating;

(F) as for from above-mentioned grating group except all the other gratings of above-mentioned first raster, just have or not a formation by taking in each pixel of judging these all the other gratings for the above-mentioned hue error that is subordinated to the grating group identical and has judged the pixel diffusion that has or not a formation with these all the other gratings, so as to the processing that this first raster the is transformed to above-mentioned point range step that is point range side by side with these all the other raster transforms;

Above-mentioned steps (C) and above-mentioned steps (E) are just to be stored to the 1st error storage part and just to having or not error that the identical grating group's of the pixel of this point formation pixel spreads to be stored to the step of the 2nd error storage part with judgement to the error with the pixel diffusion of judging the grating group that the above-mentioned pixel that has or not a formation is different.

19. the view data of a tone value that receives each pixel of expression also forms and this view data is transformed to have or not the image processing method of the form that a formation represents by judging along the grating of the row of this pixel to have or not in each pixel that constitutes this grating, it is characterized in that: may further comprise the steps, promptly

(B) the end grating that comprises the end that is arranged in above-mentioned grating group is at least selected grating from this grating group, has or not a formation by each pixel of the grating that constitutes this selection is judged, the raster transform of this selection is had or not the step of the point range of a formation for expression;

(D) select to be arranged in the first raster of the grating group's adjacent beginning position with above-mentioned end grating, by judging that for being stored in the periphery that is arranged in each pixel that constitutes this first raster and the above-mentioned hue error that has or not a formation to carry out the neighboring pixel of judgement having been taken in this pixel has or not a formation, so as to this first raster being transformed to the step of point range;

(F) as for from above-mentioned grating group except remaining grating of above-mentioned first raster, just by for belonging to the grating group identical and judging that the above-mentioned hue error that takes place in the pixel that has or not a formation takes in each pixel of judging these all the other gratings and has or not a formation, so as to the processing that above-mentioned first raster the is transformed to above-mentioned point range step that is point range side by side with these all the other raster transforms with these all the other gratings.