JP2000138831A - Image processing method and device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To conduct dither processing, while saving the capacity of a memory and shortening the processing time by applying an AND operation to objects that are corresponding elements of each matrix and a dither mask, so as to provide the output of the AND operation, that is valid only when the values of both the elements are valid. SOLUTION: A tape printer 1 consists of a printer main body 2, a keyboard 3 fitted to a front of the printer main body 2, a tape cartridge 5 that contains a tape T, and an ink cartridge that contains 4 color inks. Then the tape printer 1 generates an element image expressed in a binary matrix, where a value denoting validity is assigned to an element main body image, and a value denoting invalidity is assigned to an element background image. Then an AND operation is applied to objects that correspond to elements of each matrix and a dither mask as to each matrix of a same size as that of a dither mask of an element image so as to provide the output of the AND operation that is valid, only when the values of both the elements are valid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing method for performing pseudo gradation processing by a dither method and an apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When outputting images to display devices (various displays, etc.) and printing devices (various printers, etc.) in, for example, workstations, personal computers (personal computers, etc.) and word processors (including personal computers equipped with word processing software). Depending on the specifications of the device, the original image may not be output as it is. For example, an image represented by matrix data (hereinafter simply referred to as “matrix”) having 256 gradation values as matrix elements, that is, each pixel has n value (n = 256 in this case) gradation value information In order to output an image (gradation image) to an apparatus that can handle only an image with a smaller (limited) gradation value, it is necessary to convert the image (pseudo gradation image) to an image (pseudo gradation image) suitable for the gradation value. is there. As one of the methods (techniques) of the image conversion (compression) processing, that is, the pseudo gradation processing, there is a so-called dither method.

In the dither method, noise is added to the gradation value of each pixel of a gradation image of an original image and then binarized (binary dither method).
Alternatively, this is a method of performing limited multi-valued (multi-valued dither method), which utilizes the characteristics of the human eye that averages and collects one area as one shadow or color.
For example, in the binary dither method, the distribution of binary values (for example, 1 and 0) is changed in accordance with the gradation value of each pixel of the gradation image (for example, ""1" is thinned out) to express an intermediate gradation (for example, gray when 1 and 0 are black and white). A typical binary dither method is an organized dither method.

In the systematic dither method, the threshold value of the n-value (n is an integer of 3 or more) of each pixel of the gradation image of the original image is set to the m-value (m is n ≧ m ≧ 2). A dither matrix defined as an integer element and arranged as a matrix element is prepared in advance, the (gradation of) the gradation image of the original image is divided into matrices of the size of the dither matrix, and the matrix element is divided into matrices for each divided matrix. By comparing the tonal value with the threshold value of the corresponding dither matrix to determine whether the condition indicated by the threshold value is satisfied, and assigning one of the two values according to the determination result,
A pseudo gradation image represented by a binary matrix is created. For example, when a condition is satisfied, a value indicating validity (for example, 1) is assigned, and when the condition is not satisfied, a value indicating invalidity (for example, 0) is assigned. Create

[0005] Depending on how the gradation value and the threshold value are defined, for example, a gradation value above the threshold value, a gradation value exceeding the threshold value, a gradation value below the threshold value, or a value less than the threshold value. Can be defined as a gradation value that satisfies the condition indicated by the threshold value. In the following, when the gradation value = threshold value, the condition that satisfies the condition (that is, the gradation value equal to or more than the threshold value) is satisfied. (Conditions equal to or less than the threshold value) will be described as an example (of course, when the gradation value = threshold value, even if the condition is not satisfied, processing can be performed on the same principle).

In the multi-value dither method, an image after image conversion (compression), that is, a pseudo-tone image is not an image represented by a binary matrix (binary image), but a multi-tone value of three or more values. Is a dither method that results in an image (multi-valued image) represented by the following matrix, but can be processed in the same manner as the binary dither method. For example, when the gradation value of each pixel of the gradation image of the original image is represented by 256 values of 0 to 255, 0 to 64, 64 to 64
128, 128-192 and 192-255
, A dither matrix for each stage is prepared, and the above-described systematic dither method may be applied to each stage. For example, the two values of the above result are 0 and 1,
If the binary values of the results of 1 and 2 are defined as 1 and 2, the binary values of the results of 2 and 3 are defined as 3 and 4, and the systematic dither method is applied to each stage, the result is as follows. 0 to
It is possible to create a quaternary gradation image of 4 values. Of course, it is also possible to finally obtain a binary pseudo gradation image by further using a binary dither method on the multi-valued (for example, 5-valued) pseudo gradation image.

The above-described pseudo gradation processing (dithering: hereinafter referred to as "dither processing") by the dither method can be applied not only to monochrome images (gradation images having gradation values of light and shade) but also to color images. . That is, dither processing (color dither processing) for each gradation value of the basic colors such as the three primary colors may be performed. For example, when creating a pseudo-gradation image as a display image to be output to a display or the like, dither processing is performed on the gradation values of the three primary colors RGB of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), To create a print image for printing, CMs of three primary colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow)
Dither processing for gradation values of each Y color, or K
Dither processing may be performed on the gradation values of the four basic colors of CMYK to which (black) has been added.

[0008]

However, in the above-described dither processing, a gradation image represented by a matrix having three or more n-value (for example, 256) gradation values as matrix elements, that is, each pixel N value (n = 2 in this case)
Since a gradation image having the gradation value information of 56) is subjected to image processing, a large memory capacity is required. Also,
In the pseudo gradation process (multi-value dither process) by the multi-value dither method, a memory capacity for a multi-valued (for example, 5-valued) pseudo-gradation image is required as a dither processing result. Also, since the comparison operation with the dither matrix is a basic process,
Requires enormous processing time. In particular, in the color dither processing, since the processing is performed for each basic color, the problems of memory capacity and processing time become significant.

By the way, in a word processor or the like, for example, characters including letters, numbers, symbols, figures, etc.
When a character string (represented by “character”) is input and a character string or the like having each character as an element is displayed or printed, the minimum unit such as color designation is a character. In the case of a reversed character or a case where the background color can be set, the color of the character on the background side can be specified. In this case, if an image of a character string created as a display image or a print image is an entire image, an image of each character included in the character string is an element image of the entire image.

In this case, for each element image, if the image of the character shape which is the body of the element image is the element body image and the background image is the element background image, the pixel of each element image is displayed on the display image or print image. The pixels of the element body image and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background can be distinguished by visual recognition, and correspondingly, in data processing, of the matrix elements of the matrix representing the element image, The matrix element corresponding to the pixel of the element body image and the matrix element corresponding to the pixel of the element background image can be distinguished. Also, in this case, individual tone values are set for the element body image and the element background image, all pixels of the element body image have the same tone value, and all the pixels of the element background image have a different tone value. Also have the same gradation value. In the case of the above-described inverted characters, the background side of the character can be regarded as the element body image, and the character side can be regarded as the element background image.

In addition to a word processor or the like as a so-called character input device, a similar image can be obtained by a drawing input device (including a personal computer equipped with drawing (design) software) capable of drawing and inputting an arbitrary diagram or picture. Created. That is, for example, even when the density and color are specified for an arbitrary diagram or pattern in the whole image, the image of the arbitrary diagram or pattern is an element image, and An image in the shape of a picture or a pattern is equivalent to an element main body image, and can be distinguished from an element background image as the background, and at least all pixels of the element main body image have the same gradation value. Also, any complicated drawing image can be decomposed into each element image, assuming that at least all the pixels of the element body image are element images having the same gradation value as the composite image (whole image). The element body image of the element image can be decomposed into an element body image and another element background image, and the element body image and the element background image can be distinguished, and at least all the pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value. It should be noted that the image that is sensuously viewed as the background side is also the main body side if the viewpoint is changed.

According to the present invention, a pixel of an element body image as a body of an element image and a pixel of an element background image as a background thereof can be distinguished, and at least all the pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing method and apparatus capable of performing dither processing while reducing the memory capacity and shortening the processing time for an entire image having at least one image.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method comprising the steps of: setting a threshold value of a gradation value of an n value (n is an integer of 3 or more) of a pixel to an m value (m is n ≧ m); An image processing method for performing a dither process based on a dither matrix defined as a matrix element defined by an integer that satisfies ≧ 2).
Of the element images of the whole image having one or more element images,
For at least one element image capable of distinguishing pixels of the element body image serving as the body of the element image and pixels of the element background image serving as the background, all the pixels of the element body image have an effective value of a predetermined binary value. By assigning a value indicating invalidity among the predetermined binary values to all pixels of the element background image, thereby creating an element shape image represented by the predetermined binary matrix. An element shape image creation step of storing, and a designated gradation value for storing at least one of the n values as the same designated gradation value for all the pixels of the element body image for the at least one element image A value storing step, a threshold value expressed by the predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the dither matrix, and the specified gradation value of each threshold value of the dither matrix satisfying a condition. A dither in which a value indicating validity of the predetermined two values is allocated to a corresponding matrix element, and a value indicating invalidity of the predetermined two values is allocated to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value that does not satisfy a condition. A dither mask storing step of storing a mask, and for each matrix having the same size as the dither mask of the element shape image, for each matrix element corresponding to each matrix and the dither mask, a value indicating that both are valid An element for creating an element dither image expressed by the predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the element shape image by performing an AND operation with a value indicating valid only when And a dither image creating step.

In the image processing apparatus according to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a threshold value of a gradation value of an n value (n is an integer of 3 or more) of a pixel is set to m.
An image processing apparatus that performs dither processing based on a dither matrix that is defined as a value (m is an integer that satisfies n ≧ m ≧ 2) and is arranged as a matrix element. Of the element images, for at least one element image capable of distinguishing the pixels of the element body image serving as the body of the element image and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background, a predetermined 2 By assigning a value indicating validity among the values and assigning a value indicating invalidity among the predetermined binary values to all the pixels of the element background image, the element shape represented by the predetermined binary matrix An element shape image generating means for generating and storing an image; and for the at least one element image, one of the n values as the same designated gradation value for all pixels of the element body image. A designated gradation value storage means for storing a value of the predetermined said dither matrix and the same size 2
A matrix element that is expressed by a matrix of values and that corresponds to a threshold value that satisfies a condition where the designated gradation value of each threshold value of the dither matrix satisfies a condition is a value indicating the validity of the predetermined two values. Allocation, a dither mask storing means for storing a dither mask in which a value indicating invalidity of the predetermined two values is allocated to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value which does not satisfy the condition, and a dither mask of the element shape image. For each matrix of the same size, a logical product operation is performed on the corresponding matrix elements of each matrix and the dither mask, and a logical product operation is performed with a value indicating valid only when both values are valid. An element dither image for creating an element dither image represented by the predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the element shape image as a result of the calculation; And forming means, characterized by comprising a.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, at least one of the element images of the whole image, which can distinguish the pixels of the element body image as the main body and the pixels of the element background image as the background, All pixels of the element body image are assigned a value indicating validity of predetermined two values,
By assigning a value indicating invalidity among predetermined binary values to all pixels of the element background image, an element shape image represented by a predetermined binary matrix is created. That is, an element shape image expressed by a binary matrix in which a value indicating validity is assigned to the element body image and a value indicating invalidity is assigned to the element background image is created. On the other hand, one of the n values is stored as the same designated gradation value for all pixels of the element body image.

In this case, even if the designated gradation value is stored separately from the information of each pixel, the information of each pixel only needs to have one of two values (if it is stored). The memory capacity is smaller than having n value (n ≧ 3) gradation value information for each pixel. Note that, in this case, n
Based on the image (gradation image) having the gradation value information of the value,
The specified tone value may be extracted while creating the element shape image, or the creation of the element shape image and the designation of the specified tone value may be individually performed from the beginning. For example, when the image is based on a gradation image created by a personal computer, the method corresponding to the former is adopted. In a word processor or the like, a character or the like is input as text, and a gradation value is designated for each character (shading, Color specification etc.)
For example, when the element image is used as the element image, a method corresponding to the latter may be adopted.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, a dither mask represented by a predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the dither matrix is stored. That is, a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value where a designated gradation value of each threshold value of the dither matrix satisfies a condition,
A value indicating validity among predetermined two values is allocated, and a matrix in which a value indicating invalidity among predetermined two values is allocated to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value that does not satisfy a condition is stored as a dither mask.

In this case, the dither mask coincides with (a matrix of) a pseudo-tone image obtained by performing a binary dither process based on the above-described dither matrix on a predetermined tone image having the same size as the dither matrix. That is, when the gradation image of the same size as the dither matrix has n-value gradation value information for each pixel, and the gradation value information of all the pixels indicates the above specified gradation value. The gradation value of each pixel of the gradation image is compared with each threshold value of the dither matrix, and the result of the comparison is binarized with the matrix of the calculation result. In this case, a dither mask for each conceivable designated gradation value may be stored in advance, or after the designated gradation value is found, a new dither matrix is created and stored by a comparison operation with a dither matrix. You may. In the former case, since the calculation time can be omitted, the processing time of the entire image processing can be reduced. On the other hand, in the latter case, the memory capacity for storing the dither mask can be saved, and the processing time can be relatively short because the size of the dither matrix is compared.

Further, in the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, for each matrix having the same size as the dither mask of the element shape image, a value indicating that both of the matrix and the dither mask correspond to each other is valid. By performing an AND operation with a value indicating validity only in the case of, an element dither image represented by a predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the element shape image is created as a result of the AND operation.

That is, conventionally, for each matrix having the same size as the dither matrix of the elemental image, the tone value of each pixel of each matrix is compared with the threshold value of the corresponding dither matrix to form the pseudo tone image. However, in this image processing method and its apparatus, since a logical AND operation is sufficient, the processing speed can be improved (the processing time can be shortened). In addition, since both the input (dither mask, matrix representing element shape image) and the output (matrix of element dither image) of the AND operation are binary matrices, memory capacity can be saved. Of course, when the same processing is possible not only for a part of the whole image but also for the whole image, that is, when the element body image and the element background image can be distinguished for all the element images, By applying
Further, the memory capacity can be saved and the processing time can be reduced.

Further, in the conventional case, since the original designated gradation value of the n value is included as the gradation value information of each pixel, even if a multi-valued (for example, the above-mentioned five-valued) pseudo gradation image is used, n If the information of the designated gradation value of the value is lost and further binarized,
Even the multi-valued information of the pseudo gradation image is lost. The same applies to the case where binary dither processing is performed from the beginning, and n-value information is lost due to binarization. That is, setting (specifying)
In order to reconfirm the obtained gradation value on a display screen or the like, it is necessary to store the original gradation image, and an extra memory capacity is required. Also, even if the same gradation value is specified for the pixels of the element body image, it cannot be checked at once, and the gradation values of all the pixels of the gradation image are displayed or printed,
It is necessary to visually recognize each pixel. On the other hand, in the method and the apparatus described above, when the same gradation value is specified for the pixel of the element main body image, the specified gradation value for the element main body image is stored separately from the information of each pixel. Therefore, it is possible to collectively check numerical values (grayscale values) as they are while saving memory capacity.

Therefore, in the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, the pixels of the element body image serving as the body of the element image and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background can be distinguished, and at least all the pixels of the element body image are the same. Dither processing can be performed on the entire image having at least one element image of the gradation value while saving the memory capacity and shortening the processing time.

It is to be noted that the above-described characters are input as text, and gradation values are designated for each character (shading designation, color designation, etc.) to form an elemental image. Can be specified (shading specification, color specification, etc.), by treating the background side of the character as the element body image, an element dither image on the background side of the character can be created. This is suitable for inverted characters, etc., and as an application, it is possible to combine an element dither image when the character side is used as the element body image and an element dither image when the background side of the character is used as the element body image. (Overlapping), it is also possible to obtain an element dither image that has been subjected to dither processing on both sides.

[0024] Further, even a complicated drawing image can be decomposed into each element image by regarding at least all the pixels of the element body image as a composite image (whole image) obtained by synthesizing element images having the same gradation value. Can be decomposed into the element body image and the other element background image, and the element body image and the element background image can be distinguished. Therefore, element dither images corresponding to each element image are created and combined (corresponding matrix element ) Can also obtain an element dither image obtained by dithering a complicated drawing image.

Similarly, the present invention can be applied to a case where the original image is a color image. In this case, for example, the gradation values of each of the three primary colors of RGB or CMY, or CMYK obtained by adding K to the latter.
For each of the gradation values of the four colors, the element dither images may be obtained by the above-described processing and combined.
In this case, for example, the element dither image of each color of CMY is obtained, and then a pixel (matrix element) having a value indicating the validity common to all the element dither images is extracted, thereby obtaining the element dither image of K. You can also get

In the image processing method of the first aspect, it is preferable that the predetermined binary value is 1 and 0.

[0027] In the image processing apparatus according to claim 22, it is preferable that the predetermined binary value is 1 and 0.

In this image processing method and apparatus, since the predetermined binary value is 1 and 0, each pixel can be represented by one bit of a binary digit, and the memory capacity can be reduced. Only one AND element per pixel or an AND operation by a program corresponding to the AND element is required, and a matrix having a size equivalent to a dither mask or a larger matrix having a plurality of such arrangements can be easily processed in a matrix unit. Time can be reduced.

In the image processing method according to the first or second aspect, when the at least one elemental image is a monochrome image, it is preferable that a gradation value indicating the density of the image is stored as the designated gradation value.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the at least one elemental image is a monochrome image, it is preferable to store a gradation value indicating the density of the image as the designated gradation value.

In this image processing method and apparatus, when the elementary image is a monochrome image, the gradation value indicating the gradation is stored as the designated gradation value, so that it can be applied to the dither processing relating to the gradation of the monochrome elementary image. .

In the image processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the at least one elemental image is a color image, the designated gradation value storing step includes the step of storing a color 3 image.
A primary color tone value for each of the primary colors is stored as one of the designated tone values, and in the dither mask storing step, the primary colors corresponding to at least the primary color tone values having different values from each other A dither mask is stored as one type of the dither mask, and in the element dither image creating step, the logical product operation using the primary color dither mask is performed, so that the primary color element dither image corresponding to each primary color dither mask is obtained. Is preferably created as one type of the element dither image.

In the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, when the at least one element image is a color image, the designated gradation value storage means stores the primary color gradation value for each of the three primary colors. Is stored as one of the designated gradation values, and the dither mask storage means stores primary color dither masks corresponding to at least ones of the primary color gradation values having different values, respectively, of the dither masks. The element dither image creation means stores the primary color element dither image corresponding to each primary color dither mask by performing the logical product operation using the primary color dither mask. Preferably, it is made as a seed.

In this image processing method and apparatus, when the element image is a color image, the primary color gradation values for each of the three primary colors are stored as one of the designated gradation values, and the primary color gradation values are stored. Are stored as one type of dither mask, and a primary color element dither image corresponding to the primary color dither mask is created as one type of element dither image. . In other words, at least one primary color element dither image is generated when the primary color tone values of the three primary colors are all the same, and at least two primary color element dither images are generated when the two primary colors have the same value. I do. In this case, one primary color element dither image is used repeatedly for three primary colors when the three primary colors are the same, and the primary color element dither image for the three primary colors is used when the two primary colors are the same. Since a dither image is obtained, this image processing method and apparatus can be applied to dither processing relating to the primary color tone values of three primary colors of a color element image.

In this case, the primary color dither mask for each conceivable primary color tone value may be stored in advance as a dither mask, or after the primary color tone value is determined, a comparison operation with the dither matrix is performed. May be newly created and stored. If a dither mask corresponding to a conceivable designated gradation value is stored in advance, the primary color gradation value may be determined and then selected and stored as a primary color dither mask again.

In the image processing method according to claim 4, when the at least one elemental image is a color image, only the matrix element having a value indicating the validity is common to all of the created primary color element dither images. It is preferable that the method further includes a mixed color element dither image creating step of creating a mixed color element dither image to which a value indicating validity is assigned as a new kind of the element dither image.

26. The image processing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein, when said at least one element image is a color image, said at least one element image is said to be only valid in said matrix element having a value indicating validity common to all of said primary color element dither images. It is preferable that the image processing apparatus further includes a mixed-color element dither image creating unit that creates a mixed-color element dither image to which a value indicating validity is assigned as a new kind of the element dither image.

In this image processing method and apparatus, when an element image is a color image, a value indicating validity is assigned only to a matrix element having a value indicating validity common to all of the created primary color element dither images. A mixed-color element dither image is created as a new kind of element dither image. In this case, in addition to the primary color element dither images for the three primary colors, a mixed color element dither image for the mixed colors can be obtained.

In the image processing method according to claim 5, the mixed-color element dither image indicates valid only when all of the corresponding matrix elements of the created primary-color element dither image are values indicating the validity. It is preferably created as a result of an AND operation with a value.

27. The image processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the mixed-color element dither image is valid only when all of the matrix elements corresponding to the created primary color element dither image are values indicating the validity. It is preferably created as a result of an AND operation with a value.

In this image processing method and apparatus, the mixed-color element dither image is a value indicating valid only when all of the corresponding matrix elements of the created primary color element dither image are valid. Created as the result of a logical AND operation. That is, in this case, a mixed-color element dither image can be created only by performing a relatively simple logical product operation.

7. The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein among the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the created primary color element dither image, the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image correspond to the matrix element of the validity value. It is preferable that the method further includes a color mixing effective matrix element deleting step of converting a value of the matrix element to be converted into a value indicating the invalidity.

28. The image processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein a matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image corresponds to a matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the created primary color element dither image. It is preferable that the image processing apparatus further includes a mixed color effective matrix element deleting unit that converts a value of the matrix element to be converted into a value indicating the invalidity.

According to the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, of the matrix elements indicating the validity of the created primary color element dither image, the values of the matrix elements corresponding to the matrix elements indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image are determined. , Performs a mixed color effective matrix element deletion process for converting into a value indicating invalidity. This makes it possible to cancel the validity of the matrix element that indicates the validity of the mixed color element dither image in the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the primary color element dither image for the three primary colors.

When the primary color element dither images for the three primary colors and the mixed color element dither images for the mixed colors are combined (overlaid), the matrix element corresponding to the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image is: The values indicating the validity of the four element dither images of the three primary colors and the mixed color overlap, and the mixed color of the three primary colors by the primary color element dither image and the mixed color of the mixed color element dither image overlap. In the method and its apparatus, this cancellation can avoid this duplication. Further, for example, in the case of four colors of CMYK, it is generally clearer to print K (black) alone than K (black) in which C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are actually mixed. Since black is obtained, a clear image of four colors can be obtained by canceling the value indicating the validity on the primary color element dither image side for the three primary colors as described above.

In the image processing method according to claim 7, in the mixed color effective matrix element deleting step, a logical inversion operation for inverting the value indicating validity and the value indicating invalidity is performed on the mixed color element dither image. Thus, a mixed-color inversion element dither image creating step of creating a mixed-color inversion element dither image, and corresponding primary and secondary color element dither images of the primary-color element dither image and corresponding matrix elements of the mixed-color inversion element dither image are both targeted. An element dither image created as a result of an AND operation with a value indicating validity only when the value indicates validity, and a new primary color element dither image creating step as new primary color element dither images. preferable.

The image processing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the mixed color effective matrix element deleting means performs a logical inversion operation for inverting the value indicating validity and the value indicating invalidity with respect to the mixed color element dither image. Thus, a mixed-color inversion element dither image creating means for creating a mixed-color inversion element dither image, and a target matrix element corresponding to each primary color element dither image of the primary color element dither image and the mixed color inversion element dither image. Element dither images created as a result of a logical AND operation with a value indicating validity only when the value indicates validity, and a new primary color element dither image creating unit as each new primary color element dither image. preferable.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, a logical inversion operation for inverting a value indicating validity and a value indicating invalidity is performed on the mixed color element dither image.
Create a mixed-color inversion element dither image, target the corresponding matrix elements of each primary-color element dither image and the mixed-color inversion element dither image of the primary color element dither image, and set a value indicating valid only when both values are valid. The element dither image created as a result of the logical product operation performed is a new primary color element dither image. In other words, in this case, a value indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image among the matrix elements of the values indicating the validity of the primary color element dither image for the three primary colors can be obtained by simply performing a relatively simple logical inversion or logical multiplication operation. It is possible to cancel the validity of the matrix element which indicates validity redundantly.

In the image processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the at least one element image is a color image, the designated gradation value storing step includes the step of storing a color 3 image.
The primary color tone values for each of the primary colors are stored as one of the designated tone values, and the dither mask storage step includes a step of temporarily storing at least one of the primary color tone values having different values. A temporary primary color dither mask storing step of storing each primary color dither mask as a kind of the dither mask, and assigning the validity value only to the matrix element of the validity value common to all of the temporary primary color dither masks A mixed color dither mask storing step of storing the mixed color dither mask, and for each of the temporary primary color dither masks, a value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask among matrix elements of values indicating the validity of each temporary primary color dither mask. The value of the matrix element corresponding to the matrix element is converted into a value indicating the invalidity and stored as each primary color dither mask. And a primary color dither mask storing step, wherein in the element dither image creating step, the logical product operation using the mixed color dither mask and each of the primary color dither masks is performed to obtain the mixed color dither mask and each of the primary colors. It is preferable that a mixed-color element dither image and each primary color element dither image corresponding to a dither mask are created as one type of the element dither image.

In the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 24, when the at least one element image is a color image, the designated gradation value storage means stores the primary color gradation value for each of the three primary colors. Are respectively stored as one type of the designated gradation value, and the dither mask storage means stores the temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to at least one of the primary color gradation values having different values. A temporary primary color dither mask storage means for storing as a kind of the above, and a mixed color dither mask for storing a mixed color dither mask in which the value indicating the validity is assigned only to the matrix element of the value indicating the validity in common to all of the temporary primary color dither masks Mask storage means, and for each of the temporary primary color dither masks, a matrix of values indicating the validity of each temporary primary color dither mask. Of the value of the matrix element corresponding to the matrix elements of the value indicating the valid of the mixed color dither mask, it converted to a value indicating the invalid, and primary dither mask storage means for storing as a respective primary color dither mask,
The element dither image creating means performs the AND operation using the mixed color dither mask and each of the primary color dither masks, so that the mixed color element dither corresponding to the mixed color dither mask and each of the primary color dither masks is performed. Preferably, the image and each primary color element dither image are created as one type of the element dither image.

In this image processing method and apparatus, when the element image is a color image, the temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to at least one of the primary color tone values having different values is used as a type of dither mask. Remember,
Stores a mixed-color dither mask in which a value indicating validity is assigned only to a matrix element of a value indicating validity common to all of the temporary primary color dither masks, and indicates the validity of each temporary primary color dither mask for each of the temporary primary color dither masks Of the value matrix elements, the value of the matrix element corresponding to the value matrix element indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask is converted into a value indicating invalidity, stored as each primary color dither mask, and the mixed color dither mask and each primary color are stored. By performing a logical product operation using the dither mask, the mixed color element dither image and each primary color element dither image corresponding to the mixed color dither mask and each primary color dither mask are respectively replaced by one of the element dither images.
Create as a seed.

In this case, similar to claim 4 or 25,
At least one primary color element dither image is created when the primary color tone values of the three primary colors are the same value, at least two primary color element dither images when the two primary colors have the same value, and at least three primary color element dither images when they are different. That is, since the primary color element dither images for the three primary colors are obtained including the overlapping use, the present invention can be applied to the dither processing for the primary color gradation values of the three primary colors of the color element image. In this case,
The temporary primary color dither mask for each conceivable primary color tone value may be stored in advance as a dither mask, or after the primary color tone value is determined, it is newly created and stored by a comparison operation with a dither matrix. Alternatively, if a dither mask corresponding to a conceivable designated tone value is stored in advance, after the primary color tone values are determined, they may be selected from them and stored again as the primary color dither mask. good.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, a logical multiplication operation is performed using a mixed-color dither mask in which a value indicating validity is assigned only to a matrix element of a value indicating validity in common to all of the temporary primary color dither masks. By doing
Since the mixed-color element dither image corresponding to the mixed-color dither mask is created, a mixed-color element dither image for the three primary colors can be obtained in addition to the primary color element dither image for the three primary colors. That is, the dither processing for the color mixture is also performed. Further, in this case, the primary color dither mask changes the value of the matrix element corresponding to the matrix element indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask to the value indicating invalidity among the matrix elements indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask. The converted value, that is, the value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask is overlapped with the validity of the matrix element indicating the validity is canceled. For this reason, each primary color element dither image created using each primary color dither mask is the same as in claim 7 or 28, in which the validity of the matrix element indicating validity overlaps with the value indicating validity of the mixed color element dither image. Is canceled. For example, even when four colors such as CMYK are used as basic colors, image processing that can obtain a clear image can be performed.

In the image processing method of the ninth aspect, when all of the temporary primary color dither masks are based on the same dither matrix, the matrix element of the value indicating the validity in the temporary primary color dither mask is the least. Preferably, a temporary primary color dither mask is stored as the mixed color dither mask.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when all of the temporary primary color dither masks are based on the same dither matrix, the temporary primary color dither mask has the least number of matrix elements of the value indicating the validity. Preferably, a temporary primary color dither mask is stored as the mixed color dither mask.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, when all of the temporary primary color dither masks are based on the same dither matrix, the temporary primary color dither mask has the least number of matrix elements having valid values. The mask is stored as a mixed color dither mask. Here, when all of the temporary primary color dither masks are based on the same dither matrix, the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the least are the other elements. Is a matrix element of a value indicating validity in the temporary primary color dither mask. That is, in this case, no matter how many types (1 to 3 types) of temporary primary color dither masks correspond to the three primary colors, the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask has the least number of matrix elements indicating the validity. Is a matrix element of a value indicating validity common to all of the temporary primary color dither masks. For this reason,
The temporary primary color dither mask having the least effective matrix element can be used as a mixed color dither mask for mixed color of three primary colors. It should be noted that a temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to each primary color tone value of the three primary colors can be defined based on a dither matrix having mutually different values. In this case, for example, a method using a logical product operation described later is used. May be used.

11. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein said mixed color dither mask is a primary color tone value having the smallest number of threshold values of said dither matrix satisfying a condition among primary color tone values of said three primary colors. Is preferably obtained as a temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the selected primary color tone value.

32. The image processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the mixed color dither mask is a primary color tone value having the smallest number of threshold values of the dither matrix satisfying a condition among the primary color tone values of the three primary colors. Is preferably obtained as a temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the selected primary color tone value.

In this image processing method and apparatus, the mixed color dither mask selects the primary color tone value of the dither matrix that satisfies the condition among the primary color tone values of the three primary colors. Thereby, a temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the selected primary color tone value is obtained. In other words, by selecting the primary color tone values, it is possible to select a temporary primary color dither mask which has the least number of matrix elements indicating validity among the temporary primary color dither masks, thereby easily obtaining a mixed color dither mask.

12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the condition of the threshold value is satisfied when each of the primary color tone values is equal to or more than each threshold value of the dither matrix, and the matrix of the dither mask corresponding to the threshold value is satisfied. When the element has a value indicating validity, it is preferable that the selection of the primary color gradation value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask selects the minimum primary color gradation value.

The image processing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the condition of the threshold value is satisfied when each of the primary color tone values is equal to or greater than each threshold value of the dither matrix, and the matrix of the dither mask corresponding to the threshold value is satisfied. When the element has a value indicating validity, it is preferable that the selection of the primary color gradation value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask selects the minimum primary color gradation value.

In this image processing method and apparatus, when each primary color gradation value is equal to or greater than each threshold value of the dither matrix, the condition of the threshold value is satisfied, and the matrix element of the dither mask corresponding to the threshold value is satisfied. Is the value indicating validity, in selecting the primary color tone value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask, the minimum primary color tone value is selected. in this case,
Only by selecting the minimum primary color gradation value, a temporary primary color dither mask having the least number of matrix elements indicating validity can be selected, thereby easily obtaining a mixed color dither mask.

13. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein the condition of the threshold is satisfied when each of the primary color gradation values is equal to or less than each threshold of the dither matrix, and the matrix of the dither mask corresponding to the threshold is satisfied. When the element has a value indicating validity, it is preferable that the selection of the primary color gradation value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask selects the maximum primary color gradation value.

The image processing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein when each of said primary color tone values is equal to or less than each threshold value of a dither matrix, a condition of said threshold value is satisfied, and a matrix of a dither mask corresponding to said threshold value is satisfied. When the element has a value indicating validity, it is preferable that the selection of the primary color gradation value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask selects the maximum primary color gradation value.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, when each primary color gradation value is equal to or less than each threshold value of the dither matrix, the condition of the threshold value is satisfied, and the matrix element of the dither mask corresponding to the threshold value is satisfied. Is a value indicating validity, in selecting a primary color gradation value for obtaining a mixed color dither mask, the maximum primary color gradation value is selected. in this case,
By simply selecting the maximum primary color gradation value, a temporary primary color dither mask having the least number of matrix elements indicating validity can be selected, thereby easily obtaining a mixed color dither mask.

10. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein said mixed color dither mask is a value indicating validity only when all of said matrix elements of said temporary primary color dither mask are values indicating validity. It is preferably created as a result of a product operation.

31. The image processing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the mixed color dither mask is a value indicating validity only when all of the matrix elements corresponding to the temporary primary color dither mask indicate the validity. It is preferably created as a result of a product operation.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, the mixed color dither mask is a logical AND operation of the matrix elements corresponding to the temporary primary color dither mask, in which only all the valid values are valid values. Created as a result. That is, regardless of whether the temporary primary color dither masks are based on different dither matrices or the same dither matrix, by performing a logical AND operation between the matrix elements, it is effective for all the temporary primary color dither masks. Can be directly obtained to obtain a mixed color dither mask.

The image processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein each of the primary color dither masks is a logical inversion operation for inverting a value indicating the validity and a value indicating the invalidity for the mixed color dither mask. As a result of a logical product operation that takes values corresponding to the matrix elements corresponding to the resulting mixed color inversion dither mask and the respective temporary primary color dither masks as valid only when both values are valid. Preferably it is created.

37. The image processing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein each of the primary color dither masks is a logical inversion operation for inverting the value indicating the validity and the value indicating the invalidity for the mixed color dither mask. As a result of a logical product operation that takes values corresponding to the matrix elements corresponding to the resulting mixed color inversion dither mask and the respective temporary primary color dither masks as valid only when both values are valid. Preferably it is created.

In this image processing method and apparatus, each primary color dither mask is a mixed color inverted dither mask created as a result of a logical inversion operation for inverting a valid value and an invalid value for the mixed color dither mask. And a matrix element corresponding to each of the temporary primary color dither masks, and is created as a result of a logical AND operation in which values are only valid when both are valid values. That is,
In this case, the matrix indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask among the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask can be obtained by simply performing a relatively simple logical inversion or logical multiplication operation. You can create a primary color dither mask that cancels element validity.

In the image processing method of any one of claims 4 to 15, it is preferable that the three primary colors are three colors of cyan, magenta and yellow.

In the image processing apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 36, it is preferable that the three primary colors are three colors of cyan, magenta and yellow.

In this image processing method and apparatus, the three primary colors are C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y.
Since the three colors (yellow) are used, colors can be expressed by so-called subtractive color mixing. In this case, it is suitable for a case where color expression is performed by reflected light, such as printing on various XY plotters and printers. In this case, CMY
The mixed color (mixed color) of the three colors is K (black). Further, in this case, it is preferable that four basic colors of CMYK including K (black) be used as basic colors.

In the image processing method according to any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, it is preferable that the element dither image is created as a print image for printing on a print target.

In the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 22 to 37, it is preferable that the element dither image is created as a print image for printing on a print target.

In this image processing method and apparatus, the element dither image is created as a print image to be printed on a print object. Therefore, the image processing method for creating a print image and the apparatus include a printing apparatus. Applicable to etc.

The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the element dither image corresponds to a pixel to which ink is to be ejected from the ink jet head to the printing object. preferable.

The image processing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the element dither image corresponds to a pixel to which ink is to be ejected from an ink jet head to the printing object. preferable.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, since the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the element dither image corresponds to the pixel where the ink is to be ejected from the ink jet head to the print target, Suitable for application to printing devices.

In the image processing method according to claim 17 or 18, it is preferable that the printing target is a tape.

In the image processing apparatus according to claim 38 or 39, it is preferable that the printing object is a tape.

In the image processing method and the image processing apparatus, since the printing object on which the element dither image created as the print image is printed is a tape, it can be applied to a tape printing apparatus.

[0084] In the image processing method of the fourth aspect, it is preferable that the three primary colors are three colors of red, green and blue.

[0085] In the image processing apparatus according to claim 25, the three primary colors are preferably three colors of red, green and blue.

In this image processing method and apparatus, the three primary colors are R (red), G (green) and B
Since the three colors (blue) are used, colors can be expressed by so-called additive color mixing. In this case, such as a display such as a CRT, a plasma, a liquid crystal, etc., it is suitable for a case in which a color display is performed by itself. In this case, the mixed color (mixed color) of the three colors RGB is white.

In the image processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, it is preferable that the element dither image is created as a display image to be displayed on a display screen.

[0088] In the image processing apparatus of any one of claims 22 to 25, it is preferable that the element dither image is created as a display image to be displayed on a display screen.

In this image processing method and its apparatus, the element dither image is created as a display image to be displayed on a display screen. Therefore, the image processing method and its apparatus for creating a display image include a display device and the like. Applicable to

[0090]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention and a tape printing apparatus to which the apparatus is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printing apparatus, and FIG.
Is a block diagram of the control system.

The tape printing apparatus 1 prints a print image created based on desired characters or the like input by a key on a print tape T1 in an ink-jet manner,
The label is created by cutting the printed portion of the printing tape T1. Further, by mounting a laminating tape T2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) in addition to the printing tape T1, the laminating tape T2 is adhered to the printed portion of the printing tape T1, and in this state, the printing tape T1 and the laminating tape T2 Can be cut to create a laminated label. Hereinafter, "Tape T" will be used to represent both types of tapes, of the type with only the printing tape T1 or the type with the laminating tape T2 added thereto.
That.

The printing tape T1 is composed of a base tape, an adhesive layer applied to the back surface of the base tape, and a release paper tape attached to the adhesive layer. The base tape is paper or paper having a coat layer, Alternatively, it is made of a material that can sufficiently absorb ink, such as a film having a coat layer. The adhesive layer is for attaching a printing tape as a label to an object to be attached such as a file, and the release paper tape is for preventing dust or the like from adhering to the adhesive layer.

On the other hand, the laminate tape T2 is composed of a base tape and an adhesive layer applied to the back surface of the base tape,
The base tape is composed of a transparent film having a thickness of about 16 to 38 μm. Further, it is formed to have substantially the same width as the printing tape T1, and is adhered so that the side edges are aligned and overlapped.
Actually, the printing tape T1 is laminated with the laminating tape T2.
Are formed to have a slightly narrow width (about 0.3 mm) so that a slight lateral displacement of the laminate tape T2 at the time of sticking can be absorbed.

These various tapes T have a tape width of 4.
Various types (about 10 types) of about 5 mm to 96 mm are prepared. Each of them is provided in a state of being housed in the tape cartridge 5, and print images having a resolution of about 24 dots to 1024 dots in the width direction are printed according to the tape width. In addition, these tapes T are also prepared with materials having different materials and materials having a ground color other than white. At least several tens of types can be used including those used in the future. I have. In addition, the tape cartridge 5
Include a type capable of mounting a print tape T1 and a laminate tape T2 (see FIG. 4);
There is a type that can be mounted only, and three types of “large”, “medium”, and “small” having different widths are prepared.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tape printer 1
An apparatus main body 2, a keyboard 3 attached to a front portion of the apparatus main body 2, a tape cartridge 5 containing a tape T (printing tape T1 + laminate tape T2: see FIG. 3),
The tape cartridge 5 and the ink cartridge 8 are detachably mounted on the apparatus main body 2. The ink cartridge 8 is filled with ink of four colors (see FIG. 3). The outer shell of the apparatus main body 2 is formed by an apparatus case 23, and an opening / closing lid 21 for attaching and detaching the tape cartridge 5 and the ink cartridge 8 is widely provided at an upper portion of the apparatus case 23. A slit-shaped tape discharge port 22 for discharging the tape T to the outside is formed on a side surface of the device case 23.

The keyboard 3 is attached to the apparatus main body 2 so that it can be turned upside down. When the tape printer 1 is used, the keyboard 3 is pulled down. 3 is caused. Further, a small window 25 is formed at the right front of the opening / closing lid 21 in correspondence with the display 4 built in the apparatus main body 2. The keyboard 3 and the display 4 will be further described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tape printer 1 has, as a basic configuration, an operation unit 1 having a keyboard 3 and a display 4 to interface with a user.
1. A printing unit 12 that prints on a tape T (printing tape T1) of a tape cartridge 5 by an inkjet print head 7, and a cutting unit 1 that cuts the tape T after printing.
3. a detection unit 14 having various sensors to perform various detections; a driving unit 270 having various drivers to drive each unit circuit;
A power supply unit 290 and a control unit 200 that controls each unit in the tape printer 1 are provided.

For this reason, a circuit board (not shown) is housed in the apparatus case 23 in addition to the printing section 12, the cutting section 13, the detecting section 14, and the like. This circuit board includes a power supply unit 2
90, other circuits such as a drive unit 270 and a control unit 200 are mounted. The power supply unit EU of the power supply unit 290 includes:
The tape printer 1 is connected to the AC adapter connection port 24 and a battery E such as a nickel-cadmium battery that is detachable from the outside, and supplies power to each unit in the tape printer 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus main body of the tape printing apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the printing unit 12
A carriage guide shaft 31 whose both ends are supported by a frame (not shown), a carriage 32 slidably attached to the carriage guide shaft 31, and a forward / reverse running to move the carriage 32 in the left-right direction (width direction of the tape T). A timing belt (not shown) that reciprocates and a carriage motor (CR motor) 122 that causes the timing belt to travel forward and backward.
A feed roller 41 in which a feed driven roller 42 and a feed drive roller 43 are vertically arranged;
5, a laminating roller 44 having a laminating drive roller 46 arranged vertically, a tape feed motor (TF motor) 121 for rotatingly driving the feed driving roller 43 and the lami driving roller 46 via a reduction gear train (not shown). A head cap mechanism (not shown) for closing the ink nozzles of the print head 7 and performing a cleaning process or the like by a pump motor 123 as needed, and an eject mechanism 124 for setting the tape cartridge 5.

The carriage 32 is integrally provided with a print head 7 for printing on the tape T at a lower portion thereof and a cartridge holder 34 for mounting an ink cartridge 8 for supplying ink at an upper portion thereof. . In this case, the print head 7 is mounted downward,
The ink cartridge 8 is mounted on the cartridge holder 34 downward. When the ink cartridge 8 is mounted, the ink tank 8a of each color of the ink cartridge 8 is set.
Communicates with the print head 7, and ink can be supplied.
The ink tank 8a has C (cyan),
M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (black: black)
Ink of each color is filled.

The carriage 32 is provided with a light shielding plate (not shown) protruding therefrom. When the carriage 32 faces a home position sensor 142 such as a photo interrupter, it detects that the print head 7 is at the home position (not shown). Then, position correction such as zero point correction is performed. The home position is a standby position for the print head 7 and a reference position for printing.
By rotating the print head 2 by a predetermined number of steps, the carriage 32 is accurately moved to each position in the width direction of the print range of the tape T, and the print head 7 is driven in synchronization with the carriage 32, whereby the surface of the tape T The desired printing is performed.

The tape cartridge 5 is provided with an identification plate 115 indicating identification information based on a bit pattern or the like (see FIG. 4). The tape identification sensor 141 mounted on the carriage 32 faces the identification plate 115. , Tape cartridge 5, type of printing tape T1 and laminating tape T2, and individual printing tape T1
, The print start position is detected. Hereinafter, these detection signals are referred to as “tape identification signals”.

The feed drive roller 43 is provided on the apparatus main body 2, and the feed driven roller 42 is provided on the tape cartridge 5. When the tape cartridge 5 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, the feed driven roller 42 presses the print tape T1 so as to sandwich the print tape T1 between the feed drive roller 43 and the feed driven roller 42. By rotating the TF motor 121 in this state, the feed driven roller 42 and the feed drive roller 4
3 is sent to the other side.

The lami driving roller 46 is provided on the apparatus main body 2, and the lami driven roller 45 is provided on the tape cartridge 5. When the tape cartridge 5 is mounted on the apparatus main body 2, the lami driven roller 45 presses the printing tape T <b> 1 and the laminating tape T <b> 2 so as to sandwich the printing tape T <b> 1 and the laminating tape T <b> 2 between them. And. When the TF motor 121 rotates in this state, the printing tape T1 and the laminating tape T2 sandwiched between the lami driven roller 45 and the lami driving roller 46 are sent to the front while being adhered.

The cutting section 13 includes a cutter 51 and a cutter motor 131 for cutting the cutter 51. After the printing is completed, the tape T (printing tape T1 + laminate tape T2) is stopped after being stepped by a predetermined distance by the TF motor 121. At the same time, the cutter motor 131 is driven to cut the tape T. Is performed. In the tape printer 1, the cutter 5
Cut key 34 so that cutting operation 1 can be performed manually.
0 is provided so that the mode can be switched between automatic and manual.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detection unit 14 includes the above-described tape identification sensor 141 and home position sensor 142. As described above, the tape identification sensor 141
Detects the type of the tape cartridge 5 and the tape T and the print start position, and the home position sensor 142 detects that the print head 7 has reached the home position, and detects the respective detection signals (tape identification signal, position detection signal ) To control unit 2
Enter 00. In addition, according to the actual situation, other components such as a voltage sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, and a head surface temperature sensor that are connected to the power supply unit EU of the power supply unit 290 that supplies power to each unit of the tape printing apparatus 1 and detect a potential change thereof are provided. A sensor may be provided, or a configuration in which a part is omitted may be employed.

The driving section 270 is provided for the display driver 2
71, a head driver 272, and a motor driver 27
3 is provided. The display driver 271 drives the display 4 of the operation unit 11 according to an instruction based on a control signal output from the control unit 200. Similarly, the head driver 272 drives the print head 7 of the printing unit 12 according to an instruction from the control unit 200. Also,
The motor driver 273 is a TF motor 12 of the printing unit 12.
1, a TF motor driver 273a for driving the CR motor 122, a CR motor driver 273b for driving the CR motor 122, and a pump motor driver 27 for driving the pump motor 123.
3c, and a cutter motor driver 273d for driving the cutter motor 131 of the cutting unit 13. Similarly, each motor is driven according to an instruction from the control unit 200.

The operation section 11 has a keyboard 3 and a display 4. The display 4 has a display screen 41 capable of displaying 96 dots × 64 dots of display image data inside a rectangular shape of about 6 cm in the horizontal direction (X direction) × 4 cm in the vertical direction (Y direction). Data is input from the keyboard 3 to create and edit a character string image in which characters (used in the meaning of the character as described above) are arranged or matrix data representing a print image including the character string image, and visually check the result and the like. Or when inputting various commands, selection instructions, etc. from the keyboard 3.

The keyboard 3 includes an alphabet key group 311 (not shown), a symbol key group 312,
Numeric key group 313, kana key group 31 such as hiragana and katakana
4 and a character key group 31 including an external character key group 315 for calling and selecting an external character, and a function key group 32 for designating various operation modes and the like.

The function key group 32 includes a power key 320 (neither is shown), a print key 321 for instructing a printing operation, and a selection for switching between various modes such as character size and decoration type and various forms. A form key 322 for displaying a screen, a selection key for various modes on the various selection screens, a selection key 323 for data confirmation and line feed at the time of text input, and designation of a print color of print image data and an intermediate color (mixed color) thereof Color specification key 32
4. Color setting key 32 for setting text color and background color
5 and 4 for moving the cursor upward (“上”), downward (“↓”), left (“←”), right (“→”), and moving the display range of the display screen 41, respectively. Cursor keys 330 (330U, 330D, 330L, 330
R: hereinafter referred to as “cursor“ ↑ ”key 330U” etc.)
Is included.

The function keys 32 further include a cancel key 326 for canceling various instructions, a shift key 327 used to change the role of each key, and to modify drawing registration image data, a text input screen and a selection screen. Key 328 for switching between a print image data and a display screen (image screen) of print image data, and a ratio change (zoom) for changing the size ratio between the print image data and the display image data displayed on the image screen A key 329 and a cut key 340 for manually cutting the tape T are included.

Naturally, similarly to a general keyboard, these key inputs may be input by providing individual keys for each key input, or may be performed in combination with a shift key 327 or the like to reduce the number of keys. You may input using a key. Here, in order to facilitate understanding, it is assumed that there are keys corresponding to the above.

As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard 3 inputs various commands and data as described above to the control unit 200.

The control unit 200 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 2
20, character generator ROM (CG-ROM)
230, RAM 240, peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 2
50, and are connected to each other by an internal bus 260.

The ROM 220 includes a control program area 221 for storing a control program to be processed by the CPU 210, a kana-kanji conversion table (dictionary), a color conversion table,
It has a control data area 222 for storing control data including a character modification table, a dither matrix, a predetermined basic (defined) dither mask, and the like. CG-ROM23
0 stores font data of characters and the like prepared in the tape printing apparatus 1 and outputs corresponding font data when code data for specifying the characters and the like is given.

The RAM 240 is backed up so as to retain the stored data even when the power is turned off by operating the power key 320.
41, a text data area 242 for storing text data such as characters input by the user from the keyboard 3, a display image data area 243 for storing display image data of the display screen 41, a print image data area 244 for storing print image data, A drawing registration image data area 245 for storing drawing registration image data, a dither mask area 246 for storing a dither mask during or after processing, a color pallet data area 247 for storing color pallet information such as print colors, and a character development buffer ( It has various buffer areas 248 such as a font color buffer, a color conversion buffer, an arrangement buffer for each basic color, and a print buffer, and is used as a work area for control processing.

The P-CON 250 includes a logic circuit for supplementing the function of the CPU 21 and handling interface signals with various peripheral circuits, such as a gate array and a custom L-type.
It is configured and incorporated by SI or the like. For example,
The timer (TIM) 251 that performs various timings is also a PC
It is incorporated as a function in ON250. Therefore, the P-CON 250 is connected to the various sensors of the detection unit 14 and the keyboard 3, and receives or processes various detection signals from the detection unit 14 and various commands and input data from the keyboard 3 to the internal bus 260. The data and control signals output from the CPU 210 and the like to the internal bus 260 are output to the drive unit 270 as they are or processed in cooperation with the CPU 210.

Then, with the above-described configuration, the CPU 210 executes the PC in accordance with the control program in the ROM 220.
Various signals, data, and the like are input from each unit in the tape printer 1 via the ON 250, font data from the CG-ROM 230, various data in the RAM 240, etc. are processed, and the tape printer 1 via the P-CON 250 is processed. By outputting various signals, data, and the like to each part of the printer, printing position control, display control of the display screen 41, and the like are performed.
The entire tape printing apparatus 1 is controlled, for example, by controlling the print head 7 to print on the tape T under predetermined printing conditions.

Next, the processing flow of the entire control of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Power key 3
When the process starts by pressing 20 (power on),
As shown in the figure, first, in order to return the tape printer 1 to the state at the time of the previous power-off, initial settings such as restoring the saved control flags are performed (S1).
The previous display screen is displayed as an initial screen (S2).

[0120] Subsequent processing in FIG. 5, that is, determination whether or not a key input has been made (S3) and various interrupt processing (S4).
Is a conceptual process. Actually, in the tape printer 1, when the initial screen display (S2) ends, the key input interrupt is permitted, and the state is maintained until a key input interrupt occurs (S3: No). When any key input interrupt occurs (S3: Yes), the process shifts to each interrupt process (S4), and when the interrupt process ends,
The state is maintained again (S3: No).

As described above, in the tape printing apparatus 1, the main processing is performed by the interrupt processing. Therefore, if the print image data to be printed is prepared, the user can press the print key 321 at any time. As a result, a print processing interrupt occurs, the print processing is started, and printing can be performed using the print image data. That is, the operation procedure up to printing is
The user can arbitrarily select.

Next, an image creation / printing process, particularly a dithering process, employed in the tape printer 1 will be described. First, the principle will be described below.

For example, an image represented by matrix data (hereinafter referred to as "matrix") having 256 gradation values as matrix elements, that is, n values for each pixel (in this case, n
= 256) having the gradation value information (gradation image)
In order to output to an apparatus that can handle only an image with a smaller (limited) gradation value, it is necessary to convert the image into an image (pseudo gradation image) suitable for the gradation value. As one of the methods (techniques) of the image conversion (compression) processing, that is, the pseudo gradation processing, there is a so-called dither method.

In this dither method, noise is added to the gradation value of each pixel in the gradation image of the original image, and then binarized (binary dither method).
Alternatively, this is a method of performing limited multi-valued (multi-valued dither method), which utilizes the characteristics of the human eye that averages and collects one area as one shadow or color.
For example, in the binary dither method, the distribution of binary values (for example, 1 and 0) is changed in accordance with the gradation value of each pixel of the gradation image (for example, ""1" is thinned out) to express an intermediate gradation (for example, gray when 1 and 0 are black and white). A typical binary dither method is an organized dither method.

In the systematic dither method, the threshold value of the n-value (n is an integer of 3 or more) of each pixel of the gradation image of the original image is set to the m-value (m is n ≧ m ≧ 2). A dither matrix defined as an integer element and arranged as a matrix element is prepared in advance, the (gradation of) the gradation image of the original image is divided into matrices of the size of the dither matrix, and the matrix element is divided into matrices for each divided matrix. By comparing the tonal value and the threshold value of the corresponding dither matrix to determine whether or not the condition indicated by the threshold value is satisfied, and assigning one of the two values according to the determination result,
A pseudo gradation image represented by a binary matrix is created. For example, when a condition is satisfied, a value indicating validity (for example, 1) is assigned, and when the condition is not satisfied, a value indicating invalidity (for example, 0) is assigned. Create

Depending on how the gradation value and the threshold value are defined, for example, a gradation value above the threshold value, a gradation value exceeding the threshold value, a gradation value below the threshold value, or below the threshold value. Can be defined as a gradation value that satisfies the condition indicated by the threshold value. In the following, the condition is satisfied when the gradation value is equal to or more than the threshold value (gradation value ≧ threshold value). An example that satisfies is described below. Of course, other prescribed methods can be processed according to the same principle. Further, the above-mentioned systematic dither method is used as the binary dither method, and the pseudo gradation processing (binary dither processing) by the binary dither method will be mainly described.

For example, an image represented by a matrix having 16 gradation values of 0 to 15 as matrix elements, that is, an image having 16 gradation value information for each pixel (gradation of the original image) Image) is converted (compressed) from a 16-gradation image to a 2-gradation pseudo-gradation image (binary dither processing) in order to output the image to a device that can handle only 2 gradation values. When performing this, first, for example, as shown in FIG.
Dither matrix DD16 in which the matrix elements of
Prepare That is, n of each pixel of the gradation image of the original image
The threshold value of the gradation value of the value (here, n = 16) is set to the m value (m is an integer satisfying n ≧ m ≧ 2: here, 1 of 1 to 15)
A dither matrix DD16 defined as (5 values) and arranged as 4 × 4 matrix elements is prepared in advance.

Next, the matrix expressing the gradation image of the original image is represented by the size of the dither matrix DD16,
The matrix is divided into matrices of size × 4, and for each of the divided matrices, the gradation value of the matrix element is compared with the threshold value of the corresponding dither matrix, and the condition indicated by the threshold value (here, It is determined whether or not the gradation value satisfies (gradation value ≧ threshold value), and one of the two values is assigned according to the result of the determination, thereby generating a pseudo-tone image represented by a binary matrix.

For example, one of the matrices obtained by dividing a matrix (hereinafter referred to as an “input matrix”) representing a gradation image of an original image into a 4 × 4 size (hereinafter referred to as a “divided input matrix”) is shown in FIG. Divided input matrix IG4 shown in
, The tone values of the matrix elements of the divided input matrix IG4 are all “4”, so that only the conditions indicated by the threshold values “1” to “4” of the dither matrix DD16 are satisfied.

In this case, of the matrix elements of the dither matrix DD16, the matrix elements that do not satisfy the condition are represented by “0”, and the matrix elements that satisfy the condition are represented by the threshold (hereinafter, the matrix represented as above). Is referred to as an “established threshold matrix”), as shown in an established threshold matrix AG4 in FIG.
In this case, when the condition is satisfied, a value indicating validity (here, “1”) is assigned, and when the condition is not satisfied, a value indicating invalidity (here, “0”) is assigned, and two values (“1” and “1”) are assigned. When expressed by a matrix of “0”), it becomes like a matrix BG4 of FIG.

The matrix BG4 is one of matrices obtained by dividing a matrix (hereinafter referred to as an "output matrix") representing a target pseudo-tone image created by binary dither processing into a 4 × 4 size. Hereinafter, this type of matrix is referred to as a “split output matrix”), which is a matrix of the binary dither processing result for the split input matrix IG4. Then, the image represented by the divided output matrix BG4 becomes the divided image PG4 in FIG. 3E when "1" is black and "0" is white.

The divided image PG4 is one of images obtained by dividing the target pseudo gradation image into 4 × 4 (for example, 4 dots × 4 dots), and has 16 gradations of “0” to “15”. Of the gradation image having the tone value information, a part having a gradation value of “4” (an image of 4 dots × 4 dots represented by the divided input matrix IG4) was pseudo-converted into a binary image. It is an image.

Similarly, of input matrices expressing gradation images having gradation value information of 16 gradations of “0” to “15”, a part having gradation values of “8” is replaced with 4 parts. When the binary dither processing is performed on the divided input matrix IG8 expressed by the × 4 matrix, as shown in the drawing, as shown in the drawing, the established threshold matrix AG8, the divided output matrix BG8, and the divided image PG8 are obtained. Become. A divided input matrix IG0 in which a part having all the gradation values of “0” is represented by a 4 × 4 matrix, and a divided input matrix in which a part having all the gradation values of “12” is represented by a 4 × 4 matrix Similarly, for the IG12 and the divided input matrix IG15 in which a part having all the gradation values of “15” are expressed by a 4 × 4 matrix, the threshold threshold matrices AG0, AG12 and AG15, and the divided outputs Matrices BG0, BG12 and BG15, divided image PG
0, PG12 and PG15 are obtained.

In the above case, the gradation values shown in the 4 × 4 matrix are all the same, but various gradation values are included in the gradation values shown in the 4 × 4 matrix. Even if it is included, the same threshold value matrix is obtained, so that the same processing can be performed. In the multi-value dither processing, an image after image conversion (compression), that is, a pseudo-tone image is not an image represented by a binary matrix (binary image), but a ternary or higher-order multi-tone value. Image represented by matrix (multi-valued image)
However, processing can be performed in the same manner as the binary dither processing.

For example, multi-value dither processing is performed on a 64-gradation image (input matrix expressing 64 gradations) from 0 to 63, and as a result, a multi-value pseudo gradation image (output matrix expressing) is obtained. 7 (a) and (b)
As shown in the figure, a plurality of the same dither matrices DD16 (four in this case) are selected according to the range of the gradation value.
The dither matrices DD64 (1) for the gradation values of 0 to 16 and the dither matrices DD64 (2), 32 to 32 for the gradation values of 16 to 32, respectively, are prepared.
A dither matrix DD64 for 48 tone values
(3) The dither matrix DD64 (4) is applied to the gradation values of 48 to 63. In addition, 2 of the above result
The value is set to 0 when the condition is not satisfied (gradation value <threshold value),
When the condition is satisfied (gradation value ≧ threshold value), it is set to 1, and the two values of the same result are 1 (unsatisfied) and 2 (satisfied), and the two values of the result are 2 (unsatisfied) and 3 (satisfied). , 3 (not satisfied) and 4 (qualified)
It is prescribed.

Here, consider the divided input matrix IGr shown in FIG. In this case, the divided input matrix I
Since the gradation values indicated by the four lower left matrix elements of Gr (see the matrix IGr (1) in FIG. 3C) are in the range of gradation values of 0 to 16, the dither matrix DD64 (1)
Is applied, the gradation value “7” and the threshold value “4” (≧: established: result “1”), the gradation value “9” and the threshold value “11”
(<: Not established: result “0”), gradation value “10” and threshold value “13” (<: not established: result “0”), gradation value “8”
Is compared with the threshold value “7” (≧: established: result “1”). As a result of the comparison, the values of the four lower left matrix elements of the divided output matrix EGr shown in FIG. Can be obtained.

Similarly, the upper right four matrix elements of the divided input matrix IGr (the matrix IG in FIG.
Since the tone value indicated by r (2) is in the range of 16 to 32, the dither matrix DD64 (2) is applied, and the tone value “26” and the threshold value “19” (≧: established) : Result “2”, gradation value “24” and threshold value “30” (<:
Unsatisfied: result “1”), gradation value “23” and threshold value “2”
8 ”(<: not established: result“ 1 ”), the gradation value“ 25 ”and the threshold value“ 23 ”(≧: established: result“ 2 ”) are compared, and the comparison result is divided. The values of the four upper right matrix elements of the output matrix EGr are obtained. When the gradation value is “16”, the result is the same (“1”) regardless of whether any of the above dither matrix DD64 (1) and dither matrix DD64 (2) is applied.

Similarly, the lower right four matrix elements of the divided input matrix IGr (the matrix IG in FIG.
Since the gradation value indicated by r (3) is in the range of the gradation value of 32 to 48, the dither matrix DD64 (3) is applied, and four matrix elements at the upper left of the divided input matrix IGr (FIG. The matrix IGr (4) has a grayscale value in the range of 48 to 63. Therefore, the dither matrix DD64 (4) is applied, and the respective comparisons are performed. The values of the four lower right and upper left matrix elements of the output matrix EGr are obtained. When the tone value is “32”, the result is the same (“2”) regardless of the application of any of the above dither matrix DD64 (2) and dither matrix DD64 (3), and the tone value is In the case of “48”, the result is the same (“3”) regardless of whether the dither matrix DD64 (3) or the dither matrix DD64 (4) is applied.

The above-described divided output matrix EGr corresponds to one of matrices obtained by dividing an output matrix representing a pseudo gradation image created by multi-value (here, quinary) dither processing into 4 × 4 size. Then, it is a matrix of a multi-value dither processing result for the divided input matrix IGr. That is, it is a part of a multi-valued pseudo-gradation image (an output matrix that represents a multi-valued image) as a result of performing a multi-value dither process on a 64-tone gradation image (an input matrix that represents a 0 to 63). Note that a binary pseudo-gradation image can be finally obtained by further using a binary dither method for a multi-valued (for example, 5-valued) pseudo-gradation image. That is, binary dither processing may be further performed on a matrix represented by multiple values (five values) as in the above-described divided output matrix EGr.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 14E, for example, a 2 × 2 dither matrix DD5 is prepared. For example, the divided output matrix EGr is divided into a 2 × 2 matrix having the same size as the dither matrix DD5. 2 × 2 corresponding matrix elements are compared with each other to determine whether a condition is satisfied (gradation value ≧ threshold value) or not (gradation value <threshold value). By setting 0 when the condition is not satisfied, a binary divided output matrix BGr shown in FIG. The corresponding divided image in this case is like the divided image PGr in FIG.

In the above case, the 64-gradation image is converted into a multi-valued (5-valued) pseudo gradation image, which is further converted to a 2-valued gradation image.
The image was converted to a pseudo-tone image of the value, but a threshold value was defined by 64 values from 0 to 63, and a dither matrix arranged as, for example, an 8 × 8 matrix element was prepared. You can also That is, “64 gradations →
Instead of the dither processing of “5 gradations → 2 gradations”, “64 gradations →
It is also possible to perform dither processing of "two gradations".

Similarly, for a gradation image of 256 gradations of 0 to 255, for example, 0 to 64, 64 to 12
8, 128-192 and 192-255-4
A dither matrix is prepared for each stage, and for example, the binary of the above result is 0 and 1, the binary of the result is 1 and 2, the binary of the result is 2 and 3,
Is defined as 3 and 4, and binary dither processing is performed for each stage (when the systematic dither method is applied to each stage). Can be created. Of course, this multi-level (for example, 5-level)
Further, a binary pseudo gradation image can be finally obtained by using the binary dither method for the pseudo gradation image of.

The above-described dither processing can be applied not only to a monochrome image (a gradation image having gradation values of light and shade) but also to a color image. That is, dither processing (color dither processing) for each gradation value of the basic colors such as the three primary colors may be performed. For example, when creating a pseudo-gradation image as a display image to be output to a display or the like, dither processing is performed on the gradation values of the three primary colors RGB of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), To create a print image for printing, CMs of three primary colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow)
Dither processing for gradation values of each Y color, or K
Dither processing may be performed on the gradation values of the four basic colors of CMYK to which (black) has been added.

For example, when a multi-tone image (for example, 256 tones) created by a personal computer or the like is output to a printing device (such as a printer) that can handle only two-tone images of each color even if it is a color image, 3 Dither processing for gradation values of CMY primary colors or CMYK to which K (black) is further added
The dither processing for the gradation values of the four basic colors is performed. The same applies to the thermal method and the like, but here, assuming a so-called ink jet printer in accordance with the tape printer 1, the processing in this case is as shown in FIG. 31, for example.

As shown in the figure, in this kind of conventional image creation / printing processing (S90), first, an image (gradation image) is created on a personal computer (S91), and printing is designated by a print key or the like. Then (S92), the created tone image (input matrix for expressing) is then separated into CMY colors to extract a tone image (input matrix for expressing) (S93), and a work area for each color is extracted. (S94),
After performing dither processing by comparison operation with the dither matrix (S95), K is extracted by extracting the same point of three colors.
(Black: black) data is created (S96), ink is output for each color (S97), and the process (S90) ends (S98). When outputting to a display device such as a display connected to a personal computer, for example, the above processing (S9
0), CMY is changed to RGB (S93, S93
94), print designation (S92), K data creation (S96)
And the process omitting the ink output (S97).

By the way, for example, in a word processor or the like, characters including letters, numbers, symbols, figures, etc.
When a character string (represented by “character”) is input and a character string or the like having each character as an element is displayed or printed, the minimum unit such as color designation is a character. In the case of a reversed character or a case where the background color can be set, the color of the character on the background side can be specified. In this case, if an image of a character string created as a display image or a print image is an entire image, an image of each character included in the character string is an element image of the entire image.

In this case, for each element image, if the image of the character shape that is the main body of the element image is the element body image and the background image is the element background image, the pixel of each element image is displayed on the display image or print image. The pixels of the element body image and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background can be visually discriminated, and correspondingly, in data processing, of the matrix elements of the matrix representing the element image, The matrix element corresponding to the pixel of the element body image and the matrix element corresponding to the pixel of the element background image can be distinguished. Also, in this case, individual tone values are set for the element body image and the element background image, all pixels of the element body image have the same tone value, and all the pixels of the element background image have a different tone value. Also have the same gradation value. In the case of the above-described inverted characters, the background side of the character can be regarded as the element body image, and the character side can be regarded as the element background image.

In addition to a word processor or the like as a so-called character input device, a similar image can be obtained by a drawing input device (including a personal computer equipped with drawing (design) software) capable of drawing and inputting an arbitrary diagram or picture. Created. That is, for example, even when the density and color are specified for an arbitrary diagram or pattern in the whole image, the image of the arbitrary diagram or pattern is an element image, and An image in the shape of a picture or a pattern is equivalent to an element main body image, and can be distinguished from an element background image as the background, and at least all pixels of the element main body image have the same gradation value. Also, any complicated drawing image can be decomposed into each element image, assuming that at least all the pixels of the element body image are element images having the same gradation value as the composite image (whole image). The element body image of the element image can be decomposed into an element body image and another element background image, and the element body image and the element background image can be distinguished, and at least all the pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value. It should be noted that the image that is sensuously viewed as the background side is also the main body side if the viewpoint is changed.

Therefore, an element image in which the pixels of the element body image serving as the body of the element image and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background can be distinguished, and at least all the pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value, A case in which dither processing is performed on the entire image having at least one image will be described below. First, a case where the above-described dither processing (binary dither processing or multi-value dither processing) is applied as it is will be described.

For example, if all pixels of the element body image are 0 to 63
In the case where the gradation value is “55” of the 64 gradations and the gradation value is the same, one of the divided input matrices obtained by dividing the input matrix expressing the element image into a 4 × 4 matrix is used as an element main body. Consider a divided input matrix corresponding to the inside of the contour of the image. In this case, as shown in FIG.
4 × 4 divided input matrix I with all gradation values “55”
It looks like G55. On the other hand, when the above-described multi-valued (5-valued) dither processing is performed in FIG. 7, a multi-valued divided output matrix EG55 in FIG. 8A is obtained, and further, the dither matrix DD5 in FIG. When the binary dither processing is performed based on the binary divided output matrix BG55, a corresponding divided image PG55 is obtained.

Similarly, considering a 4 × 4 divided input matrix within the contour of the element body image when all pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value “35”, as shown in FIG. When the multi-valued (5-valued) dither processing is performed as in a 4 × 4 divided input matrix IG35 in which all gradation values are “35”, a multi-valued divided output matrix EG35 is obtained. When the processing is performed, a binary divided output matrix BG35 is obtained, and a corresponding divided image PG35 is obtained.

On the other hand, considering a 4 × 4 divided input matrix including a part of the contour line L of the element body image when all pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value “35”, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the matrix elements inside the contour line L of the element body image whose gradation values are all “35” and the outside of the contour line L, that is, the gradation value x (x = 0 here for easy understanding) )
A multi-valued (quinary) dither process described above with reference to FIG. 7, which is a 4 × 4 divided input matrix IG35S including the matrix elements of the element background image of FIG. When the divided output matrix EG35S is obtained and the binary dither processing is performed based on the dither matrix DD5 in FIG. 7E, the binary divided output matrix BG35 is obtained.
S is obtained, and the corresponding divided image PG35S is obtained.

However, in the above-described dither processing, 3
A gray-scale image represented by a matrix having n-valued (64-valued in the above example) gradation values as matrix elements, ie, n-valued (n = 64 in this case) gradation values for each pixel Since a gradation image having information is subjected to image processing, a large memory capacity is required. Of course, the aforementioned 256
This is especially true in the case of gradation. In addition, the multi-value dither processing requires a memory capacity for a multi-valued (for example, 5-valued) pseudo gradation image as a dither processing result. Further, since the comparison operation with the dither matrix is a basic process, an enormous processing time is required. In particular, in the color dither processing, since the processing is performed for each basic color, the problems of memory capacity and processing time become significant.

Therefore, in the tape printing apparatus 1, the pixels of the element body image as the body of the element image and the pixels of the element background image as the background can be distinguished, and at least all the pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value. Element image of at least one
An image processing method capable of performing dither processing while reducing the memory capacity and shortening the processing time is adopted for the entire image having one image. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

Specifically, in the tape printing apparatus 1, at least one element image capable of distinguishing a pixel of an element main image serving as a main body and a pixel of an element background image serving as a background in the element image of the whole image. By assigning a value indicating validity of predetermined binary values to all pixels of the element body image and allocating a value indicating invalidity of predetermined binary values to all pixels of the element background image, An element shape image represented by a binary matrix is created. That is, an element shape image expressed by a binary matrix in which a value (for example, 1) indicating validity is assigned to the element body image and a value (for example, 0) indicating invalidity is assigned to the element background image is created.

For example, the divided input matrix I shown in FIG.
G55 and the divided input matrix IG35 of FIG.
As described above, since only the matrix elements that represent the pixels within the outline of the element main body image, that is, the pixels of the element main body image, are used, the matrix of the element shape image (hereinafter, “element shape image matrix”) Matrices corresponding to the divided input matrices IG55 and IG35 (hereinafter referred to as "divided element shape image matrices") IS55 and IS35
Is composed of only matrix elements to which a value “1” indicating all valid is assigned as shown in FIG.

As described above, the divided input matrix IG35S shown in FIG.
And a matrix element within the contour line L of the element body image whose gradation values are all “35”, and a gradation value x outside the contour line L
, The corresponding divided element shape image matrix IS35
In S, “1” indicating validity is assigned to a matrix element corresponding to a pixel of the element body image, and “0” indicating invalidity is assigned to a matrix element corresponding to a pixel of the element background image, as shown in FIG. Is assigned.

Further, in the case of the above-described examples of FIGS. 8 to 10, while the element shape image is created, as shown in FIG. ,
One gradation value of n values (here, n = 64) is stored. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, the designated gradation value KP55 = the gradation value “55”, and in the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10, the designated gradation value KP55.
P35 = store the gradation value “35”. In these cases, even if the designated gradation value is stored separately from the information of each pixel, it is sufficient if the information of each pixel has one of two values (if it is stored), so that each pixel unit (each pixel) The memory capacity can be reduced as compared with the case of having n value (n ≧ 3: n = 64 in this case) gradation value information.

For example, to represent a value of 0 to 63, that is, one of 64 gradations, 6 bits are required.
Even having bit information simply requires a memory capacity of at least 6 bits × 16 = 96 bits. On the other hand, if one designated gradation value of the 64 gradations is stored as one numerical value as it is, simply 4 × 4 +
6 = 22 bits. In the former case, even if the element image is simply represented by an 8 × 8 matrix, for example, the memory capacity is four times (6 bits × 64). It is necessary, but in the latter case, as long as the designated gradation value of the element body image having the same gradation value, regardless of the size of the element body image,
Since only one designated gradation value (simply 6 bits in the above case) needs to be stored, the difference becomes remarkable as the size increases.

In this case, an image (gradation image) having n-value (n = 64 in the above case) gradation value information for each pixel
The specified gradation value may be extracted while creating the element shape image, or the creation of the element shape image and the designation of the specified gradation value may be individually performed from the beginning. In the case of the above-described method based on a gradation image created by a personal computer or the like, the former method is adopted, and a character or the like is input as text in a word processor and the gradation value is designated for each character (shading). Specification, color specification, etc.)
What is necessary is just to employ | adopt the method corresponding to the latter.

The tape printer 1 stores a dither mask expressed by a predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the dither matrix. That is, a value indicating the validity of predetermined two values is assigned to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold whose designated gradation value among the thresholds of the dither matrix satisfies the condition, and the threshold that does not satisfy the condition is assigned. Is stored as a dither mask in which a matrix element corresponding to is assigned a value indicating invalidity among predetermined two values.

In this case, the dither mask coincides with (a matrix of) a pseudo gradation image obtained by performing a binary dithering process based on the above dither matrix on a predetermined gradation image having the same size as the dither matrix. That is, when the gradation image of the same size as the dither matrix has n-value gradation value information for each pixel, and the gradation value information of all the pixels indicates the above specified gradation value. The gradation value of each pixel of the gradation image is compared with each threshold value of the dither matrix, and the result of the comparison is binarized with the matrix of the calculation result.

For example, in the case of FIG. 8, the designated gradation value KP5
Since 5 = gradation value “55”, multi-valued (5-valued) dither processing is performed by applying the dither matrix DD64 (4) shown in FIG. 7A, and the dither matrix DD shown in FIG.
5 is applied to perform the binary dither processing,
A value divided output matrix BG55 is obtained.
A matrix having the same value as the divided output matrix BG55 is stored as the dither mask DD64 (55). The same applies to the example of FIG. 9 where the designated gradation value KP35 = the gradation value “35”, so that the dither matrix D shown in FIG.
If D64 (3) is applied to perform a multi-valued (5-valued) dither process, and furthermore, a dither matrix DD5 shown in FIG. The divided output matrix BG35 is used. Here, a matrix having the same value as the divided output matrix BG35 is stored as the dither mask DD64 (35).

In this case, a dither mask for each conceivable designated gradation value may be stored in advance, or after the designated gradation value is determined, a new dither matrix is created by comparison with a dither matrix. You may memorize. In the former case, for example, the specified gradation value can be 0 to 0.
Since there are 64 patterns of 63, for example, dither mask DM64
(0) to DM64 (63), each designated gradation value 0 to 0
If it is stored as a dither mask for 63, it is only necessary to read it out when it is used, so that the calculation time can be omitted and the processing time of the entire image processing can be shortened.

On the other hand, in the latter case, for example, in the case of FIG.
After the designated gradation value “55” is found, the dither matrix DD64 (4) shown in FIG. 7A or the dither matrix DD5 shown in FIG.
As in the case of the divided output matrix BG35, a new dither matrix DD64 (55) is created by comparison operation and stored. However, in this case, unlike the above-described dither masks DM64 (0) to DM64 (63), there is no need to store 64 possible designated gradation values 0 to 63, so that the memory capacity for dither mask storage is reduced. Since the operation can be saved and the dither matrix size is compared, the processing time can be relatively short.

Further, in the tape printing apparatus 1, for each matrix having the same size as the dither mask of the element shape image,
By performing a logical product operation on each matrix element corresponding to each matrix and the dither mask as a value indicating valid only when both values are valid, an element shape image is obtained as a result of the logical product operation. To create an element dither image represented by a predetermined binary matrix of the same size as.

In the case of the example described above with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the matrix having the same size as the dither mask, that is, a 4 × 4 division matrix (hereinafter, referred to as an “element shape image matrix”) among the matrix expressing the element shape image Hereinafter, “divided element shape image matrix”) IS55, IS35, IS35
Since only S is described, “for each matrix of the same size as the dither mask” will be described later, and here, only the logical product operation will be described.

In the examples of FIGS. 8 and 9, as described above,
Since each of the divided element shape image matrices IS55 and IS35 is composed of only matrix elements to which the value “1” indicating validity is assigned, as shown in each diagram (b), the dither mask DD64 (55) DD64 (35)
And AND operation, the dither mask DD64 (5
5) and a matrix of operation results of the same value as DD64 (35). That is, the divided element shape image matrix IS55 in the output matrix (hereinafter, referred to as “element dither image matrix”) expressing the element dither image of the operation result,
As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the divided output matrix corresponding to IS35 (hereinafter, “divided element dither image matrix”) includes dither masks DD64 (55) and DD64 (3).
This is the same matrix as 5).

On the other hand, in the case of the example of FIG. 10, as described above,
In the divided element shape image matrix IS35S, “1” indicating validity is assigned to a matrix element corresponding to a pixel of the element body image, and a matrix element corresponding to a pixel of the element background image is assigned, as shown in FIG. Although “0” indicating invalidity is assigned, as shown in FIG. 13B, a logical product operation with the designated gradation value KP35 = the dither mask DD64 (35) corresponding to the gradation value “35” ( In the figure, the logical product is expressed as “.AND.”), That is, a value (“1”) indicating the validity only when both of the corresponding matrix elements are valid values (here, “1”). Only by performing the operation, the same binary divided output matrix (divided element dither image matrix) BG as the result obtained by the comparison operation in the multi-value dither processing and the binary dither processing in FIG. 5S is obtained.

That is, conventionally, for each matrix having the same size as the dither matrix of the elemental image, the tone value of each pixel of each matrix is compared with the threshold value of the corresponding dither matrix to form the pseudo tone image. However, since the tape printer 1 can simply perform a logical product operation, the processing speed can be improved (the processing time can be shortened). In addition, since the input (dither mask, element shape image matrix) and output (element dither image of the operation result) of the AND operation are expressed by a binary matrix, the memory capacity can be saved. of course,
When the same processing is possible not only for a part of the whole image but also for the whole image, that is, when the element body image and the element background image can be distinguished for all the element images, the method is applied to the whole image. This can further reduce the memory capacity and shorten the processing time. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to the whole element image and the whole image will be described.

In the following description, for convenience of illustration and description (for efficiency of description), 0 is used for easy understanding.
The description will be made using a 2 × 2 size matrix as a dither matrix, taking as an example (n = 5) five gradation values of up to 4. Of course, the same principle can be applied to the above-mentioned 64 gradations and the above-mentioned 256 gradations, and the above-mentioned 4 × 4 size and the above-mentioned 8 × 8
Sizes can also be used. For the same reason, the dither matrix DD5 used in the above description (refer to FIGS. 7 (e), 11 (a) and 12 (c)) will be described below as a 2 × 2 dither matrix. The same dither matrix). In such a case, usually, in terms of the efficiency of information as a binary number, such as 64 gradations from 0 to 63 and 256 gradations from 0 to 255, 2 to 0 to (2 ^k -1) ^k (k is a natural number of 2 or more).
It is assumed that there are four gradations of four. In the following, a case of a monochrome (usually, black and white: black and white) image will be described first, but a color image will be described later. This will be described using the example of FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, the dither matrix DD5 shown in FIG. 11A is determined in advance, and a gradation image (FIG. A description will be given of a case where binary dither processing is performed on an expressed input matrix (IMG) IMG by a conventional method.

As shown in the figure, here, the gradation value of the character image of the number “1” is “4”, the gradation value of the character image of the number “2” is “1”, and the gradation value of the character “2” is “1”. The gradation value of the character image of “3” is “2”, and a character string image of a character string (numerical string) “123” is configured as a whole. In this case, the character string image of the character string “123” corresponds to the entire image, and is represented by a (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 input matrix IMG. Further, one of the element images constituting the whole image is a character image of the character “1”, and (horizontal) 8
It is expressed by a matrix of × (vertical) 17, and similarly, as one of the element images, there are a character image of a character “2” and a character image of a character “3”.
17 (see FIG. 12A).

When conventional binary dithering is performed on the input matrix IMG based on the dither matrix DD5, the input matrix IMG expressing the gradation image of the original image is converted to the size (2 × 2) of the dither matrix DD5. (For example, a matrix of a shaded portion shown in the drawing), and for each of the divided matrices, the gradation value of the matrix element and the corresponding dither matrix DD
By comparing with a threshold value of 5, a determination is made as to whether or not the condition indicated by the threshold value is satisfied, and one of the two values is assigned according to the determination result. A pseudo tone image is created.

For easy understanding, the dither matrix D
A matrix element satisfying the threshold value condition of D5 (gradation value ≧ threshold value) is expressed by the original gradation value, and a matrix element not satisfying the condition (gradation value <threshold value) is represented by “ 0 "
The matrix AM shown in FIG.
G. In this case, a matrix element that satisfies the condition is assigned a value “1” indicating validity, and a matrix element that does not satisfy the condition is assigned a value “0” indicating invalidity. Output matrix expressing the binary pseudo-gradation image (FIG. 13A)
The output matrix DGY is the same as the output matrix DGY. When the image represented by this output matrix is a target pseudo gradation image (for example, “1” is black and “0” is white, Key image PGY, that is, the same as a print image PGY described later).

On the other hand, in the image processing method employed in the tape printer 1, in the element image of the whole image, the pixels of the element body image serving as the main body and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background are classified. For at least one possible element image, a value indicating validity among predetermined binary values is assigned to all pixels of the element body image, and a value indicating invalidity among predetermined binary values is assigned to all pixels of the element background image. To create an element shape image represented by a predetermined binary matrix. That is, a value indicating validity in the element body image,
An element shape image represented by a binary matrix in which a value indicating invalidity is assigned to the element background image is created. On the other hand, one of the n values is stored as the same designated gradation value for all pixels of the element body image.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12A, first, as shown in FIG. 12A, the element images of the character string image of the character string "123" (here, the character image of the character "1", At least one element image capable of distinguishing the pixels of the element body image serving as the main body and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background of the element image of the character image of "2" and the character image of the character "3". An element shape image matrix SG1 in which a value “1” indicating validity is assigned to the element body image and a value “0” indicating invalidity is assigned to the element background image for each of the element images (here, all element images are separable). , S
An element shape image represented by G2 and SG3 is created. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B (refer to the Y color value here), the same designated gradation value is set to the same value for all pixels of the element body image, and n values (five values) are used. One of them
Two gradation values (that is, the gradation value “4” for the element body image of the character image of the character “1”, the gradation value “1”, and the character “3” for the element body image of the character image of the character “2”) The gradation value “2”) is stored in the element body image of the character image.

In this case, even if the designated gradation value is stored separately from the information of each pixel, the information of each pixel only needs to have one of two values (if it is stored). The memory capacity is smaller than having n value (here, n = 5) gradation value information for each pixel. As mentioned above,
In this case, for example, FIG.
In the case where a gradation image already exists, for example, the specified gradation value may be extracted while creating the above element shape image based on the image (input matrix). In the case of inputting text and the like and specifying gradation values for each character (shading specification, color specification, etc.) as an element image, creating an element shape image and specifying the specified gradation value from the beginning May be performed individually, but as described above,
The tape printer 1 employs the latter because characters and the like can be input as text using the keyboard 3.

In the tape printer 1, as described above, a dither mask represented by a predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the dither matrix is stored. That is, a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value where a designated gradation value of each threshold value of the dither matrix satisfies a condition,
A value indicating validity among predetermined two values is allocated, and a matrix in which a value indicating invalidity among predetermined two values is allocated to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value that does not satisfy a condition is stored as a dither mask.

Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 12, five dither masks DM5 (0)
To DM5 (4) are created and stored in advance. In this case, the dither masks DM5 (0) to DM5 (4) have the same size as the dither matrix DD5 (here, 2).
× 2) dither matrix D
It matches the matrix of the pseudo gradation image obtained as a result of performing the binary dither processing based on D5 (the pseudo gradation image in these cases is such that when “1” is black and “0” is white, As shown in parentheses below the masks DM5 (0) to DM5 (4), respectively). Note that the suffix h (= 0 to 4) of the dither mask DM5 (h) in this case matches the corresponding designated gradation value and indicates the type of the dither mask, and is hereinafter referred to as “mask number”. .

For example, a gradation image of 2 × 2 size has n value (here, n = 5) gradation value information for each pixel, and the gradation value information of all the pixels is, for example, a designated gradation value. Key value "0"
, When the gradation value “0” of each pixel of the gradation image is compared with each threshold value of the dither matrix DD5, all the conditions are not satisfied (gradation value <threshold value). The values of 2 × 2 matrix elements are all “0”.
That is, the illustrated dither mask DM5 (0) matches the matrix of the operation result at this time. Similarly, when the binary dithering process based on the dither matrix DD5 is performed on a 2 × 2 size gradation image in which the designated gradation values of all the pixels are all “1”, the matrix elements of the processing result matrix Of these, the matrix element that satisfies the condition (gradation value ≧ threshold value), that is, only one matrix element at the lower left is “1”, so the illustrated dither mask DM5 (1)
Matches the matrix of the operation result at this time. Similarly, the dither mask DM5 (2) uses the dither mask DM5 (3) for the 2 × 2 size gradation image in which the designated gradation values of all pixels are all “2”. For a 2 × 2 gradation image in which all the tones are “3”, the dither mask DM5 (4) indicates that all the designated gradation values of all pixels are “4”.
Of the 2 × 2 gradation image, the result of the binary dithering based on the dither matrix DD5 matches the respective matrices.

In the above case, the dither masks DM5 (0) to DM5 for each of the conceivable designated gradation values 0 to 4
Since (4) is stored in advance, it is only necessary to read it out when it is used, and the calculation time can be omitted, so that the processing time of the entire image processing can be reduced. Of course, as mentioned above,
After the designated gradation value has been found, it may be newly created and stored by comparison operation with the dither matrix DD5. In this case, the memory capacity for storing the dither mask can be saved, and the size of the dither matrix DD5 ( Here 2 × 2
), The processing time is relatively short.

Further, in the tape printing apparatus 1, as described above, for each matrix having the same size as the dither mask of the element shape image, the corresponding matrix elements of each matrix and the dither mask are set to be effective. By performing a logical product operation indicating a valid value only when the value is the indicated value, an element dither image represented by a predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the element shape image is created as a result of the logical product operation. .

For example, in the case of the above example, the dither mask DM5 (4) for the designated gradation value “4” is used for each 2 × 2 size matrix of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG1. When the logical AND operation between the corresponding matrix elements is performed, the element dither image matrix expressing the element dither image of the operation result becomes a dither image (whole image) of the character string image (whole image) of the character string “123” that is the whole image. Hereinafter, the output matrix expressing the “entire dither image” (hereinafter “the overall dither image matrix”), that is, the (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 overall dither image matrix DGY of FIG. , Left side (letter "1")
(Horizontal) 8 × (vertical) 17 matrix.

Similarly, a logical AND operation with the dither mask DM5 (1) having the designated gradation value "1" is performed for each 2 × 2 size matrix of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG2. And (horizontal) 24 × in FIG.
(Horizontal) 8 × of the center (character “2”) of (vertical) 17
(Vertical) 17 element dither image matrices, and 2 of element shape images represented by the element shape image matrix SG3
When a logical AND operation with the dither mask DM5 (2) having the designated gradation value “2” is performed for each matrix having a size of × 2, FIG.
An element dither image matrix of (horizontal) 8 × (vertical) 17 on the right side (character “3”) of (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 of 3 (a) is obtained.

Conventionally, for each matrix of the same size as the dither matrix of the elemental image, the tone value of each pixel of each matrix is compared with the threshold value of the corresponding dither matrix to obtain a pseudo tone image. As described above, the tape printer 1 can simply perform a logical product operation, thereby improving the processing speed (reducing the processing time). Further, since both the input (dither mask, element shape image matrix) and output (element dither image) of the AND operation are binary matrices, the memory capacity can be saved. In addition, when the same processing can be performed not only on a part of the whole image but also on the whole image as in the above-described example, that is, the element body image and the element background image can be divided for all the element images. In such a case, by applying the method to the entire image, it is possible to further save the memory capacity and shorten the processing time.

Further, in the conventional case, since the original designated gradation value of n value is included as the gradation value information of each pixel, even if a multi-valued (for example, the above-mentioned five-valued) pseudo gradation image is used, n If the information of the designated gradation value of the value is lost and further binarized,
Even the multi-valued information of the pseudo gradation image is lost. The same applies to the case where binary dither processing is performed from the beginning, and n-value information is lost due to binarization. That is, setting (specifying)
In order to reconfirm the obtained gradation value on a display screen or the like, it is necessary to store the original gradation image, and an extra memory capacity is required. Also, even if the same gradation value is specified for the pixels of the element body image, it cannot be checked at once, and the gradation values of all the pixels of the gradation image are displayed or printed,
It is necessary to visually recognize each pixel. On the other hand, in the tape printer 1, when the same gradation value is specified for the pixel of the element main body image, the specified gradation value for the element main body image is stored separately from the information of each pixel. While saving the memory capacity, it is possible to collectively confirm the numerical values (gradation values) (for example, by displaying or printing) as they are.

Therefore, in this tape printer 1,
A whole image having at least one element image in which the pixels of the element body image serving as the body of the element image and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background can be distinguished, and at least all the pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value. The dither processing can be performed while saving the memory capacity and shortening the processing time.

It should be noted that the above-described characters are input as text and tone values are designated for each of the characters (shading designation, color designation, etc.) to form an elemental image. Can be specified (shading specification, color specification, etc.), an element dither image on the background side of the character can be created by treating the background side of the character as the element body image. This is suitable for inverted characters, etc., and as an application, it is possible to combine an element dither image when the character side is used as the element body image and an element dither image when the background side of the character is used as the element body image. (Overlapping), it is also possible to obtain an element dither image that has been subjected to dither processing on both sides.

Also, any complicated drawing image can be decomposed into each element image, assuming that at least all the pixels of the element main image are a composite image obtained by synthesizing element images having the same gradation value (whole image). Can be decomposed into the element body image and the other element background image, and the element body image and the element background image can be distinguished. Therefore, element dither images corresponding to each element image are created and combined (corresponding matrix element ) Can also obtain an element dither image obtained by dithering a complicated drawing image.

Further, in the tape printer 1, since the predetermined binary values are 1 and 0, each pixel can be represented by one bit of one digit of the binary number, the memory capacity can be reduced, and the logical product operation described above can be performed by one. Only one AND element per pixel or an AND operation by a program corresponding to the AND operation is sufficient, and a matrix having a size equivalent to a dither mask or a larger matrix having a plurality of such arrangements can be easily processed in matrix units. Can be shortened. Further, when the elementary image is a monochrome image as in the above-described example, the gradation value indicating the gradation is stored as the designated gradation value, so that the present invention can be applied to the dither processing relating to the gradation of the monochrome elemental image.

It should be noted that the tape printer 1 can handle not only monochrome images but also color images as elemental images and whole images, and the above-described image processing method can be applied to color images. A case where the present invention is applied to a color image, that is, a case where color dither processing is performed will be described. In this case, for example, the gradation value of each of the three primary colors of RGB or CMY, or C obtained by adding K to the latter.
What is necessary is just to obtain | require and combine each element dither image by the above process about each gradation value of each of four colors of MYK. In this case, for example, the element dither image of each color of CMY is obtained, and then the pixel (matrix element) having a value indicating the validity in common to all of the element dither images is extracted, so that the element dither image of K color is obtained. Images can also be obtained.

Hereinafter, specifically, in the case of color dither processing for printing, that is, the case where element dither images or entire dither images are created as print images for printing by color dither processing, FIGS. FIG.
0 will be described. As described above, since the tape printing apparatus 1 is an inkjet printing apparatus, the matrix element of the value “1” indicating the validity of the element dither image created as the print image is the tape T (particularly the print tape T1: It corresponds to a pixel to which ink is to be ejected from a print head (inkjet head) 7 to a print target. The three primary colors are three colors of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow), and are suitable for expressing in color by reflected light such as printing on various XY plotters and printers. The color is expressed by subtractive color mixture. In addition, four CMYK colors including K (black) which is a mixed color (mixed color) of three primary colors of CMY are set as basic colors.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a typical image creating / printing process in the tape printer 1.
In this process (S10), as shown in the figure, first, a character or the like is input as text (S11). More specifically,
While confirming with the display 4, characters are first input by the keyboard 3 like, for example, a character string "123" (S111). Performed (S113).

In this case, the size and the decoration are selected and designated by displaying the selection screen with the form key 322, highlighting the choice with the cursor key 330, and confirming with the selection key 323. Further, the color designation is performed by displaying the gradation values of C (cyan), M (magenta) and Y (yellow) on the display screen 41 of the display 4 by, for example, the color information (color information) specified in the color conversion table shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the color designation key 32 based on the “color palette information”)
4, and the character and its background are designated and set by the color setting key 325. When the color is specified only on the character side, in the processing described later (element shape image creation and the like), the image on the character side is processed as the element body image, and the background side is processed as the element background image. On the other hand, when only the background side is designated, the image on the background side is processed as the element body image and the character side is processed as the element background image. If both are designated, both are processed and each element dither image is created and then superimposed. However, in the following description, an example in which only the character side is specified will be described for easy understanding.

For example, as shown in FIG.
Also, black is designated for the character image (element body image) of the character “1” (No. 1 in FIG. 20). That is, the tone values of each of the CMY colors are all “4”. Further, light red purple is designated for the character image (element body image) of the character “2” (No. 19). That is, as the designated gradation values of the three primary colors of CMY (hereinafter referred to as “primary color gradation values”), the primary color gradation value of C color “0”, the primary color gradation value of M color “2”, and the primary color gradation value of Y color “ 1 "has been designated. Similarly, light yellow is designated for the character image (element body image) of the character “3” (No. 17). That is, the C primary color tone value “0”, M
This means that the primary color tone value “0” of the color and the primary color tone value “2” of the Y color are designated. These color pallet information data (color pallet data) CP1, CP2 and CP3 are color pallets in the RAM 240 as designated gradation values of character images (element body images) of characters "1", "2" and "3". It is stored in the data area 247.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the text input of the character string "123" is completed (S11) and printing is designated by the print key 321 (S12), the CG-ROM 230 is started.
Character string "12" based on the outline font in
Each character of "3" is image-developed to create an element shape image of each character (element image) represented by the element shape image matrices SG1, SG2, SG3 shown in FIG.
13). Of course, in addition to being based on the outline font, characters based on, for example, a dot map font and characters (meaning of a character) registered in a dot map by external character registration or drawing registration can also be used. These are developed in a character development buffer (font color buffer).

As shown in FIG. 16, when an element shape image of each character (each element image) is created and input character development is completed (S13), a dither mask for each basic color is selected (S14). . For example, when focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “1”, since the primary color gradation values of each of the CMY colors are all “4”, the dither mask DM5 of the mask number “4” is used.
If there is (4), it is possible to shift to the next mask processing (S15). In the tape printing apparatus 1, as described above, all possible designated gradation values (primary color gradation values in this case) are created and stored in advance. If only the element shape image) is processed, only the dither mask DM5 (4) may be stored as the dither mask.

Similarly, focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “2”, the C primary color gradation value “0”, the M primary color gradation value “2”, and the Y primary color gradation value Since the value is “1”, the dither mask DM5 of the mask numbers “0”, “2”, and “1”
If (0), DM5 (2) and DM5 (1) are prepared,
It is possible to shift to the next mask processing (S15). Similarly, focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “3”, the C primary color gradation value “0”, the M primary color gradation value “0”, and the Y primary color gradation value “2” Therefore, if the dither masks DM5 (0) and DM5 (2) with the mask numbers “0” and “2” are prepared, the process can proceed to the next mask processing (S15).

As shown in FIG. 16, when the selection of the dither mask for each basic color (S14) is completed, a mask process is performed for each basic color (S15). In other words, for each matrix having the same size as the dither mask (when the element shape image matrix is divided) of the element shape image, a value indicating that both are valid is given to the corresponding matrix elements of each matrix and the dither mask. A logical AND operation with a value indicating validity is performed only when a predetermined binary matrix (element dither image) having the same size as the element shape image (element shape image matrix expressing the element shape image) is obtained as a result of the AND operation. Create an element dither image represented by a matrix.

For example, when focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “1”, since the primary color gradation values of each of the CMY colors are all “4”, 2 × of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG1 For each matrix of size 2,
When a logical AND operation is performed between the dither mask DM5 (4) for the primary color gradation value (designated gradation value) “4” and the corresponding matrix element, an element dither image matrix expressing the element dither image of the operation result Is a character string "1" which is an entire image.
13 (a), 14 (a) and 14 (b) of the whole dither image matrix (hereinafter, the primary color dither image matrix for the primary colors) expressing the entire dither image of the character string image of "23". 15 (a) (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 primary color whole dither image matrices DGY, DGC and DGM, (left side) (character “1”) (horizontal) 8 × (vertical) 17 elements A dither image matrix (a primary color element matrix is hereinafter referred to as a “primary color element dither image matrix”).

Similarly, focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “2”, for each 2 × 2 size matrix of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG2, the Y primary color scale When a logical AND operation with the dither mask DM5 (1) having the tone value (designated tone value) “1” is performed, FIG.
In the (a) (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 primary color whole dither image matrix DGY, a (horizontal) 8 × (vertical) 17 primary color element dither image matrix at the center (character “2”) is obtained. When an AND operation with the dither mask DM5 (0) of the primary color tone value (designated tone value) “0” of the color is performed, FIG.
(A) A (horizontal) 8 × (vertical) 17 primary color element dither image matrix at the center (character “2”) of the (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 primary color whole dither image matrix DGC, When a logical AND operation with the dither mask DM5 (2) of the primary color tone value (designated tone value) of “2” is performed, FIG.
In the (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 primary color whole dither image matrix DGC of FIG. 9A, the (horizontal) 8 × (vertical) 17 primary color element dither image matrix at the center (character “2”) is obtained.

Similarly, focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “3”, the Y-color primary color scale is obtained for each 2 × 2 size matrix of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG2. When a logical AND operation with the dither mask DM5 (2) having the tone value (designated tone value) “2” is performed, FIG.
In the (a) (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 primary color whole dither image matrix DGY, a (horizontal) 8 × (vertical) 17 primary color element dither image matrix on the right side (character “3”) is obtained. Primary color gradation value of color and M color (specified gradation value)
When a logical AND operation with the dither mask DM5 (0) of “0” is performed, (horizontal) 24 × in FIG. 14A and FIG.
Of the (vertical) 17 primary color whole dither image matrices DGC and DGM, the (right) (horizontal) 17 × primary color element dither image matrix on the right side (character “3”) is obtained.

The primary color whole dither image matrices DGY, DGC and DGM shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 have the primary color element dither image matrices of the respective characters arranged in the basic color arrangement buffers of Y color, C color and M color, respectively. It is created by doing. As shown in FIG. 16, when the mask process for each basic color (S15) is completed, next, K (black) data creation (S16) is performed. However, this process (S16) is omitted, and ink for each color is omitted. By performing the output (S17),
Printing using the three primary colors CMY can also be performed. The print image in this case (that is, the pseudo gradation image) is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the print image (pseudo gradation image) PGY, Y color, C color, and M color
Like PGC and PGM. However, the outlines of the characters “2” and “3” in the figure are attached for easy understanding, and are not printed.

In the case described above, for the character "1", one primary color element dither image (matrix) based on the dither mask DM5 (4) is created in the work area, and the created dither image is stored in the three basic color arrangement buffers. Duplicate copies may be made. Similarly, for the character “3”, the dither mask DM5 (2)
, And a primary color element dither image (matrix) based on the dither mask DM5 (0), and the latter is overlapped in the basic color arrangement buffers for C and M colors. May be copied.

As described above, in the case where the element image is a color image, the tape printing apparatus 1 stores the primary color gradation values for each of the three primary colors as one of the designated gradation values, and stores the primary color gradation values. Primary color dither masks corresponding to at least mutually different values of the tonal values are stored as one type of dither mask, and primary color element dither images corresponding to the primary color dither masks are respectively stored as one type of element dither image. create. In other words, at least one primary color element dither image is generated when the primary color tone values of the three primary colors are all the same, and at least two primary color element dither images are generated when the two primary colors have the same value. I do. In this case, one primary color element dither image is used for three primary colors when the three primary colors are the same, and the primary color element dither image for the three primary colors is used when the two primary colors are the same. A dither image is obtained.

In this case, the primary color dither mask for each conceivable primary color tone value may be stored in advance as a dither mask, or after the primary color tone value is determined, a comparison operation with the dither matrix is performed. May be newly created and stored. If a dither mask corresponding to a conceivable designated gradation value is stored in advance, the primary color gradation value may be determined and then selected and stored as a primary color dither mask again. In the case of the above-described example, five dither masks DM5 (0) to DM5 (4) corresponding to five conceivable designated gradation values 0 to 4 are stored, and these are directly used for the primary color gradation values. Since it is used as a primary color dither mask, this corresponds to a case where a primary color dither mask for each conceivable primary color gradation value is stored in advance as a dither mask.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the masking process for each basic color (S15) is completed, next, K (black) data is created (same point extraction for three colors) (S16). In the K data creation process (S16), the tape printer 1 first creates a mixed-color element dither image as a new type of element dither image. That is, the tape printer 1
In the case where the element image is a color image, a matrix element of a value indicating validity is extracted in common to all of the created primary color element dither images, and a mixed color element is assigned a value indicating validity only to the extracted matrix element. A dither image is created as a new element dither image. In this case, in addition to the primary color element dither images for the three primary colors, a mixed color element dither image for the mixed colors can be obtained. This mixed-color element dither image is created, for example, as a result of a logical product operation that targets only the corresponding matrix elements of the created primary color element dither image and indicates a valid value only when all values are valid. . That is, in this case, a mixed-color element dither image can be created only by performing a relatively simple logical product operation.

In the case of the above example, as is apparent from the color pallet data CP2 and CP3 shown in FIG.
As for the characters “2” and “3”, “0” is included in the primary color gradation value (corresponding to the mask number in this case), so the logical product (DM5 (0)) of FIG. AND)
A value “0” indicating that all matrix elements are invalid by calculation
(Parts of characters “2” and “3” in FIG. 14 and part of character “2” in FIG. 25) exist in all the primary color element dither images. There is no matrix element with the indicated value “1”.

On the other hand, the character "1" designated as black is
2 (b) color pallet data CP1 and FIGS.
As is clear from the primary color element dither image of No. 5, the value "1" indicating that all matrix elements corresponding to the element body image of the primary color element dither image matrix of each CMY color are valid.
It is. For this reason, the mixed-color element dither image obtained by extracting the matrix element having the value “1” indicating validity in common to all the primary color element dither images matches the element shape image. That is, an element dither image matrix having the same value as the element shape image matrix SG1 in FIG. 12A (hereinafter, an element for mixed color is referred to as a “mixed element dither image matrix”).
Is obtained.

Similarly to the case where the primary color element dither image matrix is arranged to create the entire primary color dither image matrix, the mixed color element dither image matrix of each character is arranged in the K basic color arrangement buffer. Thus, a mixed-color whole dither image expressed by a mixed-color (here, K color) entire dither image matrix (hereinafter, a mixed-color entire dither image matrix is referred to as a mixed-color entire dither image matrix) is obtained. In the case of the above example, the mixed-color whole dither image matrix DGK and the print image (pseudo gradation image) PGK when it is printed as it is are the primary color whole dither image matrix DGC and the print image of the C color described above in FIG. It will be the same as PGC.

In the case of the above-described example, black, that is, K
Although the color itself is the designated color, as shown in FIG.
o. 1 K column) as well as achromatic gray (N
o. Even if the brightness of the chromatic color is changed (refer to the K column of Nos. 24 to 25), the effect is common to all the generated primary color element dither images even if the brightness of the chromatic color is changed (see the K column of No. 24 to 25). A matrix element having a value of "1" can be extracted, and a mixed-color element dither image can be obtained by assigning a value "1" indicating validity only to the extracted matrix element. An overall dither image is obtained.

In the above example, since black is designated, the mixed-color element dither image matrix of the character “1” is the same as the element dither image matrix in the case of the mask number “4” (that is, the element shape image matrix SG1). (See column K of No. 1), for example, if gray (see column K of No. 4: mask number “2”) is specified, all primary color element dither images are The matrix element having the value “1” indicating the common validity is a dither mask DM5 (in the case of the mask number “2”) for each 2 × 2 size matrix of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG1. 2) and the matrix element of the value “1” indicating the validity of the result of performing the AND operation. That is, the mixed-color element dither image in this case matches the element dither image obtained based on the element shape image and the dither mask DM5 (2) having the mask number “2”.

In the K data creation process (S16) in FIG. 16, after the above-described mixed color component dither image is created, the following mixed color effective matrix element deletion process is performed. Then, when the K (black) data creation processing (S16) is completed, next, (the matrix of) the entire dither image of each arrangement buffer for each basic color is transferred to the print buffer, and the ink is output for each color. Then, the print image created as the pseudo gradation image is printed (S17), and the image creation / print processing (S10) is completed. In the above description, for ease of understanding, each entire dither image is temporarily arranged in the basic color arrangement buffer for each color, created and then transferred to the print buffer. It may be arranged directly in the area.

As described above, in the tape printer 1, in the K data creation processing (S16) in FIG. 16, the mixed color effective matrix element deletion processing is performed. That is, among the matrix elements of the value “1” indicating the validity of the created primary color element dither image, the value “1” indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image
Is performed to convert the value of the matrix element corresponding to the matrix element of “1” to the value “0” indicating invalidity. This cancels the validity of the matrix element indicating the validity overlapping with the value “1” indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image among the matrix elements of the value “1” indicating the validity of the primary color element dither image for the three primary colors it can.

When the primary color element dither images for the three primary colors and the mixed color element dither images for the mixed colors are combined (overlaid), the matrix element corresponding to the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image is: The values indicating the validity of the four element dither images of the three primary colors and the mixed color overlap, and the mixed color of the three primary colors by the primary color element dither image and the mixed color of the mixed color element dither image overlap. In No. 1, this overlap can be avoided by the above-mentioned cancellation. For example, in the case of the above four colors of CMYK, generally, C (cyan), M
(K) (black), in which K (black) is actually mixed with (magenta) and Y (yellow), produces a clearer black if K (black) is printed alone, so that the primary color element dither for the three primary colors is obtained as described above. By canceling the value indicating the validity on the image side, a clear image with four colors can be obtained.

In this case, as the mixed-color effective matrix element deletion processing, for example, a mixed-color element dither image is subjected to a logical inversion operation of inverting a value indicating validity and a value indicating invalidity, thereby performing mixed-color inverted element dithering. Logical AND operation that creates an image and targets the corresponding matrix elements of each primary color element dither image and the mixed color inversion element dither image of the primary color element dither image, and sets the value as valid only when both values are valid. The element dither image created as a result of is used as each new primary color element dither image. In other words, in this case, a value indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image among the matrix elements of the values indicating the validity of the primary color element dither image for the three primary colors can be obtained by simply performing a relatively simple logical inversion or logical multiplication operation. It is possible to cancel the validity of the matrix element which indicates validity redundantly.

The above-mentioned cancellation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15 collectively as an entire primary color dither image or an overall mixed color dither image in which primary color element dither images and mixed color element dither images are arranged. FIG.
3 is a Y-color primary color whole dither image matrix DGY, FIG.
4 and the M primary color whole dither image matrix DG shown in FIG.
By extracting a matrix element having a value “1” indicating that all of the corresponding matrix elements are valid in common from M, the K color (mixed color) of the same value as the C primary color whole dither image DGC of FIG. Mixed color whole dither image matrix DGK
Is obtained.

Then, of the primary color whole dither image matrices DGY, DGC and DGM shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the mixed color whole dither image matrix DGK is used.
When a value “0” indicating invalidity is assigned to a matrix element indicating a value “1” indicating validity overlapping with the above, that is, when an overlapping portion of the value “1” indicating validity is canceled, each primary color entire dither image matrix DGY , DGC, and DGM, the values “1” indicating the validity of the primary color element dither image matrix of the character “1” are all values “0” indicating the invalidity, and the respective primary color entire dither image matrices DGY2 shown in FIGS. , DGC2 and DGM2.

As a result, at the time of the ink output processing (S17) for each color described above in FIG. 16, that is, when printing, the mixed color whole dither image matrix D of K color (mixed color) of FIG.
The printing of the K color is performed based on GK, the printing of the Y color is performed based on the entire primary color dither image matrix DGY2 of FIG. The C color is printed, and the M primary color whole dither image matrix DG shown in FIG.
By printing M colors based on M2, a color image subjected to color dither processing as a whole is printed using the four CMYK colors as basic colors.

In the above example, that is, in the example of the processing (S10) in FIG. 16, the mask processing for each basic color (S15)
In, after creating each primary color element dither image and each primary color whole element dither image on which it is arranged, in the K data creation processing (S16), a mixed color element dither image and a whole color mixed element dither image on which it is arranged are created. rear,
Each primary color element dither image and each primary color whole element dither image were modified accordingly. However, the basic color mask processing (S
Before 15), not only the dither mask for each of the three primary colors CMY (hereinafter, “primary color dither mask”) but also K
A dither mask (hereinafter, “mixed color dither mask”) for the color (mixed color) is prepared, and the basic color-based masking process (S15) is performed for each of the four colors CMYK as the basic colors, thereby forming the K data (S16). Can also be omitted. Hereinafter, this case will be described as a second embodiment.

In the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, when the elementary image is a color image, the temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to at least one of the primary color gradation values having different values is used as the dither mask. And a mixed-color dither mask in which values indicating validity are assigned only to matrix elements of values that are valid for all of the temporary primary color dither masks, and for each of the temporary primary color dither masks, Of the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the dither mask, the value of the matrix element corresponding to the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask is converted into a value indicating invalidity, and stored as each primary color dither mask, By performing a logical product operation using the mixed color dither mask and each primary color dither mask, the mixed color dither mask and each primary color Color mixing elements dithered image and each primary color component dithered image corresponding to Zamasuku, created as one of the respective elements dithered image.

As described above with reference to FIG. 16, when the input character expansion is completed by creating the element shape image of each character (each element image) (S13), a dither mask for each basic color is selected (S14). ). In the example described above with reference to FIG. 12, for example, when focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “1”,
Since the primary color tone values of each of the MY colors are all “4”, even if the primary color tone values are at least mutually different,
A dither mask DM5 (4) having a mask number "4" is sufficient, and the dither mask DM5 (4) is used as the temporary primary color corresponding to the primary color gradation value "4" common to each of the CMY colors of the character image (element shape image) of the character "1". It is stored in the dither mask area 246 as a dither mask.

Similarly, focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “2”, the C primary color gradation value “0”, the M primary color gradation value “2”, and the Y primary color gradation value Since the value is “1”, the dither mask DM5 of the mask numbers “0”, “2”, and “1”
(0), DM5 (2), and DM5 (1) are respectively represented by the C primary color gradation value “0” and the M primary color gradation value “2” of the character image (element shape image) of the character “2”. , And Y in the dither mask area 246 as a temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the primary color tone value “1”. Similarly, when focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “3”, the C primary color gradation value “0”, the M primary color gradation value “0”, and the Y primary color gradation value “2” , So the dither mask DM5 with the mask number “0”
(0) is the C of the character image (element shape image) of the character “3”
The dither mask DM with the mask number “2” is used as the temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the primary color gradation value “0” of the color and the M color.
5 (2) as the temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the primary color tone value “2” of Y color,
To memorize.

Next, a mixed color dither mask in which a value indicating validity is assigned to only a matrix element of a value indicating validity in common to all the temporary primary color dither masks is stored. In this case, for example, by performing a logical AND operation on the corresponding matrix elements of the temporary primary color dither mask to indicate a valid value only when all of the values are valid, common to all the temporary primary color dither masks is performed. Then, the matrix element of the value indicating the validity is directly obtained to obtain a mixed color dither mask. Then, in this case, a mixed-color dither mask can be obtained regardless of whether the temporary primary color dither masks are based on mutually different dither matrices or the same dither matrix. On the other hand, as described above in the example of FIG. 12, when the temporary primary color dither mask is based on the same dither matrix (the dither matrix DD5 in this example),
A mixed-color dither mask can be obtained without performing the AND operation as described above. Hereinafter, a method of obtaining a mixed-color dither mask by the latter method will be described.

That is, among the temporary primary color dither masks, the temporary primary color dither mask having the least number of matrix elements having the value "1" indicating validity is stored as the mixed color dither mask. Here, when all of the temporary primary color dither masks are based on the same dither matrix, the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the least are the other elements. Is a matrix element of a value indicating validity in the temporary primary color dither mask.
In this case, no matter how many types (1 to 3 types) of the temporary primary color dither masks correspond to the three primary colors, the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask having the least number of matrix elements indicating the validity is: This is a matrix element of a value indicating validity common to all the temporary primary color dither masks. Therefore, the temporary primary color dither mask having the least effective matrix element can be used as the mixed color dither mask for the mixed color of the three primary colors.

In this case, the mixed color dither mask is selected by selecting the primary color tone value having the smallest number of threshold values of the dither matrix satisfying the condition from the primary color tone values of the three primary colors. In the same manner as the provisional primary color dither mask corresponding to the primary color gradation values thus obtained. In other words, by selecting the primary color tone values, it is possible to select a temporary primary color dither mask which has the least number of matrix elements indicating validity among the temporary primary color dither masks, thereby easily obtaining a mixed color dither mask.

Further, as shown in the example of FIG. 12, etc., each primary color gradation value is not less than each threshold value of the dither matrix (primary color gradation value ≧
When the threshold value is satisfied at the time of (threshold value), and the matrix element of the dither mask corresponding to the threshold value becomes a value indicating validity, only selecting the minimum primary color gradation value, A temporary primary color dither mask having the least number of matrix elements indicating validity can be selected, whereby a mixed color dither mask can be easily obtained. Of course, even when each primary color tone value exceeds each threshold value of the dither matrix (primary color tone value> threshold value), the maximum value of the primary color tone value is satisfied. A value may be selected. Conversely, for example, each primary color tone value is equal to or less than each threshold value of the dither matrix (primary color tone value ≦ threshold value) or less than each threshold value (primary color tone value <threshold value). If the threshold value condition is satisfied at the time of (1), a mixed-color dither mask can be easily obtained in the same manner by selecting the maximum primary color gradation value.

More specifically, in the example of FIG. 12, for example, the temporary primary color dither mask for the character image (element shape image) of the character “1” is stored in the mask number “4”. Since there is only the dither mask DM5 (4), this is stored as a mixed color dither mask for the character image (element shape image) of the character "1". The temporary primary color dither mask of the character image (element shape image) of the character “2” is a dither mask DM5 of mask numbers “0”, “2”, and “1”.
(0), DM5 (2), and DM5 (1), the temporary primary color dither mask having the least number of matrix elements having the value “1” indicating the validity, that is, the dither mask DM5 (0) having the mask number “0” is used. , Is stored as a mixed-color dither mask for the character image (element shape image) of the character “2”. Similarly, the temporary primary color dither masks of the character image (element shape image) of the character “3” are dither masks DM5 (0) and DM5 (2) with mask numbers “0” and “2”. The dither mask DM5 (0) with the mask number “0” having the least number of matrix elements having the value “1” is replaced with the character “3”.
Is stored as a mixed color dither mask for the character image (element shape image).

Next, for each of the temporary primary color dither masks, among the matrix elements of the value “1” indicating the validity of each temporary primary color dither mask, the matrix elements of the value “1” indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask are corresponded. The value of the matrix element is converted into a value "1" indicating invalidity and stored as each primary color dither mask. In the case of the above example, only the dither mask DM5 (4) with the mask number “4” is stored as the temporary primary color dither mask for the character image (element shape image) of the character “1”. Since the mask is also the dither mask DM5 (4), of the matrix elements having the value "1" indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask, the values of the matrix elements corresponding to the matrix element having the value "1" indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask are , If the value is converted to a value "1" indicating invalidity, all the matrix elements having the value "1" indicating validity are converted into values "1" indicating invalidity. That is, the character "1"
Each of the primary color dither masks for each of the CMY colors for the character image (element shape image) is a value “0” indicating invalidity.
This is the same as the dither mask DM5 (0) composed of the matrix elements of.

On the other hand, what is stored as the temporary primary color dither mask for the character image (element shape image) of the character “2” is the dither mask DM5 (0) of the mask numbers “0”, “2”, and “1”. ), DM5 (2) and DM5 (1), but the mixed color dither mask is the dither mask DM5 (0) having the mask number “0”, and there is no matrix element having the value “1” indicating validity. Among the matrix elements having the value "1" indicating the validity of the dither mask, the values of the matrix elements corresponding to the matrix elements having the value "1" indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask are converted into the value "1" indicating the invalidity. However, there is no matrix element to be converted, and the temporary primary color dither mask becomes the primary color dither mask as it is. Similarly, for the character image (element shape image) of the character “3”, the mixed color dither mask is the dither mask DM5 with the mask number “0”.
Since it is (0) and there is no matrix element having a value of “1” indicating validity, the temporary primary color dither mask is directly used as the primary color dither mask.

As described above, for the character image (element shape image) of the character “1”, the mixed-color dither mask is the same as the dither mask DM5 (4), and all the primary color dither masks for the respective CMY colors are the dither mask DM5 ( 0). For the character image (element shape image) of the character “2”, the mixed color dither mask is the dither mask DM.
5 (0), each primary color dither mask for each CMY color is the same as each temporary primary color dither mask,
That is, the dither masks DM5 (0), DM5 (2), D5
It is the same as M5 (1). For the character image (element shape image) of the character “3”, the mixed-color dither mask is the same as the dither mask DM5 (0), and the primary color dither masks for the CMY colors are dither masks for the respective temporary primary color dither masks. Mask DM5 (0), DM5 (0), DM
It becomes the same as 5 (2).

Next, by performing a logical product operation using the mixed color dither mask and each primary color dither mask, the mixed color element dither image and each primary color element dither image corresponding to each mixed color dither mask and each primary color dither mask are respectively converted into the elementary dither image. Created as one type of dither image. That is, C
By performing the mask processing for each basic color (S15) for each of the four colors MYK as the basic colors, the K data creation processing (S16) can be omitted.

For example, focusing on the character image (element shape image) of the character “1”, the K color (2 × 2) matrix of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG1 in FIG. When a logical product operation is performed with the dither mask DM5 (4), which is a mixed color dither mask, the left side of the (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 whole primary color dither image matrix DGK in FIG. It becomes a (horizontal) 8 × (vertical) 17 primary color element dither image matrix of (character “1”), and performs a logical product operation with a dither mask DM5 (0) which is a primary color dither mask of Y, C and M colors. When you do
Each of the (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 dither image matrices DGY2, DGC2 and DGM2 of (horizontal) 24 × (vertical) 17 in FIGS.
It becomes a (vertical) 17 primary color element dither image matrix (that is, a value “0” indicating all invalid). For the character images (element shape images) of the characters “2” and “3”, the K-color (mixed color) mixed-color dither mask is a dither mask DM5.
(0), and the primary color dither mask of each CMY color is shown in FIG.
3 to 15 are the same as the dither mask described above,
19, the description is omitted.

That is, in this case, the mask processing for each basic color is performed for each of the four colors CMYK as basic colors (S1).
By performing 5), the mixed-color entire dither image matrix DGK in FIG. 14, the Y primary color entire dither image matrix DGY2 in FIG. 17, the C primary color entire dither image matrix DGC2 in FIG. 18, and the M color in FIG. , The K data creation process (S16) can be omitted.

As described above, in the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, when the element images are color images, the three primary colors are used in the same manner as in the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment (first embodiment). When the primary color gradation values are all the same, at least one primary color element dither image is created when the two primary colors have the same value, and at least two primary color element dither images are created when they are different.

For example, for the character image (element shape image) of the character “1”, at least one primary color element dither image based on the dither mask DM5 (0) which is a primary color dither mask is created. For the character image (element shape image) of the character “2”, at least three primary color element dither images based on the dither masks DM5 (0), DM5 (2), and DM5 (1), which are primary color dither masks, are used. Create For the character image (element shape image) of the character “3”, at least two primary color element dither images based on the dither masks DM5 (0) and DM5 (2), which are primary color dither masks, are created.

That is, since the primary color element dither images for the three primary colors are obtained including the overlapping use, the present invention can be applied to the dither processing for the primary color gradation values of the three primary colors of the color element image. In this case as well, the temporary primary color dither mask for each conceivable primary color tone value may be stored in advance as a dither mask, or after the primary color tone value is determined, a comparison operation with a dither matrix is performed. It may be newly created and stored, or if a dither mask corresponding to a conceivable designated gradation value is stored in advance, after the primary color gradation values are determined, the primary color dither mask is selected and newly selected. It may be stored as a mask. In the case described above, five dither masks DM5 (0) to DM5 (4) are stored for five conceivable designated gradation values 0 to 4, and any one of them is selected as a primary color dither mask. This corresponds to storing.

In the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, a mixed-color dither mask is used in which a value indicating validity is assigned to only matrix elements of values indicating validity in common with all of the temporary primary color dither masks. By performing a logical product operation, a mixed-color element dither image corresponding to the mixed-color dither mask is created. Therefore, in addition to the primary-color element dither image for the three primary colors, a mixed-color element dither image for the three primary colors can be obtained. it can. That is, the dither processing for the color mixture is also performed.

Also, in this case, the primary color dither mask sets the value of the matrix element corresponding to the value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask, out of the matrix elements indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask, to the value of the invalid value. The value is converted into a value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask, that is, the validity of the matrix element indicating the validity is canceled while being overlapped with the value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask. For this reason, each primary color element dither image created using each primary color dither mask overlaps with the value indicating the validity of the mixed color element dither image, similarly to the tape printer 1 in the first embodiment described above. , The validity of the matrix element is canceled. For example, even when four colors such as CMYK are used as the basic colors, image processing for obtaining a clear image can be performed.

In the example of FIG. 12, the K color (mixed color) is used.
Whether the dither mask is the dither mask DM5 (0) (that is, the dither mask having only the value “0” indicating invalidity) (characters “2” and “3”), or the K color (mixed color) dither mask is the dither mask DM5 (0) However, each primary color dither mask is an example of the dither mask DM5 (0) instead. In such a case, among the matrix elements indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask, the values of the matrix elements corresponding to the matrix elements indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask are converted into values indicating the invalidity, and the color mixing is performed. Even if the validity of the matrix element indicating the validity overlaps with the value indicating the validity of the dither mask, if the mixed color dither mask is simply the dither mask DM5 (0), each temporary primary color dither mask is used as each primary color dither mask as it is. Otherwise, each primary color dither mask may be a dither mask DM5 (0).

For example, FIG. 20 shows an example of a color conversion table when the same dither matrix DD5 and dither masks DM5 (0) to DM (4) with mask numbers 0 to 4 as in the example of FIG. 12 are used. . As shown in the figure, for each designated color indicated by each name in the color designation column, C color, Y color
The primary color gradation values of the colors and the M colors, that is, the mask numbers of the respective temporary primary color dither masks are the respective numerical values in the C column, the M column, and the Y column. Also, in the same figure, each numerical value in the K column indicates the tone value of the corresponding K color (mixed color), that is, the mask number of the mixed color dither mask, and the C2 column, the M2 column, and the Y2
Each numerical value in the column indicates a mask number of each primary color dither mask of C color, Y color and M color.

Here, as apparent from FIG.
1 to No. For the 23 designated colors, the above-described method of determining the primary color dither mask, that is, if the mixed color dither mask is simply dither mask DM5 (0), each temporary primary color dither mask is used as each primary color dither mask. What is necessary is just to let each primary color dither mask be dither mask DM5 (0). In these cases, as a result, of the matrix elements indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask, the values of the matrix elements corresponding to the matrix elements indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask are changed to values indicating the invalidity. This means that the conversion is performed, and the validity of the matrix element indicating the validity is canceled by overlapping the value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask.

However, in FIG. 24 and No. 25, that is, the dither mask DM5 (0) (that is, the value "0" indicating invalidity), such as the one in which the designated color has changed the brightness of a chromatic color such as "dark red" or "dark orange" There is a case where a primary dither mask that is different from the temporary primary dither mask is required.

Therefore, in the tape printer 1, each primary color dither mask is a mixed color inverted dither mask created as a result of a logical inversion operation for inverting a value indicating validity and a value indicating invalidity for the mixed color dither mask. And a matrix element corresponding to each of the temporary primary color dither masks, and is created as a result of an AND operation in which the values indicating validity are obtained only when both values are valid.

For example, in the case of the above-mentioned black designation (see No. 1 in FIG. 20), the value “1” indicating validity for the dither mask DM5 (4) which is a mixed color dither mask (see column K).
When a logical inversion operation for inverting the value "0" indicating invalidity is performed, the result becomes the same as the dither mask DM5 (0). That is, since the mixed-color inversion dither mask is the same as the dither mask DM5 (0), regardless of the configuration of each temporary primary color dither mask (see columns C, M, and Y), a logical product operation is performed.
Each primary color dither mask (see columns C2, M2 and Y2) is the same as dither mask DM5 (0).

Also, for example, dark gray (No. 3 in FIG. 20)
), The mixed color dither mask (see K column)
Is performed on the dither mask DM5 (3), the logical inversion operation of inverting the value “1” indicating validity and the value “0” indicating invalidity (hereinafter expressed as “NOT.”) Results in the dither mask DM5 (3). 3) is "0" only in the lower right matrix element
Since the other is a matrix of “1” (see FIG. 12D), the mixed color inversion dither mask is a matrix of “1” only in the lower right matrix element and the other is “0” (for example, the dither mask DM5 (3 ) Is expressed as “dither mask DM5N (3)” below.
DM5N (3) = NOT. DM5 (3). The same applies to other mask numbers.) In this case, since each of the temporary primary color dither masks (see columns C, M, and Y) is the same as dither mask DM5 (3), dither mask DM5N
When a logical AND operation (hereinafter, represented by “.AND.”) Of (3) and the dither mask DM5 (3) is performed, each primary color dither mask (see the C2 column, the M2 column, and the Y2 column) becomes the dither mask DM5 (0). ) (Ie, DM5N
(3). AND. DM5 (3) = DM5 (0)).

White (see No. 2 in FIG. 20), gray (see FIG.
No. 0 The same applies to the case where light gray (see No. 5 in FIG. 20) is specified, and the logical inversion operation (DM5N) is performed on each mixed-color dither mask (see column K).
(0) = NOT. DM5 (0) = DM5 (4), DM5
N (2) = NOT. DM5 (2), DM5N (1) = N
OT. DM5 (1)) to obtain a mixed color inversion dither mask, and perform a logical product operation (DM5N (0) .AND.DM) with each temporary primary color dither mask (see columns C, M and Y).
5 (0) = DM5 (0), DM5N (2). AND. D
M5 (2) = DM5 (0), DM5N (1). AND.
By performing DM5 (1) = DM5 (0), each primary color dither mask (refer to column C2, column M2 and column Y2: all mask numbers “0”) can be obtained.

Further, for example, red (see No. 6 in FIG. 20)
Is specified, the logical inversion operation (DM5N (0) = NOT.DM5) is performed on the mixed-color dither mask (refer to column K).
(0) = DM5 (4)), the mixed-color inversion dither mask becomes a dither mask DM5 having a value “1” indicating validity.
Since it becomes the same as (4), each temporary primary color dither mask (C
Column, M column and Y column) (AND and DM5N)
(0). AND. DM5 (0) = DM5 (4). AN
D. DM5 (0) = DM5 (0), DM5N (0). A
ND. DM5 (4) = DM5 (4). AND. DM5
(4) = DM5 (4), DM5N (0). AND. DM
5 (4) = DM5 (4). AND. DM5 (4) = DM
5 (4)), each primary color dither mask (column C2, M
Columns 2 and Y2) indicate each temporary primary color dither mask (C
Column, M column and Y column).

[0250] No. 7-No. The same applies to the case where 23 colors are designated, and the logical inversion operation (DM5N (0) = NOT.DM5 (0)) is performed on the mixed-color dither mask (see column K).
= DM5 (4)), the mixed color inversion dither mask becomes
Since it is the same as the dither mask DM5 (4) having a value of “1” indicating all valid, if the logical AND operation with each of the temporary primary color dither masks (see columns C, M, and Y) is performed, The same primary color dither mask (see columns C2, M2 and Y2) as the mask (see columns C, M and Y) is obtained.

Next, dark red (see No. 24 in FIG. 20)
Is specified, the provisional primary color dither masks (see columns C, M, and Y) are respectively dither masks DM5 (2),
Since DM5 (4) and DM5 (4) are used, a mixed-color dither mask in which only a value “1” indicating validity is assigned to a value “1” indicating validity in common to all of the temporary primary color dither masks (see column K). Is the same as the dither mask DM5 (2) (FIG. 1).
2 (b)).

In this case, for example, among the matrix elements of the dither mask DM5 (2), which is a temporary C primary color dither mask (see the column C), a value “indicating the validity of the dither mask DM5 (2) that is a mixed color dither mask” The value of the matrix element corresponding to the matrix element of "1" is converted into the value "0" indicating invalidity, that is, the value "1" indicating validity is overlapped with the value of the matrix element indicating validity "1" overlapping with the mixed color dither mask. When “0” is assigned and the overlapping portion of the value “1” indicating the validity is canceled, the C primary color dither mask (see column C2) becomes the dither mask DM5 (0). This C primary color dither mask is a logical inversion operation (DM5N) with respect to a dither mask DM5 (2) which is a mixed color dither mask.
(2) = NOT. DM5 (2). The logical multiplication operation (DM5N (2).) Of the corresponding matrix elements of the mixed-color inversion dither mask created as a result of DM5 (2)) and the dither mask DM5 (2), which is the temporary C primary color dither mask. AND.
DM5 (2) = DM5 (0)).

Also, a dither mask DM5 which is a temporary primary color dither mask of, for example, M color or Y color (see the M column and the Y column)
In the matrix element (4), the value of the matrix element corresponding to the matrix element having the value “1” indicating the validity of the dither mask DM5 (2), which is the mixed color dither mask, is converted into the value “0” indicating the invalidity. That is, if a value “0” indicating invalidity is assigned to a matrix element indicating validity “1” overlapping with the mixed-color dither mask, and the overlapping portion of the value “1” indicating validity is canceled, FIG. ), It becomes the dither mask DM5 (42). This dither mask DM5 (42) has a dither mask D
Since the image is obtained by subtracting the dither mask DM5 (2) from M5 (4) (hereinafter expressed as “DM5 (4) -DM5 (2)”), the primary colors of M and Y are shown in FIG. The mask number of the dither mask (see the M2 column and the Y2 column) is indicated as “4-2” (see “2
-1 "and" 3-1 "). Also in this case, the M-color and Y-color primary color dither masks are created as a result of a logical inversion operation (DM5N (2) = NOT.DM5 (2)) on the dither mask DM5 (2) which is a mixed color dither mask. A mixed color inversion dither mask and a dither mask DM5 (4), which is a temporary primary color dither mask for M and Y colors,
AND operation between corresponding matrix elements (DM5N
(2). AND. DM5 (4) = DM5 (42)) (see FIG. 21A).

Next, a dark orange (see No. 25 in FIG. 20)
Is specified, the provisional primary color dither masks (see columns C, M, and Y) are respectively dither masks DM5 (1),
Since it is DM5 (2) and DM5 (3), a mixed color dither mask in which only the value “1” indicating validity is assigned to the value “1” indicating validity in common to all of the temporary primary color dither masks (see column K) Is the same as the dither mask DM5 (1) (FIG. 1).
2 (b)).

In this case, for example, the validity of a matrix element indicating a value “1” indicating validity is canceled by overlapping with the mixed color dither mask of the dither mask DM5 (2), which is a temporary primary color dither mask of C color (see column C). Then, the C primary color dither mask (see column C2) becomes the dither mask DM5 (0).
Becomes In this case, the C primary color dither mask is a logical inversion operation (DM5N (2) = NOT.DM5 (2)) for the dither mask DM5 (1) which is a mixed color dither mask.
, And a dither mask DM5 (1), which is a temporary primary color dither mask for C color.
AND operation between corresponding matrix elements (DM
5N (1). AND. DM5 (1) = DM5 (0)).

When the validity of a matrix element indicating a value “1” indicating validity is canceled in combination with the mixed color dither mask of the dither mask DM5 (2), which is a temporary dither mask for M colors (see column M), As shown in FIG. 21C, the dither mask DM5 (21) is formed (DM5 (2
1) = DM5 (2) -DM (1)). Also in this case, the M primary color dither mask is a mixed color created as a result of a logical inversion operation (DM5N (1) = NOT.DM5 (1)) for the dither mask DM5 (1) which is a mixed color dither mask. A logical AND operation (DM5 (2)...) Between corresponding matrix elements of an inverted dither mask and a dither mask DM5 (2) which is a temporary dither mask of M colors.
AND. DM5N (1) = DM5 (21)). Similarly, a temporary primary color dither mask (Y
When the validity of the matrix element indicating the value “1” indicating the validity is overlapped with the mixed color dither mask of the dither mask DM5 (3) which is the validity of the dither mask DM5 (3) as shown in FIG. 31), which can be created as a result of an AND operation between the corresponding matrix elements of the mixed-color inverted dither mask created as a result of the logical inversion operation on the mixed-color dither mask and the temporary primary color dither mask of the Y color. (DM5 (31) = DM5 (3)-
DM (1) = DM5 (3). AND. DM5N
(1)).

As described above, in the tape printer 1, each primary color dither mask is a mixed color dither mask which is created as a result of a logical inversion operation for inverting a value indicating validity and a value indicating invalidity. It is created as a result of a logical product operation that sets the value indicating valid only when both of the matrix elements corresponding to the inverted dither mask and each temporary primary color dither mask are valid. In other words, in this case, by simply performing a relatively simple logical inversion or logical multiplication operation, the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the temporary primary color dither mask overlaps with the value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask. A primary color dither mask in which the validity of the indicated matrix element is canceled can be created.

In the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the first and second embodiments described above, examples of characters have been described, and therefore, some figures will be described below.
As described above, the tape printer 1 can register a figure or the like with a dot map by registering an external character or drawing. Of these, so-called external characters can be handled in the same manner as the above-mentioned characters and the like, and if a graphic is also simple, it can be prepared as a font or an external character and handled in the same manner as a character. A description will be given of a figure by drawing registration that cannot be handled.

For example, the selection screen is displayed by the form key 322 and the screen is transited to the drawing registration screen. By operating the cursor key 330 while pressing the shift key 327 on the drawing registration screen in the same manner as in the so-called external character registration, for example. Invert the value of a pixel (dot) on the locus of the cursor (eg, “1” indicating validity and “0” indicating invalidity), or specify the start point and end point by using the select key 323 while pressing the shift key 327, for example. A figure is drawn with a dot image while changing the value of a pixel in a rectangle having a diagonal line between them, and the figure is registered in the drawing registration image data area 245 of the RAM 240 (stored with a registration number and the like).

Here, a description will be given assuming that the figure registered immediately after or before registration and re-read is a figure of the “no smoking mark” shown in FIG. 22A, for example. The figure of the “no smoking mark” can be decomposed into, for example, an element image as shown in FIG. Further, these can be decomposed into an element main body image and an element background image of each element image, for example, when the shaded portion shown in the drawing is regarded as an element main body image and the rest as an element background image. You can segment them. That is, a pixel (dot) of the element body image of each element image is set to a value “1” indicating validity, and a value “0” indicating invalidity is assigned to a pixel of the element background image, thereby expressing the element shape image matrix. It can be an element shape image.

Similarly to the above-mentioned color designation for characters, the element body image (dotted portion) of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG4 in FIG. , The primary color tone value “4” for the M color, and the primary color tone value “4” for the Y color (see No. 6 in FIG. 20). In addition, for example, a slightly light blue color, that is, a C primary color gradation value of “3” and an M primary color gradation are added to the element body image (dotted hatching) of the element shape image expressed by the element shape image matrix SG5. The value “3” and the primary color gradation value “0” of the Y color are designated (No. 7 and N in FIG. 20).
o. 13: intermediate between these). Further, in the element body image (shaded portion) of the element shape image represented by the element shape image matrix SG6, for example, the primary color gradation values of light gray, that is, C, M, and Y are all “1”. (See No. 5 in FIG. 20). These color palette data CP4, CP5 and CP shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a color pallet data area 2 in the RAM 240 as a designated gradation value (each primary color gradation value) of each element body image.
47.

The processing up to the above-described color designation is processing corresponding to the text input (S11) in FIG. 16. In the first embodiment, when the text input (S11) in FIG. , "2" and "3", the same data as the data prepared for the character images, that is, each element shape image matrix and color pallet data are
Since the above processing has been completed, the processing (S12-) following the text input (S11) in FIG. 16 can be performed in the same manner. Also, the processing described in the second embodiment can be applied in the same manner, since the text input (S11) in FIG. 16 is the same as in the first embodiment.

Although the figure described above in FIG. 22 is a relatively simple figure such as a “no smoking mark” due to space limitations (efficiency of illustration and explanation), as described above, how complicated a drawing is The image is also considered as a composite image (whole image) in which at least all pixels of the element body image are composed of element images having the same gradation value
It can be decomposed into each element image, it can be decomposed into the element body image of each element image and the other element background image, and the element body image and the element background image can be separated, so create the element dither image corresponding to each element image Then, by combining them (overlapping corresponding matrix elements), it is possible to obtain an element dither image obtained by dithering a complicated drawing image.

Next, the difference between the gradation values of the element body image and the element background image will be considered. That is, even if the element main body image and the element background image can be distinguished from each other with respect to a single element image as described above, the difference between the gradation values of the element main body image and the element background image (density difference (density difference) etc. ) Is small, for example, when the density of the element background image based on the density of the element background image is low, the boundary (such as an outline) between the display and the print becomes unclear even if the image is displayed or printed. , So-called blurring occurs. On the other hand, for example, if the gradation value of the element body image is corrected so that the density is uniformly increased regardless of the original (specified) gradation value, a gradation value close to the maximum density is originally specified. And the difference is lost, and the intention of the user is not reflected. In particular, if such correction is performed on a color image, the balance between the three or four basic colors is lost, resulting in different colors.

Further, if the density difference or the like is uniformly increased as a whole (for example, the density of the element main body image is increased), so-called collapse occurs. The same applies to the entire image, which may cause the balance between the elemental images to be lost or the image to be crushed due to mutual interference against the user's intention. In particular, when an image is output to a printing device, that is, when a print image is created by dither processing, the printing device has a limit value such as the amount of ink that can be sucked into a unit area of a printing target (hereinafter, a “printing amount limit value”) Therefore, if the correction for uniformly increasing the density is made, a problem such as exceeding the ejection amount limit value occurs.

Therefore, in the following, not only the saving of the memory capacity and the shortening of the processing time can be achieved, but also the dither processing which can prevent the fading or the crushing while reflecting the intention of the user, that is, the above-described dither processing. For information on how to process images (dithering) when problems may occur,
This will be described as a third embodiment.

In the tape printer 1 according to the third embodiment, similar to the above-described first and second embodiments,
First, for at least one element image capable of distinguishing the pixels of the element body image from the pixels of the element background image as the background, a value indicating validity is assigned to the element body image and a value indicating invalidity is assigned to the element background image. An element shape image represented by a value matrix is created, while one of the n values is stored as the same designated gradation value for all pixels of the element body image.

Specifically, similarly to the case described above with reference to FIG. 16 and the like, for example, as shown in FIG. 26, first, after a character or the like is input as a text, that is, in the example described above with reference to FIG. After inputting a character such as "123", designating the size and decoration of the character and the like, and ending the color designation and the like (S21: same as S11 described above), when printing is designated by the print key 321 (S22: Same as S12), character string "123"
Of each character (each element image) represented by the element shape image matrices SG1, SG2, and SG3 shown in FIG. 12A are created (S23:
On the other hand, the color palette data CP1, CP2, and CP3 are used as the designated gradation values of the character images (element body images) of the characters "1", "2", and "3" in the colors in the RAM 240. It is stored in the pallet data area 247.

Here, in the tape printing apparatus 1 of the third embodiment, a correction gradation value (primary color correction gradation value) is next determined based on a designated gradation value (primary color gradation value in the case of color). It is determined, and an element dither image (primary color element dither image) is created using a dither mask corresponding to the corrected gradation value. In this case, since the user's intention is reflected in the designated gradation value, the user's intention can be reflected in the corrected gradation value based on the user's intention, and the dither mask corresponding to this corrected gradation value is used. Therefore, the user's intention can be reflected on the element dither image.
On the other hand, since the dither mask at this time does not directly correspond to the designated gradation value but corresponds to the corrected gradation value, the correspondence between the designated gradation value and the corrected gradation value is devised. Thus, various corrections according to the designated gradation value can be performed. For this reason, not only can the memory capacity be saved and the processing time can be reduced, but also the gradation value can be corrected while reflecting the user's intention, thereby making it possible to prevent blurring or crushing.

The correction relating to the gradation value may be performed, for example, when the designated gradation value for each element image of the whole image is a small difference concentrated in a narrow range of n values. By correcting the gradation value by dispersing the gradation value by enlarging the difference, the correction that emphasizes the user's intention (giving the difference) and enhances the contrast between the elementary images of the entire image is performed. Conceivable. Also, for each element image,
Only when the density difference between the element body image and the element background image is small (for example, when the density of the element background image based on the density of the element background image is low), the density difference is increased (the density is increased). Is large, the correction gradation value is set to the same value as the designated gradation value, so that blurring or the like can be prevented from occurring while correction is prevented while blurring or the like is prevented. In these cases, the correction gradation value may be determined by branching the process according to the designated gradation value, or a correspondence table between the designated gradation value and the corrected gradation value may be prepared and referred to. May be determined.

For this reason, hereinafter, it is determined whether or not the designated gradation value is within a predetermined correction range. When the designated gradation value is within the correction range, the designated gradation value is corrected to a corrected gradation value, and When the value is out of the range, the designated gradation value is directly used as the corrected gradation value. That is, by determining whether or not the correction value is within the predetermined correction range, the designated gradation value to be corrected can be narrowed down to the correction range. The occurrence of a problem (for example, collapse) can be reduced.

In this case, as described above, the dither mask may store in advance a dither mask for each of the conceivable corrected gradation values, or the dither mask may be used after the corrected gradation value is determined. Although it may be newly created and stored by a comparison operation with a matrix, in the former case, a dither mask corresponding to the correction gradation value may be selected after the correction gradation value is determined, or the designated gradation value (correction gradation value) may be selected. Only when it is determined that the designated gradation value is within the correction range (changed). Yes). Therefore, in the following, an example will be described in which selection is made based on a designated gradation value, and only when it is determined that the designated gradation value is within the correction range, the selection is made again (changed) based on the corrected gradation value. explain.

As shown in FIG. 26, when an element shape image of each character (each element image) is created and input character development is completed (S23), a dither mask for each basic color is selected (S23).
24: Same as S14). As described above, in the example of FIG. 12, for the character image (element shape image) of the character “1”, for example, the primary color gradation values of each of the CMY colors are all “4”.
The dither mask DM5 (4) having the mask number “4” is selected, and the character image (element shape image) of the character “2” is set to the primary color gradation value “0” for the C color and the primary color gradation value “M” for the M color. 2 ", the primary color gradation value" 1 "of the Y color, so that the dither mask DM5 (0) of the mask numbers" 0 "," 2 "," 1 ",
DM5 (2) and DM5 (1) are selected. Similarly, for the character image (element shape image) of the character “3”, the C primary color gradation value “0” and the M primary color gradation value “M” The dither masks DM5 (0) and DM5 (2) having the mask numbers "0" and "2" are selected because the primary color gradation value of the Y color is "0".

In this tape printing apparatus 1, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, selection of a dither mask for each basic color (S2
When 4) is completed, the dither mask is changed according to the density (gradation value) (S25). That is, as shown in the drawing, for example, first, the maximum density of the single-color density (here, the primary color tone value) is set to 100% (the maximum density in the example of FIG. 12 when the primary color tone value is the maximum value “4”). It is determined whether it is 30% or less of the time (within the correction range) (S251).
If it is determined that it is 0% or less (within the correction range) (S251: Yes), then it is corrected to a gradation value that is 10% darker (10% gradation value is higher in the above example), After changing to a 10% darker dither mask (S25
2) Then, the process proceeds to the next mask process for each basic color (S26: same as S16). After this process (S26), the first
The description is omitted because it is similar to the embodiment.

In the case described above with reference to FIG. 12, for convenience of explanation, the gradation value is set to 5 gradations of 0 to 4, so the maximum value is "4", and the gradation value is 30% (1.2) or less. The value is a gradation value equal to or less than “1”, and a value obtained by increasing it by 10% (0.4) (1.6) does not become the gradation value “2”, which is not suitable as an example. For example, the correction range may be set to be equal to or less than the gradation value “1”, and in that case, the gradation value may be improved by 1 (that is, the gradation value is “2”).

Here, a more preferable example will be described. For example, the “dark” print image PGK1 shown in FIG. 23A and FIG. 24 is an example of 30% or less of 256 gradation values of 0 to 255, that is, a gradation value of “76”.
3 (b) and the “dark” print image PGK1 shown in FIG.
U increased the density (tone value) by 10% (40
FIG. 2 shows an example of the gradation value “102” of FIG.
By comparing the print image PGK1 of FIG. 3A with the print image PGK1U of FIG. 2B, or by displaying them in a small size, the print image on the left side of FIG. Comparing the PGK1S with the print image PGK1US on the right (corresponding to the latter), it can be seen that blurring or the like is prevented by correcting the density (gradation value).

That is, in this case, the tape printer 1 sets the predetermined correction range to a range corresponding to the density lower than the predetermined reference, so that the designated gradation value to be corrected is reduced to the density lower than the predetermined reference. The specified gradation value corresponding to high density (density exceeding a predetermined reference) can be excluded from the correction target, and as a result, correction can be performed while preventing, for example, blurring. Thus, it is possible to easily perform a correction that does not cause collapse or the like. In particular, when an image is output to a printing apparatus, that is, when an element dither image for a print image is created by dither processing, a corrected gradation value with a further increased density based on a designated gradation value corresponding to a high density is used. However, as described above, there is a possibility that a problem such as exceeding the ejection amount limit value may occur, but in the above case, the predetermined correction range is a range corresponding to a density equal to or lower than a predetermined reference, so that within this correction range, Even if a relatively rough correction such as uniformly increasing the density is performed on the target, no problem is likely to occur, and the correction process can be simplified.

In the above case, the predetermined correction range is defined based on the ratio of the density corresponding to the designated gradation value to the maximum density. That is, since the image is defined based on the ratio of the maximum density such as a percentage, the image of the density range to be corrected can be easily grasped. Also, since the image is easy to grasp, it is easy to define and change. In the above description, the maximum density is assumed to be a gradation value “255”, and an example of 30% or less is assumed to be a gradation value “76”, 4
If the predetermined correction range is defined as the range of the tone value, as in the case of 0% (30% + 10%) as the tone value “102”, the determination can be made directly from the value of the designated tone value. Easy,
In addition, it becomes easier to define the rules.

Further, the predetermined correction range can be defined as a range of the number of matrix elements to which a value indicating the effectiveness of the dither mask when the designated gradation value is directly used as the correction adjustment value. Depending on how the dither matrix is defined, the density is not always in a predetermined relationship (for example, linear) with the change in gradation value. In such a case, the density and the predetermined relationship (linear, etc.) If the value indicating the effectiveness of the dither mask is defined by the number of allocated matrix elements, it becomes easier to define a desired correction range in association with the density. In this case, the number of matrix elements to which the value indicating the validity of the dither mask is assigned may be directly counted, but a correspondence table between the number and the designated gradation value and a correspondence table between the number and the corrected gradation value may be used. Prepare individually and refer to them, or prepare a correspondence table or the like in which the designated gradation value and its number (the number of matrix elements to which the value indicating the validity of the dither mask is assigned) and the corrected gradation value are associated. It is convenient to be able to refer to it.

It should be noted that, in addition to so-called characters that can be handled in units of characters, such as characters, symbols, and figures and symbols registered with external characters,
The points that can be handled in the same way for the figures by the drawing registration are the same as those in the first and second embodiments described above.
In the case of a more pictorial pattern (such as a picture of a landscape), as an application example, conversely, it can be devised to remove it from the correction target. That is, in this type of drawn image (painting-like pattern), blurring or the like may give rise to a kind of taste or natural feeling, and therefore, for example, this type of drawn image is not to be corrected (designated gradation value = correction). (Gradation value) as one element image, and in contrast to this, an element image of a character or the like (as a correction target)
It is also possible to create a more elaborate overall image, such as by clearly expressing and combining them.

For other points, instead of the designated gradation value (primary color gradation value), its corrected gradation value (primary color correction gradation value)
By doing so, it is clear that various advantages similar to those of the above-described first and second embodiments are obtained, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the clarity of the element body image will be considered. That is, for a single element image, even if the element body image and the element background image can be distinguished as described above,
When so-called thinning is performed by dither processing, when viewed microscopically (microscopically), a boundary between them (for example, a contour line of the element body image) is uneven, and the boundary (contour line or the like) is formed. Becomes ambiguous. In particular, if the size of the element body image is small or there is a part with a narrow line width, etc., when a concave is allocated to that part (when thinned out), the so-called faint or cut occurs in the outline etc. Become.
In addition, when a print image is created by dither processing and the image is output to a printing apparatus, blurring of ink or the like during printing exacerbates the unclearness.

Therefore, in the following, not only the memory capacity can be saved and the processing time can be shortened, but also the dither processing which can prevent the element main body image from being blurred or cut off, that is, the above-described problem occurs. An image processing (dither processing) method when there is a possibility of performing the operation will be described as a fourth embodiment.

In the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment, similarly to the above-described first to third embodiments, the pixels of the element main body image and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background can be distinguished. For at least one element image, an element shape image represented by a binary matrix in which a value indicating validity is assigned to the element body image and a value indicating invalidity is assigned to the element background image is created. One of the n values is stored as the same designated gradation value for the pixel.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16 and the like, first, as shown in FIG. 30, for example, after a character or the like is input as a text, that is, in the example described above with reference to FIG. After inputting characters such as "123", designating the size and decoration of characters and the like, and ending color designation and the like (S31: same as S11 described above), when printing is designated by the print key 321 (S32: CG-ROM 23
0 based on the outline font in “0”.
Each character of “3” is image-developed to create an element shape image of each character (each element image) represented by the element shape image matrices SG1, SG2, and SG3 shown in FIG.
3: Same as S13), while each character “1”,
The color palette data CP1, CP2, and CP3 are used as designated gradation values of the character images (element body images) of "2" and "3" in the color palette data area 247 in the RAM 240.
To memorize.

Of course, in this case, in addition to the outline font, a character based on, for example, a dot map font or a character (meaning a character) registered in a dot map by external character registration or drawing registration can be used.
In the fourth embodiment, since the outline is redrawn as described later, it is particularly convenient when the outline is based on the outline font. Therefore, an example based on an outline font will be described below.

That is, in the tape printer 1, as shown in FIG. 30, the above-described input character development processing (S33)
First, based on a predetermined outline font, a value (“1”) indicating validity of predetermined binary values (here, “1” and “0”) only for matrix elements constituting an outline of an element body image )) And assigning a value (“0”) indicating invalidity among predetermined binary values to other matrix elements, thereby expressing the matrix in a predetermined binary matrix (hereinafter, “element body contour image matrix”). The character (element body) outline image is created (S331), and the outline of the character (element body) image is extracted from the matrix elements to which the value “0” indicating invalidity of the character (element body) outline image is assigned. An element shape image represented by an element shape image matrix is created by allocating a value “1” indicating validity to a matrix element surrounded by constituent matrix elements (S332).

Since the outline font is defined by the coordinates and attributes of the outline, the image development processing (S33) based on the outline font generally includes outline drawing processing (outline expansion processing: forming outlines). Of assigning a value indicating validity to a matrix element to be executed: S33
1) and so-called filling processing in the drawn outline (outlining filling processing: processing of assigning values indicating validity to all matrix elements in the outline: S33)
2). That is, in the above case, the element shape image can be easily created by a general image expansion method based on the outline font.

As shown in FIG. 30, when the element shape image of each character (each element image) is created and the input character development is completed (S33), a dither mask for each basic color is selected (S33).
34: Same as S14). Since this process (S34) has already been described in the first embodiment and the like, detailed description will be omitted. Then, in the tape printer 1, as shown in FIG. 30, when the selection of the dither mask for each basic color is completed (S24), a mask process is then performed for each basic color (S3).
5).

In the mask processing for each basic color (S35), the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment creates an element dither corrected image in which the element dither image is corrected based on the outline of the element body image.

For example, in the above-described element shape image, a value “1” indicating validity is assigned to a matrix element expressing a pixel of the element body image, and a value indicating invalidity is allocated to a matrix element expressing a pixel of the element background image. Since “0” is assigned, their boundaries (such as the outline of the element body image) are clear. However, as a result of the logical product operation, a value “1” indicating validity and a value “0” indicating invalidity are mixed in the matrix element corresponding to the pixel of the element main image in the element dither image. In some cases, a value “1” indicating validity and a value “0” indicating invalidity are also mixed in the matrix element corresponding to the contour line of, and in this case, the boundary with the element background image, that is, the element body image The part corresponding to the contour line becomes unclear. Therefore, in such a case, by correcting the element dither image based on the element body image, for example, a portion corresponding to the contour line of the element body image of the element dither image can be clarified. In the element dither correction image, in addition to the advantages of the element dither image described above, it is possible to prevent fading or cutting of the element body image.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 30, in the mask processing for each basic color (S35), a primary color element dither image of each color is created in the character expansion buffer by the same mask processing as in the first embodiment. (S351), the contour is redrawn, and a corrected primary color element dither image (hereinafter, "primary color element dither corrected image") is created (S352). Then, each primary color element dither corrected image is stored in each basic color arrangement buffer. Are arranged (S353), whereby FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 and FIG.
7 to 19, the entire dither image of each basic color as described above is created. That is, except for the outline redrawing (S352),
Since they are the same as the first embodiment and the like, the description thereof is omitted,
The outline redrawing (S352) will be described below.

First, correction of an element dither image (here, a primary color element dither image) in the tape printer 1 is performed as follows.
This is performed by assigning a value “1” indicating validity of predetermined binary “1” and “0” to a matrix element corresponding to the contour line of the element body image among the matrix elements of each element dither image. Thus, the portion of the element dither image corresponding to the contour line of the element body image can be made clear, and in the element dither correction image resulting from the correction, it is possible to prevent fading or cutting of the element body image.

For example, when the print image (element dither image) PGK2 of the “ring” shown in FIG. 27A and FIG. 28 is corrected to enhance the outline, the correction shown in FIG. 27B and FIG. A print image (element dither correction image) PGK2L of “ring” is obtained. If these are compared, or if the print image (element dither image) PGK2S on the left side and the print image (element dither correction image) PGK2LS on the right side of FIG. It can be seen that blurring, cutting and the like are prevented by the correction of.

That is, in the tape printer 1, when a print image is created by, for example, dither processing and the image is output to the printer, even if bleeding or the like of ink or the like occurs at the time of printing, the outline thereof is drawn. Reinforcement can suppress ambiguity. In addition, since the printing apparatus has the ejection amount limit value corresponding to the printing target as described above, if the correction for uniformly increasing the density is exceeded, the ejection amount limit value may be exceeded. However, this type of problem does not occur because the outline is merely reinforced here, and the outside of the outline is a region without ink or the like (a value indicating invalidity is assigned).

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG.
In the outline redrawing (S352), first, it is determined whether or not the element body image has a predetermined characteristic. In this case, it corresponds to one of “character size is 64 dots or less” and “line width is 4 dots or less”. Is determined (S3521), and when it is determined that it has the predetermined characteristic (S352).
1: Yes), redraw the character outline (S3522).

The character outline redrawing (S3522) is based on the outline expansion (S3) of the input character expansion (S33).
This is the same processing as 31). That is, in the tape printer 1, the input character development (element shape image creation: S3
3) Outline drawing processing (outline expansion processing:
The same processing as in S331) is performed on the element dither image (that is, the outline of the character (element body) whose outline is to be redrawn: S3522), so that the element dither image is added without adding any new function. A value indicating validity can be easily assigned to the matrix element corresponding to the contour line of the element body image of.

At the time of input character development (S33), the element body outline image created by outline development (S331) is stored as it is in parallel with the use in the next outline filling (S332). , Can be used in the character (element body) outline redrawing (S3522). In this case, for the corresponding matrix elements of the element dither image matrix and the element body outline image matrix, when either of them is a value “1” indicating validity, the resulting matrix element is set to a value “1” indicating validity. Is performed. That is, since the character (element body) contour image matrix is obtained by assigning a value "1" indicating validity only to the matrix elements constituting the outline of the character (element body) image, the logical OR operation with the element dither image matrix is performed. Alone, the value “1” indicating validity can be easily assigned to the matrix element corresponding to the contour line of the element body image of the element dither image matrix, and the processing time can be easily obtained by simply performing a logical OR operation. Can be shortened.

In the tape printing apparatus 1, it is determined whether or not the element body image has a predetermined characteristic in the above-described outline redrawing (element dither correction image creation: S352) (S3521). (S3521: Yes), the element dither image is corrected to an element dither correction image (character outline redrawing: S35).
22) When it is determined that it does not have it (S3521:
No), the element dither image is used as it is as an element dither correction image. That is, by determining whether or not the element has predetermined characteristics, it is possible to narrow down the element dither image to be corrected. Can be shortened.

In the above case, the predetermined characteristics include a characteristic relating to the size of the element body image. The clarity of the result of the dithering process, especially the clarity of the result of the so-called decimation process, varies with different sizes,
Paying attention to the size that easily affects the clarity of the processing result among the various sizes, the correction target can be narrowed, and efficient correction can be performed. In the above case, the determination is made based on the general dot size, so that the processing is easy.

Specifically, as described above, the entire shape of the element body image has a predetermined size (here, 6
4 dots). In other words, if the size of the entire shape of the element body image is small, and so-called thinning-out processing causes unevenness in each part such as a contour line, for example, when the entire image is viewed, the unevenness becomes conspicuous by the smaller the entire image. However, it is difficult to grasp the original shape of the element body image. For this reason, when the entire shape of the element body image is smaller than the predetermined size (64 dots), by making the created element dither image a correction target, it is possible to improve the clarity of the image and prevent blurring and the like. it can.

[0302] In this case, for example, even in a character image having the same size, it may not be possible to determine only the size of the entire shape of the element body image described above so that the line width differs depending on the typeface. Also, even if you can grasp the overall shape,
If a part of the part has a narrow line width, the part may be cut off. Therefore, in the above case, the predetermined characteristics include that the line width of the element body image is smaller than a predetermined size (here, 4 dots). That is, when the line width of the element body image is smaller than the predetermined size (4 dots),
By using the created element dither image as a correction target, it is possible to improve the clarity of the image and prevent the image from being cut off. In addition, as the element body image or a part thereof,
For example, underlines, strikethroughs, borders,
When an outer frame or the like is included, these may also be blurred or cut due to a narrow line width or the like. Therefore, in the above-described determination of the predetermined characteristics, these are also subjected to the determination, and the outline redrawing is performed. It is preferable to make the correction target.

The other points are the same as those of the above-described first to third embodiments, and it is clear that they have the same various advantages.

In the above-described embodiment, the image processing for printing in the tape printer 1, that is, the image processing for creating a print image has been described as an example. It can also be applied to image processing. In the case of the above-described printing, the three primary colors of CMY are set to CMY, and four basic colors of CMYK to which K is added are set as the basic colors. However, for display, the three primary colors of R are red (R),
It is preferable to perform image processing (dither processing) using the three primary colors as basic colors for the three colors G (green) and B (blue). In this case, since a color can be expressed by so-called additive color mixture, it is suitable for a case where a color display is performed by itself, such as a display such as a CRT, a plasma, or a liquid crystal. In this case, the mixed color (mixed color) of the three colors RGB is white.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example of the ink jet system has been described, but the present invention can be applied to a thermal system, a laser system, and the like. In addition, the pixels of the element body image serving as the body of the element image and the pixels of the element background image serving as the background can be distinguished, and at least all the pixels of the element body image have at least one element image having the same gradation value. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a general printing device, a display device, or any other device, or image processing created for any purpose, as long as the target is the entire image. Of course, other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0306]

As described above, according to the image processing method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to distinguish between the pixel of the element body image which is the body of the element image and the pixel of the element background image which is the background thereof. Dither processing can be performed on an entire image having at least one element image in which all pixels of the element body image have the same gradation value while saving memory capacity and shortening the processing time. effective.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a tape printing apparatus 1 to which an image processing method and an image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention are applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an apparatus main body of the tape printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away sectional view of an example of a tape cartridge to be mounted on the tape printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a conceptual process of the entire control of the tape printing apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a principle explanatory diagram showing an example of a binary dither process.

FIG. 7 is a principle explanatory diagram showing an example of a multi-value dither process.

FIG. 8 is a principle explanatory diagram for explaining dither processing on an example of a divided input matrix expressing a part of the contour of an element body image having the same gradation value in comparison with a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a principle explanatory view similar to FIG. 8 for another example.

FIG. 10 is a principle explanatory view similar to FIG. 8 for still another example including inside and outside the outline of an element main body image having the same gradation value.

FIG. 11 is a principle explanatory diagram for explaining an example in which conventional dither processing is performed on the entire element image and the entire image.

FIG. 12 is a principle explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 11, for explaining an example of performing dither processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an entire dither image matrix for a monochrome image and for a Y color of a color image and a print image corresponding thereto.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an overall dither image matrix for C and K colors of a color image and a print image corresponding thereto.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an entire dither image matrix for M colors of a color image and a print image corresponding thereto.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image creation / printing process according to the first embodiment.

17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an entire dither image matrix when the color K of FIG. 14 is canceled for the Y color of the color image of FIG. 13 and a print image corresponding thereto;

18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an entire dither image matrix when the color C of the color image of FIG. 14 is canceled for the color K of FIG. 14 and a print image corresponding thereto;

19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an entire dither image matrix when the color of M in the color image of FIG. 15 is canceled for K of FIG. 14 and a print image corresponding thereto;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a color conversion table.

FIG. 21 is a principle explanatory diagram showing an example of obtaining a primary color dither mask from a temporary primary color dither mask and a mixed color dither mask in the second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a principle explanatory diagram showing an example of dither processing for a graphic.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print image for comparing and explaining a case where the correction of the designated gradation value according to the third embodiment is not applied and a case where it is applied.

24 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged print image when the correction of the designated gradation value in FIG. 23 is not applied.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged print image when the correction of the designated gradation value in FIG. 23 is applied.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image creation / printing process according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print image for describing a case where correction of an element dither image according to the fourth embodiment is not applied and a case where correction is applied;

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged print image when the correction of the element dither image in FIG. 27 is not applied.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged print image when the correction of the element dither image of FIG. 27 is applied.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image creation / printing process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a conventional image creation / printing process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tape printer 3 Keyboard 4 Display 5 Tape cartridge 7 Print head 11 Operation part 12 Printing part 13 Cutting part 14 Detecting part 41 Display screen 200 Control part 210 CPU 220 ROM 230 Character generator ROM (CG-RO)
M) 240 RAM 241 Various register groups 242 Text data area 243 Display image data area 244 Print image data area 245 Drawing registration image data area 246 Dither mask data area 247 Color palette data area 248 Various buffer areas 250 Peripheral control circuit (P-CON) ) 260 Internal bus 270 Drive unit 290 Power supply unit CP1 to CP6 Color palette data DD5, DD16, DD64 (1 to 4) Dither matrix DGC, DGC2, DGM, DGM2, DGY, DGY
2, DGK: overall dither image matrix DM5 (0 to 4), DM64 (35, 55): dither mask KP35, KP55: designated gradation value SG1 to SG6: element shape image matrix T tape T1 printing tape T2 Laminating tape

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 5B057 AA20 CA01 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB01 CB07 CB12 CB16 CC02 CE13 DA08 DB02 DB06 DB09 DC16 5C077 LL17 LL18 NN08 NP01 PP32 PP33 PP47 PQ12 RR09 SS05 SS07 TT05 TT10 5C009 HB01B01B12B MA11 MA17 MA19 NA10 NA11 PA00

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. A dither in which a threshold value of a gradation value of an n value (n is an integer of 3 or more) of a pixel is defined as an m value (m is an integer satisfying n ≧ m ≧ 2) and arranged as a matrix element. An image processing method for performing dither processing based on a matrix, comprising, among element images of an entire image having one or more element images, a pixel of an element body image serving as a body of an element image and an element background serving as a background thereof For at least one element image that can be distinguished from the pixels of the image, all the pixels of the element body image are assigned a value indicating validity among predetermined two values, and all the pixels of the element background image are assigned the predetermined value. An element shape image creation step of creating and storing an element shape image represented by the predetermined binary matrix by assigning a value indicating invalidity among the two values; and for the at least one element image, element A designated gradation value storing step of storing one of the n values as the designated designated gradation value for all pixels of the body image; and the predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the dither matrix. And assigning a value indicating validity of the predetermined two values to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value that satisfies a condition where the designated gradation value among the threshold values of the dither matrix satisfies a condition, A dither mask storing step of storing a dither mask in which a value indicating invalidity of the predetermined two values is assigned to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value that does not satisfy the following condition: the same size as the dither mask of the element shape image For each matrix, a logical AND operation is performed on the corresponding matrix elements of each matrix and the dither mask, and only when both values are valid, the value indicates validity. An element dither image creating step of creating an element dither image represented by the predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the element shape image as a result of the logical product operation. Image processing method. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined binary value is 1 and 0. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the at least one element image is a monochrome image, a gradation value indicating the density of the monochrome image is stored as the designated gradation value. Method. 4. When the at least one elemental image is a color image, in the designated gradation value storing step, a primary color gradation value for each of the three primary colors is set as one of the designated gradation values. In the dither mask storing step, a primary color dither mask corresponding to at least one of the primary color tone values having different values is stored as one of the dither masks, and the element dither image creating step is performed. The primary color dither image corresponding to each primary color dither mask is created as one kind of the element dither image by performing the logical product operation using the primary color dither mask. 4. The image processing method according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. When the at least one element image is a color image, a value indicating the validity is assigned to only a matrix element having a value indicating the validity in common to all of the created primary color element dither images. The image processing method according to claim 4, further comprising a mixed-color element dither image creating step of creating a mixed-color element dither image as a new kind of the element dither image. 6. The AND operation of the mixed-color element dither image, which is performed on the corresponding matrix elements of the created primary-color element dither image and sets a value indicating the validity only when all the values indicate the validity. The image processing method according to claim 5, wherein the image processing method is created as a result. 7. A matrix element value corresponding to the validity value of the mixed color element dither image among the matrix elements of the validity value of the created primary color element dither image, 7. The image processing method according to claim 5, further comprising a color mixing effective matrix element deleting step of converting the value into a value indicating 8. The mixed color effective matrix element deleting step includes performing a logical inversion operation of inverting the value indicating validity and the value indicating invalidity on the mixed color element dither image, thereby obtaining a mixed color inverted element dither image. A mixed color inversion element dither image creating step of creating, and for each matrix element corresponding to the primary color element dither image and the color mixture inversion element dither image of the primary color element dither image, when both are values indicating the validity 8. A new primary color element dither image creating step of using element dither images created as a result of a logical product operation indicating only valid values as new primary color element dither images. The image processing method according to 1. 9. When the at least one elemental image is a color image, in the designated gradation value storing step, a primary color gradation value for each of the three primary colors is set as one of the designated gradation values. Storing the dither mask storing step, wherein a temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to at least one of the primary color tone values having different values is stored as a kind of the dither mask. A mixed color dither mask storing step of storing a mixed color dither mask in which a value indicating the validity is assigned only to the matrix element of the value indicating the validity in common with all of the temporary primary color dither masks; Of the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of each temporary primary color dither mask, the value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask A primary color dither mask storing step of converting a value of a matrix element corresponding to the matrix element into a value indicating the invalidity and storing the converted value as a primary color dither mask. By performing the AND operation using the mask and the respective primary color dither masks, the mixed color dither mask and the mixed color element dither images and the respective primary color element dither images corresponding to the respective primary color dither masks are respectively converted to the element dither images. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed as one type.
4. The image processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 10. When the temporary primary color dither masks are all based on the same dither matrix, the temporary primary color dither mask having the least effective matrix element among the temporary primary color dither masks is used as the temporary primary color dither mask. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the image is stored as a mixed-color dither mask. 11. The multi-color dither mask is selected by selecting a primary color tone value having the smallest number of threshold values of the dither matrix satisfying a condition from among primary color tone values of the three primary colors. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein the image processing method is obtained as a temporary primary color dither mask corresponding to the determined primary color tone value. 12. When a value of each primary color tone value is equal to or greater than each threshold value of a dither matrix, the threshold value condition is satisfied, and a value indicating that a matrix element of a dither mask corresponding to the threshold value is valid is provided. 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein in the case of selecting a primary color tone value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask, a minimum primary color tone value is selected. 13. A value which satisfies a threshold condition when each of said primary color tone values is equal to or less than each threshold value of a dither matrix, and a value indicating that a matrix element of a dither mask corresponding to the threshold value is valid. 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein in the case of selecting a primary color tone value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask, a maximum primary color tone value is selected. 14. The mixed-color dither mask is created as a result of a logical AND operation that targets the corresponding matrix elements of the temporary primary-color dither mask and indicates a valid value only when all the values are valid. The image processing method according to claim 9, wherein: 15. Each of the primary color dither masks is a mixed color inversion dither mask created as a result of a logical inversion operation for inverting the value indicating the validity and the value indicating the invalidation with respect to the mixed color dither mask; 10. The temporary primary color dither mask is created as a result of a logical AND operation that sets corresponding values only when both of the matrix elements corresponding to the temporary primary color dither mask indicate the validity value. 15. The image processing method according to any one of items 14 to 14. 16. The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the three primary colors are three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow. 17. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the element dither image is created as a print image to be printed on a print target. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the element dither image corresponds to a pixel to which ink is to be ejected from an inkjet head to the printing target. The image processing method according to 1. 19. The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the print target is a tape. 20. The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the three primary colors are three colors of red, green, and blue. 21. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the element dither image is created as a display image to be displayed on a display screen. 22. A dither in which pixels are arranged as matrix elements by defining a threshold value of an n value (n is an integer of 3 or more) gradation value of a pixel by an m value (m is an integer satisfying n ≧ m ≧ 2). What is claimed is: 1. An image processing apparatus for performing dither processing based on a matrix, comprising: a pixel of an element main image serving as a main body of an element image and an element background serving as a background among element images of an entire image having one or more element images. For at least one element image that can be distinguished from the pixels of the image, all the pixels of the element body image are assigned a value indicating validity among predetermined two values, and all the pixels of the element background image are assigned the predetermined value. An element shape image creating unit that creates and stores an element shape image represented by the predetermined binary matrix by allocating a value indicating invalidity among the two values; and for the at least one element image, Required Designated gradation value storage means for storing one of the n values as the same designated gradation value for all pixels of the main body image; and the predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the dither matrix And assigning a value indicating validity of the predetermined two values to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value of which the designated gradation value among the threshold values of the dither matrix satisfies a condition, A dither mask storing means for storing a dither mask in which a value indicating invalidity of the predetermined two values is assigned to a matrix element corresponding to a threshold value that does not satisfy the following condition: a dither mask having the same size as the dither mask of the element shape image For each matrix, for each matrix element corresponding to the dither mask and the corresponding matrix element, a logical product operation is performed which sets a value indicating valid only when both values are valid. Performing an AND operation to generate an element dither image represented by the predetermined binary matrix having the same size as the element shape image as a result of the AND operation. Image processing apparatus. 23. The image processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the predetermined binary is 1 and 0. 24. The image processing method according to claim 22, wherein, when the at least one element image is a monochrome image, a gradation value indicating the density of the monochrome image is stored as the designated gradation value. apparatus. 25. When the at least one elemental image is a color image, the designated gradation value storage means stores primary color gradation values for each of the three primary colors as one of the designated gradation values. The dither mask storage means stores primary color dither masks corresponding to at least mutually different values of the primary color tone values as one of the dither masks, and the element dither image creation means Generating a primary color element dither image corresponding to each primary color dither mask as one kind of the element dither image by performing the logical AND operation using the primary color dither mask. 25. The image processing device according to any one of 22 to 24. 26. When the at least one elemental image is a color image, the value indicating the validity is assigned only to the matrix element of the value indicating the validity common to all of the created primary color element dither images. 26. The image processing apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising: a mixed-color element dither image creating unit that creates a mixed-color element dither image as a new kind of the element dither image. 27. An AND operation in which said mixed-color element dither image is a value indicating the validity only when all of the matrix elements corresponding to the created primary color element dither image are valid values. The image processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the image processing apparatus is created as a result. 28. Among the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of the created primary color element dither image, a value of a matrix element corresponding to the matrix element of the validity value of the mixed color element dither image is set to the invalid value. 28. The image processing apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a color mixture effective matrix element deleting unit that converts the value into a value indicating 29. A mixed-color inversion element dither image by performing a logical inversion operation of inverting the value indicating validity and the value indicating invalidity on the mixed-color element dither image with respect to the mixed-color element dither image. A mixed color inversion element dither image creating means for creating, and for target matrix elements of each primary color element dither image and the mixed color inversion element dither image of the primary color element dither image, when both are values indicating the validity 29. A new primary color element dither image creating means for using element dither images created as a result of a logical product operation indicating only valid values as new primary color element dither images. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 30. When the at least one elemental image is a color image, the designated gradation value storage means sets primary color gradation values for each of three primary colors as one of the designated gradation values. A temporary primary color dither mask storage means for storing, as one type of the dither masks, temporary primary color dither masks corresponding to at least mutually different values of the primary color tone values; A mixed-color dither mask storing means for storing a mixed-color dither mask in which a value indicating the validity is assigned only to a matrix element of the value indicating the validity in common to all of the temporary primary-color dither masks; Of the matrix elements of the value indicating the validity of each temporary primary color dither mask, the value indicating the validity of the mixed color dither mask Primary color dither mask storage means for converting a value of a matrix element corresponding to a matrix element into a value indicating the invalidity and storing the converted value as each primary color dither mask; and By performing the logical AND operation using the mask and the respective primary color dither masks, the mixed color dither mask and the mixed color element dither image and the respective primary color element dither images corresponding to the respective primary color dither masks are respectively converted to the element dither image. 23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the method is performed as one type.
25. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims to 24. 31. When all of the temporary primary color dither masks are based on the same dither matrix, the temporary primary color dither mask of the temporary primary color dither mask having the least effective matrix element is determined as the temporary primary color dither mask. 31. A multi-color dither mask for storing.
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 32. The mixed-color dither mask is selected by selecting a primary color tone value having the smallest number of threshold values of the dither matrix satisfying a condition from among primary color tone values of the three primary colors. 32. The image processing apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the image processing apparatus is obtained as a provisional primary color dither mask corresponding to the primary color tone value obtained. 33. When each of the primary color gradation values is equal to or greater than each threshold value of the dither matrix, the threshold value condition is satisfied, and a value indicating that the matrix element of the dither mask corresponding to the threshold value is valid is 33. The image processing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein in the case of selecting the primary color tone value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask, a minimum primary color tone value is selected. 34. When each of the primary color gradation values is equal to or less than each of the threshold values of the dither matrix, the condition of the threshold value is satisfied, and a value indicating that the matrix element of the dither mask corresponding to the threshold value is valid. 33. The image processing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein, when the primary color tone value for obtaining the mixed color dither mask is selected, a maximum primary color tone value is selected. 35. The mixed-color dither mask is created as a result of a logical product operation that targets the corresponding matrix elements of the temporary primary color dither mask and indicates a valid value only when all the values are valid. The image processing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein 36. Each of the primary color dither masks is a mixed color inversion dither mask created as a result of a logical inversion operation for inverting the value indicating validity and the value indicating invalidity with respect to the mixed color dither mask; 31. The temporary primary color dither mask is created as a result of an AND operation that sets the value indicating validity only when both of the matrix elements corresponding to the temporary primary color dither mask indicate the validity value. 36. The image processing device according to any one of claims 35. 37. The image processing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the three primary colors are cyan, magenta, and yellow. 38. The image processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the element dither image is created as a print image for printing on a print target. 39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the matrix element of the value indicating the validity of the element dither image corresponds to a pixel to which ink is to be ejected from an inkjet head to the printing target. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 40. The image processing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the print target is a tape. 41. The image processing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the three primary colors are three colors of red, green and blue. 42. The image processing apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the element dither image is created as a display image to be displayed on a display screen.