JP2013111764A - Image processing device and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more efficiently print image data to be used by a printing device in which nozzle resolution for achromatic color printing is different from that for coloring printing.SOLUTION: In the printer 20, the black nozzle resolution is X times the color nozzle resolution, and JPEG data (image data) having an achromatic color (Y) plane and a coloring (C, C) plane is processed. The printer 20 resizes the C, C plane with respect to the Y plane at 1/X-fold magnification when receiving a processing command for an X-fold black resolution printing mode. The resized C, C plane and Y plane are stored in a RAM 23 to generate print data. The capacity of the RAM 23 can be further reduced. In generating print data, pixels of the C, C plane can be used at X-fold magnification.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method.

  Conventionally, as an image processing apparatus, Huffman decoding, run-length Huffman decoding, and inverse quantization are performed on a sampling target JPEG image, and a pixel out of a total of 64 pixels is obtained for each of the obtained 8 × 8 blocks. There has been proposed a method of sampling and displaying a compressed image by selecting a pixel from which a value is to be acquired and performing an inverse DCT operation on only the selected pixel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this apparatus, since the inverse DCT calculation is performed only on the selected pixel, the processing load for sampling and displaying the compressed image can be reduced, and the processing time length can be shortened.

JP 2002-271794 A

  By the way, there is a printing apparatus provided with nozzles having different black resolution and color resolution. In such a printing apparatus, it has not been considered to reduce the processing load for the conversion processing from the decompressed image data to print data indicating the ink discharge amount of each color. There has been a demand for more efficient execution of print processing of image data used in such a printing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and more efficiently performs printing processing of image data used in a printing apparatus in which the nozzle resolution for achromatic printing is different from the nozzle resolution for coloring printing. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that can be executed automatically.

  The present invention adopts the following means in order to achieve the main object described above.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention
Used in a printing apparatus in which the nozzle resolution for achromatic printing is X times (X is an integer of 2 or more) with respect to the nozzle resolution for chromatic printing, and processes image data having achromatic and chromatic planes. An image processing apparatus,
Resizing processing means for resizing the chromatic plane with a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the achromatic plane;
Storage means for storing the resized chromatic and achromatic planes;
Generation processing means for generating print data used in the printing apparatus using the stored chromatic plane and achromatic plane;
It is equipped with.

  This image processing apparatus is used in a printing apparatus in which the nozzle resolution for achromatic color printing is X times the nozzle resolution for color printing, and processes image data having achromatic and chromatic planes. In this image processing apparatus, the chromatic plane is resized with respect to the achromatic plane at a magnification of 1 / X, and print data is generated using the resized chromatic plane and the achromatic plane. In this way, the chromatic plane is resized to 1 / X times and stored in accordance with the achromatic nozzle resolution of X times the chromatic nozzle resolution. Therefore, the image data used for the printing apparatus in which the achromatic color nozzle resolution is different from the chromatic color nozzle resolution is more efficiently executed by reducing the storage amount. be able to.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the generation processing unit may generate the print data by overlappingly using pixels of the color plane. In this way, the printing process can be executed more efficiently by overlappingly using the pixels of the color plane.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the generation processing unit obtains a nozzle value of the chromatic nozzle from the pixel value of the chromatic plane and the pixel value of the achromatic color plane, and the pixel value of the chromatic plane used for the chromatic nozzle. The print data may be generated by obtaining the X times the nozzle value of the achromatic nozzle from the pixel value of the chromatic plane and the pixel value of the achromatic color plane that are used redundantly. By so doing, print data is generated directly from image data having achromatic and chromatic planes, so that the printing process can be executed more efficiently. Here, the storage means stores correspondence information in which pixel values of the chromatic and achromatic color planes are associated with nozzle values of the chromatic and achromatic nozzles, and the generation processing means is a pixel of the chromatic plane. The print data may be generated by obtaining nozzle values of the chromatic and achromatic nozzles using the correspondence information from the values and pixel values of the achromatic color plane. In this way, print data can be generated more efficiently.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the resizing processing unit obtains an X-fold print processing command for performing a print process of the achromatic color nozzle resolution at X times the chromatic color nozzle resolution. The chromatic plane may be resized at a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the achromatic color plane. By so doing, it is possible to execute the printing process more efficiently when printing is executed according to the X-fold printing process command.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the resizing processing unit resizes the achromatic color plane based on a designated print size, and resizes the chromatic plane at a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the achromatic color plane. It is good also as what is processed. By doing so, it is possible to smoothly shift from the resizing process to the printing process, and it is possible to execute the printing process more efficiently.

The image processing method of the present invention includes:
An image processing method for processing image data having an achromatic color plane and a chromatic color plane, which is used in a printing apparatus in which the nozzle resolution for achromatic color printing is X times the nozzle resolution for chromatic color printing,
(A) resizing the chromatic plane with a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the achromatic plane;
(B) storing the resized chromatic and achromatic planes;
(C) generating print data using the stored chromatic plane and achromatic plane;
Is included.

  In this image processing method, as with the image processing apparatus described above, the chromatic plane is resized to 1 / X times in accordance with the achromatic nozzle resolution X times the chromatic nozzle resolution and stored. Thus, the printing process can be executed more efficiently. In this image processing method, various aspects of the above-described image processing apparatus may be adopted, and steps for realizing each function of the above-described image processing apparatus may be added.

  The program of the present invention causes one or more computers to implement each step of the above-described image processing method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.) or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by a single computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, each step of the above-described image processing method is executed. Therefore, the same effect as this image processing method can be obtained. can get.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a printer system 10. FIG. Explanatory drawing of LUT35. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a print head 31. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing routine. The conceptual diagram of the conversion process to print data.

  Next, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a printer system 10 according to the present embodiment. The printer system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a printer 20 as an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a personal computer (PC) 40 that is connected to the printer 20 and includes an input device 47 and a display 48 and issues a print instruction. The printer 20 includes a controller 21 that controls the entire printer 20, a reading mechanism 25 that reads a reading document placed on a glass surface, and a printing mechanism 26 that forms an image on a printing medium using a colorant. . The printer 20 controls input / output of data with an interface (I / F) 27 for exchanging information with an external device, an operation panel 28 for receiving display of various information and input from a user, and a memory card. And a memory card reader 30. The printer 20 includes a reading mechanism 25 and a printing mechanism 26, and is configured as a multifunction printer having a printer function, a scanner function, and a copy function. In addition, as will be described in detail later, the printer 20 is configured to be able to execute a black resolution X times printing mode in which black resolution is printed at X times the color resolution (X is an integer of 2 or more, here X = 2). Yes. In the printer 20, the controller 21, the reading mechanism 25, the printing mechanism 26, the I / F 27, the operation panel 28, and the memory card reader 30 are electrically connected by a bus 29.

  The controller 21 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 22, and includes a RAM 23 that temporarily stores data and saves data, and a flash memory 24 that stores various processing programs and can rewrite data. I have. The controller 21 controls the reading mechanism 25 to execute the image reading process and also controls the printing mechanism 26 to execute the printing process. The flash memory 24 stores a look-up table (LUT) 35 used for conversion processing to print data. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the LUT 35. The LUT 35 includes Y, Cb, and Cr values in the YCC color space in the image data, and cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) values in the CMYK color space in the print data. Is a conversion table associated with. The LUT 35 is used after being expanded / reduced according to a print mode or the like.

  The controller 21 includes a resizing rate setting unit 36, a resizing processing unit 37, and a generation processing unit 38 as functional blocks. The resizing rate setting unit 36 sets the resizing rate of the Y plane (achromatic plane) of the JPEG data based on the designated print size, and the resizing rate of the Cb and Cr planes (hereinafter also simply referred to as C and C planes). Set. The resizing rate setting unit 36 performs processing for setting the resizing rate of the C and C planes to 1 / X times with respect to the Y plane of JPEG data when the black resolution X times printing mode is instructed. The resizing processing unit 37 has a function of executing resizing processing at the resizing rate set in the resizing rate setting unit 36. In particular, when the resizing rate of the C and C planes is 1 / X with respect to the Y plane, the C and C planes are resized by 1 / X times with respect to the Y plane. The resize processing unit 37 has a function of storing the resized image data in a predetermined area of the RAM 23. The generation processing unit 38 has a function of executing processing for generating print data used by the printing mechanism 26 using the resized Y plane and the C and C planes stored in the RAM 23. The generation processing unit 38 generates print data by overlappingly using pixels of the C and C planes.

  The reading mechanism 25 is of a flat bed type and includes a reading sensor that reads a document placed on a document table as image data (compressed data) and a moving mechanism that moves the reading sensor when reading the document. Configured as an image scanner. The reading sensor is a sensor that separates the reflected light after emitting light toward the document into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors to obtain scan data.

  The printing mechanism 26 is configured as a well-known inkjet color printer mechanism including a print head 31 that performs printing by ejecting ink onto the print medium S and a cartridge 34 that supplies ink to the print head 31. . The print head 31 ejects ink of each color from the nozzles by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. The mechanism for applying pressure to the ink may be based on the generation of bubbles due to the heat of the heater.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the print head 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the print head 31 includes a nozzle group 33 </ b> C in which nozzles 32 </ b> C, 32 </ b> M, and 32 </ b> Y that can individually eject CMY inks are arranged along the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the recording paper S. , 33M, 33Y, and nozzle groups 33K1, 33K2 in which nozzles 32K capable of ejecting black (K) ink are arranged along the sub-scanning direction. Here, the configuration of each nozzle group will be described using the cyan (C) nozzle group 33C as an example. The nozzle group 33C is composed of two nozzle rows C1 and C2, and the nozzles 32C are arranged so that each nozzle row C1 and C2 has a predetermined length L in pitch. The nozzles 32C of the nozzle row C1 and the nozzles 32C of the nozzle row C2 are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the sub-scanning direction, and the pitch is a length L / 2 that is half the predetermined length L. ing. In the present embodiment, the predetermined length L is set so that the dots have a resolution of 150 dpi, and the dots formed by the nozzle row C1 and the dots formed by the nozzle row C2 are alternately arranged in the sub-scanning direction. By performing printing so that the dots are arranged in a line, the resolution of cyan (C) dots is 300 dpi. The magenta (M) nozzle group 33M and the yellow (Y) nozzle group 33Y are similarly configured, and the obtained resolution is 300 dpi. Similarly, the black (K) nozzle groups 33K1 and 33K2 include two nozzle rows K11 and K12 and two nozzle rows K21 and K22, respectively. Furthermore, the nozzles 32K of the nozzle group 33K1 and the nozzles 32K of the nozzle group 33K2 are arranged such that the pitch in the sub-scanning direction is a length L / 4 that is half the length L / 2. Therefore, by performing printing so that the dots formed by the nozzle group 33K1 and the dots formed by the nozzle group 33K2 are alternately arranged in a line in the sub-scanning direction, the resolution of the black (K) dots is 600 dpi. Become. As described above, the print head 31 includes a total of 10 nozzle rows, and is configured so that the resolution of CMY dots is 300 dpi and the resolution of K dots is 600 dpi. That is, the nozzle density of K is twice (X times) higher than the nozzle density of CMY. The printing mechanism 26 uses a black resolution X-fold printing mode in which black resolution is printed at a resolution X times (X = 2 in this case) with respect to color by using the nozzle groups 33K1 and K2, and the nozzle group 33K1. Thus, it is possible to execute the normal printing mode in which black and color are printed at the same resolution.

  The operation panel 28 includes a display unit 28a and an operation unit 28b. Various display screens for selecting and setting menus are displayed on the display unit 28a. The operation unit 28b includes a power key for turning on / off the power, a cursor key for moving the cursor up / down / left / right, a cancel key for canceling the input, a determination key for determining the selection, and the like. Can be entered.

  The memory card reader 30 inputs and outputs data with the memory card inserted in the slot. The memory card reader 30 reads out a file stored in the memory card and sends it to the controller 21 or inputs a command from the controller 21 when the memory card is loaded, and receives data from the memory card based on the command. Or write.

  Next, the operation of the printer 20 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, particularly the operation when printing an image of JPEG data will be described. Here, mainly, a process for reading JPEG data stored in a memory card and printing the JPEG data will be specifically described. First, the user attaches a memory card to the memory card reader 30 and selects JPEG data to be printed on a print selection screen (not shown). The user operates various keys of the operation unit 28b to select an image to be printed, and presses a print execution key (not shown). Then, the CPU 22 executes a print processing routine stored in the flash memory 24. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing routine executed by the CPU 22 of the controller 21. In this routine, the CPU 22 performs JPEG data decompression processing (print data generation processing) using the LUT 35, the resizing ratio setting unit 36, the resizing processing unit 37, and the generation processing unit 38.

  When the print processing routine of FIG. 4 is started, the CPU 22 first acquires print setting information from the information stored in the JPEG data tag and the input content on the operation panel 28 (step S100). The print setting information includes JPEG data component information (4: 4: 4, 4: 2: 2 and 4: 2: 0), and black resolution X times the color resolution (X = 2). ) Includes information indicating whether the black resolution X-times print mode for printing is selected or the normal print mode is selected. The print setting information includes information on whether or not to execute correction processing such as image size of JPEG data, print paper size (print size), sharpness processing, contrast processing, and noise removal processing. .

  Next, the CPU 22 decompresses the JPEG data and generates image data including a Y plane, a Cb plane (also simply referred to as a C plane), and a Cr plane (also simply referred to as a C plane) (step S110). In this decompression processing, JPEG data (compressed data) is subjected to entropy decoding (Huffman decoding) processing, group decoding processing, and run length decoding processing, and the obtained DCT coefficients are subjected to inverse quantization processing and inverse discrete cosine transform. Processing, MCU processing, etc. are performed, and processing for generating image data of the Y, C, C plane is performed. At this time, when the component of the JPEG data is 4: 2: 0, the simple padding process may be performed on the C and C planes, and the process of matching the resolutions of the Y, C, and C planes may be performed. Next, the CPU 22 performs enhancement processing for converting from YCC to YCC (step S120). The enhancement processing is performed by the correction execution processing unit 38. For example, the decompressed image color is corrected to a color suitable for the printer 20 using an empirically obtained YCC-YCC correspondence (for example, a lookup table). It is good also as processing to do.

  Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the black resolution X times printing mode is selected (step S130), and when the black resolution X times printing mode is not selected, that is, the normal printing mode is selected. In some cases, the resizing ratio setting unit 36 sets an enlargement ratio for performing size conversion from the size of the image data to the print size so that the resolution of the C and C planes is the same as the resolution of the Y plane (step S140). Subsequently, the Y, C, and C planes are individually resized by the resize processing unit 37 (step S150), and the data of each resized plane is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 23 (step S160). The resizing process may be, for example, a well-known simple padding (thinning) process, linear interpolation process, bicubic process, or the like. Here, the linear interpolation process is performed depending on the relationship between the processing speed and the image quality. Shall be performed.

  Subsequently, the CPU 22 performs ink color conversion processing by the generation processing unit 38 using the stored value of each plane (step S170). Here, the values of the Y plane and the values of the C and C planes are directly converted into the values of the colors C, M, Y, and K using the LUT 35, and the colors of the colors C, M, Y, and K are converted. A process for generating print data including a plane is performed. In the LUT 35 shown in FIG. 2, when Y, C, and C values are input, the corresponding color values of C, M, Y, and K are derived. At this time, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, when the YCC value (shaded sphere) of the image data is deviated from the grid point data (white sphere), the minimum value for storing the YCC value of the image data is stored. The CMYK value is calculated by performing, for example, well-known linear interpolation based on the distance between the grid point which is each vertex in the grid and the CMYK point of the image data. Here, since the resolutions of the Y, C, and C planes are the same, one CMYK value is obtained by using one pixel value of each of the Y, C, and C planes.

  Then, for example, halftone processing is performed on the generated print data, and the print data is output to the printing mechanism 26, the print processing is executed (step S180), and this routine is terminated. In the printing process here, printing in the normal printing mode, that is, the printing process is executed using the nozzle groups 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K1. By doing this, it is possible to obtain a print image having the same black resolution (achromatic nozzle resolution) and color resolution (chromatic nozzle resolution).

  On the other hand, when the black resolution X-times print mode is selected in step S130, the CPU 22 causes the resizing rate setting unit 36 to set the resolution of the C and C planes to 1 / X of the resolution of the Y plane (here, X = 2). The enlargement ratio for performing the size conversion from the size of the image data to the print size is set (step S190). Subsequently, the resize processing unit 37 individually resizes the Y, C, and C planes (step S200), and stores the resized data of each plane in a predetermined area of the RAM 23 (step S210). The resizing at 1 / X times is assumed to make the image data 1 / X times with respect to the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. As described above, when the achromatic (K) nozzle resolution is printed by X times the chromatic (C, M, Y) nozzle resolution, the achromatic (Y) plane of the image data for printing is printed. Thus, the chromatic (C, C) plane is resized at a magnification of 1 / X and stored in the RAM 23. For this reason, the storage capacity in the RAM 23 can be further reduced. In addition, it is possible to further reduce the time required for resizing while further suppressing deterioration in image quality.

  Subsequently, the CPU 22 performs an ink color conversion process by the generation processing unit 38 using the stored value of each plane (step S220). In the black resolution X-times print mode, as described above, the resolution of the C and C planes is 1 / X times the resolution of the Y plane. Here, print data is generated by executing a process of overlappingly using pixels of the C and C planes. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of conversion processing to print data. In step S220, the nozzle values of the C, M, and Y color nozzles are obtained from the pixel values of the C and C planes and the pixel values of the Y plane, and the C and C plane pixel values used for the color nozzles are used in duplicate. Then, X times as many black nozzle values are obtained from the C and C plane pixel values and the Y plane pixel values that are used redundantly. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, C and C pixels are 1 / X times (X = 2) with respect to Y pixels. Using the LUT 35, the Y1 pixel of the Y plane and the CC1 pixel value of the C and C planes are directly converted into nozzle values for each color of C, M, Y, and K1. On the other hand, using the value of the CC1 pixel previously used as the C and C pixels corresponding to the Y2 pixel, the value of the Y2 pixel and the CC1 pixel is directly converted into the nozzle value of K2 using the LUT 35. Similarly, the values of Y3 and CC2 pixels are converted into nozzle values for each color of C, M, Y, and K1 using LUT35, while the values of Y4 and CC2 pixels are converted to K2 nozzles using LUT35. Convert to value. Further, the values of the Y5 pixel and the CC3 pixel are converted into the nozzle values of each color of C, M, Y, and K1 using the LUT 35, while the values of the Y6 pixel and the CC3 pixel are converted into the nozzle value of the K2 using the LUT 35. Convert. For the nozzle value conversion in the main scanning direction, similarly to the above, achromatic nozzle values are derived by overlappingly using the pixel values of the C and C planes that are formally adjacent vertically and horizontally and diagonally vertically. It should be. By performing such processing, the C and C planes can be stored in the RAM 23 at 1 / X times the Y plane, and print data with black resolution that is X times the color can be generated. . Note that the conversion processing from YCC to CMYK using the LUT 35 is performed in the same manner as in the normal printing mode described above. Thus, since the resolution of the C and C planes is 1 / X with respect to the Y plane, one CMYK value is obtained using the C and C values that are X times the Y value.

  Then, for example, halftone processing is performed on the generated print data, and the print data is output to the printing mechanism 26, the print processing is executed (step S180), and this routine is terminated. In the printing process here, printing in the black resolution X-fold printing mode, that is, the printing process is executed using the nozzle groups 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K1, and the nozzle group 33K2 so that the black resolution is X times. By doing so, it is possible to obtain a print image in which the black resolution (achromatic nozzle resolution) is X times (X = 2) the color resolution (chromatic nozzle resolution).

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The resizing rate setting unit 36 and the resizing processing unit 37 of the present embodiment correspond to a resizing processing unit, and the generation processing unit 38 corresponds to a generation processing unit. The nozzles 32C, 32M, and 32Y correspond to chromatic nozzles, the nozzles 32K1 and 32K2 correspond to achromatic nozzles, the C and C planes correspond to chromatic planes, and the Y plane corresponds to an achromatic color plane. To do. In the present embodiment, an example of the image processing method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the printer 20.

  According to the printer 20 of the present embodiment described in detail above, JPEG data (with black nozzle resolution X times the color nozzle resolution and having achromatic (Y) and chromatic (C, C) planes ( Image data). In the printer 20, the C plane and the C plane are resized with respect to the Y plane at a magnification of 1 / X, and the resized C, C plane and Y plane are stored in the RAM 23 to generate print data. Therefore, it is possible to more efficiently execute the image data printing process used in the black resolution X-times printing mode by reducing the storage amount of the RAM 23 or the like. Also, the printing process can be executed more efficiently by using the pixels of the C and C planes by X times. Further, the nozzle values of the nozzles 32C, 32M, and 32Y are obtained from the pixel values of the Y, C, and C planes, and the pixel values of the C and C planes that are used for the nozzles 32C, 32M, and 32Y are used in an overlapping manner. Since the print data is generated by obtaining the X times the nozzle value of the black nozzle from the pixel value of the C plane and the pixel value of the Y plane, the print data is directly obtained from the JPEG image data having the achromatic and chromatic planes. By generating, the printing process can be executed more efficiently. Furthermore, since the nozzle values of each color are obtained from the pixel values of the Y, C, and C planes using the LUT 35 (corresponding information), print data can be generated more efficiently. When the black resolution X times printing mode processing command is acquired, the C and C planes are resized at a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the Y plane, so that printing in the black resolution X times printing mode is executed. In addition, the printing process can be executed more efficiently. In addition, the Y plane is resized based on the designated print size, and the C and C planes are resized at a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the Y plane. The printing process can be executed more efficiently. Furthermore, since the performance of the controller is limited in devices such as the printer 20, it is highly meaningful to apply the present invention.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the C and C planes are resized to 1 / X times with respect to the Y plane when a print command in the black resolution X times printing mode is acquired. The C and C planes may always be resized to 1 / X times the Y plane. At this time, it is also possible to always print in the black resolution X times printing mode. Even in this case, the image data printing process can be executed more efficiently.

  In the embodiment described above, the values of the C and C planes used for the nozzle group 33K2 are used in common with the nozzle value of the nozzle group 33K2. However, if the nozzle value of the nozzle group 33K2 can be set, this is particularly true. It is not limited to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the enlargement ratio of the Y plane is set based on the designated print size, and the C and C planes are set to the enlargement ratio of 1 / X times with respect to the Y plane. Although the resizing process is performed at the enlargement ratio, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. For example, after setting the C and C planes to an enlargement ratio of 1 / X times with respect to the Y plane, the enlargement ratios of the Y, C, and C planes may be further set based on the designated print size. Good. The enlargement ratio setting may be omitted, and the Y plane may be resized based on the designated print size, and the C and C planes may be resized to 1 / X times the Y plane. Alternatively, after resizing the C and C planes to 1 / X times the Y plane, the Y, C, and C planes may be further resized based on the designated print size.

In the above-described embodiment, the black nozzle resolution is twice (X times) the color nozzle resolution, and the C and C planes are thinned out with respect to the Y plane at a half rate. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto, and X is not particularly limited as long as X is 2 or more. Alternatively, X = 2 ⁿ (n is a positive number).

  In the above-described embodiment, in the resizing process, the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are set to 1 / X times with respect to the image data. However, the present invention is not particularly limited thereto. Only 1 / X times may be used. That is, when the achromatic nozzle resolution is X times the sub-scanning direction with respect to the chromatic nozzle resolution, the chromatic plane is resized at a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the achromatic color plane of the image data for printing. It may be a thing. Even in this case, the image data printing process can be executed more efficiently.

  In the above-described embodiment, the JPEG data stored in the memory card attached to the memory card reader 30 is decompressed and printed. However, the image data including the achromatic plane and the chromatic plane is printed. If it does, it will not be limited to this in particular. For example, the image data read by the reading mechanism 25 may be resized to 1 / X times when printed, or the image data transmitted from the PC 40 may be resized to 1 / X times when printed. Good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image data has been described as JPEG data. However, the image data is not particularly limited as long as the image data has achromatic and chromatic planes, and may be MPEG data, for example. In the above-described embodiments, the color nozzle and the black nozzle are described. However, a chromatic printing nozzle and an achromatic printing nozzle may be used. Further, although described as a Cb, Cr plane or Y plane, it may be a chromatic plane or an achromatic plane.

  In the above-described embodiments, the multifunction printer capable of executing printing, scanning, and copying has been described as the image processing apparatus of the present invention. However, a printer alone, a scanner alone, a FAX, or the like may be used. Alternatively, it is not particularly limited as long as it is a device that generates print data from image data. For example, information processing devices such as personal computers and notebook computers, photographing devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras, digital televisions and HDD recorders, etc. Communication devices such as video devices, portable and home game devices, and mobile phones may be used. The reading mechanism 25 is a flatbed type that fixes an original and moves a reading sensor to read an image, but may adopt a method in which the reading sensor is fixed and the original is moved and read. Further, although the printing mechanism 26 is an inkjet method, it may be an electrophotographic method, a thermal transfer method, or a dot impact method. Further, although the present invention has been described in the form of the printer 20, it may be in the form of an image processing method or in the form of a program for this method.

  10 Printer System, 20 Printer, 21 Controller, 22 CPU, 23 RAM, 24 Flash Memory, 25 Reading Mechanism, 26 Printing Mechanism, 27 Interface (I / F), 28 Operation Panel, 28a Display Unit, 28b Operation Unit, 29 Bus , 30 Memory card reader, 31 Print head, 32C, 32M, 32Y, 32K nozzle, 33C, 33M, 33Y, 33K1, 33K2 Nozzle group, 34 cartridge, 35 Look-up table (LUT), 36 Resize ratio setting unit, 37 Resize Processing unit, 38 generation processing unit, 40 personal computer (PC), 47 input device, 48 display, S print medium.

Claims (6)

Used in a printing apparatus in which the nozzle resolution for achromatic printing is X times (X is an integer of 2 or more) with respect to the nozzle resolution for chromatic printing, and processes image data having achromatic and chromatic planes. An image processing apparatus,
Resizing processing means for resizing the chromatic plane with a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the achromatic plane;
Storage means for storing the resized chromatic and achromatic planes;
Generation processing means for generating print data used in the printing apparatus using the stored chromatic plane and achromatic plane;
An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation processing unit generates the print data by overlappingly using pixels of the color plane.   The generation processing unit obtains the nozzle value of the chromatic nozzle from the pixel value of the chromatic plane and the pixel value of the achromatic color plane, and redundantly uses the pixel value of the chromatic plane used for the chromatic nozzle. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data is generated by obtaining a nozzle value of the achromatic nozzle of X times from a pixel value of a chromatic plane and a pixel value of the achromatic color plane.   When the resize processing unit obtains an X-fold print processing command for printing the achromatic color nozzle resolution at X times the chromatic color nozzle resolution, the resize processing unit applies the achromatic color plane to the achromatic color plane. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chromatic plane is resized at a magnification of 1 / X.   The resizing processing unit resizes the achromatic color plane based on a designated print size, and resizes the chromatic plane at a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the achromatic color plane. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above. An image processing method for processing image data having an achromatic color plane and a chromatic color plane, which is used in a printing apparatus in which the nozzle resolution for achromatic color printing is X times the nozzle resolution for chromatic color printing,
(A) resizing the chromatic plane with a magnification of 1 / X with respect to the achromatic plane;
(B) storing the resized chromatic and achromatic planes;
(C) generating print data using the stored chromatic plane and achromatic plane;
An image processing method including:

Images