JP4794726B2 - Electronic camera and printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to printing an image taken with an electronic camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When an image taken with an electronic camera is printed out, it is performed by an external printer or a built-in printer.
[0003]
However, the image captured by the electronic camera contains color noise of the image sensor, and this color noise may be noticeable when printed out even if it is at a level that is inconspicuous when displayed on the monitor.
[0004]
Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a dedicated color noise reduction means for reducing the color noise. However, it is not preferable to provide dedicated color noise reduction means from the viewpoint of cost reduction and size reduction.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera and an image forming apparatus that can reduce color noise without providing special color noise reduction means, and can achieve cost reduction and size reduction.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has taken the following measures in order to solve the above problems.
[0007]
  An electronic camera according to the present invention includes an imaging unit for photoelectrically converting an imaged subject image to obtain electronic image data, and a recording for recording the image data obtained by the imaging unit on a recording medium. Means, conversion means for converting the image data obtained by the imaging means into luminance component data and color component data, and an image when the image based on the image data is displayed on the display device or when the image data is recorded A pixel number converting means for converting the number of pixels of the image data to change the size, the pixel number converting means for the color component data read from the recording mediumBy calculating the average value for each of multiple adjacent pixelsAfter converting the number of pixels so as to reduce the image, the number of pixels is converted so as to enlarge the image with respect to the reduced color component data.
[0008]
  Preferred embodiments of the above electronic camera are as follows.
  (1) The image processing apparatus further includes output means for outputting print image data including color component data converted by the pixel number conversion means to an external printer.
  (2) The printing apparatus further includes a printing unit for printing an image based on the print image data including the color component data converted by the pixel number conversion unit.
  (3) In order to record the luminance component data and the color component data on the recording medium, compression means for compressing and obtaining compressed image data, and decompressing the compressed image data read from the recording medium An expansion means for obtaining luminance component data and color component data, and the pixel number conversion means converts the number of pixels so as to reduce the image for the color component data obtained by the expansion means, Converting the number of pixels so as to enlarge an image of the reduced color component data;
  (4) Low-pass filter processing means for performing low-pass filter processing on the color component data reduced by the pixel number conversion means, wherein the pixel number conversion means performs low-pass filter processing by the low-pass filter processing means. Color component dataBy calculating the average value for each of multiple adjacent pixelsConvert the number of pixels to enlarge the image.
  In addition, each said embodiment may be applied separately, respectively, and can be applied combining it suitably.
[0009]
  A printer according to the present invention includes a mounting unit for mounting a recording medium on which image data is recorded, and a print for printing an image based on the image data read from the recording medium mounted on the mounting unit. And a pixel number converting means for converting the number of pixels of the image data in order to print the image by the printing means, and the pixel number converting means converts the image data read from the recording medium. About color component dataBy calculating the average value for each of multiple adjacent pixelsAfter the number of pixels is converted so as to reduce the image, the number of pixels is converted so that the image is enlarged for the reduced color component data.
[0010]
  A preferred embodiment of the above printer is as follows.
  (1) The image processing apparatus further includes decompression means for decompressing compressed data including luminance component data and color component data read from the recording medium to obtain luminance component data and color component data, About color component data obtained by decompression meansBy calculating the average value for each of multiple adjacent pixelsAfter converting the number of pixels so as to reduce the image, the number of pixels is converted so that the image is enlarged for the reduced color component data.
  (2) Low-pass filter processing means for performing low-pass filter processing on the color component data reduced by the pixel number conversion means is further provided, and the pixel number conversion means is low-pass filtered by the low-pass filter processing means. Convert the number of pixels to enlarge the image for the color component data.
  In addition, each said embodiment may be applied separately, respectively, and can be applied combining it suitably.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic camera having a printer function to which the present invention is applied. 1A is a view as seen from the front side of the camera (that is, the subject side), and FIG. 1B is a view as seen from the back side of the camera.
[0012]
In the electronic camera of FIG. 1, a zoom lens 11 for capturing an optical image of a subject, a release button 61 for photographing, and a strobe 56 for supplementing the amount of light when the subject is insufficient. A print cartridge lid 84 for a cartridge for storing paper for printing an image is disposed. In the electronic camera of FIG. 1, the film 85 is configured to be discharged from above the camera body 10.
[0013]
Further, on the back side of the electronic camera, a mode switch 62 for setting each mode such as shooting, reproduction, and printing, a subject image captured from the zoom lens 11, and a recorded image are reproduced and displayed. For example, an image display LCD 30, a zoom lever 63 for causing the zoom lens to perform zooming, and a cross key 64 configured integrally with the zoom lever and used for various selections are disposed. When the print button 65 is pressed, the image is printed, and the film 85 on which the image is printed is discharged from above the camera body 10.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the electronic camera, and FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the printer. 3 has substantially the same configuration as that of FIG. 2 except for the function of the camera. Therefore, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
An optical image from a subject that has passed through a zoom lens system 11 (also simply referred to as a “zoom lens” in FIG. 1) is converted into an electrical signal by an image pickup device 12 made of, for example, a CCD. Then, it is converted into an analog image signal by the imaging circuit 13 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 14. This digital signal is stored in the built-in memory 35 constituted by a temporary storage RAM or the like, and then compressed by, for example, JPEG compression processing (in the following description, compression is described as JPEG compression), and the memory I / O is compressed. The data is recorded on the removable memory card 20 attached to the card slot 21 via F22.
[0015]
The external interface 26 is for exchanging data between the electronic camera and an external device. The external interface 26 includes a communication interface such as RS232C, a serial interface, and the like. Connected with equipment.
[0016]
The image recorded on the memory card 20 is temporarily read out to the built-in memory 35, developed in the video memory 33, converted into a video signal by the video output circuit 32, and displayed on the image display LCD 30, or video output. Is displayed on an external display device (not shown) connected to the video output terminal 31. The ROM 36 is composed of, for example, a rewritable nonvolatile memory (flash memory such as EEPROM), and stores a basic control program and the like.
[0017]
The ASIC 40 compresses an image for recording on a memory card, decompresses a compressed image read from the memory card, and a resizing process that performs resizing according to the number of display or print pixels (ie, Pixel number conversion process) is performed. A CCD drive circuit (not shown) is controlled by the control signal from the ASIC 40 to drive the image pickup device 12 and the image pickup circuit 13 is controlled.
[0018]
The system controller (system controller) 50 controls each unit in accordance with input operations from the operation unit 60 (for example, the release button 61, the zoom lever 63, the cross key 64, etc. in FIG. 1). Further, a power supply unit 70 is connected to the syscon 50 and is always in an on state by power from the battery 71. Further, the electronic camera can be operated with an external power supply, and is operated by receiving an external power supply from an external power supply input terminal 72. At this time, for example, if the battery 71 is a rechargeable battery, the power supply unit 70 can charge the battery 71 together with the operation of the camera by the external power supply under the control of the system controller 50. The system controller 50 also receives a detection signal indicating whether or not the memory card 20 is attached, and determines whether or not the memory card 20 is attached. Furthermore, the syscon 50 also performs auto power-off control.
[0019]
In addition to the control processing of each unit as described above, the syscon 50 performs various image processing, for example, conversion processing from YUV system to RGB system, USM processing and LPF processing to be described later, and conversion to RGB for printer. Perform color conversion processing.
[0020]
Further, the syscon 50 controls the strobe light emitting unit 56 (corresponding to the strobe 56 in FIG. 1) to emit strobe light, or causes the lens drive control circuit 57 to control the lens driving unit 58 to zoom. It also has a function of controlling the lens system 11.
[0021]
Further, the syscon 50 controls the LCD shutter 67 to change the amount of light from the LED 66 or controls the film drive control circuit 82 to drive the film drive circuit 81 to take out the film 85 from the film cartridge 80. And expose it to light. Here, the photosensitive image data on the film using the LCD shutter 67 is desired by the LCD control circuit 46 controlling the LCD shutter based on the image data captured for each line by the line memory 45. The film 85 is exposed as an image. Further, the F battery 83 attached to the film cartridge 80 is equipped in a normal instant camera, and is not particularly related to the features of the present invention, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the printer. In FIG. 3, the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. However, since the imaging system is basically omitted from the block diagram of FIG.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the built-in memory 35 applied to the present invention. The “card data area” is an area for temporarily storing card data. The “work area” is an area used as a work area for performing various processes. The “display data area” is an area for temporarily storing image data for display. The “print data” area is an area for temporarily storing image data for display for printing. Thus, the built-in memory 35 is mapped and used.
[0024]
FIG. 5 schematically shows an operation flow of the electronic camera configured as described above. This flow simply shows a typical flow of shooting and printing.
[0025]
First, when the power is turned on by operating the mode switch 62 from the power-off state, the card is checked. When it is confirmed that the card is inserted, the mode is shifted to each mode.
[0026]
In the shooting mode, shooting is performed by operating the release button 61. First, AE / AF is performed by the first release operation (half-pressed state), and shooting is performed by the second release operation (full-pressed state). Further, the zoom operation is performed by tilting the zoom lever 63 in either the W or T direction as shown. It should be noted that the operation for zooming as shown in the drawing may be performed by tilting the lever in the T direction. The flow of this shooting mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a basic photographing flow.
[0027]
First, it is determined whether or not there has been an operation on the zoom lever (step A1). If there has been an operation on the zoom lever, the lens is driven in accordance with the operation of the zoom lever (step A2), and the next operation is awaited. When the first release operation is performed without operating the zoom lever (step A3), AE (automatic exposure) and AF (automatic focus) operations are executed (step A4), and the second time. When a release operation is performed (step A5), an imaging process is performed (step A6). Then, the pixel number mode is determined (step A7). For example, in the case of the 640 × 480 mode, a pixel number conversion process for converting the pixel number from an image of 1280 × 960 pixels to an image of 640 × 480 pixels is performed (step A8). . In this case, the number of pixels of the image obtained by the image sensor is 1280 × 960 pixels. Therefore, if the pixel number mode is 1280 × 960, the pixel number changing process is unnecessary, and the process proceeds to the next process. At this point, since the number of pixels is the number corresponding to the pixel number mode, the image is subjected to WB (white balance) and other image processing (step A9), and the data is processed by data processing by, for example, JEPPG compression. The image data is compressed (step A10) and image data is recorded on the recording medium (step A11). In this way, the captured image is recorded.
[0028]
Printing in the print mode includes single frame printing and index printing, and the default value is single frame printing. In this case, a desired image is selected with the cross key and printed. Also, index printing is switched to index printing mode by tilting the zoom lever in the W direction, for example. Then, similarly to the single frame printing, a desired index is selected and printed. The flow of this print mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a basic print flow.
[0029]
First, when an image file is read from the memory card 20 (step B1), display image processing (one frame) is performed (step B2), and an image is displayed on the image display LCD 30 (step B3). At this point, the single frame print mode is basically set. Here, by operating the cross key 64 to select another image (step B4), the selected image file is read from the memory card 20 (step B1), and the operations up to step B4 are repeated. Next, it is detected whether or not the zoom lever 63 has been operated (step B5). If the zoom lever 63 has been operated (in this case, it is assumed that the lever has been operated in the WIDE direction), the index In this mode, thumbnail data composed of, for example, four frames as shown in FIG. 8 is read from the memory card 20 (step B6). Then, image processing for index display is performed on the read thumbnail data (step B7), and index display is performed on the image display LCD 30 (step B8). Then, during this display, it is determined whether or not there has been an operation of the zoom lever 63 (step B9), an operation of the cross key 64 (step B10), or an operation of the print button 65 (step B11). In this case, when the lever is operated in the TELE direction (step B9), the mode is shifted to the single frame print mode (step B2), and another thumbnail image is operated by operating the cross key in the same manner as in the single frame print mode. When another thumbnail image is selected by operating the cross key (step B10), the thumbnail data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is read from the memory card 20 (step B6), and the operations up to step B10 are performed. repeat. Until the print button 65 is operated (step B11), the operation from step B9 is repeated, and by operating the print button 65 (step B11), image processing for printing is performed (step B13), and printing is executed. (Step B14). If the zoom lever 63 is not operated in step B5, the operation from step B4 is repeated until the print button 65 is operated (step B12), and the print button 65 is operated (step B12). Image processing is performed (step B13), and printing is performed (step B14). In this way, printing is executed.
[0030]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of display image processing. FIG. 9A is a flowchart for single frame display, and FIG. 9B is a flowchart for index display.
[0031]
In the image processing in the case of single frame display in FIG. 9A, first, a JPEG compressed image is read out, decompressed, and stored in the work area (step C1). In this case, image decompression is performed, for example, every 8 lines. Next, the size of the image is determined (step C2), and when the image size is larger than the image size for display (for example, 1280 × 960 pixels), resizing processing (1280 × 960 pixels → 640 × 480 pixels) is performed. This is performed and stored in the display data area (step C3). In step C2, if the image size is equal to the display image size, the image data is copied from the work area to the data display area (step C4). Then, when the operation from step C1 to step C4 is completed for all lines (step C5), all the image data is prepared, and thus the processing is completed.
[0032]
In the image processing in the case of index display, the JPEG compressed image is expanded for all lines and stored in the display data area (step D1). Then, by repeating this operation for four frames (step D2), all the image data for display is prepared, so the processing is ended.
[0033]
Based on the basic operation as described above, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first embodiment of the present invention. First, it is determined whether the image display is a single frame display or an index display (step E1). Here, since the present invention is applied to the single frame display, the processing from step E2 to step E4 described later is executed in detail, and the present invention is not applied to the index display, so the processing of step E5 is performed. Execute. In the following description, it is assumed that the displayed image data has a Y component, a U component, and a V component.
In step E1, if one frame is displayed, USM is applied to the Y component and stored in the print data area (step E2). Here, the USM process is a process for sharpening the image. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the own pixel is “3”, the lower pixel and the right pixel are “−”. This is a process of calculating the luminance of each pixel by performing weighting such as “1”. What is the algorithm in this case? For example,
Y_{i ", j"}= Y_{i ', j'}* 3
-Y_{i '+ 1, j'}-Y_{i ', j' + 1}
It becomes. Next, a pixel number conversion process (for example, a process of reducing the number of pixels from 640 × 480 to 160 × 120 so that the number of pixels is ¼) is applied to the U and V components and stored in the work area ( Step E3). In this case, for example, the data in the work area is as shown in FIG. 12B before the pixel number conversion processing when a part of FIG. The number of pixels is reduced in accordance with the conversion formula shown below. This conversion formula is a conversion formula when the number of pixels is ¼. For the U and V components whose number of pixels has been reduced by the number of pixels conversion process, the number of pixels conversion process is performed again to increase the number of pixels (160 × 120 → 640 × 480) and stored in the print data area. (Step E4). In this way, spike noise can be suppressed by performing processing to decrease and increase the number of pixels once for the U component and the V component. As a result, the color noise of the image sensor is reduced by a special color noise. It can be reduced without using means.
[0034]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the same processes as those in FIG. Steps E3 in FIG. 13 are the same as those in FIG. After the pixel number conversion process in step E3, LPF is applied to the U component and V component stored in the work area (step F1). This LPF processing is executed by performing an operation as shown in FIG. 14 for all pixels, for example. This LPF process can relieve pixels having extremely different hues such as spike noise. Then, since the pixel number is converted back to the original number by the pixel number conversion process (step E4), the effect of the present invention is further obtained. Since the processing after step E4 is the same as that in FIG. 10, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0035]
As described above, according to the present invention, the noise of the image sensor is reduced without requiring a dedicated color reduction means by performing the pixel number conversion process twice (pixel number decrease → pixel number increase twice). can do. Furthermore, color noise can be reduced more effectively by performing LPF after the first pixel number conversion process.
[0036]
FIG. 15 shows a schematic block diagram of processing according to the present invention. FIG. 15A is a conventional processing block diagram. FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C are processing blocks corresponding to FIG. 10 and FIG. 13 of the present invention, respectively, from JPEG expansion to matrix conversion. In FIG. 15A, the JPEG file is JPEG-decompressed and YUV components are output. Of these, LPF processing is performed on the two components of UV, the processed U′V ′ component and Y component are subjected to matrix conversion, converted into RGB components, and image processing for the printer is performed. Is output. In this case, the LPF has to process all of the UV components that have been subjected to JPEG decompression, so that the scale becomes very large and there is a problem in terms of cost and processing. On the other hand, in the present invention, first, in FIG. 15B, the color noise is reduced only by performing the pixel number conversion process only twice for the two components of UV (first implementation). Corresponding to the form). In this way, color noise can be reduced without requiring a new configuration. Furthermore, in FIG. 15C, since the LPF processing is performed after the number of pixels is once reduced by the pixel number conversion processing, it is necessary to perform the LPF processing for all the UV components decompressed by JPEG as in the prior art. Therefore, even if LPF processing is performed, the scale can be reduced (corresponding to the second embodiment).
[0037]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. In the above embodiment, the electronic camera with a built-in printer has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to an electronic camera without a built-in printer. In this case, as in the above embodiment, the print image processing of FIGS. 10 and 13 is performed to obtain print image data. This print image data is output to the external printer by the output means of the external I / F 26 and the external input / output terminal 25. Is configured to output.
Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
By converting the number of pixels so as to reduce the image first, and then converting the number of pixels so as to enlarge the image for only the color component data by the pixel number conversion means, the inherent color noise of the image sensor is reduced. Reduced. That is, in the present invention, the pixel number conversion means that the electronic camera normally has for the display on the display device and the change of the image size is also used for reducing the color noise of the print image. Therefore, the cost and size can be reduced.
[0039]
Since the image data processed as described above is output to an external printer or a built-in printer, good printing with reduced color noise is possible with the external printer or the built-in printer.
[0040]
By applying a compression (encoding) method that uses luminance component data and color component data converted from image data, the decompressed color component data can be used directly for color noise reduction, and color noise reduction is performed separately. For this reason, no color component data generating means is required, so that the cost and size can be reduced.
[0041]
High-frequency color noise such as spike noise can be further effectively reduced by the low-pass filter processing. Further, since the low-pass filter processing is performed on the color component data whose number of pixels has been converted so as to reduce the image, the processing can be performed at high speed, and the filter size can be reduced.
[0042]
Since the pixel number conversion means for changing the image size to fit the recording paper at the time of printing is also used to reduce the color noise of the printed image, there is no need for a separate means for reducing the color noise and the cost is low. And miniaturization can be achieved.
[0043]
When image data is converted into luminance component data and color component data and then compressed and recorded on a recording medium, the decompressed color component data can be used directly for color noise reduction. Since no color component data generating means for reducing color noise is required, the cost and size can be reduced.
[0044]
High-frequency color noise such as spike noise can be further effectively reduced by the low-pass filter processing. Further, since the low-pass filter processing is performed on the color component data whose number of pixels has been converted so as to reduce the image, the processing can be performed at high speed, and the filter size can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic camera having a printer function to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic camera.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a printer.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a built-in memory 35 applied to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an operation flow of the electronic camera.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a basic shooting flow.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a basic print flow.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a display example of a four-frame thumbnail image.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of image processing for display.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining USM processing.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining pixel number conversion processing according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining LPF processing;
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of processing according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Camera body
11 ... Zoom lens system
12 ... Image sensor
13 ... Imaging circuit
14 ... A / D converter
20 ... Memory card
21 ... Card slot
25 ... External input / output terminal
26 ... External interface
30 ... LCD for image display
31 ... Video output terminal
32. Video output circuit
33 ... Video memory
35 ... Built-in memory
36 ... ROM
40 ... ASIC
45 ... Line memory
46 ... LCD control circuit
50 ... Syscon
56: Strobe light emitting section
57. Lens drive control circuit
58 ... Lens drive
60 ... operation unit
61 ... Release button
62 ... Mode switch
63 ... Zoom lever
64 ... Cross key
65 ... Print button
66 ... LED
67 ... LCD shutter
70 ... Power supply
71 ... Battery
72: External power input terminal
80 ... Film cartridge
81. Film driving circuit
82. Film drive control circuit
83 ... F battery
84 ... Print cartridge lid
85 ... Film

Claims (8)

An imaging means for photoelectrically converting the imaged subject image to obtain electronic image data;
Recording means for recording image data obtained by the imaging means on a recording medium;
Conversion means for converting image data obtained by the imaging means into luminance component data and color component data;
A pixel number converting means for converting the number of pixels of the image data in order to change the image size at the time of display on the display device based on the image data or at the time of recording the image data;
The pixel number converting means converts the number of pixels after converting the number of pixels so as to reduce the image by calculating an average value for each of a plurality of adjacent pixels for the color component data read from the recording medium. An electronic camera characterized by converting the number of pixels so as to enlarge an image with respect to the color component data.   2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising output means for outputting print image data including color component data converted by the pixel number conversion means to an external printer.   2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising a printing unit for printing an image based on print image data including the color component data converted by the pixel number conversion unit. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Compression means for compressing and obtaining compressed image data in order to record the luminance component data and the color component data on the recording medium;
Decompression means for decompressing the compressed image data read from the recording medium to obtain luminance component data and color component data;
The pixel number conversion unit converts the number of pixels so as to reduce the image by calculating an average value for each of a plurality of adjacent pixels for the color component data obtained by the expansion unit, and then reduces the reduced color An electronic camera that converts the number of pixels so as to enlarge an image of component data. The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Low-pass filter processing means for performing low-pass filter processing on the color component data reduced by the pixel number conversion means,
The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the pixel number conversion unit converts the number of pixels so as to enlarge an image of the color component data subjected to low-pass filter processing by the low-pass filter processing unit. A mounting means for mounting a recording medium on which image data is recorded;
Print means for printing an image based on image data read from the recording medium attached to the attachment means;
In order to print the image by the printing means, a pixel number conversion means for converting the number of pixels of the image data,
The pixel number converting means converts the pixel number so as to reduce the image by calculating an average value for each of a plurality of adjacent pixels for the color component data of the image data read from the recording medium, and then reduces the image A printer, wherein the number of pixels is converted so as to enlarge an image of the color component data that has been processed. The printer according to claim 6, further comprising decompression means for decompressing compressed data including luminance component data and color component data read from the recording medium to obtain luminance component data and color component data,
The pixel number conversion unit converts the number of pixels so as to reduce the image by calculating an average value for each of a plurality of adjacent pixels for the color component data obtained by the expansion unit, and then reduces the reduced color component A printer characterized by converting the number of pixels so as to enlarge an image of data. The printer according to claim 6 or 7,
Low-pass filter processing means for performing low-pass filter processing on the color component data reduced by the pixel number conversion means,
The printer according to claim 1, wherein the pixel number conversion means converts the number of pixels so as to enlarge an image of the color component data subjected to low-pass filter processing by the low-pass filter processing means.

Images