JP6015230B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

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

  In Patent Document 1, an object is to provide an image recording apparatus that can be downsized without degrading image quality, and an ink droplet is ejected from a recording head array onto a sheet to record an image. A print clock signal corrected by correction data for one period (one rotation of the driving roll) is generated from the reference position of the reference position detection sensor as a starting point in accordance with a change in the conveyance speed by the image recording timing control mechanism to generate a print timing The print timing generation mechanism generates a corrected print clock signal using the drive roll reference position signal from the reference position detection sensor as a trigger, and outputs it to the inkjet recording head. Thus, the image recording timing is output to each of the generation mechanisms. Since the control mechanism controls the image recording timing according to the conveyance speed fluctuation with periodicity, the print density unevenness Can be eliminated is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that in continuous image recording using continuous paper, an ink jet printer capable of performing preliminary ejection without reducing the image recording speed maintains a constant image quality regardless of environmental changes. An image recording method in an ink jet printer for recording image data on a predetermined recording medium by ejecting ink from a plurality of nozzles arranged in a recording head, which affects the viscosity of ink in the nozzles Obtaining the information about the factor that gives the viscosity, the step of determining the preliminary ejection interval for ejecting the thickened ink based on the obtained information, and the determined interval, the image And a step of performing the preliminary ejection at the time of data image recording.

JP 2007-283644 A JP 2006-289748 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program in which pixels for performing preliminary ejection are set aperiodically so that pixels for performing preliminary ejection do not become periodic by performing screen processing. It is said.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image receiving means for receiving an image, a non-periodic screen mask in which pixels for preliminary ejection are embedded, and a screen mask adjacent to the screen mask are used for the pixels in the screen mask for preliminary ejection. performing a generating unit said position by shifting the position to generate differently screen mask group, with respect to the image received by the image receiving means, the screen processing by the screen mask group generated by said generating means An image processing apparatus comprising processing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the generation unit generates a screen mask so that all pixels in the screen mask are pixels that perform preliminary ejection in a predetermined number of screen masks. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the generating unit generates a screen mask as a pixel for performing preliminary ejection so as to be a pixel in a blank area in the image received by the receiving unit. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the generation unit generates the screen mask so that a pixel in which the number of times of ejection from the nozzle is less than or less than a predetermined number is a pixel that performs preliminary ejection. Item 4. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the generation means generates a screen mask so as to be located at a pixel other than the outer periphery of the screen mask as a pixel to be preliminarily ejected. The image processing apparatus according to item 1.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the pixel for performing preliminary ejection of a screen mask at an adjacent position is on the outer periphery, the generating unit generates the screen mask so as not to be a pixel adjacent to the pixel. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the processing means inserts a blank area between adjacent screen masks that perform screen processing. It is.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer including an image receiving means for receiving an image, a non-periodic screen mask in which pixels for preliminary ejection are embedded, and a screen mask adjacent to the screen mask for performing preliminary ejection . screen generating means for generating a screen mask groups such that the different positions by shifting the position of a pixel, with respect to the image received by the image receiving means, by screen mask group generated by said generating means in It is an image processing program for functioning as processing means for performing processing.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, it is possible to prevent the pixels that perform preliminary ejection from becoming periodic.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, preliminary ejection is performed from all the heads.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to prevent the preliminary ejection from being performed on the ejected head.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to generate the screen mask so that pixels in which the number of times of ejection from the nozzle is less than or less than a predetermined number are pixels that perform preliminary ejection.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to generate the screen mask so that the pixels for the preliminary ejection are located at pixels other than the outer periphery of the screen mask.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, when a pixel for performing preliminary ejection of a screen mask at an adjacent position is on the outer periphery, the screen mask can be generated so as not to be a pixel adjacent to the pixel.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, it is possible to insert a blank area between adjacent screen masks for performing screen processing.

  According to the image processing program of the eighth aspect, it is possible to prevent the pixels that perform preliminary ejection from becoming periodic.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen mask. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of FM screen mask. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of AM screen mask. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen mask group. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship example of an image and a screen mask. It is explanatory drawing which shows the positional relationship example of an image and a screen mask. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the pixel in which preliminary discharge was performed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example which prevents discharging with the pixel adjacent between screen masks. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

First, before explaining the present embodiment, a basic technique and related techniques will be described. This description is intended to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment.
In general, an image processing apparatus such as a printer is required to perform high-quality image recording with high resolution at high speed. In the case of an ink jet printer that is an image processing apparatus that records an image by discharging ink droplets, the viscosity changes from time to time depending on the environmental temperature, the standing time, etc. in order to handle liquid ink. It has a great effect on image recording.

  In general, in order to avoid such a problem and improve the stability of image recording, an ink jet printer performs an operation called preliminary ejection (also referred to as a dummy jet). Preliminary ejection is independent of image recording of image data. Ink ejection is performed at a predetermined timing, and fresh ink is supplied into unused nozzles, thereby recording images such as bubbles, dust, or evaporation. This is a process for removing various factors that cause ejection defects such as ink that is no longer suitable for printing, and always maintaining a state suitable for image recording.

  Examples of the preliminary ejection method include a method in which ink is ejected to a predetermined ink receiver constituted by an ink absorber or the like. In such a method for ejecting ink to the ink receiver, when continuous images such as roll paper are continuously recorded, it is necessary to temporarily stop the image recording operation and eject the ink to a predetermined ink receiver. In addition, since the image recording speed is reduced, the technique described in Patent Document 1 proposes a method of printing a ladder pattern at a predetermined position on a paper surface. However, since the printed ladder pattern is originally unnecessary, cutting from the output is performed.

  Further, the technique described in Patent Document 2 describes a method of performing preliminary ejection at a predetermined interval on a paper surface. With this method, it is unnecessary to reduce the image recording speed and to cut the output paper. However, since the periodic preliminary ejection is performed, the image quality is affected.

Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example of the present embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. It is the control to be stored in the device. Modules may correspond to functions one-to-one, but in mounting, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module May be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. In addition, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / state at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the situation / state up to that point. When there are a plurality of “predetermined values”, they may be different values, or two or more values (of course, including all values) may be the same. In addition, the description having the meaning of “do B when it is A” is used in the meaning of “determine whether or not it is A and do B when it is judged as A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded.
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is also included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, when printing an image, performs preliminary ejection in the image. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the image receiving module 110, screen mask extraction A module 120, a screen mask storage module 130, a preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140, a screen processing module 150, and an image output module 160 are provided.

In this embodiment, a screen mask is used for the preliminary ejection print pattern. The screen mask compares the target image with the screen mask and determines pixels that are turned on (pixels that eject ink droplets, pixels that are lit) and pixels that are turned off (pixels that do not eject ink droplets). Here, this processing is called screen processing. FIG. 3 shows an example of the screen mask 300.
Usually, the arrangement of the threshold values in the screen mask can be freely set. An FM (Frency Modulation) screen mask having no regularity, such as the FM screen mask 400 illustrated in FIG. 4, or an AM screen mask illustrated in FIG. It can be roughly classified into AM (Amplitude Modulation) screen masks having regularity such as 500. The FM screen is a halftone dot pattern using a frequency modulation technique. The AM screen is a halftone dot pattern in which the density of an image is expressed by the size of halftone dots (dots).
If an AM screen mask such as the AM screen mask 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 is used for the preliminary ejection pattern, regularity is noticeable and the image quality is deteriorated. Therefore, in this embodiment, an FM screen having no regularity such as the FM screen mask 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is used.

  However, a screen mask having a single size that is large enough to cover the entire image is not usually used. For example, in order to cover the A3 size with a resolution of 600 dpi (Dot Per Inch), a size of about 7000 × 10000 is necessary. However, if such a large screen mask can be applied, the mounting cost increases. Generally, a screen mask (matrix) is laid out like a tile to cover the entire image area, as in the screen mask group 600 illustrated in FIG. )

On the other hand, when the preliminary ejection is distributed over the entire image, the ratio of the number of ejected pixels to the entire image is not so high. The actual amount required depends on the characteristics of the ink and head used and the environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) where the image processing device is located, but the required printing amount is approximately 0.02%. is there. If the matrix size is 40000 (200 × 200), if it is 0.02%, the lighting amount is 8 pixels per mask.
In order to realize this, for example, eight pixels are selected from the smaller threshold values in the screen mask and lighted regardless of the pixel value of the image, so that the preliminary ejection of the non-periodic pattern can be applied to the entire image.

  The image reception module 110 is connected to the screen processing module 150. The image reception module 110 receives an image and passes the image to the screen processing module 150. Accepting an image means, for example, reading an image with a scanner, a camera, etc., receiving an image from an external device via a communication line by fax, etc., a hard disk (in addition to what is built in a computer, via a network) And the like, and the like read out the images stored in the device etc.). The image may be a multi-value image (including a color image). One image may be received or a plurality of images may be received. Further, the contents of the image may be a document used for business, a pamphlet for advertisement, or the like.

The screen mask storage module 130 is connected to the screen mask extraction module 120. The screen mask storage module 130 stores a screen mask to be applied to the image. For example, one type of screen mask may be stored, or a plurality of types of screen masks adapted to the image may be stored.
The screen mask extraction module 120 is connected to the screen mask storage module 130 and the preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140. The screen mask extraction module 120 extracts a screen mask from the screen mask storage module 130. For example, a screen mask corresponding to an image received by the image receiving module 110 may be extracted. In particular, a non-periodic screen mask is extracted. As an aperiodic screen mask, for example, there is an FM screen mask.

  The preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 is connected to the screen mask extraction module 120 and the screen processing module 150. The preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 generates a non-periodic screen mask in which pixels for preliminary ejection are embedded. That is, the pixels for preliminary ejection are combined with the screen mask extracted by the screen mask extraction module 120. The process of “compositing pixels to be subjected to preliminary ejection” means that the corresponding pixel in the screen mask is lit regardless of the pixel value in the image received by the image receiving module 110 (head (nozzle) corresponding to the pixel). The value in the screen mask is changed so that the ink droplets are ejected from the screen. Specifically, the threshold value in the screen mask corresponding to the pixel is set to “0” or a negative number. For example, as described above, eight pixels are selected from the smaller threshold values in the screen mask, and the threshold values of the pixels are set to “0” or a negative number.

However, with this alone, since the lighting position in the screen mask is the same in the sub-scanning direction, there is a possibility that the lighting pixels are concentrated on the specific nozzle. Furthermore, since all the lighting pixels in units of screen masks are the same, a periodic pattern may be noticed as a whole.
Therefore, the preliminary ejection pixel composition module 140 may generate a screen mask so that the position of the pixel that performs preliminary ejection is different from the adjacent screen mask. Here, “adjacent screen masks” refer to any one or more screen masks in front and rear (left and right) and upper and lower. Note that the screen masks are adjacent to each other when the screen processing is performed on the image, the screen mask at the position where the screen processing was performed immediately before is the screen mask adjacent to the front (left), and the screen processing is performed immediately after. The screen mask at the next position is the next (right) screen mask, and the screen mask at the position where the screen processing is performed immediately above the position where the current screen processing is performed in the previous row is the upper screen mask. The screen mask at the position where the screen processing is performed immediately below the position where the current screen processing is performed in the next line is the screen mask adjacent to the lower side. In addition, it is good also considering the screen mask adjacent to the screen mask before (left) as a screen mask adjacent to the screen mask next to the upper next.
The preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 may generate a screen mask so that all pixels in the screen mask are pixels that perform preliminary ejection in a predetermined number of screen masks. Here, the “predetermined number” may be a fixed number or the number of screen masks applied to one image.

  For example, the pre-ejection lighting pixels are shifted for each screen mask. More specifically, when the size of the screen mask is 40000 (200 × 200) and the printing amount of the preliminary ejection is 0.02%, the screen mask 1 has thresholds 1 to 8 as the preliminary ejection pixels, and the screen mask. The pixels for preliminary ejection are changed so that the threshold values 9 to 16 are preliminarily ejected pixels as 2 and the threshold values 17 to 24 are preliminarily ejected pixels as the screen mask 3.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, from the relationship between the size of the screen mask and the size of the image 700, when the horizontal width of the image is not a multiple of the horizontal width of the screen mask (when the screen mask is over at the right edge of the image), In the line one row below, the screen mask position is offset to the left by over to avoid duplication. More specifically, as shown in the example of FIG. 7, the screen mask N (first row right end) 710 in the upper row is applied as the screen mask N (second row left end) 720 in the lower row. To do. That is, as shown in the example of FIG. 8A, the screen mask in-screen image application region 810 of the screen mask N (first row right end) 710 is applied to the image 700, and in the next lower row, FIG. ) In the screen mask image application area 840 (screen mask N (first row right end) 710) of the same screen mask N (second row left end) 720 as the screen mask N (first row right end) 710. The same as the in-screen mask image over region 820).
As an example, if the total area of the screen mask is 200 × 200 = 40000 and the required pre-ejection printing amount is 8 pixels, 40000 ÷ 8 is 5000 patterns. When the screen processing is completed and there is a portion that has not been subjected to the screen processing yet, the screen mask 1 is repeated again.

From here, exception processing based on the above-described processing will be described.
The first exception processing is “restriction of dummy jet print pixels”. The print amount of 0.02% shown as the above-described example may cause excessive supply of preliminary ejection for an image with high coverage. As countermeasures, (1-1) preliminary ejection is performed on a portion (blank area) where there is no image, and (1-2) preliminary ejection is performed only when the average ejection amount in units of nozzles falls below a predetermined threshold. Process. This may be achieved by thinning out the preliminarily ejected pixels. However, it may be configured to be switchable by a parameter or the like so that it can be discharged evenly throughout.

  The preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 may generate a screen mask as a pixel for preliminary ejection so as to be a pixel in the blank area in the image received by the image reception module 110. This is for performing the above-described processing (1-1). The preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 refers to the image received by the image receiving module 110 and determines whether or not the area in the image to which the screen mask to be generated is applied is a blank area. A mask may be generated.

  The preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 may generate a screen mask so that pixels for which the number of ejections from the nozzle is less than or less than a predetermined number are pixels that perform preliminary ejection. This is for performing the above-described processing (1-2). Therefore, the preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 may measure the number of ejections for each nozzle. The predetermined number of times may be a fixed number, a number according to the size (number of pixels) of a target image, or a number within a predetermined period. May be.

  The second exception processing is “to eliminate the possibility that pixels to be preliminarily ejected are adjacent on the outer periphery of the screen mask”. Although the possibility is not high, for example, in the screen mask 300 as shown in FIG. 3, there is a possibility that the lighted pixels of the screen masks 300 that are adjacent in the vertical and horizontal directions are adjacent to each other. For example, this is the case where the threshold value 2 pixel in the second rightmost row of the screen mask 300 and the threshold value 201 pixel in the second leftmost row of the screen mask 300 to be applied are selected as the preliminary ejection pixels. Preliminary ejection, which was not conspicuous with one pixel, may be noticeable when two pixels are adjacent. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The image 900 has document composition areas 910, 920, 930, and 940. When the screen mask group 950 is applied to the image 900 as in the example of FIG. 9A, pixels that perform preliminary ejection may continue in the region 960 that is the boundary between the screen mask C and the screen mask F. As in the example of FIG. 9B, the region 960 includes preliminary ejection pixels 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, and 966. The preliminary ejection pixels 963 are larger than the other pixels that perform preliminary ejection because the pixels that perform preliminary ejection of the screen mask C and the pixels that perform preliminary ejection of the screen mask F are continuous. In order to prevent this, (2-1) remove one or more lines on the outer periphery of the screen mask, (2-2) remove if the preliminary ejection pixels are adjacent, and (2-3) change the screen mask layout to matrix size + n ( n is an integer of 1 or more).

  The preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 may generate a screen mask so as to be a pixel other than the outer periphery of the screen mask as a pixel for preliminary ejection. This is for performing the above-described process (2-1). For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, pixels that perform preliminary ejection may be arranged only in the screen mask internal area 1020, which is an area excluding the outer periphery of the screen mask 1010. The space between the screen mask 1010 and the screen mask inner region 1020 (the outer peripheral portion of the screen mask 1010) may be one line or more.

  The preliminary ejection pixel compositing module 140 may generate a screen mask so that a pixel that performs preliminary ejection of a screen mask at an adjacent position is on the outer periphery so as not to be a pixel adjacent to the pixel. This is for performing the above-described process (2-2). “When the pixels that perform preliminary ejection of screen masks at adjacent positions are on the outer periphery” refers to the outer periphery on the side in contact with the target screen mask. Specifically, in the front (left) adjacent screen mask, the pixel on the outer periphery which is the right side is referred to, and in the rear (right) adjacent screen mask, the pixel on the outer periphery which is the left side is referred to. Means the pixel on the outer periphery which is the lower side, and the pixel on the outer periphery which is the upper side in the lower screen mask. Further, only the front (left) adjacent screen mask and the upper adjacent screen mask may be targeted. The preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 determines whether or not the pixels that perform preliminary ejection of the screen masks at adjacent positions are on the outer periphery, and if they are on the outer periphery, the positions are set so that the pixels that perform preliminary ejection are not continuous. Change it.

The screen processing module 150 is connected to the image receiving module 110, the preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140, and the image output module 160. The screen processing module 150 performs screen processing on the image received by the image receiving module 110 using the screen mask generated by the preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140.
The screen processing module 150 may insert a blank area between adjacent screen masks for screen processing. This is for performing the above-described process (2-3). For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, a screen mask 1030 is applied, which is in the arrangement area 1040, and the adjacent screen mask is twice as large as the area between the arrangement area 1040 and the screen mask 1030. You will be at a distance.

  The image output module 160 is connected to the screen processing module 150. The image output module 160 outputs the image screen-processed by the screen processing module 150. Specifically, the printing process is performed by an inkjet printer. For example, it includes printing as a printer, receiving and printing an image as an image transmission apparatus such as a fax machine, copying as a copying machine, and the like.

Next, a processing example according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S202, the image reception module 110 receives an image.
In step S <b> 204, the screen mask extraction module 120 extracts a screen mask from the screen mask storage module 130.
In step S206, the preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140 synthesizes the preliminary ejection pixels on the screen mask.
In step S208, the screen processing module 150 performs screen processing on the image.
In step S210, the screen processing module 150 determines whether or not screen processing has been performed on the entire image. If it has been performed, the process proceeds to step S212. Otherwise, the process returns to step S204.
In step S212, the image output module 160 outputs the screen-processed image.

  A hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 11 is configured by a personal computer (PC), for example, and shows a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1117 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1118 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1101 includes various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, the image reception module 110, the screen mask extraction module 120, the preliminary ejection pixel synthesis module 140, the screen processing module 150, and the image output module 160. The control unit executes processing according to a computer program describing an execution sequence of each module.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1102 stores programs used by the CPU 1101, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1103 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1101, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1104 including a CPU bus.

  The host bus 1104 is connected to an external bus 1106 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 1105.

  A keyboard 1108 and a pointing device 1109 such as a mouse are input devices operated by an operator. The display 1110 includes a liquid crystal display device or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text or image information.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1111 includes a hard disk, drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1101 and information. The hard disk stores information such as an image, a screen mask pattern, and a position of a pixel to be preliminarily ejected in the screen mask. Further, various computer programs such as various other data processing programs are stored.

  The drive 1112 reads out data or a program recorded in a removable recording medium 1113 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and the data or program is read out as an interface 1107 and an external bus 1106. , A bridge 1105, and a RAM 1103 connected via a host bus 1104. The removable recording medium 1113 can also be used as a data recording area similar to the hard disk.

  The connection port 1114 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1115 and has a connection unit such as USB or IEEE1394. The connection port 1114 is connected to the CPU 1101 and the like via the interface 1107, the external bus 1106, the bridge 1105, the host bus 1104, and the like. The communication unit 1116 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1117 is a scanner, for example, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1118 is a printer, for example, and executes document data output processing.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 11 shows one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 11, and the modules described in this embodiment are executed. Any configuration is possible. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line In addition, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 11 may be connected to each other via a communication line so as to cooperate with each other. Further, it may be incorporated in a copying machine, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, a multifunction machine (an image processing apparatus having any two or more functions of a scanner, a printer, a copying machine, a fax machine, etc.).

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
The program or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, etc., or wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Image reception module 120 ... Screen mask extraction module 130 ... Screen mask storage module 140 ... Preliminary ejection pixel composition module 150 ... Screen processing module 160 ... Image output module

Claims (8)

Image receiving means for receiving images;
Embedded pixel the preliminary ejection non-periodic in a screen mask and the said positions are different so the screen mask group by shifting the position of a pixel in the screen mask to perform preliminary ejection in the screen mask and the adjacent screen mask Generating means for generating
An image processing apparatus comprising: processing means for performing screen processing on the image received by the image receiving means using the screen mask group generated by the generating means. 2. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the screen mask so that all pixels in the screen mask are pixels that perform preliminary ejection in a predetermined number of screen masks. 3. apparatus. The said generation means produces | generates a screen mask as a pixel which performs preliminary discharge so that it may become a pixel in the blank area | region within the image received by the said reception means. Image processing apparatus. 4. The screen generator according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the screen mask so that a pixel in which the number of times of ejection from the nozzle is less than or less than a predetermined number is a pixel that performs preliminary ejection. 5. The image processing apparatus according to one item. 5. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates a screen mask so as to be a position of a pixel other than the outer periphery of the screen mask as a pixel to be preliminarily ejected. apparatus. 5. The generation unit according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates a screen mask so as not to be a pixel adjacent to the pixel when a pixel for performing preliminary ejection of the screen mask at an adjacent position is on the outer periphery. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above. The processing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a blank area is inserted between adjacent screen masks that perform screen processing. Computer
Image receiving means for receiving images;
Embedded pixel the preliminary ejection non-periodic in a screen mask and the said positions are different so the screen mask group by shifting the position of a pixel in the screen mask to perform preliminary ejection in the screen mask and the adjacent screen mask Generating means for generating
An image processing program for causing an image received by the image receiving unit to function as a processing unit that performs screen processing using a screen mask group generated by the generating unit.

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