Data processing method, data processing apparatus, mask generation method, and mask pattern

摘要

The present invention provides a mask for divided printing that completes an image by plural scans using inks of different plural inks, the mask being able to suppress possible grains during printing to reduce image degradation resulting from beading. If for example, among the print permitting pixels for which the total repulsive potential is to be calculated, a print permitting pixel Do has the highest total repulsive potential, changes in repulsive potential after movement of the pixels are determined and the print permitting pixel Do is moved to a pixel having the lowest total repulsive potential after the movement. This processing is repeated to enable a reduction in the total energy of the entire plane. Consequently, the print permitting pixels are appropriately dispersed in overlapping plane masks so as to have few low frequency components.

主权项

1. A data processing method id="REI-00002" date="20150203" for generating image data which is used for plural printing scans of first and second nozzle groups for ejecting ink, relative to a predetermined area of a print medium, said methodid="REI-00002" comprising:
a first dividing step of dividing first image data indicative of a first image to be printed on thea predetermined area of a print medium by thea first nozzle group into a plurality of divided image data used for the plural printing scans of the first nozzle group relative to the predetermined area, by using a first pattern group having plural mask patterns corresponding to the plural printing scans; and a second dividing step of dividing second image data indicative of the second image to be printed on the predetermined area by thea second nozzle group into a plurality of divided image data used for the plural printing scans of the second nozzle group relative to the predetermined area, by using a second pattern group having plural mask patterns corresponding to the plural printing scans, wherein an arrangement of print permitting pixels in one mask pattern, of the first pattern group, which is used for a predetermined printing scan of the plural printing scans, is different from an arrangement of print permitting pixels in one mask pattern, of the second pattern group, which is used for the predetermined printing scan, and wherein an amount of low frequency components of an arrangement pattern of print permitting pixels obtained by a logical product of the one mask pattern of the first pattern group and the one mask pattern of the second pattern group based on a correspondence relationship of the two mask patterns when the two mask patterns are used are feweris less than thatan amount of low frequency components of another arrangement pattern of print permitting pixels obtained by a logical product of the one mask pattern of the first pattern group and the one mask pattern of the second pattern group based on a correspondence relationship different from the correspondence relationship of the two mask patterns when the two mask patterns are used.