PRINTING CONTROL APPARATUS AND PRINTING CONTROL METHOD
First Claim
1. A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus which can print the same pixel by using a plurality of print elements arrayed in a predetermined direction on a print head, the print head and a print medium being movable relatively along the predetermined direction, an unit area on the print medium being printed by one relative moving between the print head and printing medium, the printing control apparatus comprising:
- a quantizing unit configured to quantize input image data by dithering;
a distributing unit configured to create image data to be distributed to each of the plurality of print elements from the quantized image data by using a plurality of distribution patterns, the plurality of distribution patterns corresponding to the plurality of print elements and determining a portion to be printed by each of the plurality of print elements, the distribution unit being switchable the distribution patterns to be used such that the portion to be printed by the print element is changed; and
a control unit configured to control the print elements based on the image data to be distributed to the print elements.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a printing apparatus capable of printing the same pixel by a plurality of print elements, a print speed is increased, and further, a partial frequency of use of each of the print elements is reduced, so as to prolong the lifetime of the print head. In view of this, dithering is used as a pseudo-halftone representing method, and further, a distribution pattern for use in creating image data to be distributed to each of the plurality of print elements is switched.
13 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus which can print the same pixel by using a plurality of print elements arrayed in a predetermined direction on a print head, the print head and a print medium being movable relatively along the predetermined direction, an unit area on the print medium being printed by one relative moving between the print head and printing medium, the printing control apparatus comprising:
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a quantizing unit configured to quantize input image data by dithering; a distributing unit configured to create image data to be distributed to each of the plurality of print elements from the quantized image data by using a plurality of distribution patterns, the plurality of distribution patterns corresponding to the plurality of print elements and determining a portion to be printed by each of the plurality of print elements, the distribution unit being switchable the distribution patterns to be used such that the portion to be printed by the print element is changed; and a control unit configured to control the print elements based on the image data to be distributed to the print elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A printing control method of controlling a printing apparatus which can print the same pixel by using a plurality of print elements arrayed in a predetermined direction on a print head, the print head and a print medium being movable relatively along the predetermined direction, an unit area on the print medium being printed by one relative moving between the print head and printing medium, the printing control method comprising:
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a quantizing step of quantizing input image data by dithering; a distributing step of creating image data to be distributed to each of the plurality of print elements from the quantized image data by using a plurality of distribution patterns, the plurality of distribution patterns corresponding to the plurality of print elements and determining a portion to be printed by each of the plurality of print elements, the distribution step being switchable the distribution patterns to be used such that the portion to be printed by the print element is changed; and a control step of controlling the print elements based on the image data to be distributed to the print elements.
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Specification