IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE

• US 20140292873A1
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: SUZUKI, Katsuaki
• Granted Patent: US 9,114,610 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/15
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/12 testing or correcting charge or deflection
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1868 for fitting to an output condition, e.g. paper colour or format
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1878 Adjusting colours image colour correction or control for documents in general H04N1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/40087 Multi-toning, i.e. converting a continuous-tone signal for reproduction with more than two discrete brightnesses or optical densities, e.g. dots of grey and black inks on white paper
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4052 by error diffusion, i.e. transferring the binarising error to neighbouring dot decisions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/407 Control or modification of tonal gradation or of extreme levels, e.g. background level

Abstract

A corrector performs designating a target pixel belonging to a pixel array corresponding to an ejection port, the target pixel being designated sequentially as one of pixels arranged in an array direction, the pixel array being formed with the pixels in the N-value image data corresponding to dots formed by the ejection port respectively, allocating a corresponding one of N representative tone values out of L tone values of L tones to a tone value of the target pixel of the N-value image data, adding the correction value to a representative tone value of the target pixel, thereby obtaining a corrected tone value of the target pixel, quantizing the corrected tone value of the target pixel to N tones; and diffusing an error generated in quantizing the corrected tone value to the corrected tone value of an adjacent pixel adjacent to the target pixel in the array direction.

Claims

1. An image processing device configured to generate input image data used in a liquid ejecting device including:

a liquid ejecting head having an ejection port for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium;

a moving mechanism configured to move at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the recording medium such that a relative positional relationship of the liquid ejecting head and the recording medium varies with respect to a predetermined direction; and

a recording controller configured to control the liquid ejecting head and the moving mechanism based on the input image data in which tone values of respective pixels corresponding to dots on one recording medium are represented by N tones (N is an integer greater than or equal to two) such that liquid of liquid amounts associated with the tone values of the respective pixels in the input image data is ejected to positions of dots corresponding to the respective pixels, the image processing device comprising;

a correction-value memory storing a correction value in association with the ejection port, the correction value being for correcting variations in the liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection port;

a quantizer configured to generate N-value image data from M-value image data, the M-value image data being image data in which tone values of respective pixels corresponding to dots on one recording medium are represented by M tones (M is an integer greater than the integer N), the N-value image data being image data in which tone values of respective pixels are represented by N tones; and

a corrector configured to correct the N-value image data generated by the quantizer based on the correction value, thereby generating the input image data,

wherein the corrector is configured to perform;

designating a target pixel belonging to a pixel array corresponding to the ejection port, the target pixel being designated, sequentially from one end to an other end of the pixel array, as one of a plurality of pixels arranged in an array direction of the pixel array, the pixel array being formed with the plurality of pixels in the N-value image data corresponding to a plurality of dots formed by the ejection port respectively;

allocating a corresponding one of N representative tone values out of L tone values of L tones (L is an integer greater than the integer N) to a tone value of the target pixel of the N-value image data generated by the quantizer;

adding the correction value to a representative tone value of the target pixel, thereby obtaining a corrected tone value of the target pixel;

quantizing the corrected tone value of the target pixel to N tones; and

diffusing an error generated in quantizing the corrected tone value to the corrected tone value of an adjacent pixel adjacent to the target pixel in the array direction.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the integer L is an integer greater than or equal to the integer M.

3. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the representative tone values corresponding to respective ones of any two tones of N tones in the N-value image data is same as a ratio of liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection port associated with the respective ones of the any two tones.

4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the representative tone values corresponding to respective ones of any two tones of N tones in the N-value image data is same as a ratio of optical densities of dots that are formed when liquid of liquid amounts associated with the respective ones of the any two tones is ejected onto the recording medium.

5. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the integer N is an integer greater than or equal to three;

wherein the correction-value memory stores N correction values for one ejection port so as to correspond to respective ones of N tones of the N-value image data; and

wherein the N correction values of the ejection port are stored in the correction-value memory such that a correction value corresponding to one of N tones of the N-value image data associated with a larger liquid amount has a larger absolute value.

6. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting head has a plurality of ejection ports;

and

wherein the correction-value memory is configured to store a plurality of correction values in association with respective ones of the plurality of ejection ports, the plurality of correction values being values for correcting variations in the liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the respective ones of the plurality of ejection ports;

7. The image processing device according to claim 6, further comprising an extractor configured to perform at least one of:

extracting a target pixel as a tone holding pixel in a case where tone values of all pixels adjacent to the target pixel in the N-value image data are tone values indicating that liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection ports are associated with zero and where a tone value of the target pixel is a tone value indicating that a liquid amount of liquid ejected from the ejection port is associated with a liquid amount larger than zero; and

extracting the target pixel as the tone holding pixel in a case where tone values of the target pixel and adjacent pixels adjacent to the target pixel in one direction are tone values indicating that liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection ports are associated with liquid amounts larger than zero and where tone values of all adjacent pixels adjacent to the target pixel in directions other than the one direction are tone values indicating that liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection ports are associated with zero,

wherein the corrector is configured not to perform the correction based on the correction value for a non-correction pixel out of a plurality of pixels of the N-value image data generated by the quantizer, the non-correction pixel being a pixel that is extracted by the extractor as the tone holding pixel and that corresponds to an ejection port of which the correction value is a negative value.

8. The image processing device according to claim 6, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit the input image data generated by the corrector to the recording controller of the liquid ejecting device,

wherein the moving mechanism comprises a conveying mechanism configured to convey the recording medium in the predetermined direction, the predetermined direction being a conveying direction;

wherein the liquid ejecting head comprises a line head extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and configured to eject liquid from the plurality of ejection ports in a state where the liquid ejecting head is fixed at a position so as to eject liquid onto the recording medium being conveyed by the conveying mechanism;

wherein the liquid ejecting head comprises a driver configured to drive ejection of liquid from respective ones of the plurality of ejection ports in accordance with drive signals outputted from the recording controller;

wherein the recording controller comprises a drive-signal generator configured to, upon receiving at least part of the input image data from the transmitter, start generating the drive signal in accordance with the input image data;

wherein the corrector is configured to sequentially perform the quantizing from a pixel corresponding to a dot belonging to a dot array at a downstream side in the conveying direction out of dot arrays each formed by a plurality of dots arranged in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction on the recording medium, in a plurality of pixels of the N-value image data generated by the quantizer; and

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit, to the drive-signal generator, at least part of pixels for which the quantizing is finished by the corrector, before the corrector finishes the quantizing for all pixels of the N-value image data.

9. The image processing device according to claim 6, wherein the corrector comprises an error storage device including error memories corresponding to the respective ones of the plurality of ejection ports;

and

wherein the quantizing comprises;

reading, from the error storage device, an error value for one of the plurality of ejection ports corresponding to the target pixel;

adding the error value to the corrected tone value of the target pixel, thereby calculating an error-added tone value;

subtracting a representative tone value allocated in the allocating from the error-added tone value, thereby calculating a next error value of the target pixel; and

overwriting one of the error memories associated with the ejection port corresponding to the target pixel, by using the next error value.

10. An image processing device configured to generate input image data used in a liquid ejecting device including a liquid ejecting head having an ejection port for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium, the image processing device comprising:

a correction-value memory storing a correction value in association with the ejection port, the correction value being for correcting variations in the liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection port;

a quantizer configured to generate N-value image data from M-value image data, the M-value image data being image data in which tone values of respective pixels corresponding to dots on one recording medium are represented by M tones, the N-value image data being image data in which tone values of respective pixels are represented by N tones (N is an integer greater than or equal to two;

M is an integer greater than the integer N); and

a corrector configured to correct the N-value image data generated by the quantizer based on the correction value, thereby generating the input image data,

wherein the corrector is configured to perform;

designating a target pixel belonging to a pixel array corresponding to the ejection port, the target pixel being designated, sequentially from one end to an other end of the pixel array, as one of a plurality of pixels arranged in an array direction of the pixel array, the pixel array being formed with the plurality of pixels in the N-value image data corresponding to a plurality of dots formed by the ejection port respectively;

allocating a corresponding one of N representative tone values out of L tone values of L tones (L is an integer greater than the integer N) to a tone value of the target pixel of the N-value image data generated by the quantizer;

adding the correction value to a representative tone value of the target pixel, thereby obtaining a corrected tone value of the target pixel;

quantizing the corrected tone value of the target pixel to N tones; and

diffusing an error generated in quantizing the corrected tone value to the corrected tone value of an adjacent pixel adjacent to the target pixel in the array direction.

11. A method of controlling an image processing device configured to generate input image data used in a liquid ejecting device including:

a liquid ejecting head having an ejection port for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium;

a moving mechanism configured to move at least one of the liquid ejecting head and the recording medium such that a relative positional relationship of the liquid ejecting head and the recording medium varies with respect to a predetermined direction; and

a recording controller configured to control the liquid ejecting head and the moving mechanism based on the input image data in which tone values of respective pixels corresponding to dots on one recording medium are represented by N tones (N is an integer greater than or equal to two) such that liquid of liquid amounts associated with the tone values of the respective pixels in the input image data is ejected to positions of dots corresponding to the respective pixels, the image processing device including a correction-value memory storing a correction value in association with the ejection port, the correction value being for correcting variations in the liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection port, the method comprising;

generating N-value image data from M-value image data, the M-value image data being image data in which tone values of respective pixels corresponding to dots on one recording medium are represented by M tones (M is an integer greater than the integer N), the N-value image data being image data in which tone values of respective pixels are represented by N tones; and

correcting the N-value image data based on the correction value, thereby generating the input image data,

wherein the correcting comprises;

designating a target pixel belonging to a pixel array corresponding to the ejection port, the target pixel being designated, sequentially from one end to an other end of the pixel array, as one of a plurality of pixels arranged in an array direction of the pixel array, the pixel array being formed with the plurality of pixels in the N-value image data corresponding to a plurality of dots formed by the ejection port respectively;

allocating a corresponding one of N representative tone values out of L tone values of L tones (L is an integer greater than the integer N) to a tone value of the target pixel of the N-value image data;

adding the correction value to a representative tone value of the target pixel, thereby obtaining a corrected tone value of the target pixel;

quantizing the corrected tone value of the target pixel to N tones; and

diffusing an error generated in quantizing the corrected tone value to the corrected tone value of an adjacent pixel adjacent to the target pixel in the array direction.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the integer L is an integer greater than or equal to the integer M.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein a ratio of the representative tone values corresponding to respective ones of any two tones of N tones in the N-value image data is same as a ratio of liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection port associated with the respective ones of the any two tones.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein a ratio of the representative tone values corresponding to respective ones of any two tones of N tones in the N-value image data is same as a ratio of optical densities of dots that are formed when liquid of liquid amounts associated with the respective ones of the any two tones is ejected onto the recording medium.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the integer N is an integer greater than or equal to three;

wherein the correction-value memory stores N correction values for one ejection port so as to correspond to respective ones of N tones of the N-value image data; and

wherein the N correction values of the ejection port are stored in the correction-value memory such that a correction value corresponding to one of N tones of the N-value image data associated with a larger liquid amount has a larger absolute value.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the liquid ejecting head has a plurality of ejection ports;

and

wherein the correction-value memory is configured to store a plurality of correction values in association with respective ones of the plurality of ejection ports, the plurality of correction values being values for correcting variations in the liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the respective ones of the plurality of ejection ports;

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising at least one of:

extracting a target pixel as a tone holding pixel in a case where tone values of all pixels adjacent to the target pixel in the N-value image data are tone values indicating that liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection ports are associated with zero and where a tone value of the target pixel is a tone value indicating that a liquid amount of liquid ejected from the ejection port is associated with a liquid amount larger than zero; and

extracting the target pixel as the tone holding pixel in a case where tone values of the target pixel and adjacent pixels adjacent to the target pixel in one direction are tone values indicating that liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection ports are associated with liquid amounts larger than zero and where tone values of all adjacent pixels adjacent to the target pixel in directions other than the one direction are tone values indicating that liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection ports are associated with zero,

wherein the corrector is configured not to perform the correction based on the correction value for a non-correction pixel out of a plurality of pixels of the N-value image data, the non-correction pixel being a pixel that is extracted by the extractor as the tone holding pixel and that corresponds to an ejection port of which the correction value is a negative value.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the image processing device has an error storage device including error memories corresponding to the respective ones of the plurality of ejection ports;

and

wherein the quantizing comprises;

reading, from the error storage device, an error value for one of the plurality of ejection ports corresponding to the target pixel;

adding the error value to the corrected tone value of the target pixel, thereby calculating an error-added tone value;

subtracting a representative tone value allocated in the allocating from the error-added tone value, thereby calculating a next error value of the target pixel; and

overwriting one of the error memories associated with the ejection port corresponding to the target pixel, by using the next error value.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions executable by a processor of an image processing device configured to generate input image data used in a liquid ejecting device including a liquid ejecting head having an ejection port for ejecting liquid onto a recording medium, the image processing device including a correction-value memory storing a correction value in association with the ejection port, the correction value being for correcting variations in the liquid amounts of liquid ejected from the ejection port, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to perform:

generating N-value image data from M-value image data, the M-value image data being image data in which tone values of respective pixels corresponding to dots on one recording medium are represented by M tones, the N-value image data being image data in which tone values of respective pixels are represented by N tones (N is an integer greater than or equal to two;

M is an integer greater than the integer N); and

correcting the N-value image data based on the correction value, thereby generating the input image data,

wherein the correcting comprises;

designating a target pixel belonging to a pixel array corresponding to the ejection port, the target pixel being designated, sequentially from one end to an other end of the pixel array, as one of a plurality of pixels arranged in an array direction of the pixel array, the pixel array being formed with the plurality of pixels in the N-value image data corresponding to a plurality of dots formed by the ejection port respectively;

allocating a corresponding one of N representative tone values out of L tone values of L tones (L is an integer greater than the integer N) to a tone value of the target pixel of the N-value image data;

adding the correction value to a representative tone value of the target pixel, thereby obtaining a corrected tone value of the target pixel;

quantizing the corrected tone value of the target pixel to N tones; and

diffusing an error generated in quantizing the corrected tone value to the corrected tone value of an adjacent pixel adjacent to the target pixel in the array direction.