Print control apparatus and print control method for print data generation

• US 9,936,099 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2016
• Issued: 04/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Hasegawa, Tomonaga, Yamazaki, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Reiner, Barbara
• Application Number:
  US15/198,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20170034393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/2146 for line print heads
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/102 using ink jet print heads
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1876 Decreasing spatial resolution; Dithering
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/188 with provisions for treating some of the print data differently
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1881 Halftoning halftoning of still images in general H04N1/405, H04N1/52
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/405 Halftoning, i.e. converting the picture signal of a continuous-tone original into a corresponding signal showing only two levels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/52 Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6008 with primary colour signals, e.g. RGB or CMY(K)
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6025 using look-up tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

Provided is a print control apparatus that dispenses ink of a plurality of colors through corresponding nozzles according to print data, to print an image on a printing medium. The print control apparatus includes a print data generation unit that generates, according to the image, the print data defining on/off setting of dots in each of pixels with respect to the ink of each of the plurality of colors. The print data generation unit generates the print data for the ink of a specific color having highest brightness among the plurality of colors through first gray scale conversion using a dither mask, and generates the print data for the ink of the plurality of colors except for the color subjected to the first gray scale conversion, through second gray scale conversion using a line screen.

Claims

1. A print control apparatus that generates print data for dispensing ink of a plurality of colors through respectively corresponding nozzles to thereby print an image on a printing medium, the print control apparatus comprising:

a controller that generates, according to the image, the print data defining on/off setting of dots in each of pixels with respect to the ink of each of the plurality of colors which include at least yellow and black,

the controller generating the print data for each of pixels with respect to all of the ink of yellow through first gray scale conversion using only a dither mask that has a blue noise characteristic such that the ink of yellow is irregularly positioned on the printing medium, and

the controller generating the print data for each of pixels with respect to all of the ink of black through second gray scale conversion using only a line screen.

2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the controller generates the print data for the ink of a light shade through the first gray scale conversion, in addition to the ink of yellow.

3. The print control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the controller further generates, through the first gray scale conversion, the print data for the ink of a color other than yellow and black.

4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the controller uses the dither mask that has the blue noise characteristic with respect to only all of the ink of yellow while the controller uses the line screen with respect to all of the ink of colors that are different from yellow.

5. The print control apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the controller uses the dither mask that has the blue noise characteristic with respect to all of the ink of colors that are different from black while the controller uses the line screen with respect to only all of the ink of black.

6. A print control apparatus that generates print data for dispensing ink of a plurality of colors through respectively corresponding nozzles to thereby print an image on a printing medium based on one of a first printing mode in which a first printing medium is employed as the printing medium, and a second printing mode in which a second printing medium, more susceptible to ink blur than the first printing medium, is employed as the printing medium, the print control apparatus comprising:

a controller that generates, according to the image, the print data defining on/off setting of dots in each of pixels with respect to the ink of each of the plurality of colors,

the controller generating the print data for the ink of a specific color having highest brightness among the plurality of colors through first gray scale conversion using a dither mask, and generating the print data for the ink of the plurality of colors except for the color subjected to the first gray scale conversion, through second gray scale conversion using a line screen,

the controller generating

the print data for the ink of the specific color through the first gray scale conversion while generating the print data for the ink of the colors not subjected to the first gray scale conversion through the second gray scale conversion when the second printing mode is selected, and

the print data for the ink of all of the plurality of colors through the first gray scale conversion when the first printing mode is selected.

7. A print control method including generating print data for dispensing ink of a plurality of colors through respectively corresponding nozzles to thereby print an image on a printing medium, the print control method comprising:

generating, according to the image, the print data defining on/off setting of dots in each of pixels with respect to the ink of each of the plurality of colors which include at least yellow and black,

the generating of print data includes;

generating the print data for each of pixels with respect to all of the ink of yellow through first gray scale conversion using only a dither mask that has a blue noise characteristic such that the ink of yellow is irregularly positioned on the printing medium; and

generating the print data for each of pixels with respect to all of the ink of black through second gray scale conversion using only a line screen.