US20030174352A1 — Image processing apparatus, image processing meth…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 126 words

1 . An image processing apparatus which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: first error diffusion means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a first density component included in the plural density components; second error diffusion means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of the density value of the first density component and a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; and determination means for determining which of said first error diffusion means and said second error diffusion means should be used, in accordance with a predetermined condition.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 126 words

1 . An image processing apparatus which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: first error diffusion means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a first density component included in the plural density components; second error diffusion means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of the density value of the first density component and a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; and determination means for determining which of said first error diffusion means and said second error diffusion means should be used, in accordance with a predetermined condition.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 66 words

2 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, in a case where the density value of the first density component is within a predetermined area, said predetermined condition is a condition which has a characteristic that probability of using said first error diffusion means is higher than probability of using said second error diffusion means in an average in said predetermined area.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 77 words

3 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said predetermined area is an area which is included in at least one of an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or smaller than a minimum value of a quantization representative value larger than 0 and an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or larger than a second-largest quantization representative value.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 75 words

4 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said predetermined area is an area which includes at least one of an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or smaller than a minimum value of a quantization representative value larger than 0 and an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or larger than a second-largest quantization representative value.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 171 words

5 . An image processing apparatus which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: first quantization means for performing quantization to the image data on the basis of a first density component included in the plural density components and outputting a result of the quantization as a first quantization result; determination means for determining a threshold on the basis of a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; comparison means for comparing the threshold determined by said determination means with the first density component and outputting a comparison result; second quantization means for outputting a second quantization result on the basis of the first quantization result output by said first quantization means and the comparison result output by said comparison means; and error diffusion execution means for performing the error diffusion process to the first density component on the basis of the second quantization result.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 171 words

5 . An image processing apparatus which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: first quantization means for performing quantization to the image data on the basis of a first density component included in the plural density components and outputting a result of the quantization as a first quantization result; determination means for determining a threshold on the basis of a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; comparison means for comparing the threshold determined by said determination means with the first density component and outputting a comparison result; second quantization means for outputting a second quantization result on the basis of the first quantization result output by said first quantization means and the comparison result output by said comparison means; and error diffusion execution means for performing the error diffusion process to the first density component on the basis of the second quantization result.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 191 words

6 . An image processing apparatus which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: first quantization means for performing quantization to the image data on the basis of a first density component included in the plural density components and outputting a result of the quantization as a first quantization result; determination means for determining a threshold on the basis of a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; second quantization means for performing quantization to the image data on the basis of the threshold determined by said determination means and the first density component and outputting a result of the quantization as a second quantization result; selection means for selecting which of the first quantization result output by said first quantization means and the second quantization result output by said second quantization means should be used, in accordance with a predetermined condition; and error diffusion execution means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of the quantization result selected by said selection means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 191 words

6 . An image processing apparatus which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: first quantization means for performing quantization to the image data on the basis of a first density component included in the plural density components and outputting a result of the quantization as a first quantization result; determination means for determining a threshold on the basis of a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; second quantization means for performing quantization to the image data on the basis of the threshold determined by said determination means and the first density component and outputting a result of the quantization as a second quantization result; selection means for selecting which of the first quantization result output by said first quantization means and the second quantization result output by said second quantization means should be used, in accordance with a predetermined condition; and error diffusion execution means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of the quantization result selected by said selection means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 64 words

7 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein, in a case where the density value of the first density component is within a predetermined area, said predetermined condition is a condition which has a characteristic that probability of using the first quantization result is higher than probability of using the second quantization result in an average in said predetermined area.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 77 words

8 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said predetermined area is an area which is included in at least one of an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or smaller than a minimum value of a quantization representative value larger than 0 and an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or larger than a second-largest quantization representative value.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 75 words

9 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said predetermined area is an area which includes at least one of an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or smaller than a minimum value of a quantization representative value larger than 0 and an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or larger than a second-largest quantization representative value.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 118 words

10 . An image processing method which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: a determination step of determining, in accordance with a predetermined condition, which of a first error diffusion means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a first density component included in the plural density components and a second error diffusion means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of the density value of the first density component and a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components should be performed.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 118 words

10 . An image processing method which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: a determination step of determining, in accordance with a predetermined condition, which of a first error diffusion means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a first density component included in the plural density components and a second error diffusion means for performing the error diffusion process on the basis of the density value of the first density component and a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components should be performed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 66 words

11 . An image processing method according to claim 10 , wherein, in a case where the density value of the first density component is within a predetermined area, said predetermined condition is a condition which has a characteristic that probability of using the first error diffusion means is higher than probability of using the second error diffusion means in an average in said predetermined area.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 77 words

12 . An image processing method according to claim 11 , wherein said predetermined area is an area which is included in at least one of an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or smaller than a minimum value of a quantization representative value larger than 0 and an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or larger than a second-largest quantization representative value.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 75 words

13 . An image processing method according to claim 11 , wherein said predetermined area is an area which includes at least one of an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or smaller than a minimum value of a quantization representative value larger than 0 and an area where the density value of the first density component is equal to or larger than a second-largest quantization representative value.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 176 words

14 . An image processing method which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: a first quantization step of performing quantization to the image data on the basis of a first density component included in the plural density components and outputting a result of the quantization as a first quantization result; a determination step of determining a threshold on the basis of a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; a comparison step of comparing the threshold determined in said determination step with the first density component and outputting a comparison result; a second quantization step of outputting a second quantization result on the basis of the first quantization result output in said first quantization step and the comparison result output in said comparison step; and an error diffusion execution step of performing the error diffusion process to the first density component on the basis of the second quantization result.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 176 words

14 . An image processing method which performs an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and outputs a result of the error diffusion process, comprising: a first quantization step of performing quantization to the image data on the basis of a first density component included in the plural density components and outputting a result of the quantization as a first quantization result; a determination step of determining a threshold on the basis of a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; a comparison step of comparing the threshold determined in said determination step with the first density component and outputting a comparison result; a second quantization step of outputting a second quantization result on the basis of the first quantization result output in said first quantization step and the comparison result output in said comparison step; and an error diffusion execution step of performing the error diffusion process to the first density component on the basis of the second quantization result.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 133 words

15 . A computer-executable program which is used to perform an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and output a result of the error diffusion process, said method comprising: a first error diffusion step of performing the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a first density component included in the plural density components; a second error diffusion step of performing the error diffusion process on the basis of the density value of the first density component and a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; and a determination step of determining which of said first error diffusion step and said second error diffusion step should be performed, in accordance with a predetermined condition.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 133 words

15 . A computer-executable program which is used to perform an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and output a result of the error diffusion process, said method comprising: a first error diffusion step of performing the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a first density component included in the plural density components; a second error diffusion step of performing the error diffusion process on the basis of the density value of the first density component and a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; and a determination step of determining which of said first error diffusion step and said second error diffusion step should be performed, in accordance with a predetermined condition.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 180 words

16 . A computer-executable program which is used to perform an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and output a result of the error diffusion process, said method comprising: a first quantization step of performing quantization to the image data on the basis of a first density component included in the plural density components and outputting a result of the quantization as a first quantization result; a determination step of determining a threshold on the basis of a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; a comparison step of comparing the threshold determined in said determination step with the first density component and outputting a comparison result; a second quantization step of outputting a second quantization result on the basis of the first quantization result output in said first quantization step and the comparison result output in said comparison step; and an error diffusion execution step of performing the error diffusion process to the first density component on the basis of the second quantization result.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 180 words

16 . A computer-executable program which is used to perform an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components and output a result of the error diffusion process, said method comprising: a first quantization step of performing quantization to the image data on the basis of a first density component included in the plural density components and outputting a result of the quantization as a first quantization result; a determination step of determining a threshold on the basis of a density value of at least one of other density components included in the plural density components; a comparison step of comparing the threshold determined in said determination step with the first density component and outputting a comparison result; a second quantization step of outputting a second quantization result on the basis of the first quantization result output in said first quantization step and the comparison result output in said comparison step; and an error diffusion execution step of performing the error diffusion process to the first density component on the basis of the second quantization result.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 143 words

17 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: determination means for determining, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components; and comparison means for comparing a value, obtained by adding a predetermined value to the threshold determined by said determination means, with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 143 words

17 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: determination means for determining, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components; and comparison means for comparing a value, obtained by adding a predetermined value to the threshold determined by said determination means, with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 42 words

18 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in respect of at least one of a color, a colorant density and a discharge amount.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 172 words

19 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: determination means for determining, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of at least one of the sum of density values of second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components and a maximum value of the density values of the second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components; and comparison means for comparing a value, obtained by adding a predetermined value to the threshold determined by said determination means, with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 172 words

19 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: determination means for determining, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of at least one of the sum of density values of second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components and a maximum value of the density values of the second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components; and comparison means for comparing a value, obtained by adding a predetermined value to the threshold determined by said determination means, with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 150 words

20 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components into a modulation density value; determination means for determining a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of the modulation density value; and comparison means for comparing the threshold determined by said determination means with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, p 1 wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 150 words

20 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components into a modulation density value; determination means for determining a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of the modulation density value; and comparison means for comparing the threshold determined by said determination means with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, p 1 wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 177 words

21 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, at least one of the sum of density values of second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components and a maximum value of the density values of the second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components, into a modulation density value; determination means for determining a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of the modulation density value; and comparison means for comparing the threshold determined by said determination means with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 177 words

21 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, at least one of the sum of density values of second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components and a maximum value of the density values of the second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components, into a modulation density value; determination means for determining a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of the modulation density value; and comparison means for comparing the threshold determined by said determination means with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 157 words

22 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components into a modulation density value; determination means for determining a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of the modulation density value; and comparison means for comparing a value, obtained by adding a predetermined value to the threshold determined by said determination means, with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 157 words

22 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components into a modulation density value; determination means for determining a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of the modulation density value; and comparison means for comparing a value, obtained by adding a predetermined value to the threshold determined by said determination means, with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 186 words

23 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, at least one of the sum of density values of second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components and a maximum value of the density values of the second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components, into a modulation density value; determination means for determining a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of the modulation density value; and comparison means for comparing a value, obtained by adding a predetermined value to the threshold determined by said determination means, with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 186 words

23 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, at least one of the sum of density values of second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components and a maximum value of the density values of the second density components consisting of at least two of the plural density components, into a modulation density value; determination means for determining a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process, on the basis of the modulation density value; and comparison means for comparing a value, obtained by adding a predetermined value to the threshold determined by said determination means, with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the comparison result output by said comparison means.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 126 words

24 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: first density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a density value of the first density component as a first modulation density value; and second density modulation means for modulating a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components, as a second modulation density value, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the first modulation density value and the second modulation density value.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 126 words

24 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: first density modulation means for modulating, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a density value of the first density component as a first modulation density value; and second density modulation means for modulating a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components, as a second modulation density value, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the first modulation density value and the second modulation density value.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 42 words

25 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in respect of at least one of a color, a colorant density and a discharge amount.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 123 words

26 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: modulation/output value determination means for modulating density values of at least two of the density components into modulation density values, and determining output values of at least the two of the plural density components; and final output value determination means for determining a final output value on the basis of the modulation density values and the output values respectively modulated and determined by said modulation/output value determination means, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the final output value determined by said final output value determination means.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 123 words

26 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: modulation/output value determination means for modulating density values of at least two of the density components into modulation density values, and determining output values of at least the two of the plural density components; and final output value determination means for determining a final output value on the basis of the modulation density values and the output values respectively modulated and determined by said modulation/output value determination means, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the final output value determined by said final output value determination means.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 41 words

27 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein at least the two of the density components are different from each other in respect of at least one of a color, a colorant density and a discharge amount.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 184 words

28 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: modulation/output value determination means for, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a density value of a first density component being one of the plural density components, modulating the density value of the first density component into a first modulation density value and determining an output value of the first density component; modulation means for modulating a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components into a second modulation density value; and final output value determination means for determining a final output value on the basis of the first modulation density value and the output value respectively modulated and determined by said modulation/output value determination means and the second modulation density value modulated by said modulation means, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the final output value determined by said final output value determination means.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 184 words

28 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: modulation/output value determination means for, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a density value of a first density component being one of the plural density components, modulating the density value of the first density component into a first modulation density value and determining an output value of the first density component; modulation means for modulating a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components into a second modulation density value; and final output value determination means for determining a final output value on the basis of the first modulation density value and the output value respectively modulated and determined by said modulation/output value determination means and the second modulation density value modulated by said modulation means, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the final output value determined by said final output value determination means.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 42 words

29 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein the first density component and the second density component are different from each other in respect of at least one of a color, a colorant density and a discharge amount.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 192 words

30 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: modulation/output value determination means for, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a density value of a first density component being one of the plural density components, modulating the density value of the first density component into a first modulation density value and determining an output value of the first density component; modulation means for modulating density values of at least two second density components in the plural density components into a second modulation density value; and final output value determination means for determining a final output value on the basis of at least one of the sum of the first modulation density value and the output value respectively modulated and determined by said modulation/output value determination means and a maximum value of the second modulation density value modulated by said modulation means, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the final output value determined by said final output value determination means.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 192 words

30 . An image processing apparatus which includes error diffusion processing means for performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, comprising: modulation/output value determination means for, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a density value of a first density component being one of the plural density components, modulating the density value of the first density component into a first modulation density value and determining an output value of the first density component; modulation means for modulating density values of at least two second density components in the plural density components into a second modulation density value; and final output value determination means for determining a final output value on the basis of at least one of the sum of the first modulation density value and the output value respectively modulated and determined by said modulation/output value determination means and a maximum value of the second modulation density value modulated by said modulation means, wherein said error diffusion processing means performs the error diffusion process on the basis of the final output value determined by said final output value determination means.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 42 words

31 . An image processing apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein at least the two of the second density components are different from each other in respect of at least one of a color, a colorant density and a discharge amount.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 142 words

32 . An image processing method which includes an error diffusion processing step of performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, said method comprising: a determination step of determining, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components; and a comparison step of comparing a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the determined threshold with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein, in said error diffusion processing step, the error diffusion process is performed on the basis of the output comparison result.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 142 words

32 . An image processing method which includes an error diffusion processing step of performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, said method comprising: a determination step of determining, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components; and a comparison step of comparing a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the determined threshold with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein, in said error diffusion processing step, the error diffusion process is performed on the basis of the output comparison result.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 149 words

33 . A program which causes a computer to execute an image processing method including an error diffusion processing step of performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, said method comprising: a determination step of determining, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components; and a comparison step of comparing a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the determined threshold with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein, in said error diffusion processing step, the error diffusion process is performed on the basis of the output comparison result.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 149 words

33 . A program which causes a computer to execute an image processing method including an error diffusion processing step of performing an error diffusion process to multivalued image data consisting of plural density components, said method comprising: a determination step of determining, in a case where the error diffusion process is performed to a first density component being one of the plural density components, a threshold to be used in the error diffusion process on the basis of a density value of a second density component being at least one of the plural density components; and a comparison step of comparing a value obtained by adding a predetermined value to the determined threshold with a density value of the first density component, and outputting a comparison result, wherein, in said error diffusion processing step, the error diffusion process is performed on the basis of the output comparison result.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program

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