Patent US7121641B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7121641B2
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Color ink-jet recording apparatus and method and method of processing image data
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 2002-02-07
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Granted: 2006-10-17
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Expires: 2022-02-07
Abstract
Abstract In color ink-jet recording, even if a black image is recorded adjacent to a color image, the present invention prevents bleeding between black ink and color ink to achieve a high recording grade. In a divided recording method, as division patterns used to allot image data to each recording scan, different division patterns are provided for black image data and for color image data. The division patterns for black and another color used during the same scan have different allotment rates so that the amount of image data allotted to the same scan varies between black and the other colors. As a result, the amount of image data recorded during the same scan also varies between black and the other colors. This reduces the frequency with which the black ink and the color ink are provided adjacent to each other during the same scan.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaki Nitta
- 👤 Takumi Kaneko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/10; G06K15/102; G06K15/105; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/21; B41J2/2107; G06K2215/00; G06K2215/0082; G06K2215/0094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
432 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating through a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, said apparatus comprising: control means for controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; data generating means, which, for each of the recording heads, generates image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans; and ink ejecting means for ejecting the black ink and the color ink from the black recording head and the color recording head during each of the recording scans on the basis of the data allotted to each of the recording scans by said generating means, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
432 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating through a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, said apparatus comprising: control means for controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; data generating means, which, for each of the recording heads, generates image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans; and ink ejecting means for ejecting the black ink and the color ink from the black recording head and the color recording head during each of the recording scans on the basis of the data allotted to each of the recording scans by said generating means, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein mask patterns having different allotment rates are used as the mask patterns for the black image data and color image data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when a black image is to be formed in said predetermined area, before or after the black ink is caused to impact the recording medium, at least one of the plural types of color ink is caused to impact locations onto which the black ink is ejected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a thinning means, which thins the black image data at a predetermined thinning rate and causes the plural types of color ink to impact portions of the recording area in which the black image data has been thinned.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plural types of color ink is reactive and tends to cause the black ink to solidify or cohere when contacting with the black ink.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said recording heads execute recording only during scans in one of the forward and backward scanning directions, and in the scanning direction in which the recording is carried out, said color recording heads are arranged in front of said black recording head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein if said recording heads carry out recording in both the forward and backward scanning directions, then during the first recording scan, the color image data has a higher allotment rate than the black image data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plural color ink types include cyan, magenta, and yellow ink.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said recording heads apply thermal energy to generate bubbles in the ink so that energy generated by the bubbles causes the ink to be ejected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in one recording scan of two recording scans among the plurality of recording scans is different from the allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in the other recording scan of the two recording scans.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in one recording scan of two recording scans among the plurality of recording scans is different form the allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the other recording scan of the two recording scans.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
424 words
A color ink-jet recording method using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating through a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, the method comprising the steps of: controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; for each of the recording heads, generating image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans; and ejecting the black ink and the color ink from the black recording head and the color recording head during each of the recording scans on the basis of the data allotted to each of the recording scans in said generating steps, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
424 words
A color ink-jet recording method using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating through a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, the method comprising the steps of: controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; for each of the recording heads, generating image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans; and ejecting the black ink and the color ink from the black recording head and the color recording head during each of the recording scans on the basis of the data allotted to each of the recording scans in said generating steps, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A color ink-jet recording method according to claim 12 , wherein when a black image is to be formed in the aid predetermined area, before or after the black ink is caused to impact the recording medium, at least one of the plural types of color ink is caused to impact locations onto which the black ink is ejected.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A color ink-jet recording method according to claim 12 , further comprising a thinning step, which thins the black image data at a predetermined thinning rate and causes the plural types of color ink to impact portions of the recording area in which the black image data has been thinned.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
A color ink-jet recording method according to claim 12 , wherein at least one of the plural types of color ink is reactive and tends to cause the black ink to solidify or cohere when contacting with the black ink.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
A color ink-jet recording method according to claim 12 , wherein if the recording heads carry out recording in both the forward and backward scanning directions, then during the first recording scan, the color image data has a higher allotment rate than the black image data.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
391 words
A method of processing image data used in a color ink-jet recording apparatus using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating through a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, said method comprising the steps of: controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; and for each of the recording heads, generating image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
391 words
A method of processing image data used in a color ink-jet recording apparatus using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating through a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, said method comprising the steps of: controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; and for each of the recording heads, generating image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
394 words
A program for executing image processing on image data used in a color ink-jet recording apparatus using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating through a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, the program comprising the steps of: controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; and for each of the recording heads, generating image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
394 words
A program for executing image processing on image data used in a color ink-jet recording apparatus using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating through a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, the program comprising the steps of: controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; and for each of the recording heads, generating image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
A computer-readable storage medium storing the program set forth in claim 18 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
387 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating thorough a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, said apparatus comprising: control means for controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; and data generating means, which, for each of the recording heads, generates image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
387 words
A color ink-jet recording apparatus using a black recording head that ejects black ink on the basis of black image data and a color recording head that ejects color ink on the basis of color image data, the color ink permeating thorough a recording medium at a higher speed than the black ink, said apparatus comprising: control means for controlling scanning of the black recording head and of the color recording head relative to the recording medium such as to complete a record image in a predetermined recording area including pixels on the recording medium by causing each of the black recording head and the color recording head to perform N (N being an integer equal to or greater than 2) recording scans in the same pixel; and data generating means, which, for each of the recording heads, generates image data for each of the N recording scans corresponding to the predetermined recording area, by using N mask patterns, for black image data corresponding to the N recording scans and N mask patterns for color image data corresponding to the N recording scans, so that black image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N recording scans, and color image data corresponding to the predetermined recording area are allotted to each of the N the recording scans, wherein total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the black image data is 100% and total allotment rate of the N mask patterns for the color image data is 100%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in a given one of the N recording scans is smaller than 100% and is greater than a reference allotment rate, the reference allotment rate being (100/N)%, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in that one recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the black image data used in another recording scan is greater than 0% and is smaller than the reference allotment rate, and an allotment rate of the mask pattern for the color image data used in the latter recording scan is smaller than 100% and greater than the reference allotment rate.
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