US7477422B2 — Image recording apparatus, image recording method…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 173 words

An image recording method for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value to represent the pixel with one of plural gradation values including a predetermined gradation value, said method comprising the steps of: a selection step for selecting one dot pattern based on a position of the pixel having the predetermined gradation value, from a dot-pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value; and a recording step for performing recording to the pixel having the predetermined gradation value based on the dot pattern selected in said selection step using a recording head having and array of nozzles, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction, and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 173 words

An image recording method for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value to represent the pixel with one of plural gradation values including a predetermined gradation value, said method comprising the steps of: a selection step for selecting one dot pattern based on a position of the pixel having the predetermined gradation value, from a dot-pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value; and a recording step for performing recording to the pixel having the predetermined gradation value based on the dot pattern selected in said selection step using a recording head having and array of nozzles, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction, and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 177 words

An image recording apparatus for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value to represent the pixel with one of plural gradation values including a predetermined gradation value, said apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores a dot-pattern table, having a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value; selection means for selecting one dot pattern from the dot-pattern table stored in said storage unit, based on a position of the pixel having the predetermined gradation value; and recording control means for controlling a recording head having an array of nozzles so as to record based on the dot pattern selected by said second selection means, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction, and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 177 words

An image recording apparatus for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value to represent the pixel with one of plural gradation values including a predetermined gradation value, said apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores a dot-pattern table, having a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value; selection means for selecting one dot pattern from the dot-pattern table stored in said storage unit, based on a position of the pixel having the predetermined gradation value; and recording control means for controlling a recording head having an array of nozzles so as to record based on the dot pattern selected by said second selection means, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction, and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 111 words

A computer readable medium storing computer-executable program code comprising: a code of a first selection step for selecting one dot-pattern based on a position of the pixel having the predetermined gradation value, from a dot-pattern table, having a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction, and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 111 words

A computer readable medium storing computer-executable program code comprising: a code of a first selection step for selecting one dot-pattern based on a position of the pixel having the predetermined gradation value, from a dot-pattern table, having a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction, and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 147 words

An image processing method for selecting a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value to represent a pixel with one of plural gradation values including a predetermined gradation value, said method comprising the steps of: a preparation step for preparing a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value; and a selection step for selecting one dot-pattern based on a position of the pixel having the predetermined gradation value, from the plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction, and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 147 words

An image processing method for selecting a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value to represent a pixel with one of plural gradation values including a predetermined gradation value, said method comprising the steps of: a preparation step for preparing a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value; and a selection step for selecting one dot-pattern based on a position of the pixel having the predetermined gradation value, from the plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction, and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 50 words

An image processing method according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are stored in a dot-pattern table, and wherein the dot-pattern table is a two-dimensional table having the dot pattern in the first direction and in the second direction.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 108 words

An image processing method according to claim 5 , wherein, when sizes of the dot-pattern table in the first direction and the second direction are represented by L and K, and sizes of the dot-pattern in the fires direction and the second direction are represented by l and k, respectively, the size of the dot-pattern table and the size of the dot pattern have relationships of L=α×l (α is a natural number), and K=β×k (β is a natural number), and wherein α dot patterns and β dot patterns having the predetermined gradation value are stored in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, in the dot-pattern table.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 33 words

An image processing method according to claim 6 , wherein the dot-pattern table is repeatedly used at every L pixels in the first direction, and at every K pixels in the second direction.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

An image processing method according to claim 6 , wherein a number of cells L of the dot-pattern table in the first direction and a number of nozzles A of the recording head have a relationship of L=α×A (α is a natural number).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 79 words

An image processing method according to claim 6 , wherein, when the position of the pixel is represented by two-dimensional coordinates (x, y), and the x coordinate and the y coordinate correspond to the second direction and the first direction, respectively, the dot pattern selected in said second selection step is a dot pattern at a position specified base on the x coordinate value, the y coordinate value, the value α, and the value β within the dot-pattern table.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 31 words

An image processing method according to claim 6 , wherein cells in the second direction from among cells positioned at end portions of the dot-pattern table do not include dot information.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

An image processing method according to claim 6 , wherein an arrangement of the plurality of dot-patterns in the dot-pattern table has a blue-noise characteristic.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 35 words

An image processing method according to claim 11 , wherein the blue-noise characteristic is a characteristic in which a power spectrum in a low-frequency region is smaller than a power spectrum of a high-frequency region.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 37 words

An image processing method according to claim 5 , wherein an arrangement of the plurality of the dot-patterns in the dot-pattern table is determined in consideration of characteristics of a plurality of nozzles of the recording head.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 35 words

An image processing method according to claim 4 , wherein a ratio D (%) of dots D provided within cells of the dot-patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value is within a range of 25<D<50.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 49 words

An image processing method according to claim 4 , wherein a dot number in a dot pattern positioned at an end portion of the dot-pattern table in the second direction is smaller than a dot number in a dot pattern positioned at a portion other than the end portion.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 233 words

An image recoding apparatus for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern, corresponding to a gradation value, for each of recording materials having a plurality of colors, said apparatus comprising: a dot-pattern-table storage unit for storing a dot-pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the gradation value and a position of the pixel, for each color of the recording materials; a selection unit for selecting, for the each color of the recording materials, one dot pattern from the dot pattern table stored in said dot-pattern-table storage unit, based on the gradation value and the position of the pixel; and a recording unit for recording, for the each color of the recording materials, to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected by said selection unit, wherein a size of a dot-pattern table corresponding to at least one specific color from among the dot-pattern tables stored for the each color is smaller than sizes of dot-pattern tables corresponding to colors other than the specific color, and wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 233 words

An image recoding apparatus for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern, corresponding to a gradation value, for each of recording materials having a plurality of colors, said apparatus comprising: a dot-pattern-table storage unit for storing a dot-pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the gradation value and a position of the pixel, for each color of the recording materials; a selection unit for selecting, for the each color of the recording materials, one dot pattern from the dot pattern table stored in said dot-pattern-table storage unit, based on the gradation value and the position of the pixel; and a recording unit for recording, for the each color of the recording materials, to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected by said selection unit, wherein a size of a dot-pattern table corresponding to at least one specific color from among the dot-pattern tables stored for the each color is smaller than sizes of dot-pattern tables corresponding to colors other than the specific color, and wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 26 words

An image recording apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the specific color is a color having relatively high lightness from among the plurality of colors.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

An image recording apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the colors of the recording materials are four colors, i.e., cyan, magenta, yellow and black, and wherein the specific color is yellow.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 41 words

An image recording apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the colors of the recording materials are six colors, i.e., cyan, light cyan, magenta, light magenta, yellow and black, and wherein the specific colors are light cyan, light magenta, and yellow.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 32 words

An image recording apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the recording material is ink, and wherein the recording unit is an ink-jet recording head for performing recording by discharging the ink.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 40 words

An image recording apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the ink-jet recording head is a head for discharging the ink utilizing thermal energy, and comprises a thermal-energy transducer for generating the thermal energy to be provided to the ink.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 221 words

An image recording method for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern, corresponding to a gradation value, for each of recording materials having a plurality of colors, said method comprising the steps of: a selection step for selecting one dot pattern based on the gradation value and a position of the pixel having a predetermined gradation value of the pixel, a dot pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the predetermined gradation value and pixel positions, for each color of the recording materials; and a recording step for recording to the pixel by a recording unit based on the dot pattern selected in said selection step for the each color of the recording materials, wherein a size of a dot-pattern table corresponding to at least one specific color from among the dot-pattern tables stored for the each color is smaller than sizes of dot-pattern tables corresponding to colors other than the specific color, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 221 words

An image recording method for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern, corresponding to a gradation value, for each of recording materials having a plurality of colors, said method comprising the steps of: a selection step for selecting one dot pattern based on the gradation value and a position of the pixel having a predetermined gradation value of the pixel, a dot pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the predetermined gradation value and pixel positions, for each color of the recording materials; and a recording step for recording to the pixel by a recording unit based on the dot pattern selected in said selection step for the each color of the recording materials, wherein a size of a dot-pattern table corresponding to at least one specific color from among the dot-pattern tables stored for the each color is smaller than sizes of dot-pattern tables corresponding to colors other than the specific color, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the predetermined gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 201 words

An image recording apparatus for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value, comprising: a storage unit that stores a dot pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the gradation value and a position of the pixel; a selection unit that selects one dot pattern for the pixel, based on the gradation value and the position of the pixel, from the dot pattern table stored in said storage unit; and a recording controller that controls a recording head having an array of nozzles to perform recording to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected by said selection unit, wherein each of the different dot patterns in the dot pattern table corresponds to the same gradation value and has the same dot number and a different dot arrangement, and wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 201 words

An image recording apparatus for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value, comprising: a storage unit that stores a dot pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the gradation value and a position of the pixel; a selection unit that selects one dot pattern for the pixel, based on the gradation value and the position of the pixel, from the dot pattern table stored in said storage unit; and a recording controller that controls a recording head having an array of nozzles to perform recording to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected by said selection unit, wherein each of the different dot patterns in the dot pattern table corresponds to the same gradation value and has the same dot number and a different dot arrangement, and wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 187 words

An image recording method for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value, said method comprising the steps of: a selection step for selecting one dot pattern for the pixel, based on the gradation value and a position of the pixel, from a dot pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the gradation value and pixel positions; and a recording step for performing recording to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected in said selection step using a recording head having an array of nozzles, wherein each of the different dot patterns in the dot pattern table corresponds to the same gradation value and has the same dot number and a different dot arrangement, and wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 187 words

An image recording method for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value, said method comprising the steps of: a selection step for selecting one dot pattern for the pixel, based on the gradation value and a position of the pixel, from a dot pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the gradation value and pixel positions; and a recording step for performing recording to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected in said selection step using a recording head having an array of nozzles, wherein each of the different dot patterns in the dot pattern table corresponds to the same gradation value and has the same dot number and a different dot arrangement, and wherein at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 146 words

An image recording method for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value, said method comprising the steps of: a selection step for selecting one dot pattern for the pixel, based on the gradation value and a position of the pixel, from a dot pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the gradation value and pixel positions; and a recording step for performing recording to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected in said selection step using a recording head, wherein each of the different dot patterns in the dot pattern table corresponds to the same gradation value and has the same dot number and a different dot arrangement, and wherein the dot patterns in the dot pattern table are arranged so that a dot arrangement defined by the dot patterns has a blue-noise characteristic.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 146 words

An image recording method for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value, said method comprising the steps of: a selection step for selecting one dot pattern for the pixel, based on the gradation value and a position of the pixel, from a dot pattern table having a plurality of different dot patterns associated with the gradation value and pixel positions; and a recording step for performing recording to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected in said selection step using a recording head, wherein each of the different dot patterns in the dot pattern table corresponds to the same gradation value and has the same dot number and a different dot arrangement, and wherein the dot patterns in the dot pattern table are arranged so that a dot arrangement defined by the dot patterns has a blue-noise characteristic.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 35 words

An image recording method according to claim 25 , wherein the blue-noise characteristic is a characteristic in which a power spectrum in a low-frequency region is smaller than a power spectrum in a high-frequency region.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 162 words

An image recording apparatus for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value, comprising: a storage unit that stores a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value and having the same dot number and a different dot arrangement; a selection unit that selects one dot pattern for the pixel, based on the gradation value and the position of the pixel, from the plurality of different dot patterns stored in said storage unit; and a recording controller that controls the recording head having an array of nozzles to perform recording to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected by said selection unit, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 162 words

An image recording apparatus for performing recording to a pixel using a dot pattern corresponding to a gradation value, comprising: a storage unit that stores a plurality of different dot patterns corresponding to the same gradation value and having the same dot number and a different dot arrangement; a selection unit that selects one dot pattern for the pixel, based on the gradation value and the position of the pixel, from the plurality of different dot patterns stored in said storage unit; and a recording controller that controls the recording head having an array of nozzles to perform recording to the pixel based on the dot pattern selected by said selection unit, wherein at least two of the different dot patterns are associated with different pixel positions in a first direction corresponding substantially to a nozzle array direction and at least two of the different dot patterns are associated with different pixel positions in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2012-01-13	2012-07-14	2013-01-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2016-01-13	2016-07-14	2017-01-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2020-01-13	2020-07-14	2021-01-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Image recording apparatus, image recording method, method for controlling the image recording apparatus, storage medium storing a program capable of being read by a computer, and image processing method

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