Image forming apparatus, image processing method, and printer driver

Claim 2

An image forming apparatus for reproducing a black color by using an ink other than a black ink, or by mixing the black ink with the ink other than the black ink, when recording an image on a recording medium based on RGB image data input to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: an image processing part for disposing dots of multiple colors in various gradation levels, the image processing part being configured to convert the RGB image data to CMY image data and dispose the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in each case where the RGB image data satisfies a relationship of R=G=B, wherein the dots of each color maintain the same position even in different gradation levels.

Claim 3

The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image processing part is configured to adjust the position of the dots in accordance with target input image data.

Claim 4

The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the target input image data include a graphic image, a photograph image, and a character/linear image, wherein the image processing part shifts the predetermined gradation level toward high density, wherein the density of the predetermined gradation level becomes higher in an order of graphic image≦photograph image≦character/linear image.

Claim 5

The image forming apparatus as claimed in 1 , wherein the image processing part is configured to dispose the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in response to a request communicated to the image forming apparatus from a host.

Claim 6

The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image processing part is configured to dispose the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in accordance with at least one of type of recording medium or a recording method.

Claim 7

The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image processing part is configured to dispose the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in a case where the black ink has an insufficient fixing property with respect to the recording medium.

Claim 8

The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the image processing part is configured to dispose the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in a case where the ink is a pigment type ink and the recording medium is at least one of a glossy paper or an OHP paper.

Claim 9

The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein composite black dots are formed by said image processing part by disposing the dots of the multiple respective colors at the same position.

Claim 10

The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said composite black dots have a fixed hue in which gray balance does not differ in the different gradation levels of the respective composite black dots.

Claim 11

An image processing method for reproducing a black color by using an ink other than a black ink, or by mixing the black ink with the ink other than the black ink, when recording an image on a recording medium, based on input RGB image data, the image processing method comprising: an image processing step for disposing dots of multiple colors in various gradation levels, the image processing step including the steps of convening the RGB image data to CMY image data and disposing the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in each case where the image data satisfies a relationship of R=G=B, wherein the dots of each color maintain the same position even in different gradation levels.

Claim 12

An image processing method for reproducing a black color by using an ink other than a black ink, or by mixing the black ink with the ink other than the black ink, when recording an image on a recording medium, based on input RGB image data, the image processing method comprising: an image processing step for disposing dots of multiple colors in various gradation levels, the image processing step including the steps of convening the RGB image data to CMY image data and disposing the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in each case where the image data satisfies a relationship of R=G=B, wherein the dots of each color maintain the same position even in different gradation levels.

Claim 13

The image processing method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the image processing step includes a step of adjusting the position of the dots in accordance with target input image data.

Claim 14

The image processing method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the target input image data include a graphic image, a photograph image, and a character/linear image. wherein the image processing step shifts the predetermined gradation level toward high density, wherein the density of the predetermined gradation level becomes higher in an order of graphic image≦photograph image≦character/linear image.

Claim 15

The image processing method as claimed in 10 , wherein the image processing step includes a step of disposing the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in response to a request from a user using the image processing method.

Claim 16

The image processing method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the image processing step includes a step of disposing the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in accordance with at least one of type of recording medium or a recording method.

Claim 17

The image processing method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the image processing step includes a step of disposing the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in a case where the black ink has an insufficient fixing property with respect to the recording medium.

Claim 18

The image processing method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the image processing step includes a step of disposing the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in a case where the ink is a pigment type ink and the recording medium is at least one of a glossy paper or an OHP paper.

Claim 19

A printer driver for outputting image data to an image forming apparatus for reproducing a black color by using an ink other than a black ink, or by mixing the black ink with the ink other than the black ink, when recording an image on a recording medium based on RGB image data input to the image forming apparatus, the printer driver comprising: an image processing part for disposing dots of multiple colors in various gradation levels, the image processing part being configured to convert the RGB image data to CMY image data and dispose the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in each case where the image data satisfies a relationship of R=G=B, wherein the dots of each color maintain the same position even in different gradation levels.

Claim 20

A printer driver for outputting image data to an image forming apparatus for reproducing a black color by using an ink other than a black ink, or by mixing the black ink with the ink other than the black ink, when recording an image on a recording medium based on RGB image data input to the image forming apparatus, the printer driver comprising: an image processing part for disposing dots of multiple colors in various gradation levels, the image processing part being configured to convert the RGB image data to CMY image data and dispose the dots of each color in a predetermined gradation level at a same position in each case where the image data satisfies a relationship of R=G=B, wherein the dots of each color maintain the same position even in different gradation levels.