Printer, print method and print system

Abstract

A printer is permitted to obtain printed matter of high picture quality from print data transferred in the state changed into 1 bit for the purpose of shortening data transfer time. A multi-value conversion unit (23) converts CMYK respective 1 bit binary data from an expansion unit (22) into multi-valued data. The multi-value conversion unit sets values that a remarked pixel should take, which corresponds to circumstances of surrounding pixels, in a table where two gradation data (0, 1) of the remarked pixel and two gradation data of pixels around the remarked pixel, e.g., upper and lower, left and right and oblique eight pixels are assigned to respective digits of binary number of eight figures are taken as parameter to make reference to this table to thereby convert two gradation data into multi-valued data.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a printer and a print method which have multi-valued representation ability per one pixel, and relates to a printer, a print method and a print system which can obtain printed matter of high picture quality by less data quantity. [0002] This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-356527, filed on November, 2001, the entirety of which is incorporated herein. BACKGROUND ART [0003] Picture quality of printed result (printed matter) required for printer becomes high year by year, and realization of high resolution and realization of multi-valued data are advanced in accordance therewith. [0004] On the other hand, correspondingly thereto, print data becomes vast more and more. For example, data quantity of A4 full size 600 dpi CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) respective pixel 8 bit becomes equal to as far as about 140 MB. Under such circumstances, it takes much time in data transfer. In view of the ab...

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