Image continuous printing method, device, equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The application discloses an image continuous exposure printing method, device, equipment and storage medium, and relates to the field of inkjet printing technology. The method obtains a reduced image and an expanded image according to a to-be-printed original image; obtains a decimal pixel value of the original image, and determines a printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image according to the decimal pixel value; and finally, inkjet printing is performed on the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing order. The pixel size of the reduced image and the expanded image is an integer pixel, and the pixel size is reduced or increased relative to the pixel size of the original image. The reduced image and the expanded image are spliced and combined for printing according to the printing order, so that the image size error caused by continuous exposure printing of multiple original images can be eliminated, and the continuous exposure printing quality is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of inkjet printing technology, and in particular to a continuous image printing method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of digital printing, there is a technique called continuous printing, such as... Figure 1 As shown, this technology obtains large-format printed products by repeatedly stitching together an image onto a printing medium. In actual printing, inkjet printers recognize and output image sizes in pixels. However, the original image size provided by the customer is usually in centimeters or millimeters. Therefore, the original image's centimeter or millimeter size needs to be converted into a pixel size that the printer can recognize and output. However, decimal pixel values ​​often occur during this conversion. For example, if the original image is 1 cm wide, the converted pixel size is 100.2 pixels. The integer pixel value, such as 100, is the integer pixel value, and the decimal pixel value, such as 0.2, is the decimal pixel value. However, inkjet printers can only output integer pixel values, meaning they can only print integer pixels. Therefore, in actual printing, there will be instances where pixels corresponding to decimal pixel values ​​cannot be printed. If only a few copies of the original image are printed, the error is small and will not affect print quality. However, continuous printing often requires printing thousands or tens of thousands of original images. If these errors are not addressed, print quality will be severely affected. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus, device and storage medium for continuous image printing, in order to solve the problem that cumulative errors in continuous printing affect the image printing quality in the prior art.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an image continuous printing method, the method comprising:

[0005] Obtain the reduced and expanded images from the original image to be printed;

[0006] Obtain the decimal places of the pixel values ​​corresponding to the original image size, and record them as decimal pixel values. Determine the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel values.

[0007] The reduced image and the expanded image are inkjet printed according to the printing sequence.

[0008] Preferably, obtaining the reduced and expanded images from the original image to be printed includes:

[0009] The original image is rasterized to obtain the reduced image;

[0010] A stitched image is generated based on the color values ​​of the edge pixels of the original image. The original image and the stitched image are then stitched together and rasterized to obtain the expanded image; or, the expanded image is obtained based on the reduced image.

[0011] Preferably, the step of generating a stitched image based on the color values ​​of the edge pixels of the original image, stitching the original image and the stitched image together, and then performing rasterization processing to obtain the expanded image includes:

[0012] The edge pixels of each pixel row of the original image are obtained according to the preset image stitching direction, wherein the edge pixels include at least the first side edge pixels and the second side edge pixels;

[0013] Obtain the average color value of the first side edge pixel and the second side edge pixel, and generate spliced ​​pixel points for the corresponding rows of the first side edge pixel and the second side edge pixel based on the average color value;

[0014] The stitched image is obtained by stitching the stitched pixels row by row.

[0015] The spliced ​​image is spliced ​​to one side of the original image according to the preset image splicing direction to obtain the original expanded image;

[0016] The original augmented image is rasterized to obtain the augmented image.

[0017] Preferably, obtaining the augmented image from the reduced image includes:

[0018] The edge ink dot data of the reduced image is obtained according to a preset image stitching direction, and the edge ink dot data includes first edge ink dot data and second edge ink dot data.

[0019] Obtain transition ink dot data based on the first edge ink dot data and the second edge ink dot data;

[0020] The transition ink dot data is added to one side of the reduced image according to the preset image stitching direction to obtain the expanded image.

[0021] Preferably, obtaining the decimal places of the pixel values ​​corresponding to the original image size, denoted as the decimal pixel value, and determining the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel value includes:

[0022] The original image size is converted to pixel size, and the pixel value corresponding to the pixel size is obtained and recorded as the original pixel value;

[0023] The fractional pixel value is obtained by taking the decimal value from the original pixel values.

[0024] The number of image combinations is obtained based on the fractional pixel values;

[0025] The product of the original pixel value and the number of image combinations is obtained and recorded as the original total pixel value;

[0026] Based on the number of image combinations, select a number of reduced images and a number of expanded images and combine them according to a preset image splicing direction, so that the difference between the total pixel value of the spliced ​​image and the original total pixel value is less than or equal to a preset pixel value.

[0027] The printing order of the thumbnail image and the expanded image is determined based on the spliced ​​and combined image.

[0028] Preferably, the step of inkjet printing the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing order includes:

[0029] Extract the corresponding reduced image or expanded image according to the printing order;

[0030] The reduced image or the expanded image is sent to the printhead for printing.

[0031] Preferably, the inkjet printing of the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing order includes:

[0032] The current extracted image is determined to be either a reduced or expanded image based on the printing order.

[0033] If the currently extracted image is a reduced image, the reduced image is sent to the printhead for printing;

[0034] If the currently extracted image is an expanded image, the expanded image is generated based on the reduced image and then sent to the printhead for printing.

[0035] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide an image continuous printing apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

[0036] The image acquisition module is used to acquire reduced and expanded images based on the original image to be printed;

[0037] The printing order determination module is used to obtain the decimal places in the pixel values ​​corresponding to the original image size, denoted as the decimal pixel value, and determine the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel value;

[0038] A printing module is used to inkjet print the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing sequence.

[0039] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide an image continuous printing apparatus, comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, wherein when the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the method of the first aspect described above is implemented.

[0040] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a storage medium storing computer program instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of the first aspect described above.

[0041] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0042] The continuous printing method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided in this invention involve obtaining a reduced image and an expanded image from an original image to be printed; obtaining the fractional pixel values ​​of the original image; determining the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the fractional pixel values; and finally, inkjet printing the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing order. The pixel dimensions of the reduced image and the expanded image are integer pixels and are either reduced or increased compared to the pixel dimensions of the original image. By combining and printing the reduced image and the expanded image in the printing order, image size errors caused by continuous printing of multiple original images can be eliminated, thereby improving the continuous printing quality. Attached Figure Description

[0043] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, and these are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of continuous exposure technology in the background art.

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the image continuous printing direction according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of longitudinal continuous drying according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the original expanded image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the expanded image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the image continuous printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the image continuous printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only configured to explain the present invention and are not configured to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can be practiced without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the invention.

[0052] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0053] Example 1

[0054] This invention provides a continuous printing method for images, applicable to applications using continuous printing technology. Please refer to... Figure 2 The method includes:

[0055] S1: Obtain the reduced and expanded images based on the original image to be printed;

[0056] S2: Obtain the decimal places of the pixel values ​​corresponding to the original image size, and record them as decimal pixel values. Determine the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel values.

[0057] S3: Print the reduced image and the expanded image by inkjet printing according to the printing order.

[0058] Specifically, before printing, the original image to be printed often needs to be rasterized into a bitmap image that the printer can recognize. The bitmap image obtained after rasterizing the original image is an image with only integer pixels. The original image has a defined size, that is, its length and width in centimeters, millimeters, or meters. Based on the physical length represented by each pixel, the image size expressed in centimeters, millimeters, or meters can be converted into a pixel size expressed in pixels. Since the converted pixel size often has decimal places, for example, if the original image is 1 centimeter long and the converted pixel size is 100.2 pixels, then the decimal part 0.2 in the pixel value 100.2 is the decimal pixel value, and the integer part 100 is the integer pixel value. Since the rasterized image obtained from the original image is an image with only integer pixels (i.e., only the portion corresponding to integer pixels 100), denoted as the reduced image, the portion corresponding to the decimal pixel value of 0.2 cannot be printed. During continuous printing, repeated printing of this missing portion leads to an accumulation of errors, which affects the image printing quality. To avoid this problem, in the above embodiment of the invention, an expanded image is obtained based on the original image and the missing portion after rasterization. This expanded image also has integer pixels, and it expands the image content by one pixel compared to the reduced image. Then, during printing, the decimal pixel value can be used to determine how many reduced and expanded images are needed, and in what printing order they are stitched together to obtain an image whose overall size is the same as or within the allowable range of the overall size of the same number of original images printed. Subsequently, the reduced and expanded images can be printed cyclically according to this printing order, thereby completing continuous printing of the entire print area and eliminating the aforementioned accumulated errors.

[0059] Preferably, obtaining the reduced and expanded images from the original image to be printed includes:

[0060] The original image is rasterized to obtain the reduced image;

[0061] A stitched image is generated based on the color values ​​of the edge pixels of the original image. The original image and the stitched image are then stitched together and rasterized to obtain the expanded image; or, the expanded image is obtained based on the reduced image.

[0062] Specifically, the reduced image is obtained by rasterizing the original image. The reduced image is a bitmap image with only integer pixels; its pixel size is equivalent to the integer part of the corresponding pixel size in the original image, meaning it is reduced in size compared to the corresponding pixel size in the original image, hence the name "reduced image." The expanded image is also a bitmap image with integer pixels. Preferably, the expanded image is expanded by one pixel relative to the original image; this can be generated in raster image processing software (RIP software) or in print control software. Before printing, the printer needs to rasterize the image to be printed to obtain a PRN format bitmap image, and then send this bitmap image to the print control software in the printer's host computer. The print control software then distributes the bitmap image to the printer's slave computer for inkjet printing.

[0063] In one embodiment, the generation of the expanded image is performed in image rasterization software (RIP software). In the RIP software, a stitched image is first generated based on the color values ​​of the edge pixels of the original image. The original image and the stitched image are then stitched together to obtain the original stitched image. The original stitched image is then rasterized to obtain the expanded image. The specific steps are as follows:

[0064] The edge pixels of each pixel row of the original image are obtained according to the preset image stitching direction, wherein the edge pixels include at least the first side edge pixels and the second side edge pixels;

[0065] Obtain the average color value of the first side edge pixel and the second side edge pixel, and generate spliced ​​pixel points for the corresponding rows of the first side edge pixel and the second side edge pixel based on the average color value;

[0066] The stitched image is obtained by stitching the stitched pixels row by row.

[0067] The spliced ​​image is spliced ​​to one side of the original image according to the preset image splicing direction to obtain the original expanded image;

[0068] The original augmented image is rasterized to obtain the augmented image.

[0069] Specifically, continuous sun exposure can be like this: Figure 1 As shown, the pieces are joined horizontally (in the X direction), or as... Figure 3 The image is stitched vertically (Y-direction). The following example illustrates how to generate an expanded image by horizontally stitching the original image (i.e., the preset stitching direction is horizontal). Figure 4As shown, when the original image is stitched horizontally, the outermost columns of pixels 11 and 12 on the left and right sides are edge pixels. In other embodiments, edge pixels can also be the outermost two or three columns of pixels, which can be determined according to the actual situation and are not limited to the outermost column. In other embodiments, when the preset stitching image direction is vertical, the pixels on the top and bottom sides of the original image are edge pixels.

[0070] For each row of pixels in the original image, there is one pixel on each of the left and right sides, denoted as the first edge pixel and the second edge pixel. The average color value of the first edge pixel and the second edge pixel is obtained and denoted as the average color value. A pixel corresponding to this average color value is generated and denoted as the stitching pixel. This process is repeated to obtain the stitching pixels for each row. These stitching pixels are then stitched together row by row to form a stitched image with a length of one pixel. In other embodiments, the stitched image can be an image with a length of two, three, or several pixels, but the stitched image must meet the following requirement: the pixel value corresponding to the stitched image after rasterization is greater than or equal to 1. Since the preset image stitching direction is horizontal, the stitched image is stitched to the left or right side of the original image, preferably the right side, to obtain the original expanded image. For example, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, the original image has eight rows of pixels. The color values ​​of the first edge pixel on the left and the second edge pixel on the right of the first row are a11 and a12 respectively, with an average color value of (a11+a12) / 2. This generates a pixel with a color value of (a11+a12) / 2, resulting in the corresponding stitched pixel for the first row. Similarly, the color values ​​of the first edge pixel on the left and the second edge pixel on the right of the second row in the original image are a21 and a22 respectively, with an average color value of (a21+a22) / 2. This generates a pixel with a color value of (a21+a22) / 2, resulting in the corresponding stitched pixel for the second row... and so on, obtaining the stitched pixel for each row. These eight rows of stitched pixels are then vertically stitched together to obtain the stitched image 13. This stitched image 13 is then stitched onto the right side of the original image, resulting in... Figure 4 The original expanded image is used as the reference image. The rasterized image obtained by rasterizing the original expanded image is denoted as the expanded image.

[0071] In one embodiment, the generation of the expanded image is performed in the print control software. Preferably, the image input to the print control software is a bitmap image, composed of ink dot data, where each ink dot represents whether ink is being dispensed or the amount of ink dispensed. The bitmap image obtained by rasterizing the original image is a reduced image, and correspondingly, an expanded image, also a bitmap image, can be obtained from the reduced image. Preferably, obtaining the expanded image from the reduced image includes:

[0072] The edge ink dot data of the reduced image is obtained according to a preset image stitching direction, and the edge ink dot data includes first edge ink dot data and second edge ink dot data.

[0073] Obtain transition ink dot data based on the first edge ink dot data and the second edge ink dot data;

[0074] The transition ink dot data is added to one side of the reduced image according to the preset image stitching direction to obtain the expanded image.

[0075] Similarly, let's take horizontal stitching as an example to illustrate how to obtain an expanded image. The preset image stitching direction is horizontal, such as... Figure 5 The image shown is a reduced image. When the preset image stitching direction is horizontal, the outermost column of ink dot data L1 and L2 on the left and right sides of the reduced image are recorded as the first edge ink dot data and the second edge ink dot data, respectively. In other embodiments, when the preset stitching image direction is vertical, the ink dot data on the top and bottom sides of the reduced image are edge image ink dot data. In order to make the transition between the expanded and reduced images during continuous printing natural, it is necessary to determine the transition ink dot data when stitching the reduced and expanded images based on the ink dot data at the edges (stitching area) of the reduced image, that is, to determine the transition ink dot data based on the first edge ink dot data and the second edge ink dot data. Taking 2-bit halftone processing as an example, the ink dot data includes four values: 0, 1, 2, and 3. Ink dot data 0 indicates no ink output or a blank ink dot; ink dot data 1 indicates a small ink output or a small ink dot; ink dot data 2 indicates a medium ink output or a medium ink dot; and ink dot data 3 indicates a large ink output or a large ink dot. For example... Figure 5As shown, the transition ink dot data L3 is determined based on the first edge ink dot data L1 and the second edge ink dot data L2 of each row of the reduced image. For the first row of dot matrix data, the first edge ink dot data is 1 and the second edge ink dot data is 0. Therefore, the transition ink dot data for the first row can be 1 or 0; in this embodiment, 0 is selected. For the second row of dot matrix data, the first edge ink dot data is 0 and the second edge ink dot data is 2. In this case, a value between the two ink dot data, i.e., 1, can be selected to ensure a smoother and more uniform image transition. For the third row of dot matrix data, the first edge ink dot data is 2 and the second edge ink dot data is 3. Therefore, the transition ink dot data for the third row can be 2 or 3; in this embodiment, 2 is selected. For the fourth row of dot matrix data, the first edge ink dot data is 3 and the second edge ink dot data is 1. Therefore, the transition ink dot data for the fourth row can be 1, 2, or 3, preferably 2; and so on, obtaining the transition ink dot data corresponding to each row of dot matrix data. When the preset image stitching direction is horizontal, the corresponding transition ink dot data for each row is added to one side of the reduced image (e.g., ...). Figure 5 The image on the right (shown) yielded a new bitmap image, which is the augmented image.

[0076] After obtaining the reduced and expanded images, the next step is to determine how to stitch the reduced and expanded images together based on the decimal pixel values ​​to eliminate errors caused by continuous printing. Preferably, obtaining the decimal places of the pixel values ​​corresponding to the original image size, denoted as the decimal pixel values, and determining the printing order of the reduced and expanded images based on the decimal pixel values ​​includes:

[0077] The fractional pixel value is obtained by taking the decimal value from the original pixel values.

[0078] The number of image combinations is obtained based on the fractional pixel values;

[0079] The product of the original pixel value and the number of image combinations is obtained and recorded as the original total pixel value;

[0080] Based on the number of image combinations, select a number of reduced images and a number of expanded images and combine them according to a preset image splicing direction, so that the difference between the total pixel value of the spliced ​​image and the original total pixel value is less than or equal to a preset pixel value.

[0081] The printing order of the thumbnail image and the expanded image is determined based on the spliced ​​and combined image.

[0082] Specifically, the original image size, measured in meters, centimeters, or millimeters, first needs to be converted to pixel size. In the example above, the original image length is 1 centimeter, and the converted pixel size is 100.2 pixels. The original pixel value is 100.2, with the decimal 0.2 representing the fractional pixel value. Since the length of the reduced image is the integer part of the original image's corresponding pixel size (100), and the length of the expanded image is one pixel greater than the reduced image (101), the fractional pixel value indicates that if continuous printing is performed according to the original image's pixel size, then five consecutive original images need to be printed before the overall image's pixel size becomes an integer. Therefore, the total number of reduced and expanded images is determined to be five. The number of reduced and expanded images, and their arrangement or printing order, are determined based on whether the total pixel value of the combined image matches the total pixel value of the five original images or if the difference is less than or equal to a preset pixel value. In one embodiment, the preset pixel value is 0.5 pixels. For example, let the reduced image be S and the expanded image be K. If the images are combined using the SSKSS method, the resulting pixel (size) value is 100 + 100 + 101 + 100 + 100 = 501. The original pixel value of the original image is 100.2. The product of this value and the number 5 is the original total pixel value of 501, which is the same as or less than or equal to 0.5 pixels of the total pixel value of the combined image. In other examples, continuous printing can also be performed using methods such as SSSSK or KSSSS, where the total pixel value of the combined image is the same as the original total pixel value. The printing order for continuous printing is determined based on the resulting image, such as SSKSS. That is, first print two reduced images, then print one expanded image, then print two more reduced images. After printing one combined image, continue printing in the same order: first print two reduced images, then print one expanded image, then print two more reduced images.

[0083] In another embodiment, the original image is 1.08 cm long, and the converted pixel size is 100.6 pixels, that is, the original pixel value is 100.6, of which the decimal pixel value is 0.6. According to the decimal pixel value, if the printing can be done according to the pixel size of the original image during continuous printing, then 5 original images need to be printed consecutively before the pixel size of the overall image is an integer. Therefore, the total number of reduced and expanded images is determined to be 5. The number of reduced and expanded images, and the arrangement or printing order, can be determined based on whether the total pixel value of the combined image is the same as the total pixel value of the 5 original images or the difference is less than or equal to a preset pixel value. Let the reduced image be S and the expanded image be K. If we combine them using the SKSKK method, the resulting pixel (size) value is 100 + 101 + 100 + 101 + 101 = 503. The original pixel value of the original image is 100.6. Multiplying this by the number 5 gives the original total pixel value of 503, which is the same as or less than or equal to 0.5 pixels of the total pixel value of the combined image. In other examples, we can also use the SSKKK or KSKSK combination methods for continuous printing, where the total pixel value of the combined image is the same as the original total pixel value. Based on the resulting image (e.g., SKSKK), we determine the printing order for continuous printing: first print one reduced image, then one expanded image, then another reduced image, then two expanded images. After printing one combined image, we continue in the same order: first print one reduced image, then one expanded image, then another reduced image, then two expanded images for continuous printing.

[0084] After obtaining the printing order of the reduced and expanded images, inkjet printing is performed accordingly. Since the expanded image can be generated in raster image processing software or print control software, the specific printing process differs slightly depending on the software used to generate the expanded image.

[0085] In one embodiment, inkjet printing the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing order includes:

[0086] Extract the corresponding reduced image or expanded image according to the printing order;

[0087] The reduced image or the expanded image is sent to the printhead for printing.

[0088] Specifically, when the expanded image is generated in the RIP software, both the reduced and expanded images sent to the print control software are complete bitmap images. Therefore, the print control software directly extracts the reduced or expanded image according to the printing order, such as the SSKSS printing order mentioned above, and sends it to the printhead for printing.

[0089] When the expanded image is generated in the print control software, the inkjet printing of the reduced image and the expanded image according to the print order includes:

[0090] The current extracted image is determined to be either a reduced or expanded image based on the printing order.

[0091] If the currently extracted image is a reduced image, the reduced image is sent to the printhead for printing;

[0092] If the currently extracted image is an expanded image, the expanded image is generated based on the reduced image and then sent to the printhead for printing.

[0093] Specifically, when the expanded image is generated in the print control software, the image sent to the print control software is only a reduced image after rasterization of the original image. The print order determines whether the currently extracted image is a reduced or expanded image. If the currently extracted image is a reduced image, it is sent to the printhead for printing. If the current image is an expanded image, it first needs to be generated from the reduced image as described above before being sent to the printhead for printing. When sending data to the printhead for printing, the expanded image can be generated completely before sending, or the ink dot data corresponding to one row of the reduced image and one row of transition ink dot data can be extracted line by line and sent to the printhead for printing, i.e., the expanded image is generated and printed simultaneously, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0094] In summary, the continuous printing method provided by this invention involves obtaining a reduced image and an expanded image from the original image to be printed; obtaining the decimal pixel values ​​of the original image; determining the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel values; and finally, inkjet printing the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing order. The pixel sizes of the reduced image and the expanded image are integer pixels and are either reduced or increased relative to the pixel size of the original image. By combining and printing the reduced image and the expanded image in the printing order, image size errors caused by continuous printing of multiple original images can be eliminated, thereby improving the continuous printing quality.

[0095] Example 2

[0096] Please see Figure 6 This invention provides an image continuous printing apparatus 200, the apparatus 200 comprising:

[0097] Image acquisition module 201 is used to acquire reduced and expanded images based on the original image to be printed;

[0098] The printing order determination module 202 is used to obtain the decimal places in the pixel values ​​corresponding to the original image size, and record them as decimal pixel values, and determine the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel values;

[0099] The printing module 203 is used to inkjet print the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing sequence.

[0100] Preferably, the image acquisition module 201 includes:

[0101] A reduced image acquisition unit is used to perform rasterization processing on the original image to obtain the reduced image;

[0102] An expanded image acquisition unit is used to generate a stitched image based on the color values ​​of the edge pixels of the original image, stitch the original image and the stitched image together and then perform rasterization processing to obtain the expanded image; or, to acquire the expanded image based on the reduced image.

[0103] Preferably, the augmented image acquisition unit includes:

[0104] An edge pixel acquisition unit is used to acquire the edge pixels of each pixel row of the original image according to a preset image stitching direction, wherein the edge pixels include at least a first side edge pixel and a second side edge pixel;

[0105] An average color value acquisition unit is used to acquire the average color value of the first side edge pixel and the second side edge pixel, and generate spliced ​​pixel points for the corresponding rows of the first side edge pixel and the second side edge pixel based on the average color value.

[0106] The image stitching acquisition unit is used to stitch the stitched pixels sequentially row by row to obtain the stitched image;

[0107] The original expanded image acquisition unit is used to stitch the spliced ​​image to one side of the original image according to the preset image splicing direction to obtain the original expanded image;

[0108] A raster processing unit is used to rasterize the original expanded image to obtain the expanded image.

[0109] Preferably, the augmented image acquisition unit includes:

[0110] An edge ink dot data acquisition unit is used to acquire edge ink dot data of the reduced image according to a preset image stitching direction. The edge ink dot data includes first edge ink dot data and second edge ink dot data.

[0111] A transition ink dot data acquisition unit is used to acquire transition ink dot data based on the first edge ink dot data and the second edge ink dot data;

[0112] An adding unit is used to add the transition ink dot data to one side of the reduced image according to the preset image splicing direction to obtain the expanded image.

[0113] Preferably, the printing order determination module 202 includes:

[0114] The original pixel value acquisition unit is used to convert the original image size into a pixel size and acquire the pixel value corresponding to the pixel size, which is recorded as the original pixel value.

[0115] The decimal pixel value acquisition unit is used to acquire the decimal value in the original pixel value, which is the decimal pixel value.

[0116] An image combination number acquisition unit is used to acquire the number of image combinations based on the fractional pixel value;

[0117] The original total pixel value acquisition unit is used to acquire the product of the original pixel value and the number of image combinations, which is denoted as the original total pixel value;

[0118] The splicing and combining unit is used to select a number of reduced images and a number of expanded images according to the number of image combinations and splice and combine them according to a preset image splicing direction, so that the difference between the total pixel value of the spliced ​​and combined image and the original total pixel value is less than or equal to the preset pixel value.

[0119] The printing order determination unit is used to determine the printing order of the thumbnail image and the expanded image based on the spliced ​​and combined image.

[0120] Preferably, the printing module 203 includes:

[0121] The first extraction unit is used to extract the corresponding reduced image or the expanded image according to the printing order;

[0122] The first printing unit is used to send the reduced image or the expanded image to the printhead for printing.

[0123] Preferably, the printing module 203 includes:

[0124] An image extraction determination unit is used to determine whether the currently extracted image is a reduced image or an expanded image based on the printing order;

[0125] The second printing unit is used to send the reduced image to the printhead for printing if the currently extracted image is a reduced image;

[0126] The third printing unit is used to generate the expanded image based on the reduced image and send the expanded image to the printhead for printing if the currently extracted image is an expanded image.

[0127] In summary, the continuous printing apparatus provided in this embodiment of the invention obtains a reduced image and an expanded image based on the original image to be printed; obtains the fractional pixel values ​​of the original image and determines the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the fractional pixel values; and finally, inkjet prints the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing order. The pixel sizes of the reduced image and the expanded image are integer pixels and are either reduced or increased relative to the pixel size of the original image. By combining and printing the reduced image and the expanded image in the printing order, image size errors caused by continuous printing of multiple original images can be eliminated, thereby improving the continuous printing quality.

[0128] Example 3

[0129] In addition, the continuous image printing method of this invention can be implemented by a continuous image printing device. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the image continuous printing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0130] The image continuous printing apparatus may include a processor 301 and a memory 302 storing computer program instructions.

[0131] Specifically, the processor 301 may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits that can be configured to implement the embodiments of the present invention.

[0132] Memory 302 may include mass storage for data or instructions. For example, and not limitingly, memory 302 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), floppy disk drive, flash memory, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, memory 302 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media. Where appropriate, memory 302 may be internal or external to a data processing device. In a particular embodiment, memory 302 is a non-volatile solid-state memory. In a particular embodiment, memory 302 includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, the ROM may be a mask-programmed ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), an electrically rewritable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory, or a combination of two or more of these.

[0133] The processor 301 reads and executes computer program instructions stored in the memory 302 to implement any of the image continuous printing methods in the above embodiments.

[0134] In one example, the image continuous printing apparatus may also include a communication interface 303 and a bus 310. Wherein, for example... Figure 7 As shown, the processor 301, memory 302, and communication interface 303 are connected through bus 310 and complete communication with each other.

[0135] The communication interface 303 is mainly used to realize communication between various modules, devices, units and / or equipment in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0136] Bus 310 includes hardware, software, or both, that couples components of an image printing apparatus together. For example, and not as a limitation, bus 310 may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), HyperTransport (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an Infinite Bandwidth Interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Microchannel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCI-X) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, or other suitable buses, or combinations of two or more of these. Where appropriate, bus 310 may include one or more buses. While specific buses are described and illustrated in embodiments of the invention, the invention contemplates any suitable bus or interconnect.

[0137] Example 4

[0138] Furthermore, in conjunction with the continuous image printing methods described in the above embodiments, this invention can be implemented using a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions; when these computer program instructions are executed by the processor 301, they implement any of the continuous image printing methods described in the above embodiments.

[0139] In summary, the continuous printing method, apparatus, device, and storage medium provided in this invention obtain a reduced image and an expanded image from the original image to be printed; obtain the decimal pixel values ​​of the original image and determine the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel values; and finally, inkjet print the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing order. The pixel sizes of the reduced image and the expanded image are integer pixels and are either reduced or increased relative to the pixel size of the original image. By combining and printing the reduced image and the expanded image in the printing order, image size errors caused by continuous printing of multiple original images can be eliminated, thereby improving the continuous printing quality.

[0140] It should be clarified that the present invention is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of the present invention is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of the present invention.

[0141] The functional blocks shown in the above-described structural diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this invention are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. The programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried in a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0142] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this invention describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this invention is not limited to the order of the steps described above; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0143] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for continuous image printing, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtaining a reduced image and an expanded image from an original image to be printed includes: performing rasterization on the original image to obtain the reduced image; generating a stitched image based on the color values ​​of the edge pixels of the original image; stitching the original image and the stitched image together and then performing rasterization to obtain the expanded image; or, obtaining transition ink dot data of the reduced image and adding the transition ink dot data to one side of the reduced image along a preset image stitching direction to obtain the expanded image. Obtaining the decimal places of the pixel values ​​corresponding to the original image size, denoted as the decimal pixel value, and determining the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel value, includes: converting the original image size to a pixel size; obtaining the pixel value corresponding to the pixel size, denoted as the original pixel value; obtaining the decimal value of the original pixel value, which is the decimal pixel value; obtaining the number of image combinations based on the decimal pixel value; obtaining the product of the original pixel value and the number of image combinations, denoted as the original total pixel value; selecting a number of the reduced images and a number of the expanded images according to the number of image combinations and combining them according to a preset image splicing direction, such that the difference between the total pixel value of the spliced ​​image and the original total pixel value is less than or equal to a preset pixel value; and determining the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the spliced ​​image. The reduced image and the expanded image are printed by inkjet printing according to the printing sequence.

2. The image continuous printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of generating a stitched image based on the color values ​​of the edge pixels of the original image, stitching the original image and the stitched image together, and then performing rasterization processing to obtain the expanded image includes: The edge pixels of each pixel row of the original image are obtained according to the preset image stitching direction, wherein the edge pixels include at least the first side edge pixels and the second side edge pixels; Obtain the average color value of the first side edge pixel and the second side edge pixel, and generate spliced ​​pixel points for the corresponding rows of the first side edge pixel and the second side edge pixel based on the average color value; The stitched image is obtained by stitching the stitched pixels row by row. The spliced ​​image is spliced ​​to one side of the original image according to the preset image splicing direction to obtain the original expanded image; The original augmented image is rasterized to obtain the augmented image.

3. The image continuous printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the transition ink dot data of the reduced image and adding the transition ink dot data to one side of the reduced image along the preset image stitching direction to obtain the expanded image includes: The edge ink dot data of the reduced image is obtained according to a preset image stitching direction, and the edge ink dot data includes first edge ink dot data and second edge ink dot data. Obtain transition ink dot data based on the first edge ink dot data and the second edge ink dot data; The expanded image is obtained by adding the transition ink dot data to one side of the reduced image according to the preset image stitching direction.

4. The image continuous printing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The process of inkjet printing the reduced image and the enlarged image according to the printing sequence includes: Extract the corresponding reduced image or expanded image according to the printing order; The reduced image or the expanded image is sent to the printhead for printing.

5. The image continuous printing method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The process of inkjet printing the reduced image and the enlarged image according to the printing order includes: The current extracted image is determined to be either a reduced or expanded image based on the printing order. If the currently extracted image is a reduced image, the reduced image is sent to the printhead for printing; If the currently extracted image is an expanded image, the expanded image is generated based on the reduced image and then sent to the printhead for printing.

6. An image continuous printing apparatus, characterized in that, The device includes: An image acquisition module is used to acquire a reduced image and an expanded image based on an original image to be printed, including: performing rasterization processing on the original image to acquire the reduced image; generating a stitched image based on the color values ​​of the edge pixels of the original image; stitching the original image and the stitched image together and then performing rasterization processing to obtain the expanded image; or, acquiring transition ink dot data of the reduced image and adding the transition ink dot data to one side of the reduced image along a preset image stitching direction to obtain the expanded image. A printing order determination module is used to obtain the decimal places of the pixel values ​​corresponding to the original image size, denoted as decimal pixel values, and determine the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the decimal pixel values. This includes: converting the original image size to a pixel size; obtaining the pixel values ​​corresponding to the pixel size, denoted as original pixel values; obtaining the decimal value of the original pixel values; obtaining the number of image combinations based on the decimal pixel values; obtaining the product of the original pixel values ​​and the number of image combinations, denoted as the original total pixel value; selecting several reduced images and several expanded images according to the number of image combinations and combining them according to a preset image splicing direction, such that the difference between the total pixel value of the combined image and the original total pixel value is less than or equal to a preset pixel value; and determining the printing order of the reduced image and the expanded image based on the combined image. A printing module is used to inkjet print the reduced image and the expanded image according to the printing sequence.

7. An image continuous printing apparatus, characterized in that, include: At least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, which, when executed by the processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

8. A storage medium storing computer program instructions thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program instructions are executed by a processor, the method as described in any one of claims 1-5 is implemented.

Images