Printing control method, printing apparatus, and program

Abstract

This invention provides a printing control method, a printing apparatus, and a program that can improve the accuracy of correction of printed images printed over a pattern. [Solution] The printing control method includes: calculating feature quantities for each of a plurality of target pixels included in an image captured of a medium on which a pattern is formed; classifying each of the plurality of target pixels into one of a plurality of feature quantity clusters based on the feature quantities; classifying the plurality of feature quantity clusters into either pattern clusters or background clusters based on predetermined conditions; obtaining a pattern region for the pattern in the captured image by comparing the captured image with a pattern image relating to the pattern formed on the medium based on the result of classifying whether it is a pattern cluster or a background cluster; correcting the print image to be printed over the pattern formed on the medium as a corrected print image based on the shape of the pattern region; and printing the corrected print image onto the medium.

Claims

1. Acquiring an image of a medium on which a pattern is formed, The process involves calculating feature quantities for each of the multiple target pixels included in the aforementioned captured image, Each of the aforementioned multiple target pixels is classified into one of the multiple feature clusters based on the aforementioned feature quantities. Based on predetermined conditions, the plurality of feature clusters are classified into either pattern clusters or background clusters. Based on the classification result into either the pattern cluster or the background cluster, the pattern region for the pattern in the captured image is obtained by comparing the captured image with a pattern image relating to the pattern formed on the medium. Based on the shape of the pattern region, the printed image superimposed on the pattern formed on the medium is corrected as a corrected printed image. The process includes printing the corrected print image onto a medium, A printing control method characterized by the following:

2. A printing control method according to claim 1, Calculating the feature quantities for each of the aforementioned multiple target pixels includes calculating the feature quantities for reference pixels included in a reference region centered on each of the aforementioned multiple target pixels. A printing control method characterized by the following:

3. A printing control method according to claim 2, The feature quantity relating to the reference pixel includes at least one of the grayscale value of the reference pixel and the edge intensity of the reference pixel. A printing control method characterized by the following:

4. A printing control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, This includes normalizing the feature quantities for each of the plurality of target pixels, Classifying into one of the aforementioned feature clusters includes classifying into one of the aforementioned feature clusters based on the standardized features. A printing control method characterized by the following:

5. A printing control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The pattern image is an image in which each of the multiple pixels included in the pattern image is assigned to either the pattern cluster or the background cluster. A printing control method characterized by the following:

6. A printing control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The captured image includes the plurality of target pixels and a plurality of non-target pixels that are different from the plurality of target pixels. This includes interpolating the classification of each of the multiple target pixels as either a pattern cluster or a background cluster based on the results of classifying each of the multiple target pixels as either a pattern cluster or a background cluster, A printing control method characterized by the following:

7. Acquiring an image of a medium on which a pattern is formed, The process involves calculating feature quantities for each of the multiple target pixels included in the aforementioned captured image, Each of the aforementioned multiple target pixels is classified into one of the multiple feature clusters based on the aforementioned feature quantities. Based on predetermined conditions, the plurality of feature clusters are classified into either pattern clusters or background clusters. Based on the classification result into either the pattern cluster or the background cluster, the pattern region for the pattern in the captured image is obtained by comparing the captured image with a pattern image relating to the pattern formed on the medium. Based on the shape of the pattern region, the printed image superimposed on the pattern formed on the medium is corrected as a corrected printed image. The corrected print image is printed onto a medium, and the following is performed: A printing apparatus characterized by the following features.

8. On at least one computer, Acquiring an image of a medium on which a pattern is formed, The process involves calculating feature quantities for each of the multiple target pixels included in the aforementioned captured image, Each of the aforementioned multiple target pixels is classified into one of the multiple feature clusters based on the aforementioned feature quantities. Based on predetermined conditions, the plurality of feature clusters are classified into either pattern clusters or background clusters. Based on the classification result into either the pattern cluster or the background cluster, the pattern region for the pattern in the captured image is obtained by comparing the captured image with a pattern image relating to the pattern formed on the medium. Based on the shape of the pattern region, the printed image superimposed on the pattern formed on the medium is corrected as a corrected printed image. To print the corrected print image onto a medium, A program characterized by the following features.

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