Patent ID: 7292356
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A method of recording an image by forming ink dots on a print medium in one of a plurality of print modes, comprising the steps of (a) generating dot data from image data indicative of the image, the dot data representing a state of dot formation at each pixel on the print medium; (b) determining a reduction pattern in response to a print mode selected from the plurality of print modes, the reduction pattern representing reduction of an amount of ink for forming an ink dot on a border area of a specific type image area represented by the dot data, the specific type image area being composed of pixels at which specific type dots are to be formed; (c) adjusting the dot data so as to reduce the amount of ink for forming the ink dots based on the selected reduction pattern; and (d) recording the image on the print medium by forming the ink dots in response to the adjusted dot data, wherein the plurality of print modes includes a variable shot mode by forming dots of different size with drive signals of different waveforms and a multi-shot mode by forming dots of different size with drive signals of substantially identical waveform, wherein the determining includes determining a reduction pattern having a greater reduction rate in a main scan direction for the multi-shot mode than a reduction rate in a main scan direction of a reduction pattern for the variable shot mode.