Patent ID: 7284823
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: B41J,G06K

Abstract:
1. A print apparatus that forms an image by repeating a printing scan that carries out printing on a print medium in accordance with image data while scanning a print head having a plurality of printing elements arranged in a predetermined direction, in a direction different from the predetermined direction, and a conveying operation that conveys the print medium in a direction crossing the scan direction, the apparatus comprising: a storage section that stores a first mask pattern used to distribute image data corresponding to a middle portion of the print medium, to a plurality of printing scans, and a second mask pattern used to distribute image data corresponding to at least one of the leading and trailing end portions of the print medium, to a plurality of the printing scans; first printing control means for printing the middle portion of the print medium on the basis of the first mask pattern read from the storage section and image data; and second printing control means for printing the end portion of the print medium on the basis of the second mask pattern read from the storage section and image data, wherein printing rates of the first and second mask patterns are specified so that a printing rate of an end printing element of the printing elements used for the printing by the second printing control means is lower than that of an end printing element of the printing elements used for the printing by the first printing control means and a printing rate of a center printing element of the printing elements used for the printing by the second printing control means is higher than that of a center printing element of the printing elements used for the printing by the first printing control means.