Patent ID: 6259535
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A print image-forming method of forming print image data of a dot matrix in which print portions are represented by positive dots and blank portions are represented by negative dots, comprising the steps of:reading basic image data formed in a manner such that when said basic image data is developed into said dot matrix, a group of image pixels formed by one of a set of positive dots and a set of negative dots is capable of representing a basic image, from a memory device;forming a developed image data item representative of said basic image by developing said basic image data read from said memory device into a dot matrix which is smaller in size, in terms of having a smaller number of dots, than said dot matrix of said print image data in at least one predetermined direction of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction;forming at least one shifted image data item by shifting said developed image data item by units of dots in said at least one predetermined direction, said at least one shifted image data item including a primary shifted image data item formed by shifting said developed image data item by units of dots in said at least one predetermined direction and at least one secondary shifted image data item to be formed by shifting said developed image data item in said at least one predetermined direction by units of dots in a manner such that said group of image pixels becomes continuous between said developed image data item and said primary shifted image data item; andforming said print image data as print image data in which the basic image data is modified by causing said developed image data item, said primary shifted data item and said at least one secondary shifted image data item to be superposed, one upon another, in a manner such that said group of image pixels overrides background pixels.