Patent ID: 7798589
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: B41J,G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus which forms an image by scanning a printhead having a plurality of printing elements on a print medium, the apparatus comprising: an input unit configured to input image data; a storage unit configured to store a table in which a printing amount division ratio for each of the printing elements is set for each main scan of the printhead; a setting unit configured to set a printing amount for each of the printing elements for each main scan of the printhead in accordance with the image data based on the table; an N-ary (where N is an integer not less than two) processing unit configured to generate a dot pattern as a formation target by performing N-ary processing for the printing amount set by said setting unit; a detection unit configured to detect a faulty printing element, of the plurality of printing elements, which malfunctions; and an updating unit configured to update the table such that a printing amount which is to be distributed to the faulty printing element detected by said detection unit is distributed to another printing element which prints the same main scanning line as that printed by the faulty printing element.