Patent ID: 7469985

Claim:
A data processing apparatus, said apparatus comprising: means for executing mask processing by using mask patterns for image data of a predetermined color to be printed to a same region of a printing medium by a plurality of nozzle arrays for printing dots of the predetermined color, in order to divide the image data into divided image data used for printing in each of the plurality times of scanning of the plurality of nozzle arrays to the same region; and means for allocating the divided image data that has been subjected to the mask processing to the plurality of nozzle arrays in accordance with respective driving patterns for respective nozzle arrays, the respective driving patterns having driving permitting areas and driving non-permitting areas, wherein the mask pattern has a characteristic that frequency components of a low frequency region in a logical product pattern, which is obtained by a logical product operation of an arrangement of the print permitting areas in the mask pattern and an arrangement of driving permitting areas in the driving pattern for each of the plurality of nozzle arrays, are fewer than that of a high frequency region, and peaks of the frequency components do not exist in a region lower side of half of the low frequency region.