Patent ID: 7338145

Claim:
An image processing method for an image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium by means of dots including a dot with a minimum dot size larger than a recording distance determined in accordance with resolution, the image processing method comprising the steps of: setting the recording medium; and forming the dots on the recording medium, wherein: outline area dots are dots for recording an outline area of a text character or line which are formed by depositing the dots onto recording positions based on data of the image in a case where a recording region in which the dots are to be formed corresponds to the text character or line; a distance A represents a distance in a direction perpendicular to an ideal outline of the text character or line which is determined in accordance with the recording distance, between the ideal outline and a first envelope line of the outline area dots which extends in a direction of the ideal outline; inner adjacent dots are dots formed by depositing the dots onto recording positions which are inside the text character or line and located inward in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ideal outline by a prescribed number with respect to the outline area dots; a distance B represents a distance in a direction perpendicular to the ideal outline between the ideal outline and a second envelope line of the inner adjacent dots which extends in a direction of the ideal outline; and if relationship between the distance A and the distance B satisfies a following expression, A>B, then the inner adjacent dots are formed and the outline area dots are not formed on the recording medium.