Binary-coding pattern creating method and apparatus, binary-coding pattern, and computer-readable recording medium in which binary-coding pattern creating program is recorded

Abstract

A method is provided for creating a binary-coding pattern to be used in binary-coding a multi-value image. The method includes the steps of: creating a basic pattern shape of the prospective binary-coding pattern by a first arithmetic operation; determining the sequence of lighting pixels composing such basic pattern by a second arithmetic operation; and creating a rectangular pattern, which serves as the prospective binary-coding pattern, based on the resultant basic pattern. Hereby, it is possible to automatically create a centralized type of binary-coding pattern, and also it is possible to facilitate creating a minimum-sized binary-coding pattern.

1 . A binary-coding pattern which is created based on a basic pattern and is to be used in binary-coding a multi-value image, wherein a series of halftone dots arranged in a network fashion is generated by lighting pixels of said basic pattern sequentially from the one nearer to a predetermined point of the prospective basic pattern in such a manner that the length of an outline of the lighted pixels adjoining to the non-lighted ones is minimal.  
   
   
       2 . A binary-coding pattern according to  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of lighting the pixels is determined based on a coefficient which relates to a distance between a predetermined point in said basic pattern and each of the pixels.  
   
   
       3 . A rectangular binary-coding pattern which is created based on a basic pattern and is to be used in binary-coding a multi-value image, wherein a series of halftone dots arranged in a network fashion is generated by lighting pixels of a motif-pattern, which shows a distinctive characteristic of the binary-coding pattern, in a predetermined sequence, and by arranging said motif-pattern in repetitions in accordance with a predetermined rule.  
   
   
       4 . A binary-coding pattern according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said motif-pattern occupies a rectangular area that is measured Y in the primary scanning direction by i in the secondary scanning direction, thus being composed of Y×i pixels;    Y measured in the primary scanning direction is equal to a length, measured in the primary scanning direction, of said rectangular pattern of the particular size; and    i measured in the secondary scanning direction is equal to a minimum quantity (the number of pixels), measured in the secondary scanning direction, essential for said rectangular area to include a complete set of lightening sequence numbers determined one for each of the pixels composing the basic pattern.