Image processing method and apparatus therefor

Claim 1

An image processing apparatus comprising: entering means for entering plural image signals representing the density of elementary picture elements; detecting means for detecting the number of image signals of a predetermined density in a unit area including at least two elementary picture elements; generating means for generating, in series, digital density signals, each of the digital density signals representing the detected number of the image signals for the unit area; converting means for converting the digital density signals generated in series by said generating means into analog density signals and outputting the analog signals in series; forming means for forming, for each unit area, a dot of variable density on a photosensitive member, said forming means comprising a plurality of lightemitting elements each of which is subjected to intensity modulation in response to electric power provided thereto; a plurality of providing means, each for providing electric power, in an amount corresponding to an associated one of the analog density signals, to an associated one of said plurality of light-emitting elements; and distributing means for sequentially distributing the analog density signals in series outputted from said converting means to said plurality of providing means.