Abstract An operator can select image processing for a half tone image area among a plurality of processing methods, and image processing appropriate for the image can be carried out thereby. An original image is read by an image sensor 1 and output through either simple binary conversion by binary conversion means 3 for character processing or half tone image processing by binary conversion means 2 for photograph processing. Judging means 6 judges whether image data are of a character image area or a half tone image area, and switches output between the binary conversion means 3 for character processing and the binary conversion means 2 for photograph processing. The binary conversion means 2 for photograph processing includes error diffusion processing means 10 and dither processing means 11 . By setting of setting means 13 carried out by an operator, output from either the error diffusion processing means 10 or the dither processing means 11 is selected for a half tone image.
Inventors
👤 Yukio Irie
👤 Shinya Okada
👤 Aya Nakadai
👤 Yoshiyuki Okada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-09 12:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a means for judging a degree of likelihood of being a half tone image pixel or a character image pixel of a target pixel in an original and for outputting a judge degree in stepwise values; a gamma correction means having a plurality of density conversion curves showing relations between input density of image data and output density thereof for converting the image data by using one of the density conversion curves corresponding to the judgment result by the judging means; binary conversion means for photographic processing for carrying out binary conversion on a half tone image by using a predetermined method; said binary conversion means further comprises an image processor means for carrying out binary conversion processing on the half tone image by using one of at least two different kinds of image processing methods and outputting binary-converted image data; and a selector means selected by a user for selecting a binary-converted image data output by any one of said at least two kinds of image processing methods.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: a means for judging a degree of likelihood of being a half tone image pixel or a character image pixel of a target pixel in an original and for outputting a judge degree in stepwise values; a gamma correction means having a plurality of density conversion curves showing relations between input density of image data and output density thereof for converting the image data by using one of the density conversion curves corresponding to the judgment result by the judging means; binary conversion means for photographic processing for carrying out binary conversion on a half tone image by using a predetermined method; said binary conversion means further comprises an image processor means for carrying out binary conversion processing on the half tone image by using one of at least two different kinds of image processing methods and outputting binary-converted image data; and a selector means selected by a user for selecting a binary-converted image data output by any one of said at least two kinds of image processing methods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said at least two different kinds of image processing method for photographic processing comprises an error diffusion means and a dithering processing means.