Dike, Bronstein, Roberts & Cushman, LLP
Image processing device which discriminates effectively between character pixels and halftone pixels
 The present invention is directed to an image processing device that can prevent the occurrence of moire patterns when processing a dot image. An image processing device according to the present invention comprises an image memory for storing multi-gradational image data, an area-deciding portion for deciding an area of pixels PIX (x, y) of a multi-gradational image stored in the memory and outputting a decision signal SEL=0 when the pixel is a character area pixel or a decision signal SEL=1 when the pixel is a halftone area, a binarizing portion for character for binarizing a character image pixel PIX (x, y) of the multi-gradational image data stored in the memory and outputting a binarized image data L, a binarizing portion for photograph for binarizing a halftone image pixel PIX (x, y) of the multi-gradational image data stored in the memory and outputting a binarized image data P, an output selecting portion for selectably outputting binarized image data B which is the binarized image output L from the binarizing portion for character when the output SEL of the area deciding portion is 1 or the binarized image output P from the binarizing portion for photograph when the output SEL is 0, and a memory for storing binarized image data outputted from the output selecting portion. 
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
H
H04N
inventional
Hideaki Yuuki
Yamada Takeda