Patent ID: 6695434
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image processing apparatus for outputting multilevel color image data by reducing the information amount of the data, comprising:first quantizing means for quantizing a color component of the multilevel color image data into N1 values, and outputting the color component as a K1-bit code capable of expressing the N1 values; second quantizing means for quantizing a color component of the multilevel color image data into N2 values larger than the N1 values, and outputting the color component as a K2-bit code capable of expressing the N2 values; quantization selecting means for selecting one of said first and second quantizing means in accordance with a color component of the multilevel color image data; converting means for collecting the K1-bit codes of M pixels and converting the collected K1-bit codes into a code having L1 bits less than K1Ã—M, if said quantization selecting means selects said first quantizing means; and output means for collectively outputting output data from said converting means as data formed for every predetermined number of bits.