Patent ID: 6704444
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
A color image processing apparatus for processing image-forming signals for four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) for each of pixels and successively outputting the image forming signals to a color image forming apparatus for printing a color image by successively superimposing on each pixel the four colors, the apparatus comprising:a compressing/extending unit configured to compress a first input signal, thereby forming a compressed first input signal, and configured to restore the compressed first input signal and to output the restored first input signal; a page memory configured to store the compressed first signal; a color converting unit configured to receive the restored first input signal and to convert the restored first input signal to a second input signal; an ink pixel generating unit configured to generate a K signal according to the second input signal; and an area separating unit configured to group a plurality of pixels into at least one block, to recognize a type of image for the at least one block, and to generate area separating signals for intermediate tone characters, black characters, and colored characters, wherein the at least one block is prepared from the restored first signal, and wherein image-forming signals for second and subsequent blocks are generated from signals obtained from the compressed first signal stored in the page memory.