Patent ID: 6480623
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
A color image processing apparatus for processing image-forming signals for 4 colors of Y, M, C, and K (black) for each block and successively outputting the image-forming signals to a color image forming apparatus for printing a color image by successively superimposing the block for the 4 colors of Y, M, C, and K comprising:a page memory for storing therein compressed BGR input signals; a compressing/extending unit for compressing the BGR input signals and storing the compressed signals in said page memory and also for restoring the compressed BGR input signals and outputting the restored signals; a color converting unit for receiving the restored signals and converting the restored signals to YMC signals; a ink block generating and ground removing unit for generating K signal according to the YMC signals from said color converting unit and also removing the ground from the black block; and an area separating unit for grouping a plurality of pixels into blocks, recognizing a type of image for each block, and generating area separating signals for intermediate tone characters, black characters, and colored characters; wherein a first block is prepared from the restored signals, and when image-forming signals for second and subsequent blocks are to be generated the signals are generated from signals obtained by restoring the signals stored in said page memory.