Patent ID: 6582046
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: G06K,G06T,H04N

Abstract:
An image forming device comprising analysis means for analyzing image data including vector data and data for setting a vector density (shade), means for converting the vector data to raster data after the analysis using an area gradation method that represents a halftone image with binary image data, and output means for outputting the raster data, said image forming device comprising:means for generating an N*N mask matrix by applying a given density value of a halftone image to a predetermined dither matrix as a result of the analysis of said analysis means; means for generating (N*Nâˆ’1) number of N*N mask matrices by rearranging the N*N mask matrix, on a row and column basis, (N*Nâˆ’1) times for a halftone image at least relatively low in density while maintaining the density of the N*N mask matrix and, at the same time, for combining the (N*Nâˆ’1) number of N*N mask matrices with the original N*N mask matrix to form an (N*N)*(N*N) mask matrix; means for generating a binary halftone image from multi-level image data via the (N*N)*(N*N) mask matrix for the halftone image at least relatively low in density; condition judging means-for judging if the binary image obtained for a given halftone image via the N*N mask matrix for the density of the image becomes all â€œ0:OFFâ€ ; and control means for using the (N*N)*(N*N) mask matrix if the binary image becomes all â€œ0:OFFâ€ , and for, otherwise, using the N*N mask matrix.