Patent ID: 6980327

Claim:
An image processing apparatus for processing a color image signal input by reading a color image on an original, the apparatus comprising: color conversion means for converting the color image signal into color signals; first recognition means for recognizing a character or a line image region in the color signals output from the color conversion means; second recognition means for recognizing continuous low-density regions in the color signals output from the color conversion means; third recognition means for outputting a recognition signal by synthesizing a recognition result of the first recognition means and a recognition result of the second recognition means; filter means for filtering the color signals output from the color conversion means, in response to the recognition signal output from the third recognition means; black signal generating means for generating a black signal, which is to be added to the color signals filtered by the filter means, in response to the recognition signal output from the third recognition means; and tone processing means for processing tones of the color signals, to which the black signal has been added, in response to the recognition signal output from the third recognition means.