Patent ID: 7576886

Claim:
An image processing apparatus for forming an image data which is used to form a corresponding image by a plurality of dots, comprising: converting means for converting a periphery of a stepped transition portion of a contour portion of at least a character and/or graphics of the image into smaller circular dots having a smaller size than dots forming portions other than the stepped transition portion, each pixel in the converted periphery being represented by a corresponding one of said smaller circular dots; and determining means for determining a method of converting said periphery into the smaller circular dots, depending on an inclination of the contour portion, wherein said determining means varies the size of the dots depending on the inclination of the contour portion so that a size of first dots that are formed when the inclination of the contour portion is greater than 45 degrees is larger than a size of second dots that are formed when the inclination of the contour portion is 45 degrees or less.