Patent ID: 7463393

Claim:
An image processing apparatus comprising: first reading means for reading an original by a red line sensor, a green line sensor and a blue line sensor; second reading means for reading the original by a monochromatic line sensor; select means for selecting a specific one of color signals produced by the reading of the first reading means, when two-color printing using two colors including black is designated; first conversion means for performing conversion to enhance color extraction precision of the color signal selected by the select means; second conversion means for performing conversion to give priority to tone characteristics for a monochromatic signal produced by the reading of the second reading means; density conversion means for density-converting the monochromatic signal converted by the second conversion means, in accordance with a signal level of the color signal converted by the first conversion means; and discrimination means for performing discrimination between a character and a photo, with respect to a density signal produced by the density conversion of the density conversion means, in accordance with the signal level of the color signal converted by the first conversion means.