Patent ID: 7072507

Claim:
An image processing method of analyzing a pixel value of a pixel of interest and pixel values in an adjacent region of the pixel of interest, the adjacent region being formed by neighboring pixels of the pixel of interest, and setting an image correction condition, comprising the steps of: dividing an adjacent region of a first pixel of interest into a plurality of regions formed from pixel values in a scan direction and in a direction perpendicular to the scan direction, analyzing the pixel values in each of the divided regions, and holding an analysis result for each of the divided regions; obtaining an image correction condition for the first pixel of interest from the analysis result of each divided region belonging to the adjacent region of the first pixel of interest and correcting the first pixel of interest using the image correction condition; in order to obtain an image correction condition for a second pixel of interest moved from the first pixel of interest in the scan direction, executing analysis for a difference region between the first adjacent region and an adjacent region of the second pixel of interest on the basis of pixel values in a region which belongs to the difference region and is formed from pixel values in the scan direction and in the direction perpendicular to the scan direction, and holding an analysis result; and obtaining the correction condition for the second pixel of interest from the analysis result of the region belonging to the adjacent region of the second pixel of interest and correcting the second pixel of interest using the image correction condition.