Image processing apparatus comprising means for judging image area of

Abstract

In an image processing apparatus for processing inputted binary image data including a pseudo half-tone area in which data are binarized by a pseudo half-tone binarizing method and a non-half-tone area in which data are binarized using a predetermined threshold value, an image area judgment section performs an image area judgment process for judging whether each pixel of the inputted binary image data is included in the pseudo half-tone area or the non-half-tone area, based on the binary image data located in a predetermined first area including a plurality of pixels which includes a specified pixel and a plurality of pixels located in the periphery of the specified pixel and which are selected among the inputted binary image data. A first judgment section judges what is the kind of minor pixels in the first area based on the binary image data located in the first area, and a second judgment section judges whether or not at least one of the minor pixels as judged is included in a predetermined second area which is located within the first area and which is smaller than said first area. The area judgment section invalidates result data of the image area judgment process with respect to the specified pixel when the second judgment section judges that none of the minor pixels is included in the second area.