IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for carrying out dither processing in real time and effectively utilizing a storage section for storing threshold value data. SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus converts a gradation value of each pixel of an input image through the dither processing using a threshold value matrix, converts the resolution of the input image and provides an output of the converted image, and is configured to include: a threshold value memory 12 for storing threshold value data of a plurality of threshold value matrices; a read address control section 11 for reading a plurality of pixels of the threshold value data in a plurality of the threshold value matrices in response to the resolution of the outputted image; buffers 0 to 3 for temporarily storing the threshold value data of a plurality of the threshold value matrices by a plurality of pixels; buffers 4 to 7 for storing the threshold value data of a plurality of the threshold value matrices read from the buffers 0 to 3 by each one pixel; and first and second selectors 13, 14 for selectively outputting the threshold value data of a threshold value matrix in use from the buffers 4 to 7. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI