Image processing method and apparatus, and recording medium

An image processing method comprising the steps of:

• separating image data to be processed into a plurality of different frequency components, and calculating for each pixel an evaluation value which evaluates a level of an image component to be enhanced in the image data;
• setting a gain for at least one of the frequency components for each pixel based on the calculated evaluation value and a density of one of the pixel to be set and a pixel region including the pixel to be set;
• carrying out a process for one of enhancing and suppressing at least one frequency component for each pixel, based on the gain set for each pixel;
• and
• synthesizing the frequency components, which includes the frequency component subjected to one of enhancing and suppressing process for each pixel.

A recording medium on which computer executable-instructions are recorded for performing processing on a computer comprising the steps of:

• separating image data to be processed into a plurality of different frequency components, and calculating for each pixel an evaluation value for evaluating a level of an image component to be enhanced in the image data;
• setting for each pixel a gain for at least one of the frequency components based on the calculated evaluation value and a density of one of a pixel to be set and a pixel region including the pixel to be set;
• carrying out a process for one of enhancing and suppressing at least one frequency component for each pixel based on the gain set for each pixel;
• and
• synthesizing for each pixel the frequency components, which include the frequency component subjected to one of the enhancing and suppressing process.

An apparatus for processing image data representing an image as a plurality of pixels, the apparatus comprising a computer including a CPU, memory system, and program logic, the program logic which when executed by the computer performs processing of image data, said processing comprising:

• (a) separating the image date to be processed into a plurality of different frequency components;
• (b) determining an evaluation value for evaluating a level of an image component to be enhanced in the image data;
• (c) setting for each pixel a gain for at least one of the frequency components based on the evaluation value and a density of one of a pixel to be set and a pixel region that includes the pixel to be set;
• (d) modifying for each pixel at least one frequency component based on said gain;
• and
• (e) synthesizing for each pixel said modified at least one frequency component together with the remaining plurality of different frequency components, thereby producing image data having said component enhanced.