Image processing method, image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus and recording medium

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• a reading section for reading documents;
• and
• a controller capable of performing operations of:
• extracting the characteristics of color information from first and second image data read from the images of first and second documents respectively using said reading section;
• calculating the difference between the two extracted characteristics;
• determining the magnitude relationship between the calculated difference and a predetermined value;
• judging whether or not processing should be carried out for said second image data, based on the determination;
• and
• carrying out the processing for said second image data when it is judged that the processing should be carried out.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• a reading section for reading documents;
• an extracting section for extracting the characteristics of color information from first and second image data read from the images of first and second documents respectively using said reading section;
• a calculating section for calculating the difference between the two extracted characteristics;
• a determining section for determining the magnitude relationship between the calculated difference and a predetermined value;
• a judging section for judging whether or not processing should be carried out for said second image data, based on the determination;
• and
• a carry out section for carrying out the processing for said second image data when it is judged that the processing should be carried out.

A recording medium storing thereon a computer program executable to perform the steps of:

• controlling the extraction of the characteristics of color information from respective first and second image data having been input;
• controlling the calculation of the difference between the two extracted characteristics;
• controlling the judgment of the magnitude relationship between the calculated difference and a predetermined value;
• controlling the judgment, on the basis of the result of the magnitude judgment, as to whether processing should be carried out for the second image data;
• and
• controlling the execution of the processing for said second image data when it is judged that the processing should be carried out.