Image processing device, image processing method, and image forming apparatus

An image processing device comprising:

• a first storage unit configured to be accessed on the basis of a predetermined unit in X direction which is a direction along a horizontal line, and configured to store a first halftone pattern subjected to a halftone processing for a first color gradation value;
• a second storage unit configured to be accessed on the basis of a predetermined unit in the X direction, and configured to store a second halftone pattern subjected to a halftone processing for a second color gradation value;
• a third storage unit configured to be accessed on the basis of a predetermined unit in the X direction, and configured to store a brush pattern;
• a first shift unit configured to shift the first halftone pattern read on the basis of the predetermined unit from the first storage unit to a first direction toward a drawing start point on the horizontal line according to a drawing position on the horizontal line, further add the first halftone pattern to a second direction toward a drawing end point on the horizontal line, and output it on the basis of the predetermined unit;
• a second shift unit configured to shift the second halftone pattern read on the basis of the predetermined unit from the second storage unit to the first direction according to the drawing position, further add the second halftone pattern to the second direction, and output it on the basis of the predetermined unit;
• a third shift unit configured to shift the brush pattern read on the basis of the predetermined unit from the third storage unit to the first direction according to the drawing position, further add the brush pattern to the second direction, and output it on the basis of the predetermined unit;
• and
• a brush synthesizing unit configured to select, pixel by pixel, which one of the first halftone pattern based on the predetermined unit output from the first shift unit and the second halftone pattern based on the predetermined unit output from the second shift unit should be output, according to the brush pattern based on the predetermined unit output from the third shift unit.