# US 2014/0192372 A1 · Method of processing image and image forming apparatus using the same

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- Number: US 2014/0192372 A1
- Document ID: US20140192372A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/208,275
- Filed: 2014-03-13
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2008-09-24
- Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
- Inventors: Ki-min KANG
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192372A1

## CPC

- H04N 1/40012: {Conversion of colour to monochrome}
- H04N 1/2307: {Circuits or arrangements for the control thereof, e.g. using a programmed control device, according to a measured quantity (H04N1/27, H04N1/29 take precedence)}
- H04N 1/233: {according to characteristics of the data to be reproduced, e.g. number of lines}
- H04N 1/2369: {Selecting a particular reproducing mode from amongst a plurality of modes, e.g. paper saving or normal, or simplex or duplex}
- H04N 1/46: Colour picture communication systems
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An image processing method and an image forming apparatus using the same. The method of processing includes dividing an image into a predetermined number of blocks, calculating an average of color signals of pixels existing in each of the blocks divided, classifying the blocks into color blocks and monochrome blocks using the calculated average, and determining whether the image is a color image or a monochrome image using a proportion of the color blocks. Accordingly, for a document wherein color and monochrome images are mixed, it is automatically determined whether an image is a color image or a monochrome image.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image forming apparatus comprising:
a scanner to scan an image in which R, G, and B colors are mixed in a constant proportion; and
a printer to perform a monochrome printing for the scanned image.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a block divider to divide the scanned image into a predetermined number of blocks;
an average calculator to calculate an average of color signals of pixels in each of the blocks;
a block determiner to classify the blocks into color blocks and monochrome blocks using the calculated average; and
an image determiner to determine that the image is a monochrome image using a proportion of the classified color blocks,
wherein the printer performs the monochrome printing if the image is determined to be the monochrome image.

### Claim 3

A method of processing an image, the method comprising:
determining whether the image is a color image or a monochrome image according to a connectivity of the image.