Image signal processing method and apparatus

Apparatus for processing image pixels to enhance the distinctions between halftone and text images comprising in combination:

• memory means for storing discrete halftone and text image signals at predetermined addresses;
• addressing means for addressing said memory means using a preset combination of successive image pixels to provide halftone and text identifying signals;
• a plurality of scanline counters;
• a counter actuating means for changing the current count on said counters in response to said halftone and text signals output by said memory means;
• a plurality of adders, there being one adder associated with each of a preset number of said counters;
• means for successively processing the count on each of said counters to provide a predetermined count;
• means for loading the adder associated with said counter with said predetermined counts;
• means for deriving a halftone or text signal from the output of said adders;
• and
• means for generating halftone or text pixels in response to said halftone and text signals.