Image processing of isolated pixels, and method, apparatus and facsimile incorporating such processing

An image processing method comprising:

• an extraction step for extracting isolated pixels from a binary image;
• a first generation step for generating outline vectors which represent boundary of black pixels and white pixels by scanning the binary image except the isolated pixels;
• a first storage step for storing position data which represents a position of the isolated pixels;
• a second storage step for storing vector data which represents the outline vectors generated in said first generation step;
• a second generation step for generating the outline vectors which represent boundary of the isolated pixels on the basis of the position data stored in said first storage step;
• and
• a reproduction step for reproducing a binary image by using the outline vectors stored in said second storage step and the outline vectors generated in said second generation step.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• input means for inputting image data;
• detection means for detecting isolated pixels from the image data inputted by said input means;
• and
• storage means for storing position data of the isolated pixels detected by said detection means.

An image processing method comprising:

• an input step for inputting image data;
• a detection step for detecting isolated pixels from the image data inputted in said input step;
• and
• a storage step for storing position data of the isolated pixels detected in said detection step.

A facsimile apparatus comprising:

• reception means for receiving binary image data;
• extraction means for extracting isolated pixels from a binary image data received by said reception means;
• first generation means for generating outline vectors which represent boundary of black pixels and white pixels by scanning the binary image data received by said reception means except the isolated pixels;
• first storage means for storing position data which represents a position of the isolated pixels extracted by said extraction means;
• second storage means for storing vector data which represents the outline vectors generated by said first generation means;
• second generation means for generating the outline vectors which represent boundary pixels on the basis of the position data stored in said first storage means;
• reproduction means for reproducing a binary image by using the outline vectors stored in said second storage means and the outline vectors generated by said second generation means;
• and
• output means for printing the binary image reproduced by said reproduction means.

A facsimile apparatus comprising:

• data obtaining means for obtaining binary data by scanning an image;
• first generation means for generating outline vectors which represent boundary of black pixels and white pixels by scanning the binary data received by said data obtaining means except the isolated pixels;
• extraction means for extracting isolated pixels from the binary image obtained by said obtaining means;
• first storage means for storing position data which represents a position of the isolated pixels extracted by said extraction means;
• second storage means for storing vector data which represents the outline vector generated by said first generation means;
• second generation means for generating the outline vectors which represent boundary of the isolated pixels on the basis of the position data stored in said first storage means;
• reproduction means for reproducing a binary image by using the outline vectors stored in said second storage means and the outline vectors generated by said second generation means;
• and
• transmission means for transmitting the binary image reproduced by said reproduction means.

A facsimile apparatus comprising:

• reception means for receiving binary image data;
• data obtaining means for obtaining binary image data by scanning an image;
• first selection means for selecting either the binary image data received by said reception means or the binary image obtained by said data obtaining means;
• extraction means for extracting isolated pixels from the binary image data selected by said first selection means;
• first generation means for generating outline vectors which represent boundary of black pixel(s) and white pixel(s) by scanning the binary image data selected by said first selection means, except the isolated pixels;
• first storage means for storing position data which represents a position of the isolated pixels extracted by said extraction means;
• second storage means for storing vector data which represents the outline vectors generated by said first generation means;
• second generation means for generating the outline vectors which represent boundary of the isolated pixels on the basis of the position data stored in said first storage means;
• reproduction means for reproducing a binary image by using the outline vectors stored in said second storage means and the outline vectors generated by said second generation means;
• and
• transmission means for transmitting the binary image;
• output means for printing the binary image;
• and
• second selection means for selecting whether the binary image reproduced by said reproduction means is outputted by said output means or the binary image is transmitted by said transmission means.