Information print system and image processing apparatus

An image processing apparatus which comprises:

• image processing means for carrying out an image process on compressed image data, for each of a plurality of predetermined image areas, said image processing means being responsive to a color data signal including a specific information for specifying at least one color which is used to express said predetermined image and a color selection data signal including selection information for selecting said specific information among said color data signal as to each pixel in a predetermined image area, and
• extension means for extending to a continuous tone image data per said pixel unit by adding color data, which is specified by said specific information included in said color data signal of said compressed image data which is selected by selection data, in accordance with said selection data of each pixel in a predetermined image area which is included in a color selection data signal of said compressed image data.

An image processing method for extending and outputting compressed image data, the image processing method is characterized in that,

• previous to an extension process of said compressed image data, an image processing is carried on said compressed image data,
• wherein said compressed image data comprises, for each of a plurality of predetermined image areas, a color data signal including specific information for specifying at least one color which is used to express said predetermined image and a color selection data signal including selection information for selecting said specific information among said color data signal as to each pixel in said predetermined image area, comprising the step of:
• extending compressed image data by an image processing to form continuous tone image data per said pixel unit, including adding color data which is specified by specific information included in said color data signal of said compressed image data, which is selected by selection data in accordance with said selection data of each pixel in a predetermined image area included in a color selection data signal of said compression image data.

In an information print system having information process equipment for treating information, including text and graphics, and print equipment connected to said information process equipment, the information print system comprising:

• in said information process equipment, means for developing and describing print data to form a print image and fixed rate compression means for compressing said described print image data, and
• in said print equipment, fixed rate extension means for extending said compressed print image data and correction means for correcting said extended print image data to be suitable to a printing characteristic of said print equipment,
• further including plural first halftoning means and an image segmentation means for selecting suitable data among data which are tone processed through said plural first halftoning means.

In an information print system having information process equipment for treating information, including text and graphics, and print equipment connected to said information process equipment, the information print system comprising:

• in said information process equipment, means for developing and describing print data to form a print image and variable rate compression means for compressing said described print image data, and
• in said print equipment, variable rate extension means for extending said compressed print image data and to correct said extended print image data to be suitable to a printing characteristic of said print equipment,
• further including plural first halftoning means and an image segmentation means for selecting suitable data among data which are tone processed through said plural first halftoning means.