Method of processing pixels with binary or multibit error diffusion

A method of processing image data of pixels to be rendered comprising:

• providing image data representing a pixel to be rendered;
• establishing criteria for processing the pixel in accordance with binary error diffusion or multibit error diffusion;
• providing a decision as to whether the pixel is to be rendered in accordance with binary error diffusion or in accordance with multibit error diffusion;
• rendering the pixel in accordance with the decision;
• wherein the pixel is printed in an electrophotographic recording apparatus;
• and
• providing binary error diffusion where a strong dot is required as the anchor for a cluster of gray level dots.

A method of processing image data of pixels to be printed in a single color comprising:

• providing image data representing the pixels to be printed in the single color;
• establishing criteria for processing the pixels to be printed in the single color in accordance with binary error diffusion or multibit error diffusion;
• providing a decision as to whether one pixel of the pixels is to be rendered in accordance with binary error diffusion or in accordance with multibit error diffusion;
• rendering the one pixel using binary error diffusion in accordance with a decision to render the one pixel in accordance with binary error diffusion;
• providing a decision as to whether a second pixel of the pixels is to be rendered in accordance with binary error diffusion or in accordance with multibit error diffusion;
• rendering the second pixel using multibit error diffusion in accordance with a decision to render the second pixel in accordance with multibit error diffusion;
• and
• printing the one pixel and the second pixel in the single color wherein the printing of pixels after the processing of the image data is such that the image is formed of pixels printed in each of four different sizes or densities including background.