Image-processing apparatus, method and program for outputting an image to a plurality of functions

A method for conducting an image processing in a multifunction apparatus, which has a plurality of various functions including at least a copy function, the method comprising:

• reading an original image residing on a document so as to convert the original image into image data thereof,
• generating binary image data by applying a binary-coding processing to the image data read from the original image;
• storing the image data, read from the original image or the binary image data, generated in the generating step, into an image-data storing section;
• designating a specific function among the plurality of various functions as an outputting function;
• setting an output-image resolution, based on an output resolution of the outputting function designated in the designating step;
• converting a resolution of either the image data or the binary image data, stored in the image-data storing section, to the output-image resolution set in the setting step;
• and
• selecting a specific reading mode, which corresponds to a feature of the original image, from a plurality of various reading modes provided in advance;
• wherein, based on a ratio of the resolution of either the image data or the binary image data, stored in the image-data storing section, and the output-image resolution set by the resolution setting section, either the image data or the binary-coded image data are divided into a plurality of pixel blocks, and then, the resolution of either the image data or the binary image data is converted to the output-image resolution in such a manner that either the image data or the binary image data is binary-coded by comparing a value based on a rate of black pixels residing in each of the plurality of pixel blocks, with a reference value, and at the same time, the reference value is changed corresponding to the specific reading mode.

A computer-readable medium that stores a computer program to be executed for conducting an image processing in a multifunction apparatus, which has a plurality of various functions including at least a copy function,

• wherein the computer program comprises the functional steps of:
• reading an original image residing on a document so as to convert the original image onto image data thereof;
• generating binary image data by applying a binary-coded processing to the image data read from the original image;
• storing the image data, read from the original image or the binary image data, generated in the generating step, into an image-data storing section;
• designating a specific function among the plurality of various functions as an outputting function;
• setting an output-image resolution, based on an output resolution of the outputting function designated in the designating step;
• converting a resolution of either the image data or the binary image data, stored in the image-data storing section, to the output-image resolution set in the setting step;
• and
• selecting a specific reading mode, which corresponds to a feature of the original image, from a plurality of various reading modes provided in advance;
• and
• wherein, based on a ratio of the resolution of either the image data or the binary image data, stored in the image-data storing section, and the output image resolution set by the resolution setting section, either the image data or the binary-coded image data are divided into a plurality of pixel blocks, and then, the resolution of either the image data or the binary image data is converted to the output-image resolution in such a manner that either the image data or the binary image data is binary-coded by comparing a value based on a rate of black pixels residing in each of the plurality of pixel blocks, with a reference value, and at the same time, the reference value is changed corresponding to the specific reading mode.