Image processing apparatus and image processing method to generate halftone image data based on prediction of density corresponding to resolution of image to be printed

An image processing apparatus, for an image forming apparatus printing an image, the image processing apparatus being for converted input image data into halftone image data by halftone-processing the input image data, the image processing apparatus comprising:

• a prediction unit configured to predict a reflectance of a pixel of interest, wherein the reflectance is achieved when an image according to the halftone image data is printed, based on a group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest by using filtering;
• and
• a control unit configured to control the halftone processing according to the reflectance predicted by the prediction unit,
• wherein the prediction unit, in case that a resolution of the image printed by the image forming apparatus is high, executes the filtering by a high filter factor, and
• wherein the prediction unit is configured to calculate an influence on a pixel value of the pixel of interest from the group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest by using the filtering.

An image processing apparatus comprising:

• a generation unit configured to generate a plurality of pieces of post-provisional correction data by processing input image data using a plurality of provisional correction amounts;
• a first halftone processing unit configured to convert the plurality of pieces of post-provisional correction data into halftone image data;
• a prediction unit configured to predict a density of a pixel of interest, wherein the density is achieved when the halftone image data is printed, based on a group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest according to a prediction method determined according to a halftone-processed pixel value of the pixel of interest by using filtering;
• a calculation unit configured to calculate post-correction data that satisfies a predetermined condition by comparing the density predicted by the prediction unit in the halftone image data with a density of the input image data;
• and
• a second halftone processing unit configured to convert the post-correction data into halftone image data by executing processing similar to the halftone processing executed by the first halftone processing unit
• wherein the prediction unit, in case that a resolution of the image printed by the image forming apparatus is high, executes the filtering by a high filter factor, and
• wherein the prediction unit is configured to calculate an influence on a pixel value of the pixel of interest from the group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest by using the filtering.

A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, for an image forming apparatus printing an image, the image processing apparatus being for converting input image data into halftone image data by halftone-processing the input image data, the image processing apparatus including a prediction unit and a control unit, the method comprising:

• via the prediction unit, predicting a density of a pixel of interest, wherein the density is achieved when and image according to the halftone image data is printed, based on a group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest by using filtering;
• and
• via the control unit, controlling the halftone processing according to the predicted density,
• wherein the prediction unit, in case that a resolution of the image printed by the image forming apparatus is high, executes the filtering by a high filter factor, and
• wherein the prediction unit is configured to calculate an influence on a pixel value of the pixel of interest from the group of halftone-processed pixels neighboring the pixel of interest by using the filtering.