Image forming processor having first and second image processing sections

摘要

An image processor for parallel image processing includes a first image processing section which binarizes first image data by using a variable area tone method and a second image processing section which executes a smoothing process with respect to second image data. A data separator divides image data into first image data corresponding to halftone image regions and second image data corresponding to binary image regions. The first image data is transmitted to the first image processing section while the second image data is transmitted to the second image processing section. A data delay section is provided at an upstream side of the first image processing section to delay image data for the required processing time difference between the first image process and the second image process. A data combining section combines the image data output from the first image processing section and the second image processing section to produce combined image data which is transmitted to an image forming system.