Method and apparatus for producing a halftone image using a threshold matrix.

摘要

A threshold matrix is divided into a plurality of sub-matrices Tij of an equal size. The difference between a plurality of threshold data included in each sub-matrix Tij is set to a specific value while the plurality of threshold data are arranged at random in each sub-matrix Tij. In case that each sub-matrix is a 2x2 arrangement, there are eight diagonal patterns where two relatively small threshold data are arranged diagonally while two relatively large threshold data are also arranged diagonally. A threshold matrix having the sufficiently high spatial frequency and allowing smooth tone reproduction can be prepared by selecting one of the eight diagonal patterns at random. A plurality of threshold matrices for respective color separations thus prepared will reduce the graininess and muddiness of colors in a reproduced color image. A plurality of threshold matrices can be produced from one original threshold matrix by extracting part of the threshold matrix. <IMAGE>