Abstract: An image processing apparatus is arranged such that corrected data for an input objective pixel is obtained by adding the input data for that pixel and data distributed to the position of that pixel, the corrected data is then quantized (e.g., binarized), and, based on the error occurring in quantization, calculating values to be distributed to respective non-quantized neighboring pixels, based on predetermined weighting factors corresponding to the respective positions of those neighboring pixels. The values so calculated are then distributed to the appropriate neighboring pixel positions, and total sum of those values is subtracted from the value of the error, and this difference is in turn distributed to the position of one neighboring pixel located differently with respect to the objective pixel position, at least each time the position of the objective pixel is updated.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives first image data, and hierarchically reduces the size of the image represented by this first image data to generate second image data. An encoder generates encoded image data by encoding the second image data in a first mode, or by encoding the first image data in a second mode.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus encodes input image data, and performs processing using encoded image data. The method and apparatus can progressively encode input images, store and transmit the encoded images, and display a plurality of low-resolution images on one picture surface.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of this invention is arranged so that a threshold for use in binarization is switched between two types in accordance with whether or not a portion in which input pixel data is located is positioned in the vicinity of an edge portion of an image. One type is a threshold which varies in the width of variation corresponding to the density of the input pixel, while the other type is a fixed threshold. If an objective pixel is located in the vicinity of an edge portion of an image, binarization is carried out with the fixed threshold, while if the objective pixel is located in a non-edge portion, the variable threshold is used.