An image forming apparatus includes an image processor, a converter, a light source driver, an identifying unit, and a pattern generator. The image processor generates image data of first resolution and generates tag information indicating whether to perform image processing and associated with pixels of the image data of first resolution. The converter converts the image data of first resolution to image data of a higher second resolution. The light source driver drives a light source using a modulation signal corresponding to the image data of second resolution. The identifying unit identifies a target pixel to be subjected to image processing in the image data of first resolution based on the tag information. The pattern generator generates an image-processed pixel pattern of the second resolution according to the target pixel. The converter converts the target pixel in the image data of first resolution to the generated image-processed pixel pattern.

An image processing method is provided for acquiring additional information from image information obtained by shooting a printed product on which the additional information is multiplexed by at least one of a plurality of different multiplexing methods, the method comprising: attempting decoding of the additional information from the image information by a plurality of different decoding methods corresponding to the plurality of different multiplexing methods; and outputting, by a unit, the additional information successfully decoded.

An image forming apparatus, which includes a first storage, a second storage, and a bus, includes a first controller configured to store first image data based on input image data, in the first storage, when the input image data is input via the bus; a second controller configured to store second image data based on the first image data, in the second storage; a third controller configured to store third image data based on the second image data, in the first storage; a fourth controller configured to output output image data based on the third image data; and an image former configured to perform image formation based on the output image data.

An image forming apparatus, which includes a first storage, a second storage, and a bus, includes a first controller configured to store first image data based on input image data, in the first storage, when the input image data is input via the bus; a second controller configured to store second image data based on the first image data, in the second storage; a third controller configured to store third image data based on the second image data, in the first storage; a fourth controller configured to output output image data based on the third image data; and an image former configured to perform image formation based on the output image data.

An image compressing device includes: a histogram creating unit configured to create a histogram regarding an input image; an original type recognizing unit configured to recognize an original type of the input image using the histogram; and an image compressing unit configured to perform a compression process for creating a high-compressed image file from the input image and to control a compression mode of the compression process depending on at least the original type recognized by the original type recognizing unit.

A printer driver enables appropriately executing real-time commands without causing operating errors even when print data is compressed for transmission to a printer. A driver causing a host computer that connects to a printer to execute a process, including causing the host computer to generate first commands executed by the printer in the order received, and second commands executed with priority over the first commands; generate print data including the first commands and send the print data to the printer; and execute a compression process converting data of the first commands contained in the print data to compressed data not containing a data train identical to a second command when generating the print data.

A printer driver enables appropriately executing real-time commands without causing operating errors even when print data is compressed for transmission to a printer. A driver causing a host computer that connects to a printer to execute a process, including causing the host computer to generate first commands executed by the printer in the order received, and second commands executed with priority over the first commands; generate print data including the first commands and send the print data to the printer; and execute a compression process converting data of the first commands contained in the print data to compressed data not containing a data train identical to a second command when generating the print data.

An image processing system includes: an image recording unit configured to record an output image corresponding to an input image on a recording medium; an image compression unit configured to compress the input image for transmission; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the input image is a color image or a monochrome image according to a first determination rule if the output image is to be recorded on the recording medium, and determine whether the input image is the color image or the monochrome image according to a second determination rule different from the first determination rule if the input image is to be compressed for transmission.

An image processing system includes: an image recording unit configured to record an output image corresponding to an input image on a recording medium; an image compression unit configured to compress the input image for transmission; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the input image is a color image or a monochrome image according to a first determination rule if the output image is to be recorded on the recording medium, and determine whether the input image is the color image or the monochrome image according to a second determination rule different from the first determination rule if the input image is to be compressed for transmission.

An image processing apparatus which is capable of reducing situations in which a job cannot be executed because resources are being in use for another job. The image processing apparatus has a soft codec unit that carries out an encoding process on image data, and a hard codec unit that carries out an encoding process on the image data at high speed compared with the soft codec unit. When a second job received while the hard codec unit is in use for a first job for which use of the soft codec unit is allowed requires use of the hard codec unit, control is provided to switch a codec unit for use in the first job from the hard codec unit to the soft codec unit.