SMOOTHING METHOD FOR BINARY-CODED IMAGE DATA AND APPARATUS THEREFOR

Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for processing binary-coded image data. A peripheral picture element region of a predetermined size is set up around a target picture element which is to be processed. Logical windows are established around their corresponding divided picture elements which have been obtained by dividing the target picture element into n.times.n pieces. In the respective logical windows, the areas of data regions "1" divided in accordance with the logical values are determined. The areas are compared with a predetermined value to obtain comparison results. Predetermined logical values are again given to the data on the divided picture elements located centrally in their corresponding logical windows in accordance with their corresponding comparison results. Data on the above-processed divided picture elements are then output upon outputting data on the target picture element. Owing to the establishment of the logical windows, the present invention has facilitated the preparation of high-resolution data useful in a smoothening operation which takes peripheral picture elements into consideration.