IMAGE REDUCTION WITH FINE-LINE PROTECTION

A binary image reducing method is so adapted that image reduction in which the occurrence of discontinuous lines is eliminated, is made possible even when there is a change in the reduction magnification of an image containing many lines of one-pixel width and characters or the like composed of line elements having a width of one to several pixels, such as an image created by a computer. First, an original image is subjected to enlargement processing by a micro-enlarging circuit, whereby the image is enlarged by 2.times.p (where, and the reduction ratio is p). Thereafter, 1/2 reduction processing, of the type which preserves fine lines, is executed by a 1/2 reducing circuit. As a result, it is possible to achieve a change in reduction at any desired magnification of 1/2-1 as well as preservation of fine lines in the reduced image obtained. In another embodiment, an original image is subjected to enlargement processing by a micro-enlarging circuit, after which reduction processing, of a type which preserves fine lines, is executed by a repetitive reducing circuit in response to a command from a decision unit. As a result, it is possible to achieve a change in reduction at any desired magnification of 0.about.1 as well as preservation of fine lines in the reduced image obtained.