IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCORPORATING SAME

A novel image processing system includes a pixel position indicator and a pixel inserting unit. The pixel position indicator is configured to indicate insertion positions in the image data. The pixel inserting unit is configured to enlarge a size of the image data by inserting an additional pixel at each of the insertion positions and accordingly shifting the original pixels in a given direction. The additional pixel has a value lower than a given threshold. Each insertion position is at an approximate center of an area formed of pixels having values higher than the given threshold. A novel image forming apparatus incorporates such an image processing system and an electrophotographic system. The electrophotographic system is configured to form an image by irradiating a photoconductive surface with a laser beam according to the processed image data.