Parallel implementation of an error diffusion halftoning algorithm with a general purpose graphics processing unit

General purpose graphics processing units (GPGPUs) contain many execution units, thus they are very attractive for high speed image processing. However, the error diffusion halftoning algorithm can hardly exploit the benefit of massively parallel processing architecture because this algorithm uses feedback of the output error as well as the results of neighboring pixels. In this study, pixels that can be processed without dependency are found by examining the dependency graph. Also, a parallel processing method requiring less synchronization overhead is developed by considering the characteristics of GPGPUs.