Image analysis – Pattern recognition – Feature extraction
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-16
2004-11-02
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2626)
Image analysis
Pattern recognition
Feature extraction
C382S216000, C382S289000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06813382
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image outline determination method of determining an outline of an original image placed on a reading surface of a scanner in accordance with image data obtained by the scanner, an image outline determination apparatus for implementing the image outline determination method as mentioned above, an image outline determination program storage medium storing an image outline determination program which causes a computer to operate as such an image outline determination apparatus, an image input apparatus for controlling the scanner to receive image data obtained through the scanner, and an image input program storage medium storing an image input program which causes a computer to operate as such an image input apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, it often happens that as a device for an input of an original image on which printing and an image printed out is based, generally, there is used a scanner for reading an image to obtain image data. Editing for creating a printed matter is performed by a combination of the image data obtained by the scanner and various sentences and illustrations, a set up is applied to image data obtained by the editing so that a good image quality of printed image or printing image can be obtained, and the printed image or the printing image are created in accordance with the image data after the set up. The set up implies processing for converting image data so that a good image quality of printed image or printing image can be obtained when the printed image or the printing image is created. The image data after the set up is once stored in a predetermined file for the successive processing.
To obtain image data through reading an image using the scanner, one or a plurality of photographs or one or a plurality of original images are placed on the reading surface of the scanner, and first the reading surface is read in its entirety with a rough resolution so that image data, which is rough throughout the reading surface, is created. Here, this reading is referred to as an “entire scan”. The entire image based on the image data obtained through the entire scan is displayed on a display screen of an image display unit such as a CRT display. An operator operates a mouse or a keyboard to designate an image area in which an original image is actually placed on the reading surface of the scanner, of the entire image displayed on the display screen.
When an operator designates an image area, an image reading is performed with high resolution only for the designated image area, so that image data of high resolution only for the designated image area is created. This reading is referred to a “fine scan”. Image data of high resolution obtained through the fine scan is used in editing for creating the printed matter.
Hitherto, for a series of processing of reading of original image by the scanner, set up, and storage of image data after the set up, as mentioned above, there is always needed an operation by an operator in halfway of such a series of processing. This imposes large burden on the operator.
As a main operation by an operator in halfway of a series of processing, there is raised an operation for designation of an area of an original placed on the reading surface of the scanner. That is, as mentioned above, an area of the original image is designated by an operation of an operator at the stage when the rough image, which is obtained by the entire scan, is displayed on the display screen. To designate the image area, when a plurality of original images is disposed on the reading surface of the scanner, there is a need to perform a designation of the image area on each of the original image. Further, in the event that the original image is placed obliquely with respect to the reading surface of the scanner, there is a need to designate the slanted image area, and it often happens that a number of sheets of original images is read while the entire scan and the fine scan are sequentially repeated. The designation of such an image area is a great burden for an operator.
In order to reduce a burden of the operator, there is performed a trial in which an image area is automatically detected in accordance with image data obtained through reading from the reading surface of the scanner (cf. Japanese Patent Publication Tokuhyou 2000-508461). According to a method disclosed in this publication, a straight line corresponding to the outline of the original image is detected by a combination of binarizing image data and technology of Haff transformation.
However, a number of straight lines exists on not only the outline of the original image but also inside the image, and thus there is a large possibility of erroneous detection. For example, when the original image is placed on the reading surface of the scanner, in order to avoid such a situation that the original image is inadvertently read in form of an indistinct image owing to a flare due to irradiation of light for reading the original image and a light flog occurring when a stray light enters the image reading sensor, it is a well-worn device that the original image is placed on a black sheet of which a size is larger than the original image and the original image placed on the black sheet is placed on the reading surface of the scanner. In this case, however, according to the method of the above-mentioned Japanese Publication, there is a high possibility that the outline of the black sheet, but not the outline of the original, is inadvertently detected.
Incidentally, here, it is explained that first the entire scan is performed to detect an image area in accordance with image data obtained through the entire scan. However, also in the event that from the beginning a great accuracy of reading is performed throughout the reading surface of the scanner without distinction of the entire scan and the fine scan and then the area of the image is cut out, the same problem as mentioned above occurs at the time of detection of the image area for cut out of the image area. Thus, this obliges the operator to perform the same operation for cutting off the image area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image outline determination method of capable of determining an outline of an original image placed on a reading surface of a scanner with great accuracy, an image outline determination apparatus, and an image outline determination program storage medium storing an image outline determination program which causes a computer to operate as such an image outline determination apparatus capable of determining an outline of an original image with great accuracy.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image input apparatus capable of performing the above-mentioned series of processing upon reducing the operator's burden, and an image input program storage medium storing an image input program which causes a computer to operate as such an image input apparatus capable of performing the above-mentioned series of processing upon reducing the operator's burden.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an image outline determination method of determining an outline of an original image placed on a reading surface of a scanner in accordance with image data obtained by the scanner, said image outline determination method comprising:
an area designation step of designating a rectangular proposed area of which at least portion enters into an area of the original image placed on the reading surface; and
an outline determination step of determining the outline of the original image by repeating a plurality of number of times an area alteration processing in which a movement of sides defining an outline of the proposed area outside or inside the proposed area is determined in accordance with differential or difference of image data for vicinity of the sides, and the proposed area is altered in accordan
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Grant II Jerome
Sughrue & Mion, PLLC
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