Image analysis – Image segmentation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-29
2001-11-27
Couso, Yon J. (Department: 2623)
Image analysis
Image segmentation
C382S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324302
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The current invention is generally related to a method of and a system for substantially eliminating an error in determining a non-solid periodic line, and more particularly related to a method of and a system for substantially eliminating some of the candidates for non-solid periodic lines based upon a distance to adjacent text characters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to recognize non-solid lines in text image, prior attempts included various criteria for distinguishing non-solid lines from solid lines.
FIG. 1
illustrates an text image which contains text characters such as “Claim.” In addition, the text image also contain a vertical solid and dotted (non-solid) lines in the Y direction as well as a horizontal dotted line in the X direction. Initially, text characters are separated from these lines. The lines are then further grouped into solid lines and non-solid lines.
Referring to
FIG. 2
, in general, non-solid lines are contrasted to solid lines and have broken portions. However, the broken portions of the non-solid lines are not necessarily repeated patterns. In the following, the non-solid periodic lines are defined as a plurality of periodically alternating portions or repeated patterns which are located along one axis. For example, the non-solid periodic lines include a dotted line, a single chain line and a double chain line. In these examples, a predetermined pattern of alternating portions is repeated in the above defined non-solid periodic lines.
To ascertain non-solid periodic lines, prior attempts such as disclosed in Japanese Laid Publication 7-230525 include criteria such as the height, width, distance and length of the lines. For example, referring to
FIG. 3A
, each of repeated or periodic elements is measured for its height and width. Additionally, the distance between these repeated elements as well as the length of the non-solid line are used to ascertain whether or not a line is truly non-solid and periodic. One way to ascertain is to compare the above measured values against a set of predetermined threshold values. Another way is to determine the distribution or deviation of the above measured values and compare the deviation to a predetermined range with respect to a predetermined value. Yet another way is to determine a ratio of the above measured values and compare the ratio to a predetermined ratio value. For a skewed non-solid line, referring to
FIG. 3B
, in addition to a horizontal H distance between the repeated portions, a vertical distance V is also considered. Any of the above described measured values is combined for the comparison. In any of the above described comparisons, the predetermined values are particular to a specific non-solid periodic line.
Despite the above described criteria, the prior attempts still fail to correctly distinguish certain repeated text characters from non-solid periodic lines. For example, referring back to
FIG. 1
, three rows of characters “l,” “i” and “,” may be respectively considered as a non-solid line in the Y direction based upon the above described criteria. Since the above discussed criteria focus upon the predetermined characteristics of the lines per se, a repeated portion of the text characters is not necessarily distinguished from the non-solid periodic lines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above and other problems, according to a first aspect of the current invention, a method of determining non-solid periodic line, including the steps of: a) inputting image data including continuous elements; b) determining circumscribing areas each enclosing a continuous element; c) selecting candidates for a non-solid line having one of predetermined periodic patterns based upon the circumscribing areas; and d) eliminating some of the candidates based upon a predetermined relation to circumscribing areas containing text characters adjacent to those of the candidates.
According to a second aspect of the current invention, a system for determining non-solid periodic line, includes: an input unit for inputting image data including continuous elements; a circumscribing unit operationally connected to the input unit for determining circumscribing areas each enclosing a continuous element; a non-solid line selection unit operationally connected to the circumscribing unit for selecting candidates for a non-solid line having one of predetermined periodic patterns based upon the circumscribing areas; and a non-solid periodic line unit operationally connected to the non-solid line selection unit for eliminating some of the candidates based upon a predetermined relation to circumscribing areas containing text characters adjacent to those of the candidates.
According to a third aspect of the current invention, a computer program stored on a medium for executing computer instructions so as to determine non-solid periodic line in text image data, the computer program performing the steps of: a) inputting the text image data including continuous elements; b) determining circumscribing areas each enclosing a continuous element; c) selecting candidates for a non-solid line having one of predetermined periodic patterns based upon the circumscribing areas; and d) eliminating some of the candidates based upon a predetermined relation to circumscribing areas containing text characters adjacent to those of the candidates.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4138662 (1979-02-01), Shimoyama
patent: 4403340 (1983-09-01), Kumpf et al.
patent: 5594815 (1997-01-01), Fast et al.
patent: 5621743 (1997-04-01), Tomisawa
patent: 5751850 (1998-05-01), Rindtorff
patent: 5896464 (1999-04-01), Horiuchi et al.
patent: 5987171 (1999-11-01), Wang
patent: 7-230525 (1995-08-01), None
Couso Yon J.
Knoble & Yoshida LLC
Ricoh & Company, Ltd.
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