System and method for enhancement of document images
First Claim
1. A method for enhancement of electronic images of a document, the electronic images having a background with foreground markings placed thereon, the method comprising:
- receiving an electronic image comprised of pixels;
assigning initial provisional foreground/background status to said pixels to form an initial foreground/background estimate;
revising said initial foreground/background estimate to form a revised foreground/background estimate;
determining whether said revised foreground/background estimate is the final foreground/background assignment for said pixels;
repeating revising said revised foreground/background estimate until said final foreground/background assignment for said pixels is achieved; and
providing said final foreground/background assignment for said pixels.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for enhancing electronic images of a document, in which the electronic images contain a background with foreground markings, includes receiving an electronic image containing pixels and assigning an initial provisional foreground/background status to the pixels. The initial foreground/background estimate is revised and a determination is made as to whether the revised foreground/background estimate is to be the final status assignment for the pixels of the image. If a final pixel status assignment has not been achieved, the estimate is again revised until a final foreground/background status is reached for the image pixels prior to creation of an output image.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for enhancement of electronic images of a document, the electronic images having a background with foreground markings placed thereon, the method comprising:
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receiving an electronic image comprised of pixels;
assigning initial provisional foreground/background status to said pixels to form an initial foreground/background estimate;
revising said initial foreground/background estimate to form a revised foreground/background estimate;
determining whether said revised foreground/background estimate is the final foreground/background assignment for said pixels;
repeating revising said revised foreground/background estimate until said final foreground/background assignment for said pixels is achieved; and
providing said final foreground/background assignment for said pixels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system adapted to enhance electronic images of a document, the electronic images having a background with foreground markings placed thereon, the system comprising:
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means for inputting an electronic image comprised of pixels;
means for inputting algorithm parameters;
a processor, connected for receiving requests for image enhancement and for accessing a memory structure;
program memory means including not less than one foreground/background separation module, wherein said foregroundfbackground separation module assigns initial provisional foreground/background status to said pixels, revises said initial foreground/background status, determines whether said revised foreground/background status is the final foreground/background assignment for said pixels, and repeats revising said revised foreground/background status until a final foreground/background assignment for said pixels is obtained; and
data memory means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An article of manufacture comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium which, when said program code is executed by said computer causes said computer to perform method steps for enhancement of electronic images of a document, the electronic images having a background with foreground markings placed thereon, said method comprising:
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receiving an electronic image comprised of pixels;
assigning initial provisional foregroundfbackground status to said pixels to form an initial foreground/background estimate;
revising said initial foregroundlbackground estimate to form a revised foreground/background estimate;
determining whether said revised foreground/background estimate is the final foregroundibackground assignment for said pixels;
repeating revising said revised foreground/background estimate until said final foreground/background assignment for said pixels is achieved; and
providing said final foreground/background assignment for said pixels.
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Specification