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Apparatus and method for extracting edges and lines

  • US 5,081,689 A
  • Filed: 03/27/1989
  • Issued: 01/14/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for enhancing an image containing features, said image represented by pixel data, including feature as well as non-feature pixel data, said enhancement being produced without prior knowledge of said features, said apparatus comprising:

  • sensor unit for converting light energy from discrete pixels in said image into electrical signals, said pixels having defined locations in the X-Y plane;

    preprocessor unit for digitizing said signals;

    memory unit for storing said digitized signals;

    means coupled to said memory unit for detecting and measuring the intensity of said signals at discrete pixels along a plurality of scan lines throughout said image, said intensity values creating an intensity curve along the scan lines;

    means for identifying curvature extrema as those points on said intensity curves where the intensity undergoes relatively large changes with respect to previous and subsequent pixels;

    means for measuring the difference in intensity between pairs of curvature extrema and identifying those pairs of curvature extrema for which said difference exceeds a predetermined threshold;

    means for identifying individual edge points as a point along the scan line between said identified pairs for curvature extrema;

    means for identifying first and second edge points along first and second neighboring scan lines;

    means for extrapolating a line segment between said first edge point and said second edge point if the second edge point lies within n pixels of said first edge point, where n is an integer;

    means for calculating upper and lower line direction limits by extrapolating a line from said first edge point to a point X pixels above said second point, where X is an integer, and by extrapolating a line from said first edge point to a point X pixels below said second point;

    means for extrapolating a new line segment between said first edge point and a third edge point if that third edge point lies within aid upper and lower line direction limits; and

    ,display unit for creating an enhanced image containing only said identified edge points and line segments, wherein said enhanced image contains predominantly edge points and lines representing said features and is relatively free of said non-feature pixels.

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