Image processing for pattern extraction
First Claim
1. An image processing method comprising the steps of:
- inputting an image;
storing a start point;
searching for black pixels, starting from the stored starting point, and tracing an outline of a pattern including black pixels located in the searching;
discriminating whether a whole pattern has been extracted by a tracing operation in said searching and tracing step;
moving the start point if it is discriminated in said discriminating step that no whole pattern has been extracted;
repeating said searching and tracing step starting from the moved start point; and
if it is discriminated in said discriminating step that a whole pattern has been extracted, outputting the extracted pattern.
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Abstract
There are provided an image processing method and apparatus which can correctly extract desired image information from input image information and can recognize the extracted partial image information. An outline of a character or the like is traced by using an arbitrary point in the input image information as a start point. The start point is moved when the outline reaches the edge of the input image. The outline is again traced from the moved start point. The outline tracing and the movement of the start point are repeated until the character can be extracted by the outline tracing. When the number of times the start point has been moved exceeds a predetermined value, the input image information is inverted.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An image processing method comprising the steps of:
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inputting an image; storing a start point; searching for black pixels, starting from the stored starting point, and tracing an outline of a pattern including black pixels located in the searching; discriminating whether a whole pattern has been extracted by a tracing operation in said searching and tracing step; moving the start point if it is discriminated in said discriminating step that no whole pattern has been extracted; repeating said searching and tracing step starting from the moved start point; and if it is discriminated in said discriminating step that a whole pattern has been extracted, outputting the extracted pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An image processing apparatus, comprising:
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means for inputting an image; means for storing a start point; means for searching for black pixels, starting from the stored starting point and tracing an outline of a pattern including black pixels located in the searching; means for discriminating whether a whole pattern has been extracted by a tracing operation performed by said means for searching and tracing; means for moving the start point if it is discriminated by said discriminating means that no whole pattern has been extracted; means for causing repetition of searching and tracing operation by said means for searching and tracing, starting from the moved start point; and means for outputting an extracted pattern if it is discriminated by said discriminating means that a whole pattern has been extracted. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An image processing method comprising the steps of:
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inputting an image; storing a start point; searching for black pixels, starting from the stored starting point, and tracing an outline of a pattern including black pixels located by the searching; determining a size of the pattern from the traced outline; moving the start point in accordance with the determined size; and repeating said searching and tracing step starting from the moved start point. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An image processing apparatus, comprising:
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means for inputting an image; means for storing a start point; means for searching for black pixels, starting from the stored starting point, and tracing an outline of a pattern including black pixels located in the searching; means for determining a size of the pattern from the traced outline; means for moving the start point in accordance with the determined size; and means for causing repetition of searching and tracing operation by said means for searching and tracing, starting from the moved start point. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification