Method for finding and classifying scanned information
First Claim
1. A method for locating graphical information within a scanned image and drawing a bounding rectangle around said information, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) scanning said image into a computer system;
(b) locating left and right edges of information within each row of said image;
(c) locating a top row of said information as a first row of said image having a predetermined number of pixels between left and right edges and defining said top row as a top boundary of said rectangle;
(d) locating a bottom row of said information as a last row of said image having said predetermined number of pixels between left and right edges and defining said bottom row as a bottom boundary of said rectangle;
(e) fitting a first straight line to said left edges and fitting a second straight line to said right edges;
(f) locating a leftmost point of said first straight line and placing a left boundary line of said rectangle at said leftmost point; and
(g) locating a rightmost point of said second straight line and placing a right boundary line of said rectangle at said rightmost point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system that scans an image into a computer system and then locates left and right edges of information within each row of the image. The system defines top and bottom rows of information as first and last rows of a number of consecutive rows of the image that have a number of pixels between the left and right edges. The system linearizes the edge data, places a left boundary at the leftmost point of the linearized left edge, and places a right boundary at the rightmost point of the linearized right edge. Each pixel within the boundaries is analyzed to classify the pixel as white, light gray, dark gray, black, colored, or as having some color; a percentage of pixels in each class is created; and the image classification is determined using these percentages. The system displays the image and image classification, with the boundary superimposed over the image.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for locating graphical information within a scanned image and drawing a bounding rectangle around said information, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) scanning said image into a computer system; (b) locating left and right edges of information within each row of said image; (c) locating a top row of said information as a first row of said image having a predetermined number of pixels between left and right edges and defining said top row as a top boundary of said rectangle; (d) locating a bottom row of said information as a last row of said image having said predetermined number of pixels between left and right edges and defining said bottom row as a bottom boundary of said rectangle; (e) fitting a first straight line to said left edges and fitting a second straight line to said right edges; (f) locating a leftmost point of said first straight line and placing a left boundary line of said rectangle at said leftmost point; and (g) locating a rightmost point of said second straight line and placing a right boundary line of said rectangle at said rightmost point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining a type of graphical information within a scanned image, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) scanning said image into a computer system; (b) placing each pixel within said scanned image into one of a predetermined number of categories determined by the color and shade of said pixel, said placing comprising (b1) establishing said predetermined number of categories as six; (b2) if said pixel contains color components, placing said pixel comprising the steps of (b2a) if values of any two of said color components both exceed a predetermined white threshold, placing said pixel into a white category, (b2b) if values of said color components each fail to exceed a predetermine black threshold, placing said pixel into a black category, (b2c) defining a weighted average of said color components of said pixel, (b2d) if differences between values of any two color components and said weighted average exceed a predetermined color threshold, placing said pixel into a colored category, (b2e) if differences between values of any two color components and said weighted average exceed a predetermined some-color threshold, placing said pixel into a some-colored category, (b2f) if said weighted average exceeds a predetermined gray threshold, placing said pixel into a light gray category, otherwise placing said pixel, into a dark gray category, and (b3) if said pixel does not contain color components, placing said pixel comprising the steps of (b3a) if a value of said pixel exceeds said predetermined white threshold, placing said pixel into a white category, (b3b) if a value of said pixel exceeds a predetermined gray threshold, placing said pixel into a light gray category, (b3c) if a value of said pixel exceeds said predetermined black threshold placing said pixel into a dark gray category, and (b3d) if a value of said pixel does not exceed said predetermined black threshold, placing said pixel into a black category; and assigning a type to said information, wherein said type is determined by a percentage of pixels in each of said predetermined number of categories. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for locating graphical information within a scanned image and drawing a bounding rectangle around said information, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) scanning said image into a computer system; (b) locating left and right edges of information within each row of said image; (c) locating a top row of said information as a first row of said image having a predetermined number of pixels between left and right edges and defining said top row as a top boundary of said rectangle; (d) locating a bottom row of said information as a last row of said image having said predetermined number of pixels between left and right edges and defining said bottom row as a bottom boundary of said rectangle; (e) fitting a first straight line to said left edges and fitting a second straight line to said right edges; (f) locating a leftmost point of said first straight line and placing a left boundary line of said rectangle at said leftmost point; (g) locating a rightmost point of said second straight line and placing a right boundary line of said rectangle at said rightmost point; (h) placing each pixel within said rectangle into one of a predetermined number of categories determined by the color and shade of said pixel; and (i) assigning a type to said information, wherein said type is determined by a percentage of pixels in each of said predetermined number of categories. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification