Line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus

• US 5,889,892 A
• Filed: 05/29/1997
• Issued: 03/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NEC Personal Computers, Ltd. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Saito, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): Boudreau, Leo H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tadayon, Bijan
• Application Number:
  US08/865,355
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 348/580, 348/581, 348/583, 348/87, 382/106, 382/141, 382/151, 382/153, 382/154, 382/170, 382/181, 382/190, 382/192, 382/195, 382/199, 382/203, 382/204, 382/205, 382/209, 382/217, 382/224, 382/243, 382/274 , 382/275, 382/276, 382/277, 382/278, 382/284, 382/285, 382/286, 382/287, 382/288, 382/289, 382/291, 382/293, 382/294, 382/295, 382/296, 382/297, 382/298, 382/299 , 382/309, 382/307, 345/187, 358/451, 356/375, 356/376
• US Class Current: 382/293
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/42 Global feature extraction by analysis of the whole pattern, e.g. using frequency domain transformations or autocorrelation
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/422 Technical drawings; Geographical maps

Abstract

A feature point calculating device 21 calculates feature points with a sequence of input coordinate points. A symmetrical axis alternative calculating device 22 references the feature points and calculates symmetrical axis alternatives. A first determination symmetrical axis determining device 23 extracts the most horizontal symmetrical axis alternative and the most vertical symmetrical axis alternative from the symmetrical axis alternatives calculated by the symmetrical axis alternative calculating device 22. A first symmetry input point set calculating device 24 calculates symmetry determination segments of one of the horizontal and vertical symmetrical axis alternatives. A first symmetrical axis distance calculating device 25 calculates the distance between the center point of each symmetry determination segment and the symmetrical axis alternative. A first symmetry determining device 26 calculates a deviation of the calculated distances. When the deviation does not exceed a predetermined threshold value, the first symmetry determining device 26 determines that the input figure is line symmetrical to the symmetrical axis alternative. A symmetrizing process device 27 compensates the input figure so that sets of input coordinate points calculated by the first symmetry input point set calculating device 24 become line symmetrical to the symmetrical axis alternative.

Claims

1. A line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus, comprising:

inputting means for reading an input figure and generating a sequence of coordinate points thereof;

storing means for storing the input figure and the sequence of coordinate points;

feature point detecting means for detecting the coordinates of vertexes of the input figure, the maximum point values and the minimum point values in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction thereof with the sequence of coordinate points that are input by said inputting means and storing the coordinates of vertexes to said storing means;

alternative symmetrical axis detecting means for detecting an alternative symmetrical axis for determining a symmetry of the input figure with the feature points;

symmetry determining means for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis; and

shaping means for shaping the input figure so that the input figure becomes symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis that has been determined to be symmetrical to the input figure by said symmetry determining means.

2. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said alternative symmetrical axis detecting means includes:

alternative symmetrical axis calculating means for calculating an alternative symmetrical axis for determining a symmetry of the input figure with the feature points; and

means for extracting the most horizontal alternative symmetrical axis and the most vertical alternative symmetrical axis from all the alternative symmetrical axes calculated by said alterative symmetrical axis calculating means.

3. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said symmetry determining means includes:

means for detecting sets of coordinate points for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis and for connecting the detected coordinate points with straight lines so as to generate symmetry determination segments;

distance calculating means for calculating the distance between the center point of each of the symmetry determination segment and the alternative symmetry axis; and

means for calculating a deviation of the distances so as to determine whether or not the input figure is line symmetrical.

4. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaping means includes:

symmetrizing process means for changing the coordinate points so that the input figure becomes line symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that the input figure is line symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis.

5. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said symmetry determining means includes:

means for detecting sets of coordinate points for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis and for connecting the detected coordinate points with straight lines so as to generate symmetry determination segments;

distance calculating means for calculating the distance between the center point of each of the symmetry determination segment and the alternative symmetry axis; and

means for calculating a deviation of the distances so as to determine whether or not the input figure is line symmetrical.

6. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shaping means includes:

symmetrizing process means for changing the coordinate points so that the input figure becomes line symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that the input figure is line symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis.

7. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said shaping means includes:

symmetrizing process means for changing the coordinate points so that the input figure becomes line symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that the input figure is line symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis.

17. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means for determining one of the alternative symmetrical axes as a reference symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that there are a plurality of alternative symmetrical axes of the input axis.

18. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means determines the reference symmetrical axis for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means being externally controlled.

19. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein said shaping means includes:

means for selecting a predetermined point of intersection of the reference symmetrical axis and the input figure so as to determine the position of the reference symmetrical axis, said shaping means symmetrically shaping the input figure corresponding to the positioned reference symmetrical axis.

20. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference coordinate point determining means for determining one of the sequence of the coordinate points of the input figure so as to symmetrically shape the input figure.

21. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said shaping reference coordinate point determining means determines a reference coordinate point for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference coordinate point determining means being externally controlled.

22. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means for determining one of the alternative symmetrical axes as a reference symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that there are a plurality of alternative symmetrical axes of the input axis.

23. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 22, wherein said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means determines the reference symmetrical axis for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means being externally controlled.

24. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein said shaping means includes:

means for selecting a predetermined point of intersection of the reference symmetrical axis and the input figure so as to determine the position of the reference symmetrical axis, said shaping means symmetrically shaping the input figure corresponding to the positioned reference symmetrical axis.

25. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference coordinate point determining means for determining one of the sequence of the coordinate points of the input figure so as to symmetrically shape the input figure.

26. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein said shaping reference coordinate point determining means determines a reference coordinate point for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference coordinate point determining means being externally controlled.

27. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means for determining one of the alternative symmetrical axes as a reference symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that there are a plurality of alternative symmetrical axes of the input axis.

28. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 27, wherein said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means determines the reference symmetrical axis for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means being externally controlled.

29. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 28, wherein said shaping means includes:

means for selecting a predetermined point of intersection of the reference symmetrical axis and the input figure so as to determine the position of the reference symmetrical axis, said shaping means symmetrically shaping the input figure corresponding to the positioned reference symmetrical axis.

30. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference coordinate point determining means for determining one of the sequence of the coordinate points of the input figure so as to symmetrically shape the input figure.

31. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein said shaping reference coordinate point determining means determines a reference coordinate point for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference coordinate point determining means being externally controlled.

47. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said shaping means includes:

symmetrizing process means for changing the coordinate points so that the input figure becomes line symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that the input figure is line symmetrical to the alternative symmetrical axis.

49. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said symmetry determining means further, includes:

symmetry input point set validity determining means for determining whether or not the calculated distance by said distance calculating means exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

50. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said symmetry determining means further, includes:

symmetry input point set validity determining means for determining whether or not the calculated distance by said distance calculating means exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

52. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said shaping means includes:

a one axis symmetrizing process means for determining whether or not one of outputs of said symmetrizing process means is valid as a valid symmetrical axis of the input figure, and said one axis symmetrizing process means symmetrizes the symmetrical axis alternative.

53. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said shaping means further includes:

a one axis symmetrizing process means for determining whether or not one of outputs of said symmetrizing process means is valid as a valid symmetrical axis of the input figure, and said one axis symmetrizing process means symmetrizes the symmetrical axis alternative.

8. A line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus, comprising:

inputting means for reading an input figure and generating a sequence of coordinate points thereof;

storing means for storing the input figure and the sequence of coordinate points;

feature point detecting means for detecting the coordinates of vertexes of the input figure, the maximum point values and the minimum point values in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction thereof with the sequence of coordinate points that are input by said inputting means and storing the coordinates of vertexes to said storing means;

alternative symmetrical axis detecting means for detecting a set of alternative symmetrical axes for determining a symmetry of the input figure with the feature points, the alternative symmetrical axes being perpendicular to each other;

symmetry determining means for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to each of the set of alternative symmetrical axes; and

shaping means for shaping the input figure so that the input figure becomes symmetrical to both the alternative symmetrical axes that have been determined to be symmetrical to the input figure by said symmetry determining means.

9. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said alternative symmetrical axis detecting means includes:

alternative symmetrical axis calculating means for calculating an alternative symmetrical axis for determining a symmetry of the input figure with the feature points;

means for extracting the most vertical alternative symmetrical axis from all the alternative symmetrical axes calculated by said alterative symmetrical axis calculating means;

means for extracting a horizontal alternative symmetrical axis to the extracted vertical alternative symmetrical axis; and

means for determining whether or not the extracted vertical alternative symmetrical axis and the extracted horizontal alternative symmetrical axis are perpendicular to each other.

10. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said symmetry determining means includes:

vertical alternative symmetrical axis symmetry determining means for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the vertical symmetrical axis; and

horizontal alternative symmetrical axis symmetry determining means for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the horizontal symmetrical axis.

11. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said shaping means includes:

symmetrizing process means for changing the coordinate points so that the input figure becomes line symmetrical to the vertically symmetrical axis and the horizontally symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that the input figure is line symmetrical to the vertical alternative symmetrical axis and the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis.

12. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said vertical alternative symmetrical axis symmetry determining means includes:

means for detecting sets of coordinate points for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the vertical alternative symmetrical axis and for connecting the detected coordinate points so as to generate symmetry determination segments;

distance calculating means for calculating the distance between the center point of each of the symmetry determination segments and the vertical alternative symmetrical axis; and

means for calculating a deviation of the calculated distances so as to determine whether or not the input figure is line symmetrical.

13. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said vertical alternative symmetrical axis symmetry determining means includes:

means for detecting sets of coordinate points for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the vertical alternative symmetrical axis and for connecting the detected coordinate points so as to generate symmetry determination segments;

distance calculating means for calculating the distance between the center point of each of the symmetry determination segments and the vertical alternative symmetrical axis; and

means for calculating a deviation of the calculated distances so as to determine whether or not the input figure is line symmetrical.

14. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said horizontal alternative symmetrical axis symmetry determining means includes:

means for detecting sets of coordinate points for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis and for connecting the detected coordinate points so as to generate symmetry determination segments;

distance calculating means for calculating the distance between the center point of each of the symmetry determination segments and the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis; and

means for calculating a deviation of the calculated distances so as to determine whether or not the input figure is line symmetrical.

15. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said horizontal alternative symmetrical axis symmetry determining means includes:

means for detecting sets of coordinate points for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis and for connecting the detected coordinate points so as to generate symmetry determination segments;

distance calculating means for calculating the distance between the center point of each of the symmetry determination segments and the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis; and

means for calculating a deviation of the calculated distances so as to determine whether or not the input figure is line symmetrical.

16. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein said horizontal alternative symmetrical axis symmetry determining means includes:

means for detecting sets of coordinate points for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis and for connecting the detected coordinate points so as to generate symmetry determination segments;

distance calculating means for calculating the distance between the center point of each of the symmetry determination segments and the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis; and

means for calculating a deviation of the calculated distances so as to determine whether or not the input figure is line symmetrical.

32. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means for determining one of the alternative symmetrical axes as a reference symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that there are a plurality of alternative symmetrical axes of the input axis.

33. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 32, wherein said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means determines the reference symmetrical axis for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means being externally controlled.

34. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 33, wherein said shaping means includes:

means for selecting a predetermined point of intersection of the reference symmetrical axis and the input figure so as to determine the position of the reference symmetrical axis, said shaping means symmetrically shaping the input figure corresponding to the positioned reference symmetrical axis.

35. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference coordinate point determining means for determining one of the sequence of the coordinate points of the input figure so as to symmetrically shape the input figure.

36. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein said shaping reference coordinate point determining means determines a reference coordinate point for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference coordinate point determining means being externally controlled.

37. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means for determining one of the alternative symmetrical axes as a reference symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that there are a plurality of alternative symmetrical axes of the input axis.

38. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 37, wherein said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means determines the reference symmetrical axis for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means being externally controlled.

39. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein said shaping means includes:

means for selecting a predetermined point of intersection of the reference symmetrical axis and the input figure so as to determine the position of the reference symmetrical axis, said shaping means symmetrically shaping the input figure corresponding to the positioned reference symmetrical axis.

40. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference coordinate point determining means for determining one of the sequence of the coordinate points of the input figure so as to symmetrically shape the input figure.

41. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 40, wherein said shaping reference coordinate point determining means determines a reference coordinate point for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference coordinate point determining means being externally controlled.

42. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means for determining one of the alternative symmetrical axes as a reference symmetrical axis when said symmetry determining means has determined that there are a plurality of alternative symmetrical axes of the input axis.

43. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 42, wherein said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means determines the reference symmetrical axis for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference symmetrical axis determining means being externally controlled.

44. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 43, wherein said shaping means includes:

means for selecting a predetermined point of intersection of the reference symmetrical axis and the input figure so as to determine the position of the reference symmetrical axis, said shaping means symmetrically shaping the input figure corresponding to the positioned reference symmetrical axis.

45. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said shaping means includes:

shaping reference coordinate point determining means for determining one of the sequence of the coordinate points of the input figure so as to symmetrically shape the input figure.

46. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 45, wherein said shaping reference coordinate point determining means determines a reference coordinate point for shaping the input figure, said shaping reference coordinate point determining means being externally controlled.

48. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein said horizontal alternative symmetrical axis symmetry determining means includes:

means for detecting sets of coordinate points for determining whether or not the input figure is symmetrical to the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis and for connecting the detected coordinate points so as to generate symmetry determination segments;

distance calculating means for calculating the distance between the center point of each of the symmetry determination segments and the horizontal alternative symmetrical axis; and

means for calculating a deviation of the calculated distances so as to determine whether or not the input figure is line symmetrical.

51. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein said symmetry determining means further, includes:

symmetry input point set validity determining means for determining whether or not the calculated distance by said distance calculating means exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

54. The line symmetrical figure shaping apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said shaping means further includes:

a one axis symmetrizing process means for determining whether or not one of outputs of said symmetrizing process means is valid as a valid symmetrical axis of the input figure, and said one axis symmetrizing process means symmetrizes the symmetrical axis alternative.