Image processing apparatus directed to image outline processing, image processing method of the same, and computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for performing image processing

• US 8,284,460 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Mori, Toshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Worku, Negussie
• Application Number:
  US12/545,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20100053707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 358/505, 358/462, 358/538, 358/449, 358/474, 382/298, 382/176, 382/232, 382/199, 382/253, 382/321, 382/305, 348/607, 348/E05.007
• US Class Current: 358/474
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/40062 Discrimination between different image types, e.g. two-tone, continuous tone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4092 Edge or detail enhancement

Abstract

In outline processing according to the present embodiment, a normalization coefficient is determined such that values outputted as outline data substantially coincide with a maximum value in a prescribed number of digits in accordance with a variation amount between coordinate values. Such determination can constantly enhance image quality (legibility of a character) of the outline data up to a highest value under conditions of the prescribed number of digits as well as being free of the influence of a size of a target character. In other words, it is possible to provide the highest feasible image quality under the limitation of the number of digits set from the limit of a file size.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

a detector for detecting a plurality of coordinate values indicating an outline of an object included in an input image; and

a generator for generating outline data based on the plurality of coordinate values detected by said detector,

said generator including;

a unit for calculating relative coordinate values of the coordinate values detected based on a coordinate value set as a reference;

a unit for calculating a normalization coefficient for normalizing said relative coordinate values to values within a numeric value range defined by a prescribed number of digits; and

a unit for generating the outline data by multiplying the respective relative coordinate values by said normalization coefficient.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the unit for calculating said normalization coefficient includes:

a unit for extracting a maximum value of coordinate value components included in said relative coordinate values; and

a unit for dividing by the maximum value of the coordinate value components, a maximum value of values defined by said prescribed number of digits.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising

a separator for separating said input image into a text area and an area other than said text area, wherein

said detector is adapted to detect said coordinate values from said text area.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising

a first compressor for compressing said outline data;

a second compressor for compressing an image of the area other than said text area; and

a combiner for combining the compressed outline data and the compressed image of the area other than said text area to generate a digitalized document.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising

a scanner for generating said input image by scanning an original document of a paper medium.

6. An image processing method comprising the steps of:

detecting, by a processing device, a plurality of coordinate values indicating an outline of an object included in an input image; and

calculating relative coordinate values of the coordinate values detected based on a coordinate value set as a reference;

calculating a normalization coefficient for normalizing said relative coordinate values to values within a numeric value range defined by a prescribed number of digits; and

generating outline data by multiplying the respective relative coordinate values by said normalization coefficient.

7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein

the step of calculating said normalization coefficient includes the steps of:

extracting a maximum value of coordinate value components included in said relative coordinate values; and

dividing, by the maximum value of said coordinate value components, a maximum value of values defined by said prescribed number of digits.

8. The image processing method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of

separating said input image into a text area and an area other than said text area, wherein

the step of detecting said plurality of coordinate values includes the step of detecting said coordinate values from said text area.

9. The image processing method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

compressing said outline data;

compressing an image of the area other than said text area; and

combining the compressed outline data and the compressed image of the area other than said text area to generate a digitalized document.

10. The image processing method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of

generating said input image by scanning an original document of a paper medium.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions to perform the steps of:

detecting a plurality of coordinate values indicating an outline of an object included in an input image;

calculating relative coordinate values of the coordinate values detected based on a coordinate value set as a reference;

calculating a normalization coefficient for normalizing said relative coordinate values to values within a numeric value range defined by a prescribed number of digits; and

generating outline data by multiplying the respective relative coordinate values by said normalization coefficient.

12. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein

the step of calculating said normalization coefficient includes the steps of:

extracting a maximum value of coordinate value components included in said relative coordinate values; and

dividing, by the maximum value of said coordinate value components, a maximum value of values defined by said prescribed number of digits.

13. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein

said instructions cause said processor to further perform the step of separating said input image into a text area and an area other than said text area, and

the step of detecting said plurality of coordinate values includes the step of detecting said coordinate values from said text area.

14. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said instructions cause said processor to further perform the steps of:

compressing said outline data;

compressing an image of the area other than said text area; and

combining the compressed outline data and the compressed image of the area other than said text area to generate a digitalized document.

15. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said instructions cause said processor to further perform the step of

generating said input image by scanning an original document of a paper medium.