Patent US5680478A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5680478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for character recognition
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-06-27
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Granted: 1997-10-21
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Expires: 2014-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A character recognition system or the like in which character identities are stored in accordance with a hierarchical order established during processing to separate text image areas from non-text image areas. To separate text image areas from non-text image areas, blocks of pixels are selected from pixel image data by outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units, selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines, and selectively connecting text lines vertically to form text blocks. After blocks of pixels have been so selected, text blocks are segmented into lines of pixel image data, and characters are cut from the lines of pixel image data so obtained. If desired, the characters may be cut by a two-step cutting process in which non-touching and non-overlapping characters are first cut out, and touching characters are then cut out. The cut-out characters are then recognized, and the characters are stored in accordance with an order established during the block selecting process.
Inventors
- 👤 Shin-Ywan Wang
- 👤 Mehrzad R. Vaezi
- 👤 Christopher Allen Sherrick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/40; G06V30/41; G06V30/413; G06V30/10; G06V30/14; G06V30/148; G06V30/15; G06V30/155; G06V30/414
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 211
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for recognizing characters in pixel image data comprising the steps of: selecting blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, said selecting step including, in order, the steps of outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units, forming a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, a first connecting step of selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines, a second connecting step of vertically connecting a plurality of text lines formed in the first connecting step to form text blocks, at least one formed text block including a plurality of formed horizontal text lines, modifying the hierarchical tree based on the first and second connecting steps and designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data; cutting characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step; recognizing characters cut in said cutting step; and storing characters recognized in said recognizing step in accordance with an order established in said block selecting step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
A method for recognizing characters in pixel image data comprising the steps of: selecting blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, said selecting step including, in order, the steps of outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units, forming a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, a first connecting step of selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines, a second connecting step of vertically connecting a plurality of text lines formed in the first connecting step to form text blocks, at least one formed text block including a plurality of formed horizontal text lines, modifying the hierarchical tree based on the first and second connecting steps and designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data; cutting characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step; recognizing characters cut in said cutting step; and storing characters recognized in said recognizing step in accordance with an order established in said block selecting step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of recognizing character images in blocks of text units.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-processing step in which the pixel image data is pre-processed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of image compression.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of filtering so as to enhance pixel image data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of post-processing the characters recognized in said recognizing step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said post-processing includes context checking so as to check one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of inputting pixel image data, wherein said input step includes the step of converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said block selecting step includes the step of forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined in said outlining step, said hierarchical tree defining the order with which characters are stored in said storing step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of forming a rectangle around the connected components outlined in said outlining step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the hierarchical tree is formed based on the position of the rectangles formed in said forming step.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of modifying the hierarchial tree based on the first and second connecting steps.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of classifying the connected contours as text units or non-text units.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said first and second connecting steps connect text units but do not connect non-text units.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of white-contour tracing the interior of non-text units.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of designating non-text units as tables based on the number of white contours contained therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of recombining white contours that are not arranged in a grid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein non-text units are designated as tables based on recombination in said recombining step.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 13, further comprising calculating the fill rate of white contours in non-text units.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the non-text unit is designated as a table in the event that the fill rate is high.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of printing by a printer an image processed by said method.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of inputting the pixel image data by a scanner.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
256 words
A method for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data comprising the steps of: inputting pixel image data, wherein said inputting step includes the step of converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data; selecting blocks of pixel image data, said selecting step including, in order, the steps of outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and vertically connecting a plurality of the formed text lines to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines, at least one formed text block having a plurality of the formed text lines; forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined in said outlining step and designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connecting steps; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data; cutting characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step; recognizing characters cut in said cutting step and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and storing the character codes in a computer text file in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
256 words
A method for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data comprising the steps of: inputting pixel image data, wherein said inputting step includes the step of converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data; selecting blocks of pixel image data, said selecting step including, in order, the steps of outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and vertically connecting a plurality of the formed text lines to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines, at least one formed text block having a plurality of the formed text lines; forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined in said outlining step and designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connecting steps; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data; cutting characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step; recognizing characters cut in said cutting step and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and storing the character codes in a computer text file in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising a pre-processing step in which the pixel image data is pre-processed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 25, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of image compression.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 26, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of enhancing pixel image data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of post-processing the characters recognized in said recognizing step, said post-processing including context checking so as to check on recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of white-contour tracing the interior of non-text units.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 29, further comprising the step of appending a non-text designator to each non-text unit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of appending a table designator to a non-text unit, based on the number of white contours contained therein, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of recombining white contours that are not arranged in a grid, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, based on the recombination rate in said recombining step, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 30, further comprising calculating the fill rate of white contours in non-text units, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, in the event that the fill rate is high, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of printing by a printer an image processed by said method.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of inputting the pixel image data by a scanner.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for recognizing characters in pixel image data, comprising: selecting means for selecting blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, said selecting means including outlining means for outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining means for determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units, tree forming means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, first connecting means for selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines, second connecting means for vertically connecting the formed text lines to form text blocks, at least one formed text block having a plurality of the formed text lines, and modifying means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connections performed by said first and second connecting means, wherein said tree forming means includes means for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data; cutting means for cutting characters from the line segmented by said segmenting means; recognizing means for recognizing characters cut by said cutting means; and storing means for storing characters recognized by said recognizing means in accordance with an order established by said block selecting means.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for recognizing characters in pixel image data, comprising: selecting means for selecting blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, said selecting means including outlining means for outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining means for determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units, tree forming means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, first connecting means for selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines, second connecting means for vertically connecting the formed text lines to form text blocks, at least one formed text block having a plurality of the formed text lines, and modifying means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connections performed by said first and second connecting means, wherein said tree forming means includes means for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data; cutting means for cutting characters from the line segmented by said segmenting means; recognizing means for recognizing characters cut by said cutting means; and storing means for storing characters recognized by said recognizing means in accordance with an order established by said block selecting means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising second recognizing means for recognizing character images in blocks of text units.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising pre-processing means for pre-processing the pixel image data.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said pre-processing means compresses the pixel image data.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said pre-processing means includes filtering means which enhances pixel image data.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising post-processing means for post-processing the characters recognized by said recognizing means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said post-processing means includes context checking means for checking one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising input means for inputting pixel image data, said input means including converting means for converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said block selecting means includes means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined by said outlining means, said hierarchical tree defining the order with which said storing means stores characters.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising forming means for forming a rectangle around the connected components outlined by said outlining means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the hierarchical tree is formed based on the position of the rectangles formed by said forming means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising means for modifying the hierarchial tree based on said first connecting means and said second connecting means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising classifying means for classifying the connected contours as text units or non-text units.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said first connecting means and said second connecting means connect text units but do not connect non-text units.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, further comprising means for white-contour tracing the interior of non-text units.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising designating means for designating non-text units as tables based on the number of white contours contained therein.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 51, further comprising recombining means for recombining white contours that are not arranged in a grid.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein non-text units are designated as tables based on recombination by said recombining means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 49, further comprising calculating means for calculating the fill rate of white contours in non-text units.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein the non-text unit is designated as a table in the event that the fill rate is high.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a printer engine for printing an image processed by said apparatus.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a scanner for inputting the pixel image data.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising means for classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
289 words
An apparatus for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data comprising: input means for inputting pixel image data, said input means including converting means for converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel data; selecting means for selecting blocks of pixel image data, said selecting means including outlining means for outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining means for determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, first connecting means for selectively text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and second connecting means for vertically connecting the formed text lines to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines, at least one formed text block including a plurality of the formed text lines; forming means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined by said outlining means, and for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; modifying means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connections performed by said first and second connecting means; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data; cutting means for cutting characters from the line segmented by said segmenting means; recognizing means for recognizing characters cut by said cutting means and for deriving character codes based on said recognition; and storing means for storing the character codes in a computer text file in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
289 words
An apparatus for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data comprising: input means for inputting pixel image data, said input means including converting means for converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel data; selecting means for selecting blocks of pixel image data, said selecting means including outlining means for outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining means for determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, first connecting means for selectively text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and second connecting means for vertically connecting the formed text lines to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines, at least one formed text block including a plurality of the formed text lines; forming means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined by said outlining means, and for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; modifying means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connections performed by said first and second connecting means; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data; cutting means for cutting characters from the line segmented by said segmenting means; recognizing means for recognizing characters cut by said cutting means and for deriving character codes based on said recognition; and storing means for storing the character codes in a computer text file in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising means for pre-processing the pixel image data.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 61, wherein said pre-processing means compresses the pixel image data.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said pre-processing means enhances the pixel image data.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising post-processing means for post-processing the characters recognized by said recognizing means, said post-processing means including context checking means for checking one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising means for white-contour tracing the interior of non-text units.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 65, further comprising appending means for appending a non-text designator to each non-text unit.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 66, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, based on the number of white contours contained therein, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 66, further comprising recombining means for recombining white contours that are not arranged in a grid, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, based on the recombination rate of said recombining means, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 66, further comprising calculating means for calculating the fill rate of white contours in non-text units, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit in the event that the fill rate is high, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising a printer engine for printing an image processed by said apparatus.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising a scanner for inputting the pixel image data.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 60, further comprising means for classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
221 words
A method for recognizing characters in pixel image data comprising the steps of: selecting blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, said selecting step including the steps of outlining connected components in the pixel image data, forming a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, connecting the outlined connected components to form text lines and text blocks, and modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connected and outlined connected components, wherein said forming step comprises the step of designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel data by adaptively dividing the text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step, said cutting step including a first cutting layer step in which non-touching and non-overlapping characters are cut from the line segment and at least one additional cutting layer step in which touching characters are cut, said additional cutting layer step being carried out in accordance with whether or not the line characters are monospaced; recognizing the characters cut in said cutting step; and storing characters recognized in said recognizing step in accordance with an order established in said block selecting step.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
221 words
A method for recognizing characters in pixel image data comprising the steps of: selecting blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, said selecting step including the steps of outlining connected components in the pixel image data, forming a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, connecting the outlined connected components to form text lines and text blocks, and modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connected and outlined connected components, wherein said forming step comprises the step of designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel data by adaptively dividing the text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step, said cutting step including a first cutting layer step in which non-touching and non-overlapping characters are cut from the line segment and at least one additional cutting layer step in which touching characters are cut, said additional cutting layer step being carried out in accordance with whether or not the line characters are monospaced; recognizing the characters cut in said cutting step; and storing characters recognized in said recognizing step in accordance with an order established in said block selecting step.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 73, further comprising the step of inputting pixel image data, wherein said input step includes the step of converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 73, further comprising a pre-processing step in which said pixel image data is pre-processed.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 75, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of image compression.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 75, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of filtering so as to enhance the pixel image data.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 73, further comprising the step of post-processing the characters recognized in said recognizing step.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 78, wherein said post-processing includes context checking so as to check one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 73, wherein said first cutting layer step includes the step of sparsely stepping through the line segment.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 73, wherein said additional cutting layer step is selectable in accordance with whether characteristics are known about the characters in the pixel image data.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 81, wherein said additional cutting layer step cuts based on statistics of a known character set.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 81, wherein said additional cutting layer step cuts in accordance with a rotated projection of pixel density.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 83, wherein the rotated projection of pixel density is obtained at an angle determined based on a vertical projection of pixel density.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 83, further comprising an intermediate cutting layer step between said first cutting layer and said at least one additional cutting layer step.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 85, wherein said intermediate cutting layer step includes the step of outlining overlapping pixel images in the line segment.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 86, further comprising the step of recombining characters cut in said intermediate cutting layer step in the event that the characters were cut inadvertently.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 87, wherein said recognizing step recognizes characters cut in said first cutting layer step before said additional cutting layer step, and wherein said additional cutting layer step is applied to characters that are not recognized in said recognizing step.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 88, further comprising the step of recombining the characters cut in said at least one additional cutting layer step in the event that characters are not recognized in said recognizing step.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 73, further comprising the step of printing by a printer an image processed by said method.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 73, further comprising the step of inputting the pixel image data by a scanner.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 73, further comprising the step of classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
275 words
A method for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data comprising the steps of: inputting pixel image data, wherein said inputting step includes the step of converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data; selecting blocks of pixel image data in accordance with whether the blocks of pixel image data are text blocks or non-text blocks; forming a hierarchical tree of the text and non-text blocks, wherein said forming step comprises the step of designating as a descendent a connected component in the pixel image data which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; grouping together connected components in the pixel image data to form text lines and text blocks; modifying the hierarchical tree based on the grouped-together connected components; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data by adaptively dividing the text blocks into a least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step, said cutting step including a first cutting layer step in which non-touching and non-overlapping characters are cut from the line segment and at least one additional cutting layer step in which touching characters are cut, said additional cutting layer step being carried out in accordance with whether or not the line characters are monospaced; recognizing characters cut in said cutting step and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and storing the character codes in a computer text file in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 99
Independent Claim
275 words
A method for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data comprising the steps of: inputting pixel image data, wherein said inputting step includes the step of converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data; selecting blocks of pixel image data in accordance with whether the blocks of pixel image data are text blocks or non-text blocks; forming a hierarchical tree of the text and non-text blocks, wherein said forming step comprises the step of designating as a descendent a connected component in the pixel image data which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; grouping together connected components in the pixel image data to form text lines and text blocks; modifying the hierarchical tree based on the grouped-together connected components; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data by adaptively dividing the text blocks into a least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step, said cutting step including a first cutting layer step in which non-touching and non-overlapping characters are cut from the line segment and at least one additional cutting layer step in which touching characters are cut, said additional cutting layer step being carried out in accordance with whether or not the line characters are monospaced; recognizing characters cut in said cutting step and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and storing the character codes in a computer text file in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 100
Independent Claim
18 words
A method according to 93, further comprising a pre-processing step in which the pixel image data is pre-processed.
Claim 101
Independent Claim
18 words
A method according to 93, further comprising a pre-processing step in which the pixel image data is pre-processed.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 94, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of image compression.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 94, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of enhancing pixel image data.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 93, further comprising the step of post-processing the characters recognized in said recognizing step, said post-processing including context checking so as to check one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 93, wherein said first cutting layer step includes the step of sparsely stepping through the line segment.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 93, wherein said additional cutting layer step is selectable in accordance with whether characteristics are known about the characters in the pixel image data.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 99, wherein said additional cutting layer step cuts based on spacing statistics of a known character set.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 99, wherein said additional cutting layer step cuts in accordance with a rotated projection of pixel density.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 101, wherein the rotated projection of pixel density is obtained at an angle determined based on a vertical projection of pixel density.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 93, further comprising an intermediate cutting layer step between said first cutting layer and said at least one additional cutting layer step.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 103, wherein said intermediate cutting layer step includes the step of outlining overlapping pixel images in the line segment.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 104, further comprising the step of recombining characters cut in said intermediate cutting layer step in the event that the characters were cut inadvertently.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 105, wherein said recognizing step recognizes characters cut in said first cutting layer step before said additional cutting layer step, and wherein said additional cutting layer step is applied to characters that are not recognized in said recognizing step.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 106, further comprising the step of recombining the characters cut in said at least one additional cutting layer step in the event that characters are not recognized in said recognizing step.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 93, further comprising the step of printing by a printer an image processed by said method.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 93, further comprising the step of inputting the pixel image data by a scanner.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 93, further comprising the step of classifying as text and non-text: (i) the hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 118
Independent Claim
313 words
A method for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data, comprising the steps of: inputting pixel image data, wherein said inputting step includes the step of converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary image data; selecting blocks of pixel image data, said selecting step including the steps of outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and vertically connecting the formed text lines to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines, at least one formed text block including a plurality of the formed text lines; forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined in said outlining step, and designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connected text units and text lines; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel data by adaptively dividing text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting characters from the lines segmented in said segmenting step, said cutting step including a first cutting layer step in which non-touching and non-overlapping characters are cut from the line segment and at least one additional cutting layer step in which touching characters are cut; recognizing the characters cut in said cutting step and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and storing the character codes in a computer text file in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 119
Independent Claim
313 words
A method for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data, comprising the steps of: inputting pixel image data, wherein said inputting step includes the step of converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary image data; selecting blocks of pixel image data, said selecting step including the steps of outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and vertically connecting the formed text lines to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines, at least one formed text block including a plurality of the formed text lines; forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined in said outlining step, and designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connected text units and text lines; segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel data by adaptively dividing text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting characters from the lines segmented in said segmenting step, said cutting step including a first cutting layer step in which non-touching and non-overlapping characters are cut from the line segment and at least one additional cutting layer step in which touching characters are cut; recognizing the characters cut in said cutting step and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and storing the character codes in a computer text file in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 120
Independent Claim
18 words
A method according to 111, further comprising a pre-processing step in which the pixel image data is pre-processed.
Claim 121
Independent Claim
18 words
A method according to 111, further comprising a pre-processing step in which the pixel image data is pre-processed.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 112, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of image compression.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 113, wherein said pre-processing step includes the step of enhancing pixel image data.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 111, further comprising the step of post-processing the characters recognized in said recognizing step, said post-processing including context checking so as to check one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 111, wherein said first cutting layer step includes the step of sparsely stepping through the line segment.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 111, wherein said additional cutting layer step is selectable in accordance with whether characteristics are known about the characters in the pixel image data.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 117, wherein said additional cutting layer step cuts based on spacing statistics of a known character set.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 117, wherein said additional cutting layer step cuts in accordance with a rotated projection of pixel density.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 119, wherein the rotated projection of pixel density is obtained at an angle determined based on a vertical projection of pixel density.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 111, further comprising an intermediate cutting layer step between said first cutting layer and said at least one additional cutting layer step.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 121, wherein said intermediate cutting layer step includes the step of outlining overlapping pixel images in the line segment.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 122, further comprising the step of recombining characters cut in said intermediate cutting layer step in the event that the characters were cut inadvertently.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 123, wherein said recognizing step recognizes characters cut in said first cutting layer step before said additional cutting layer step, and wherein said additional cutting layer step is applied to characters that are not recognized in said recognizing step.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 124, further comprising the step of recombining the characters cut in said at least one additional cutting layer step in the event that characters are not recognized in said recognizing step.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 111, further comprising the step of white-contour tracing the interior of non-text units.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 126, further comprising the step of appending a non-text designator to each non-text unit.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 127, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, based on the number of white contours contained therein, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 127, further comprising the step of recombining white contours that are not arranged in a grid, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, based on the recombination rate in said recombining step, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 127, further comprising the step of calculating the fill rate of white contours in non-text units, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, in the event that the fill rate is high, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 111, further comprising the step of printing by a printer an image processed by said method.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 111, further comprising the step of inputting the pixel image data by a scanner.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 111, further comprising the step of classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 143
Independent Claim
234 words
An apparatus for recognizing characters in pixel image data comprising: selecting means for selecting blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, said selecting means including means for outlining connected components in the pixel image data, means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, means for connecting the outlined connected components to form text lines and text blocks, and means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connected outlined connected components, wherein said forming means comprises means for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel data by adaptively dividing the text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting means for cutting characters from the line segmented by said segmenting means, said cutting means including a first cutting means for cutting a first layer of non-touching and non-overlapping characters from the line segment and at least one additional cutting means for cutting touching characters, said additional cutting layer step being carried out in accordance with whether or not the line characters are monospaced; recognizing means for recognizing the characters cut by said cutting means; and storing means for storing characters recognized by said recognizing means in accordance with an order established by said block selecting means.
Claim 144
Independent Claim
234 words
An apparatus for recognizing characters in pixel image data comprising: selecting means for selecting blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, said selecting means including means for outlining connected components in the pixel image data, means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, means for connecting the outlined connected components to form text lines and text blocks, and means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connected outlined connected components, wherein said forming means comprises means for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel data by adaptively dividing the text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting means for cutting characters from the line segmented by said segmenting means, said cutting means including a first cutting means for cutting a first layer of non-touching and non-overlapping characters from the line segment and at least one additional cutting means for cutting touching characters, said additional cutting layer step being carried out in accordance with whether or not the line characters are monospaced; recognizing means for recognizing the characters cut by said cutting means; and storing means for storing characters recognized by said recognizing means in accordance with an order established by said block selecting means.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus according to claim 134, further comprising input means for inputting pixel image data, said input means including converting means for converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 134, further comprising pre-processing means for pre-processing pixel image data.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 136, wherein said pre-processing compresses said pixel image data.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 136, wherein said pre-processing means includes filtering means which enhances the pixel image data.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 134, further comprising post-processing means for post-processing the characters recognized by said recognizing means.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 139, wherein said post-processing means includes context checking means for checking one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 134, wherein said first cutting means includes sparsely stepping means for sparsely stepping through the line segment.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 134, wherein said additional cutting means is selectable in accordance with whether characteristics are known about the characters in the pixel image data.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 142, wherein said additional cutting means makes cuts based on statistics of a known character set.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 142, wherein said additional cutting means makes cuts in accordance with a rotated projection of pixel density.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 144, wherein the rotated projection of pixel density is obtained at an angle determined based on a vertical projection of pixel density.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 144, further comprising intermediate cutting means for cutting an intermediate layer after said first cutting means and before said at least one additional cutting means is employed.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 146, wherein said intermediate cutting means includes outlining means for outlining overlapping pixel images in the line segment.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 147, further comprising recombining means for recombining characters cut by said intermediate cutting means in the event that the characters were cut inadvertently.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 148, wherein said recognizing means recognizes characters cut by said first cutting means before characters cut by said additional cutting means, and wherein said additional cutting means cuts characters that are not recognized by said recognizing means.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 149, further comprising second recombining means for recombining the characters cut by said at least one additional cutting means in the event that characters are not recognized by said recognizing means.
Claim 161
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 134, further comprising a printer engine for printing an image processed by said apparatus.
Claim 162
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 134, further comprising a scanner for inputting the pixel image data.
Claim 163
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 134, further comprising means for classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 164
Independent Claim
288 words
An apparatus for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data, comprising: input means for inputting pixel image data, said input means including converting means for converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data; selecting means for selecting blocks of pixel image data in accordance with whether the blocks of pixel image data are text blocks or non-text blocks; forming means for obtaining a hierarchical tree of the text and non-text blocks, wherein said forming means comprises means for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; grouping means for grouping together connected components in the pixel image data to form text lines and text blocks; modifying means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the grouped-together connected components; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data by adaptively dividing the text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting means for cutting characters from the line segmented by said segmenting means, said cutting means including first cutting means for cutting a first layer of non-touching and non-overlapping characters from the line segment and at least one additional cutting means for cutting touching characters, said additional cutting layer step being carried out in accordance with whether or not the line characters are monospaced; recognizing means for recognizing characters cut by said cutting means and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and a computer text file in which the character codes are stored in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 165
Independent Claim
288 words
An apparatus for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data, comprising: input means for inputting pixel image data, said input means including converting means for converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary pixel image data; selecting means for selecting blocks of pixel image data in accordance with whether the blocks of pixel image data are text blocks or non-text blocks; forming means for obtaining a hierarchical tree of the text and non-text blocks, wherein said forming means comprises means for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; grouping means for grouping together connected components in the pixel image data to form text lines and text blocks; modifying means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the grouped-together connected components; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel image data by adaptively dividing the text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting means for cutting characters from the line segmented by said segmenting means, said cutting means including first cutting means for cutting a first layer of non-touching and non-overlapping characters from the line segment and at least one additional cutting means for cutting touching characters, said additional cutting layer step being carried out in accordance with whether or not the line characters are monospaced; recognizing means for recognizing characters cut by said cutting means and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and a computer text file in which the character codes are stored in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 166
Independent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to 154, further comprising pre-processing means for pre-processing the pixel image data.
Claim 167
Independent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to 154, further comprising pre-processing means for pre-processing the pixel image data.
Claim 168
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 155, wherein said pre-processing means compresses the pixel image data.
Claim 169
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 155, wherein said pre-processing means enhances the pixel image data.
Claim 170
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 154, further comprising post-processing means for post-processing the characters recognized by said recognizing means, said post-processing means including context checking means for checking one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 171
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 154, wherein said first cutting means includes sparsely stepping means for sparsely stepping through the line segment.
Claim 172
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 154, wherein said additional cutting means is employed based on whether characteristics are known about the characters in the pixel image data.
Claim 173
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 160, wherein said additional cutting means cuts based on spacing statistics of a known character set.
Claim 174
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 160, wherein said additional cutting means cuts in accordance with a rotated projection of pixel density.
Claim 175
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 162, wherein the rotated projection of pixel density is obtained at an angle determined based on a vertical projection of pixel density.
Claim 176
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 154, further comprising intermediate cutting means for cutting an intermediate layer between said first layer and said at least one additional layer.
Claim 177
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 164, wherein said intermediate cutting means includes outlining means for outlining overlapping pixel images in the line segment.
Claim 178
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 165, further comprising recombining means for recombining characters cut by said intermediate cutting means in the event that the characters were cut inadvertently.
Claim 179
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 166, wherein said recognizing means recognizes characters cut by said first cutting means before recognizing characters cut by said additional cutting means, and wherein said additional cutting means is applied to characters that are not recognized by said recognizing means.
Claim 180
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 167, further comprising second recombining means for recombining the characters cut by said at least one additional cutting means in the event that characters are not recognized by said recognizing means.
Claim 181
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 154, further comprising a printer engine for printing an image processed by said apparatus.
Claim 182
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 154, further comprising a scanner for inputting the pixel image data.
Claim 183
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 154, further comprising means for classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 184
Independent Claim
347 words
An apparatus for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data, comprising: input means for inputting pixel image data, said input means including converting means for converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary image data; selecting means for selecting blocks of pixel image data, said selecting means including outlining means for outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining means for determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, first connecting means for selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and second connecting means for vertically connecting formed text lines to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines, at least one formed text block including a plurality of the formed text lines; forming means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined by said outlining means, wherein said forming means comprises means for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; modifying means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connected text units and text lines; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel data by adaptively dividing text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting means for cutting characters from the lines segmented by said segmenting means, said cutting means including first cutting means for cutting a first layer of non-touching and non-overlapping characters from the line segment and at least one additional cutting means for cutting an additional layer of touching characters; recognizing means for recognizing the characters cut by said cutting means and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and a computer text file for storing the character codes in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 185
Independent Claim
347 words
An apparatus for forming a text file of characters in pixel image data, comprising: input means for inputting pixel image data, said input means including converting means for converting the pixel image data into binary pixel image data in the event that the pixel image data is not binary image data; selecting means for selecting blocks of pixel image data, said selecting means including outlining means for outlining contours of connected components in the pixel image data, determining means for determining whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units based on the size of the outlined connected components, first connecting means for selectively connecting text units widthwisely to form text lines based on proximity of adjacent text units, and second connecting means for vertically connecting formed text lines to form text blocks based on proximity of adjacent text lines and on the position of non-text units between text lines, at least one formed text block including a plurality of the formed text lines; forming means for forming a hierarchical tree based on the connected components outlined by said outlining means, wherein said forming means comprises means for designating as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; modifying means for modifying the hierarchical tree based on the connected text units and text lines; segmenting means for segmenting text blocks into lines of pixel data by adaptively dividing text blocks into at least one column based on a horizontal projection of pixel density across said at least one column; cutting means for cutting characters from the lines segmented by said segmenting means, said cutting means including first cutting means for cutting a first layer of non-touching and non-overlapping characters from the line segment and at least one additional cutting means for cutting an additional layer of touching characters; recognizing means for recognizing the characters cut by said cutting means and deriving character codes based on said recognition; and a computer text file for storing the character codes in accordance with an order established by the modified hierarchical tree.
Claim 186
Independent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to 172, further comprising pre-processing means for pre-processing the pixel image data.
Claim 187
Independent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to 172, further comprising pre-processing means for pre-processing the pixel image data.
Claim 188
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 173, wherein said pre-processing means compresses the pixel image data.
Claim 189
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 174, wherein said pre-processing means enhances the pixel image data.
Claim 190
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 172, further comprising post-processing means for post-processing the characters recognized by said recognizing means, said post-processing means including context checking means for checking one recognized character within a context of other recognized characters.
Claim 191
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 172, wherein said first cutting means includes sparsely stepping means for sparsely stepping through the line segment.
Claim 192
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 172, wherein said additional cutting means is employed based on whether characteristics are known about the characters in the pixel image data.
Claim 193
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said additional cutting means cuts based on spacing statistics of a known character set.
Claim 194
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 178, wherein said additional cutting means cuts in accordance with a rotated projection of pixel density.
Claim 195
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 180, wherein the rotated projection of pixel density is obtained at an angle determined based on a vertical projection of pixel density.
Claim 196
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 172, further comprising intermediate cutting means for cutting an intermediate layer after said first cutting means and before said at least one additional cutting means.
Claim 197
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 182, wherein said intermediate cutting means includes outlining means for outlining overlapping pixel images in the line segment.
Claim 198
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 183, further comprising first recombining means for recombining characters cut by said intermediate cutting means in the event that the characters were cut inadvertently.
Claim 199
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 184, wherein said recognizing means recognizes characters cut by said first cutting means before recognizing characters cut by said additional cutting means, and wherein said additional cutting means is applied to characters that are not recognized by said recognizing means.
Claim 200
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 185, further comprising second recombining means for recombining the characters cut by said at least one additional cutting means in the event that characters are not recognized by said recognizing means.
Claim 201
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 172, further comprising means for white-contour tracing the interior of non-text units.
Claim 202
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 187, further comprising appending means for appending a non-text designator to each non-text unit.
Claim 203
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 188, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, based on the number of white contours contained therein, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 204
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 188, further comprising means for recombining white contours that are not arranged in a grid, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, based on the recombination rate of said recombining means, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 205
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 188, further comprising calculating means for calculating the fill rate of white contours in non-text units, wherein a table designator is appended to a non-text unit, in the event that the fill rate is high, so as to designate that the non-text unit is a table.
Claim 206
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 172, further comprising a printer engine for printing an image processed by said apparatus.
Claim 207
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 172, further comprising a scanner for inputting the pixel image data.
Claim 208
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 172, further comprising means for classifying as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
Claim 209
Dependent Claim
247 words
Computer executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said process steps for recognizing characters in pixel image data, said process steps comprising: a selecting step to select blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, the selecting step including, in order, (i) an outlining step to outline contours of connected components in the pixel image data, (ii) a determining step to determine whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units, (iii) a forming step to form a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, (iv) a first connecting step to selectively connect text units widthwisely to form text lines, (v) a second connecting step to vertically connect a plurality of text lines formed in the first connecting step to form text blocks, at least one formed text block including a plurality of formed horizontal text lines, and (vi) a modifying step to modify the hierarchical tree based on the first and second connecting steps, wherein said forming step comprises a designating step to designate as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; a segmenting step to segment text blocks into lines of pixel image data; a cutting step to cut characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step; a recognizing step to recognize characters cut in said cutting step; and a storing step to store characters recognized in said recognizing step in accordance with an order established in said block selecting step.
Claim 210
Dependent Claim
247 words
Computer executable process steps stored on a computer readable medium, said process steps for recognizing characters in pixel image data, said process steps comprising: a selecting step to select blocks of pixels from the pixel image data, the selecting step including, in order, (i) an outlining step to outline contours of connected components in the pixel image data, (ii) a determining step to determine whether the outlined connected components include text units or non-text units, (iii) a forming step to form a hierarchical tree based on the outlined connected components, (iv) a first connecting step to selectively connect text units widthwisely to form text lines, (v) a second connecting step to vertically connect a plurality of text lines formed in the first connecting step to form text blocks, at least one formed text block including a plurality of formed horizontal text lines, and (vi) a modifying step to modify the hierarchical tree based on the first and second connecting steps, wherein said forming step comprises a designating step to designate as a descendent a connected component which is within a rectangle formed around another connected component; a segmenting step to segment text blocks into lines of pixel image data; a cutting step to cut characters from the line segmented in said segmenting step; a recognizing step to recognize characters cut in said cutting step; and a storing step to store characters recognized in said recognizing step in accordance with an order established in said block selecting step.
Claim 211
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer executable process according to claim 195, further comprising a classifying step to classify as text and non-text: (i) hierarchical tree components; and (ii) their descendents.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-20 | 2009-04-21 | 2009-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |