Patent ID: 6654497
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A contour extraction apparatus comprising:image input means for inputting an image; edge extraction means for extracting an edge from the input image inputted by the image input means; image display means for displaying the image; contour extraction interval setting means for designating a contour extraction interval for the input image; and contour extraction means for extracting a contour line from the input image, the contour extraction means comprising: tracing means for tracing one or more pixels with a large edge strength from one edge point toward another edge point of a contour present in the contour extraction interval; and mask processing means for successively applying a mask processing to one or more pixels in a vicinity centered on an attended point, wherein an edge strength of a mask-processed pixel is used for comparison depending upon a positional relationship between the attended point during contour tracing and an end point of the contour tracing, wherein the mask processing means sets a mask under a restrictive condition that the attended point does not retreat from a target point of the contour tracing on the contour line.