Patent ID: 6614929
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting a character writing area in a document, comprising:image input means for inputting a plurality of images of written documents respectively having different characters recorded thereon to a document provided with ruled lines and a character writing area where characters are to be recorded; image processing means for producing a common image common to said images and a differential image acquired by performing a logical sum of mutually different images in said images, based on said images input by said image input means; and character-writing-area detection means for detecting said character writing area based on said common image and said differential image produced by said image processing means, wherein said character-writing-area detection means includes: means for detecting a ruled-line area enclosed by said ruled lines in said common image; means for detecting a rectangular area containing said differential image; and means for recognizing said detected ruled-line area as said character writing area when said rectangular area is included in said detected ruled-line area.