Patent ID: 6687404
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A method for operating a processor-controlled machine to determine an unknown value of a text image layout parameter used with a two-dimensional (2D) image model; the machine including a signal source for receiving data; memory for storing data; and a processor connected for accessing instruction data which is stored in the memory for operating the machine; the processor being further connected for receiving data from the signal source; and connected for storing data in the memory; the method comprising:obtaining a data structure indicating a 2D image model modeling as an image grammar an image layout structure common to a class of 2D text images; the 2D image model including a production rule indicating that first and second image constituents occurring in a 2D text image consistent with the image layout structure produce a third image constituent occurring therein; the production rule including a text image layout parameter that indicates the spatial relationship between the first and second image constituents; a value of the text image layout parameter being unknown; receiving a plurality of input two-dimensional (2D) text image data structures from the signal source; each input 2D text image represented by the plurality of input 2D text image data structures having the image layout structure common to the class of 2D text images and including at least one occurrence of first and second image constituents; for each respective input 2D text image, producing a data structure, using the 2D image model, indicating first and second image positions in the input 2D text image identifying respective locations of the first and second image constituents therein; and obtaining document-specific measurement data about the first and second image constituents from the data structure; and computing a value for the text image layout parameter using the document-specific measurement data obtained from the data structures for the respective input 2D text images; the value computed for the text image layout parameter representing a class-specific value for all text images in the class of 2D input text images being modeled by the 2D image model.