Patent ID: 6266439
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image processing apparatus for processing colour signals representing a colour or black-and-white image, to enhance the rendering of black text in a subsequent presentation of said image, said apparatus comprising:(i) means for analysing at least one of said colour signals over said image or a part thereof to identify within said image or part thereof groups of neighbouring pixels, each of which defines a potential text item or part thereof;(ii) colour discriminating means for monitoring at least some of the colour signals of pixels within and/or around each potential text item to discriminate black text items; and(iii) means for enhancing said discriminated black text items in a subsequent presentation of said imagewherein said analysing means compares the intensity of said colour signal in each pixel with a first threshold and classifies each pixel having an intensity below said first threshold as belonging to a potential text item.