Patent ID: 6307972
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A method of generating a bitmap representative of an original image, said bitmap comprising a plurality of white/black binary pixel values each having a respective pixel location, the method comprising(1) scanning said original image to generate a greyscale pixel map, said greyscale pixel map comprising a plurality of greyscale pixel values each having a respective pixel location; and(2) converting said greyscale pixel map into said bitmap by(i) ranking each said plurality of greyscale pixel values against the greyscale pixel values of a neighbourhood of adjacent pixel locations;(ii) determining a desired number of black binary pixels (BPc) in said neighbourhood;(iii) comparing said rank of each of said plurality of greyscale pixel values with said desired number of black binary pixels; and(iv) assigning a black binary pixel value to said pixel location when the comparison carried out in step (iii) satisfies a predetermined condition.