Patent ID: 6473201
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method of analyzing a bi-level image having a first level and a second level, said bi-level image being coded as transition data indicating positions of transitions between the first level and the second level in dot lines oriented in a first direction, comprising the steps of:(a) reading, from said transition data, the transition positions in a consecutive group of said dot lines; (b) comparing the transition positions in different dot lines in said consecutive group; and (c) detecting segments, in the different dot lines in said consecutive group, that have said first level and join mutually in said first direction, wherein: said step (a) further comprises the steps of reading a position a1 of a transition to said first level in a first dot line in said consecutive group, reading the position a2 of a first transition to said second level following said position a1 in said first dot line, said position a1 and said position a2 defining a first segment having said first level, reading a position b1 of a transition to said first level in a second dot line in said consecutive group, and reading the position b2 of a first transition to said second level following said position b1 in said second dot line, said position b1 and said position b2 defining a second segment having said first level; said step (b) further comprises the steps of comparing said position a1 and said position b2, and comparing said position a2 and said position b1; and in said step (c), said first segment and said second segment are treated as mutually joining if said position a1 does not follow said position b2 in said first direction, and said position b1 does not follow said position a2 in said first direction.