Patent ID: 6104827
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: A22B,G01N,G06T

Abstract:
A process for identifying a target section within an image composed of an array of pixels, the process including storing color data for each pixel indicative of color information at the respective part of the image, the process comprising the steps of:(A) discriminating from the color data the pixels having a predetermined color characteristic of the target section, and from these discriminated pixels, creating a refined data set of color data for selected pixels, the refined data set comprising data for only those selected pixels which are adjacent at least one other selected pixel and so that the refined data set encompasses a refined image section in the general target area of the image where the target section is expected to be located,(B) excising from the refined data set at least one data set for a cluster of pixels representing an external image section which is adjacent to and contacting the target section but which does not form part of the target section, the excising step including:(i) analysing the shape of the refined image section represented by the refined data set to identify concavities in the boundary of the refined image section, forming lines along which the refined image section is to be separated into sub-sections, the lines extending from each of the said concavities in the boundary to other points either on the boundary or located internally of the boundary of the refined image section to thereby divide the refined image section into sub-sections, identifying valid lines demarcating the target section from adjacent touching external image sections by at least one of the steps of examining properties of the lines and examining properties of the sub-sections formed by the lines, and retaining in the refined data set only those data representing pixels to one side of the valid lines representing the target section, and(C) processing the refined data set after the excising step (B) has been carried out as the final data set representing the target section of the image.