Patent ID: 6181838
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
For use in a data processing system including a memory for storing programs and files containing data and a processor for operating on the data under control of the programs, a capture engine for extracting graphics information from a data file and generating a corresponding graphic icon forming a displayable image representing the graphics information, comprising:a grayscale image generator for receiving an original image and generating a corresponding grayscale image containing brightness values representing the original image,an edge image mechanism for receiving the grayscale image and generating a corresponding edge image representing areas of visually significant graphic structure in the grayscale image as represented by areas of change in the brightness values,a candidate region search mechanism for receiving the edge image and identifying initial candidate regions of the edge image representing visually significant areas of the original image, anda candidate region adjustment and comparator mechanism for selecting a candidate region to be used in generating a corresponding graphic icon and for adjusting the selected candidate region to conform to predetermined dimensions for a graphic icon.