Patent ID: 6987879
Filing Date: 2006-01-17
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A method of extracting information from an image, the image having at least a first image portion in a first color, a second image portion in a second color, and a third image portion in a third color, comprising the steps of: a) inputting the image, the first image portion containing the information, the second image portion and the third image portion being background, the second image portion surrounding the first image portion, the third image portion surrounding the second image portion, the first color and the second color having a substantially closer intensity value than the first color and the third color; b) generating a histogram representing a distribution of intensity level; c) determining a temporary threshold value for generating bi-level image data of the image based upon the histogram, the threshold value dividing the intensity distribution into a white side and a black side; d) summing a number of pixels in the white side to generate a first total; e) summing a number of pixels in the black side to generate a second total number; f) determining a first distribution in the white side based upon the first total number; g) determining a second distribution in the black side based upon the second total number; h) determining a distribution ratio between the first distribution and the second distribution; and i) determining a final threshold value based upon the distribution ratio; j) incrementing the temporary threshold value; and k) repeating said steps d) through j) on a selected portion of the image until a predetermined condition is reached so that the first image portion is separated from the second image portion and the third image portion based upon the bi-level image data.