Patent ID: 7106901

Claim:
An image classification method comprising steps of: implementing hierarchical vector quantization on at least one test image to obtain a first data set comprising quantization values for each pixel of the at least one test image; classifying regions of the at least one test image to obtain a second data set comprising classification values indicating whether the each pixel of the test images is one of a text, background and picture pixel; correlating the first data set and the second data set to obtain a correlated data set; implementing hierarchical vector quantization on a subsequent input image to obtain a quantization value for each pixel of the input image; classifying the each pixel of the input image as one of text, background and picture based on a corresponding quantization value and the correlated data set; calculating for the input image a number of text pixels, background pixels and picture pixels, respectively; determining whether the input image is predominately background based on the calculating and first predetermined criteria; determining whether the input image is predominately graphics based on the calculating and second predetermined criteria; determining whether the input image is predominately pictorial based on the calculating and third predetermined criteria; and, determining that the input image is a mixed image if the first, second and third criteria are not met.