Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting the presence of combs, determining their shape and removing the combs from a scanned form in an automated manner are described. Horizontal and vertical line feature analysis is combined with knowledge of the usual size, shape, and spacing characteristics of lines which form a comb. Vertical and horizontal lines failing to meet certain characteristics, e.g., size or shape characteristics, are eliminated from consideration. Vertical lines which do not intersect a horizontal line are also eliminated from consideration. Confidence measures for different possible comb shapes are generated and the most probable comb shapes as indicated by the confidence measures are included in a comb list. The comb list may be output for use in further processing, e.g., comb removal and/or data extraction processing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting the presence of combs, determining their shape and removing the combs from a scanned form in an automated manner are described. Horizontal and vertical line feature analysis is combined with knowledge of the usual size, shape, and spacing characteristics of lines which form a comb. Vertical and horizontal lines failing to meet certain characteristics, e.g., size or shape characteristics, are eliminated from consideration. Vertical lines which do not intersect a horizontal line are also eliminated from consideration. Confidence measures for different possible comb shapes are generated and the most probable comb shapes as indicated by the confidence measures are included in a comb list. The comb list may be output for use in further processing, e.g., comb removal and/or data extraction processing.