Abstract: An image processor (14) in a photocopier (10) takes composite input image (20a) that includes a plurality of skewed sub-images (22a, 24a, and 26a). It revises the image so as to produce an output composite image (20b) containing aligned sub-images (22b, 24b, and 26b). To identify the input image's sub-images, the image processor (14) identifies connected groups (44, 48 and 54) of pixels that meet certain criteria, and it eliminates from consideration each group (48) whose bounding box (50) is included within the bounding box (46) of another connected group (44). Skew angles for the different sub-images are determined by finding the best-fit lines through the outline pixels of their respective connected groups, and the sub-images are de-skewed by the negatives of those lines' angles.

Abstract: An interactive graphics system for precisely locating a boundary of a user-selected text field on a digitized form, enabling the user to accurately enter information into the text field. Upon receiving a user-selected coordinate of a point within the selected text field, the graphics system automatically determines the boundary of the text field by searching the neighboring area for particular obstructions based upon a user-provided type indication. Generally, the graphics system includes a means for receiving information pertaining to a selected text field, including the user-selected coordinate and text field type. A text field identifier associated with the indicated text field type determines the boundary of the selected text field. The text field identifier implements one or more boundary locators, each specifically configured to search for particular obstruction and to determine a text field boundary associated with that obstruction.