Abstract: Forms such as business forms used in banks and post offices are automatically classified using a form search apparatus and method. The method of classifying forms comprises extracting features from the image data of the input form and comparing the extracted features with stored features of a set of template forms corresponding to a set of known classifications of forms. The comparing step compares extracted features which comprise attributes of tables contained in the template forms and the input form respectively. The attributes of tables may be the number of tables in the form, or the number of cells comprising the tables. An approximate matching step is used to reduce the number of candidate template forms.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of easily acquiring original data includes an image data storage unit adapted to store data contained in an image, an image reading unit adapted to convert the contents of a paper document into an image by photoelectric conversion, a region specifying unit adapted to partially or entirely specify the read image, an image compression unit adapted to compress the read image to generate compressed data, an image data search unit adapted to search the storage unit for image data similar to the specific region, and an information adding unit adapted to add, to the compressed data, a search result corresponding to the specific region as related image information.

Abstract: Stored digital data is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comparing the retrieved digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the digital data. Digital data generated by composition is stored. When no digital data is retrieved, the input image is converted into vector data, and the image that has been converted into the vector data is stored as digital data. Obtained region segmentation information and an input image are composited, the composite image is displayed on an operation screen of an MFP, and a rectangular block to be vectorized is designated as a specific region from the displayed region segmentation information. A user designates the specific region by designating rectangular blocks in an image using a pointing device.

Abstract: In retrieval of a registered image that resembles an input image, retrieval is performed accurately in a short period of time irrespective of orientation of the input image. Specifically, there is disclosed an information processing method for retrieving image data, which has a high degree of similarity to input image data, from registered image data, the method includes an area identification step (S402) of identifying a text area and a non-text area in the input image data; a direction identification step (S404) of recognizing text in the identified text area and identifying orientation of the input image data based upon orientation of the text recognized; a rotation step (S406) of rotating the identified input image data to a prescribed orientation based upon the orientation identified; and a retrieval step (S409) of retrieving image data, which has a high degree of similarity to the input image data after the rotation thereof, from the registered image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus and an image processing program for dealing with inverted characters (outlined characters) constituted by white pixels on a black ground in a tree structure same as that of normal characters constituted by black pixels on a white ground. In the present invention, black pixel blocks and white pixel blocks are sampled recursively from a binary image, tree structure data indicating a positional relation between the sampled black pixel blocks and white pixel blocks is created, an inverted image is created by white-black-inverting the insides of black pixel blocks that can include inverted characters, of black pixel blocks included in the tree structure data, white pixel blocks and black pixel blacks are sampled from the created inverted image, and data regarding the sampled white pixel blocks and black pixel blocs is added to corresponding nodes of the tree structure data.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method which allows easy re-use of image information that is stored to minimize deterioration of image quality and the storage capacity. Storage means is searched for original digital data corresponding to each input image. If no original digital data is found, the input image is converted into vector data, and is stored as digital data in the storage means. A sheet including at least one of information associated with the found original digital data when the original digital data is found in the search step and information associated with digital data which is obtained by converting the image into the vector data in the vectorization step and is stored in the storage step when no original digital data is found in the search step is generated, thus providing a sheet that allows easy re-use.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus which efficiently detect an image input direction, from an image with much differential information to an image with little differential information. The direction of an image including a character area, inputted into a computer, is detected. First, a binary image of the input image is generated, and a tile image is generated by adding a predetermined value to respective tiles, each tile corresponding to a predetermined size area in the binary image. Next, an area of the binary image, corresponding to an area within a circumscribed rectangle surrounding connected pixels having the same value in the tile image, is extracted as a character area. Then, the direction of characters included in the character area is recognized and thereby the direction of the input image is detected.

Abstract: The invention significantly improves operability by automatically discriminating a plurality of image orientations, which are not assured of always being fed in common orientations, and reduces possible burdens to operators by eliminating efforts required to arrange the images in a common orientation before feeding or to correct each orientations into a common orientation after feeding. The invention improves the operability also by enabling modes in which orientation discrimination as well as tilt corrections can be performed before operator's instructions, if the Auto mode has been specified for the orientation recognition function. The invention also improves accuracy of processing by determining whether orientations or tilt recognition is proper and providing the result to the operators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing method, an image processing apparatus and an image processing program for dealing with inverted characters (outlined characters) constituted by white pixels on a black ground in a tree structure same as that of normal characters constituted by black pixels on a white ground. In the present invention, black pixel blocks and white pixel blocks are sampled recursively from a binary image, tree structure data indicating a positional relation between the sampled black pixel blocks and white pixel blocks is created, an inverted image is created by white-black-inverting the insides of black pixel blocks that can include inverted characters, of black pixel blocks included in the tree structure data, white pixel blocks and black pixel blacks are sampled from the created inverted image, and data regarding the sampled white pixel blocks and black pixel blocs is added to corresponding nodes of the tree structure data.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to generate data optimal for both display and reuse from an image. From an input image, vector data of a display foreground layer, vector data of a non-display foreground layer, and a display background layer in which a portion of the input image is filled are generated. Next, electronic data including the display foreground layer, display background layer, and the non-display foreground layer is generated. By using the multi-layered electronic data, a composite image of the display foreground layer and the display background layer is provided for display, and the layers for display are switched for reuse. This makes it possible to provide data optimal for both display and reuse.

Abstract: An image processing method is provided to control an action for image data based on control information associated with the image data. The method includes generating an electronic signature to be affixed to image data, and generating control information used for controlling an action for the image data based on a result of verification of the electronic signature. The method further includes integrating the image data, the electronic signature, and the control information to generate integrated data and transmitting the integrated data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus segments an image into a plurality of regions in accordance with attributes of a plurality of types, and acquires feature amount data from image information of a region of a first attribute (an image region) from among the plurality of regions. The apparatus then applies compression processing to the image and acquires compressed data. The apparatus outputs the acquired feature amount data and compressed data as output data of the image.

Abstract: A document processing apparatus for segmenting a color document image into regions obtains a binary image by binarizing a color image, and extracts regions having different background colors from the color image to generate region information indicating the position and size of each extracted region. By making region segmentation on the basis of the binary image and region information, a region segmentation result that reflects the background colors can be obtained. In this way, region segmentation which can maintain region differences expressed by colors in a color document can be implemented.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of easily acquiring original data includes an image data storage unit adapted to store data contained in an image, an image reading unit adapted to convert the contents of a paper document into an image by photoelectric conversion, a region specifying unit adapted to partially or entirely specify the read image, an image compression unit adapted to compress the read image to generate compressed data, an image data search unit adapted to search the storage unit for image data similar to the specific region, and an information adding unit adapted to add, to the compressed data, a search result corresponding to the specific region as related image information.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus produces electronic data from a document image in which a text part, a photograph part, etc. are mixed. This electronic data enables a user to display information in a required part. The apparatus extracts an object from an input image and integrates information on the extracted object and layout control information (script) for modifying a layout so as to generate integrated electronic data. A script program can be executed when the electronic data is used, which allows an object designated by a user to be magnified and rearranged so as to facilitate visualization of the object.

Abstract: A binary image is generated by binarizing a multilevel image. An edge image is generated by extracting an edge component in the multilevel image. The binary image is segmented into a plurality of regions with different attributes. An outline candidate of a halftone region is extracted from the edge image. A second region segmentation result is output on the basis of the information of the outline candidate and information of the region segmentation result.

Abstract: When the content of a paper document is aiming to be recognized in an apparatus that has a scanner, an image of the paper document is subjected to region segmentation processing immediately after the paper document is read, and a recognition operation to be performed on each segmented region is specified by an operator on the basis of the result of the region segmentation processing. Therefore, a recognition method to be performed on each recognition target item can be selected from among recognition by using a recognition service server, recognition by downloading a program module from a program server, and recognition by using a locally-stored program module. As a result, recognition processing can be performed more efficiently.

Abstract: This invention provides the following environment. That is, an original document file corresponding to a document to be copied is specified from image data of that document to be copied, and a print process is made based on the specified file so as to prevent deterioration of image quality. Also, when a document to be copied is not registered, a registration process is executed to suppress deterioration of image quality in an early stage. Furthermore, since the document is converted into vector data, re-use of such document is facilitated, and deterioration of image quality can be suppressed even when an image process such as enlargement or the like is made. To this end, when an original digital file cannot be specified, an apparatus of this embodiment executes a vectorization process (S54), converts the obtained vector data into a data format that can be re-used by an application (S55), and registers the converted file in a file server (S56).

Abstract: Forms such as business forms used in banks and post offices are automatically classified using a form search apparatus and method. The method of classifying forms comprises extracting features from the image data of the input form and comparing the extracted features with stored features of a set of template forms corresponding to a set of known classifications of forms. The comparing step compares extracted features which comprise attributes of tables contained in the template forms and the input form respectively. The attributes of tables may be the number of tables in the form, or the number of cells comprising the tables. An approximate matching step is used to reduce the number of candidate template forms.

Abstract: Forms such as business forms used in banks and post offices are automatically classified using a form search apparatus and method. The method of classifying forms comprises extracting features from the image data of the input form and comparing the extracted features with stored features of a set of template forms corresponding to a set of known classifications of forms. The comparing step compares extracted features which comprise attributes of tables contained in the template forms and the input form respectively. The attributes of tables may be the number of tables in the form, or the number of cells comprising the tables. An approximate matching step is used to reduce the number of candidate template forms.