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: Original digital data stored in a memory is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comprising the retrieved original digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the original digital data. Furthermore, digital data generated by composition is stored in the memory. Also, original digital data stored in a memory is searched for on the basis of an input image, and when no original 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 in the memory. Moreover, region segmentation information obtained in a block selection step 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.

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: An image processing method and system for search for an original data file corresponding to an input image are provided. According to an image processing method associated with one aspect of the present invention, for example, first search information associated with an input image is acquired on the basis of the information input by a user, and feature data contained in the input image is acquired as second search information. Thereafter, an original data file corresponding to the input image is searched for by using the first and second search information. This makes it possible to improve the search performance in searching for an original data file corresponding to a paper document.

Abstract: This discloses the art which can significant improve operability by automatically discriminating a plurality of image orientations which are not assured of always being fed in common orientations and reduce 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.

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 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.

Abstract: The area and position of each cell in a table are analyzed on the basis of the layout state of ruled lines and character strings contained in the image of the table to obtain a table structure. The obtained table structure is displayed. When a user instructs to correct the area of a cell in the displayed table structure, the area and position of the cell are corrected on the basis of the correction instruction to obtain a corrected table structure. After correction of the table structure, characters in each cell of the corrected table structure are recognized, and table format data is generated and output on the basis of the recognition result and table structure.

Abstract: The area and position of each cell in a table are analyzed on the basis of the layout state of ruled lines and character strings contained in the image of the table to obtain a table structure. The obtained table structure is displayed. When a user instructs to correct the area of a cell in the displayed table structure, the area and position of the cell are corrected on the basis of the correction instruction to obtain a corrected table structure. After correction of the table structure, characters in each cell of the corrected table structure are recognized, and table format data is generated and output on the basis of the recognition result and table structure.

Abstract: A user designates a two-sided copying mode, a reduced-scale copying mode, a vertical or horizontal binding direction, and the like from a control panel. An original image is magnification-varied at a designated reduction magnification, and the reduced image is stored in a page memory. In the case of an odd page (front surface) in a single-sided or two-sided copying mode, a &ggr; conversion circuit reads out and outputs stored image data in the normal order, thus forming images. On the other hand, in the case of an even page (back page) in the two-sided copying mode, whether the horizontal or vertical binding direction is designated is checked. If the binding direction agrees with the reversing axis direction of a paper sheet upon copying, images are read out in the normal order. When the vertical binding direction is designated, images are read out in an order opposite to the normal order, so that each page is rotated through 180°. Images are copied in the designated layout.

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: When a region obtained by predetermined region division processing is a character image, the image is converted at one of predetermined compression ratios (S505). Data in a certain information amount that the region has as pixel data after image conversion is subjected to character recognition, and the degree of similarity (score) to character types registered in advance is calculated (S506). If the calculated score is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the information amount is smaller than a minimum information amount necessary for reconstruction of the character image contained in the region. The character image is converted at a compression ratio lower than that in S505 by one step (S507-S509).

Abstract: A user designates a two-sided copying mode, a reduced-scale copying mode, a vertical or horizontal binding direction, and the like from a control panel. An original image is magnification-varied at a designated reduction magnification, and the reduced image is stored in a page memory. In the case of an odd page (front surface) in a single-sided or two-sided copying mode, a &ggr; conversion circuit reads out and outputs stored image data in the normal order, thus forming images. On the other hand, in the case of an even page (back page) in the two-sided copying mode, whether the horizontal or vertical binding direction is designated is checked. If the binding direction agrees with the reversing axis direction of a paper sheet upon copying, images are read out in the normal order. When the vertical binding direction is designated, images are read out in an order opposite to the normal order, so that each page is rotated through 180°. Images are copied in the designated layout.