Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An image processing system for obtaining a binary signal from a multi-level signal read by an image scanner from an original document including mixed characters, ruled lines, and photos, and then obtaining a reproduced image from said binary signal, said image processing system comprising: a fixed slice processing means (1) for receiving said multi-level signal, and for slicing said multi-level signal by a predetermined fixed threshold level, and outputting said binary signal sliced by said fixed threshold level; a half-tone processing means (2) receiving said multi-level signal, and for slicing said multi-level signal by a plurality of threshold levels defined by a dither method, and outputting said binary signal sliced by said plurality of threshold levels defined by said dither method; a character/photo separating means (3) receiving said multi-level signal; and for detecting a pattern of said multi-level signal, separating either a character portion or photo portion based on said pattern, and outputting a selection signal; a selection means (4) forselecting either said fixed slice processing means or said half-tone processing means based on said selection signal from said character/photo separating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An image processing system for obtaining a binary signal from a multi-level signal read by an image scanner from an original document including mixed characters, ruled lines, and photos, and then obtaining a reproduced image from said binary signal, said image processing system comprising: a fixed slice processing means (1) for receiving said multi-level signal, and for slicing said multi-level signal by a predetermined fixed threshold level, and outputting said binary signal sliced by said fixed threshold level; a half-tone processing means (2) receiving said multi-level signal, and for slicing said multi-level signal by a plurality of threshold levels defined by a dither method, and outputting said binary signal sliced by said plurality of threshold levels defined by said dither method; a character/photo separating means (3) receiving said multi-level signal; and for detecting a pattern of said multi-level signal, separating either a character portion or photo portion based on said pattern, and outputting a selection signal; a selection means (4) forselecting either said fixed slice processing means or said half-tone processing means based on said selection signal from said character/photo separating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image processing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said character/photo separating means comprises a successive gray color detection circuit for receiving said multi-level signal, and for obtaining binary signals after slicing said multi-level signal based on said fixed threshold level, and detecting a number of said binary signals occurring in succession within one line of said binary signal; and fine line detection circuit for receiving said multi-level signal, and for detecting a change of density level of said multi-levels signal between adjacent lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
An image processing system as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said character/photo separating means further comprises a decision means for determining either a character portion or photo portion based on outputs from said successive gray color detection circuit and said fine line detection circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
An image processing system as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said fixed threshold level in said successive gray color detection circuit is set to either a first threshold level or a second threshold level, said first threshold level being set in the neighborhood of a white color, and said second threshold level being set in the neighborhood of a black color.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image processing system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said successive gray color detection circuit has a plurality of detection circuits each having either said first threshold level or said second threshold level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image processing system as claimed in any of claims 2-5,wherein said fine line detection circuit comprises a primary differential circuit and a secondary differential circuit, each inputting a multi-level signal from a plurality of lines.