EP0751475A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Image processing method and device and scanner and printer equipped with same
Assignee: Omron Corp
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Filing: 1996-07-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus to detect marks of a specified shape and color on a document and to extract a specified pattern consisting of a number of these marks. An RGB color signal is sent, color by color, by way of image input unit (12) to binary processing unit (13). If the marks are yellow, the B signal for the pixels constituting the marks will be smaller than the other signals. The B signal is sent to mark shape extraction unit (13a) and threshold processing is executed. Simultaneously, R, G and B are sent to mark color extraction unit (13b), and the fact that the marks are yellow is detected. AND element (13c) finds the logical product of these processes, and a binary image is generated from which only the yellow pixels have been extracted. This binary image is transmitted to mark location detection unit (15) by way of storage unit (14). The shapes of the marks are matched against reference data and location data are extracted for the marks. The location data are transmitted to pattern location matching unit (17) by way of storage unit (16). The goodness of fit representing whether the marks are in specified locations is obtained and output.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinya Sonoda
- 👤 Masahiro Akagi
- 👤 Kouichi Ohmae
- 👤 Masahito Yanagida
- 👤 Masahiro Senga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:03
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00838; H04N1/0084; H04N1/00843; H04N1/00846; G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/40; G06V10/56; H04N1/00856; H04N1/00875; G06V20/00; G06V20/95
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An image processing method to detect a particular mark of a given shape and color in a received image data of a color image, comprising a step of detecting said particular mark shape using only a single color signal out of a plurality of color signals comprising said received image data of said color image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image processing method according to claim 1, wherein said single color signal is received first among said plurality of color signals which are received successively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
An image processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of extracting a mark color by performing threshold processing on said single color signal and other color signals data whose color density is within a given range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
An image processing method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of: calculating an average color density of said particular mark; calculating a goodness of fit between said average color density of said particular mark with a given reference color value; and outputing a total goodness of fit for said particular mark shape and said average color density.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image processing method according to claim 1, wherein said single color signal is yellow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
An image processing method to detect a particular pattern constituted by a plurality of particular marks of a given shape and color in a received image data of a color image, comprising a step of: detecting the shape of said particular marks using only a single color signal out of a plurality of color signals comprising said received image data of said color image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image processing method to detect particular pattern according to claim 6 wherein said single color signal is received first among said plurality of color signals which are received successively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image processing method to detect particular pattern according to claim 6, further comprising a step of extracting a mark color by performing threshold processing on said single color signal and other color signals whose color density is within a given range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
An image processing method to detect particular pattern according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: calculating an average color density of said particular marks; calculating a goodness of fit between said average color density of said particular marks with a given reference color value; and outputing a total goodness of fit for said particular marks shape and said average color density.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image processing method to detect particular pattern according to claim 6, wherein said single color is yellow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
An image processing method to detect particular pattern according to claim 6, said plurality of particular marks being located on peripheries or a number of given patterns, comprising a step of: obtaining an angle of orientation of said particular pattern based on data representing said particular marks on a periphery of one of said pattern; extracting a reference pattern based on said angle of orientation out of said number of given patterns; and comparing said particular pattern with said extracted reference pattern to calculate a goodness of fit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
An image processing device to detect a particular mark of a given shape and color in a received image data of a color image, comprising: a binary processing unit having a mark shape extracting unit to execute threshold processing on one of a plurality of color signals for a color image to generate a binary image output; a first memory unit to store said binary image output by said binary processing unit; and a mark location detecting unit to read out said binary image output from said first memory unit, and match a location of said particular mark.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
An image processing device according to claim 12, wherein said binary processing unit further comprises: a mark color extraction unit to extract said plurality of color signals other than said one extracted by said mark shape extracting unit, and detect if a color density of said color signals are within a given range; and an AND element receiving outputs of said mark shape extraction unit and said mark color extraction unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image processing device according to claim 13, further comprising; a third memory unit parallel to said binary processing unit to store said received image data; a mark region extraction unit to extract said particular mark identified by said mark location detecting unit; and an average density calculation unit to calculate an average color density of said particular mark; and a density matching unit to detect a goodness of fit of said particular mark against a given color density.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
An image processing device according to clam 12, further comprising: a second memory unit to store a mark location data output from said mark location detecting unit; and a pattern matching unit to match a pattern consisting of said particular marks against a given reference pattern consisting of a number of marks based on said mark location data output.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
201 words
A copy machine having a reading unit to read an original document to generate an image data, a color processing unit to convert said image data of said reading unit, and a printing unit to print an image output from said color processing unit, comprising: an image processing device to detect a particular mark of a given shape and color in a received image data of a color image; a binary processing unit having a mark shape extracting unit to execute threshold processing on one of a plurality of color signals for said color image to generate a binary image output; a first memory unit to store said binary image output by said binary processing unit; and a mark location detecting unit to read out said binary image output from said first memory unit, and match a location of said particular mark, wherein said image data is input parallel into both said image processing device and said color processing unit, said image processing device detects said particular mark during a given scan and decides if said document being processed is one which may not legally be reproduced, and transmits a control signal to said printing unit to control a copying process.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
204 words
A scanner device having a reading unit to read an original document to generate an image data, a control unit to process said image data connected to said reading unit, and an output unit to output said processed image data to a output device connected to said scanner, comprising: an image processing device to detect a particular mark of a given shape and color in a received image data of a color image; a binary processing unit having a mark shape extracting unit to execute threshold processing on one of a plurality of color signals for said color image to generate a binary image output; a first memory unit to store said binary image output by said binary processing unit; and a mark location detecting unit to read out said binary image output from said first memory unit, and match a location of said particular mark, wherein said image data is input parallel into both said image processing device and said control unit, said image processing device detects said particular mark during a given scan and decides if said document being processed is one which may not legally be reproduced, and transmits a control signal to said control unit to control a scanning process.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
180 words
A printer having a control unit to process an input image data, and printing unit to print said processed image data, comprising: an image processing device to detect a particular mark of a given shape and color in a received image data of a color image; a binary processing unit having a mark shape extracting unit to execute threshold processing on one of a plurality of color signals for said color image to generate a binary image output; a first memory unit to store said binary image output by said binary processing unit; and a mark location detecting unit to read out said binary image output from said first memory unit, and match a location of said particular mark, wherein said input image data is input parallel into both said image processing device and said control unit, said image processing device detects said particular mark in said input image data and decides if said image data being processed is one which may not legally be reproduced, and transmits a control signal to said printing unit to control a printing process.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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