Apparatus for discriminating linearity of line segment in image processing system

Claim 1

An apparatus for discriminating linearity of a line segment in an image to be displayed which can be processed in an electronic image processing system, said apparatus comprising: means for extracting and tracking a train of points (A-F) from a portion of an image having a relatively large bright/dark contrast; and means for discriminating the linearity of said train of points, comprising: (a) means for obtaining a first point (B') spaced by a predetermined distance from a new point (B) on at least one side of said train of points, said new point added to said train of points by said extracting and tracking means; (b) means for obtaining a point (D) which precedes said new point (B) and a second point (D') spaced by said predetermined distance from said preceding point (D); (c) means for determining a first included angle (∠B'AB) which is formed by a first line segment (BA) between said new point (B) and a start point (A) of said train of points and a second line segment (B'A) between said first point (B') and said start point (A); (d) means for determining a second included angle (∠D'AD) which is formed by a third line segment (DA) between said preceding point (D) and said start point (A) and a fourth line segment (D'A) between said second point (D') and said start point (A); and (e) means for comparing said first included angle (∠B'AB) with said second included angle (∠D'AD) so as to detect the end of linearity of said train of points at said preceding point (D).

Claim 2

An apparatus for discriminating linearity of a line segment in an image to be displayed which can be processed in an electronic image processing system, said apparatus comprising: means for extracting and tracking a train of points (A-F) from a portion of an image having a relatively large bright/dark contrast; and means for discriminating the linearity of said train of points, comprising: (a) means for obtaining a first point (B') spaced by a predetermined distance from a new point (B) on at least one side of said train of points, said new point added to said train of points by said extracting and tracking means; (b) means for obtaining a point (D) which precedes said new point (B) and a second point (D') spaced by said predetermined distance from said preceding point (D); (c) means for determining a first included angle (∠B'AB) which is formed by a first line segment (BA) between said new point (B) and a start point (A) of said train of points and a second line segment (B'A) between said first point (B') and said start point (A); (d) means for determining a second included angle (∠D'AD) which is formed by a third line segment (DA) between said preceding point (D) and said start point (A) and a fourth line segment (D'A) between said second point (D') and said start point (A); and (e) means for comparing said first included angle (∠B'AB) with said second included angle (∠D'AD) so as to detect the end of linearity of said train of points at said preceding point (D).

Claim 3

An apparatus for discriminating the linearity of a train of points extracted from a video in an image processing system comprising: a frame memory means for storing a train of points (A-F) representing at least a portion of said video image; and a processor means for discriminating the linearity of said train of points comprising: means for detecting a new point (B) on at least one side of said train of points stored in said frame memory means, means for selecting a first point (B'), spaced a predetermined distance from said new point, means for selecting a point (D) preceding said new point and a second point (D') spaced by a predetermined distance from said preceding point, means for determining a first included angle (∠B'AB) which is formed by a first line segment (BA) between said new point (B) and a start point (A) of said train of points and a second line segment (B'A) between said first point (B') and said start point (A), means for determining a second included angle (∠D'AD) which is formed by a third line segment (DA) between said preceding point (D) and said start point (A) and a fourth line segment (D'A) between said second point (D') and said start point (A), and means for comparing said first included angle (∠B'AB) with said second included angle (∠D'AD) so as to detect the end of linearity of said train of points at said preceding point (D).

Claim 4

An apparatus for discriminating the linearity of a train of points extracted from a video in an image processing system comprising: a frame memory means for storing a train of points (A-F) representing at least a portion of said video image; and a processor means for discriminating the linearity of said train of points comprising: means for detecting a new point (B) on at least one side of said train of points stored in said frame memory means, means for selecting a first point (B'), spaced a predetermined distance from said new point, means for selecting a point (D) preceding said new point and a second point (D') spaced by a predetermined distance from said preceding point, means for determining a first included angle (∠B'AB) which is formed by a first line segment (BA) between said new point (B) and a start point (A) of said train of points and a second line segment (B'A) between said first point (B') and said start point (A), means for determining a second included angle (∠D'AD) which is formed by a third line segment (DA) between said preceding point (D) and said start point (A) and a fourth line segment (D'A) between said second point (D') and said start point (A), and means for comparing said first included angle (∠B'AB) with said second included angle (∠D'AD) so as to detect the end of linearity of said train of points at said preceding point (D).

Claim 10

A method of discriminating the linearity of a train of points (A-F) comprising the steps of: determining if a new point (B) exists in said train of points; selecting a first point (B') which is spaced a predetermined distance from said new point on at least one side of said train of points; selecting a point (D) which precedes said new point on said train of points and a second point (D') spaced a predetermined distance from said preceding point; calculating a first included angle (∠B'AB) which is formed by a first line segment (BA) between said new point and a start point (A) of said train of points and a second line segment (B'A) between said first point and said start point; calculating a second included angle (∠D'AD) which is formed between a third line segment (DA) between said preceding point (D) and said start point (A) and a fourth line segment (D'A) between said second point (D') and said start point (A); comparing said first included angle with said second included angle; and designating said first line segment as a straight line, when said first included angle exceeds said second included angle.

Claim 11

A method of discriminating the linearity of a train of points (A-F) comprising the steps of: determining if a new point (B) exists in said train of points; selecting a first point (B') which is spaced a predetermined distance from said new point on at least one side of said train of points; selecting a point (D) which precedes said new point on said train of points and a second point (D') spaced a predetermined distance from said preceding point; calculating a first included angle (∠B'AB) which is formed by a first line segment (BA) between said new point and a start point (A) of said train of points and a second line segment (B'A) between said first point and said start point; calculating a second included angle (∠D'AD) which is formed between a third line segment (DA) between said preceding point (D) and said start point (A) and a fourth line segment (D'A) between said second point (D') and said start point (A); comparing said first included angle with said second included angle; and designating said first line segment as a straight line, when said first included angle exceeds said second included angle.