Method and apparatus for performing text/image segmentation

Claim 1

A method of highlighting a text region within a first scan line signal including an image region, the method using a processor executing instructions stored in a memory, coupled to the processor, the first scan line signal including a multiplicity of pels, each pel having a value indicative of an intensity, the processor being coupled to a reproduction device for reproducing scan line signals, the method comprising the processor implemented steps of: a) identifying a set of edges of a possible text region represented by the values of pels of the first scan line signal; b) determining whether the set of edges of the possible text region within the first scan line signal form a text region without reference to a second scan line signal; c) if the set of edges within the first scan line signal forms a text region: 1) calculating an average intensity value of the text region; 2) changing the values of pels within the text region having values differing from the average intensity value of the text region to produce a modified scan line signal.

Claim 2

A method of highlighting a text region within a first scan line signal including an image region, the method using a processor executing instructions stored in a memory, coupled to the processor, the first scan line signal including a multiplicity of pels, each pel having a value indicative of an intensity, the processor being coupled to a reproduction device for reproducing scan line signals, the method comprising the processor implemented steps of: a) identifying a set of edges of a possible text region represented by the values of pels of the first scan line signal; b) determining whether the set of edges of the possible text region within the first scan line signal form a text region without reference to a second scan line signal; c) if the set of edges within the first scan line signal forms a text region: 1) calculating an average intensity value of the text region; 2) changing the values of pels within the text region having values differing from the average intensity value of the text region to produce a modified scan line signal.

Claim 5

A method of highlighting a text region within a first scan line signal including an image region, the method using a processor executing instructions stored in a memory coupled to the processor, the first scan line signal including a multiplicity of pels, each pel having a value indicative of an intensity, the processor being coupled to a reproduction device for reproducing scan line signals, the method comprising the processor implemented steps of: a) identifying a starting edge of a possible text region represented by the values of pels of the first scan line signal without reference to a second scan line signal; b) determining whether a next edge is located within a predetermined distance of a closest, previously discovered, edge within the first scan line signal; c) if the next edge is located within the predetermined distance of the closest, previously discovered edge within the first scan line signal: 1) comparing a polarity of the next edge to a polarity of the closest, previously discovered, edge within the first scan line signal; 2) if the polarity of the next edge differs from the polarity of the closest, previously discovered edge within the first scan line signal, repeating step c); d) determining whether the starting edge and the next edges identified within the first scan line signal during step c) form a text region of the first scan line signal; e) if the starting edge and the next edges identified during step d) form a text region of the first scan line signal: 1) calculating an average intensity value for pels within the text region of the first scan line signal; 2) changing the values of pels located within the text region of the first scan line signal having values differing from the average intensity value to produce a modified scan line signal.

Claim 6

A method of highlighting a text region within a first scan line signal including an image region, the method using a processor executing instructions stored in a memory coupled to the processor, the first scan line signal including a multiplicity of pels, each pel having a value indicative of an intensity, the processor being coupled to a reproduction device for reproducing scan line signals, the method comprising the processor implemented steps of: a) identifying a starting edge of a possible text region represented by the values of pels of the first scan line signal without reference to a second scan line signal; b) determining whether a next edge is located within a predetermined distance of a closest, previously discovered, edge within the first scan line signal; c) if the next edge is located within the predetermined distance of the closest, previously discovered edge within the first scan line signal: 1) comparing a polarity of the next edge to a polarity of the closest, previously discovered, edge within the first scan line signal; 2) if the polarity of the next edge differs from the polarity of the closest, previously discovered edge within the first scan line signal, repeating step c); d) determining whether the starting edge and the next edges identified within the first scan line signal during step c) form a text region of the first scan line signal; e) if the starting edge and the next edges identified during step d) form a text region of the first scan line signal: 1) calculating an average intensity value for pels within the text region of the first scan line signal; 2) changing the values of pels located within the text region of the first scan line signal having values differing from the average intensity value to produce a modified scan line signal.