Image Processing Apparatus for Accurate Character Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods fail to accurately recognize characters and lines as distinct objects when they are in contact with each other, leading to reduced accuracy in character recognition processing.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that includes a determination unit to identify regions for character recognition, a decision unit to decide whether to expand the region based on the number of black pixels in contact, and a character recognition unit to perform processing on the expanded region, ensuring accurate recognition of characters and lines as separate objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous black pixels are labeled with the identical label to recognize them as one object, then objects not in contact with each other can be recognized as objects having different attributes, but objects that are in contact with each other cannot be recognized as objects having different attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the image processing into multiple stages: initial object recognition stage and character recognition stage. In the initial stage, continuous black pixels are labeled with identical labels to identify objects. In the character recognition stage, the system specifically processes regions containing characters by extracting character images and performing dedicated character recognition, thereby separating character identification from general object recognition and enabling accurate handling of contact scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through the use of labeled images and region information as intermediate data structures. The system generates labeled images where continuous pixels are grouped, then uses these labels to identify candidate character regions. This intermediary representation allows the system to bridge between general object recognition and specific character recognition, enabling differentiation of characters from lines even when they contact
2Productivity
If character recognition processing is performed on a region containing a character in contact with a line, then the processing can be completed, but the character and line cannot be appropriately recognized as objects having different attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different processing strategies for different regions of the image. For general regions, standard object recognition with continuous pixel labeling is used. For specific character regions identified through label analysis and region extraction, dedicated character recognition processing is applied. This localized differentiation enables the system to maintain high productivity overall while achieving high precision in character attribute recognition where needed
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine a region of the image on which to perform character recognition processing, a decision unit configured to decide, based on a number of black pixels in contact with the region determined by the determination unit, whether to perform the character recognition processing on an expanded region obtained by expanding the region determined by the determination unit rather than on the region determined by the determination unit, and a character recognition unit configured to perform the character recognition processing on that region of the image decided by the decision unit.