A method for segmenting an input volume in accordance with at least one selected characteristic comprises the steps of casting a plurality of rays along a plurality of views of the input volume, identifying regions corresponding to the selected characteristic within each ray, and processing the identified regions to generate an output volume indicating regions having the selected characteristic.

A segmentation apparatus utilized in an image processing system for recognizing a pattern in an image inputted thereto includes a separate circuit for outputting logical values of m by n pixels separated from the inputted image, an encode circuit for storing in advance therein codes to be determined according to the content of an inputted pattern and for outputting a code indicating that which set of pixels is identical to the objective pixel by using as an input pattern the logical value output...

A coarse or rough segmentation apparatus has been developed for use in a sensor system for analyzing half-tone images. In contrast with previously employed methods, the apparatus is based on the pipeline principle. In the image picked up by the camera, edges of an object are represented in the form of a sequence of points of high contrast as compared with the surroundings. These edges are initially sought out and tracked by so-called edge tracking. Subsequently, in a rough or coarse segmentation...

This invention relates to a character segmentation method for use with an optical character reader for sequentially reading postal code, state name and city name postal information, and for generating signals which represent character masks of each character. The system then calculates the gap between each mask and determines if it is greater than an average gap value calculated for all the masks. A determination is also made if a substantially smaller mask (representing a punctuation mark) exis...

Method and device for segmenting aligned characters. Each character is converted into a pattern of image elements. The image elements form columns and rows. The grey-values of the image elements are summed per column and the summed column values are put in relation with a fixed number of columns per character (1). After the outermost character position on a line has been found (2), a first segmenting process is carried out on the basis of a first probable distance between characters (3). After t...

In a method of and an apparatus for the segmentation of speech, an acoustic speech signal is converted into N signals S.sub.i (f), each signal pertaining to a time interval i of N successive time intervals (1.ltoreq.i.ltoreq.N). For successive time intervals i a function c.sub.ij (FIG. 7) is then derived which is a measure of the agreement between the signals in the time intervals i and j. The middle m.sub.i of the pertaining function C.sub.ij is determined for each time interval i and those val...

An adaptive segmentation system that utilizes a genetic algorithm in image segmentation. The system incorporates a closed-loop feedback mechanism in the segmentation/learning cycle. The system can adapt to changes appearing in the images being segmented, caused by variations of such factors as time and weather. Adaptation is achieved with a measure based on differences of analyzed past imagery and current imagery and on the criteria for segmentation quality. The invention is not dependent on any...

A line region segmentation method includes the steps of grouping pixels of an input image indicated by image signals into three sets of black, gray and white pixels, performing a pattern matching of black pixels in a region of the input image with a set of matrix patterns to determine if a black pixel is closely associated with other pixels and determine if a black pixel is one of screened black pixels for each pixel of the set of black pixels, deciding if the black pixel being considered is one...

A method and apparatus for differentiating and extracting text and line graphics in an image. The method provides for the use of morphological operations, preferably at reduced scale, to eliminate vertical rules and lines from an image followed by the elimination of horizontal rules and lines, remaining text regions are then solidified to produce a separation mask. The mask is used in conjunction with the original image to produce separate text and graphics images.

A process for creating segments out of an arbitrary string of handwritten alphanumeric script is described, in which the contours of the image are defined by the path a ball or pointer follows when allowed to roll from the top and bottom of an image, down or up either side. From the contours, the initial image cut points are determined. The pointer is provided with a capability to measure ink density in the nearby pixels. A grey scale threshold control is provided which operates in conjunction w...