Image processing method, system, computer program and data carrier
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorStephen James Todd
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image processing system is arranged to process an array of pixels. The array is scanned in a sequential manner, pixel by pixel, each pixel being scanned only once. The resulting scan data is processed to identify pixels which contain image information of significance, and to assign these pixels to an image segment which may contain a number of such pixels. The system provides a data output of summary information pertaining to the segment or segments identified in the image. In this way a segmentation scan is performed which is very efficient and which produces summary information without a further processing step.
Claims24
A method for processing an image consisting of an array of pixels, the method comprising the steps of:
- performing a scan of said array of pixels in a sequential manner, each pixel of said array being scanned once in order to provide pixel data;
- identifying, using said pixel data, those pixels of the array which contain image information of significance;
- assigning each pixel containing image information of significance to one of at least one image segment, the at least one image segment including a number of contiguous pixels containing image information of significance;
- and,
- providing an image data output including summary information pertaining to the at least one image segment.
An image processing system for processing an image consisting of an array of pixels, said system comprising:
- scanning means for scanning said array of pixels in a sequential manner, said scanning means being arranged to scan each pixel of said array once in order to provide pixel data;
- and
- processing means for processing said pixel data to identify those pixels of said array which contain image information of significance;
- said processing means being further arranged to assign each pixel containing image information of significance to one of at least one image segment, said at least one image segment including a number of contiguous pixels containing image information of significance;
- wherein said processing means provides a data output of summary information pertaining to said at least one image segment.
A computer program for processing an image consisting of an array of pixels, said program comprising:
- scanning means for scanning said array of pixels in a sequential manner, said scanning means being arranged to scan each pixel of said array once in order to provide pixel data;
- and
- processing means for processing said pixel data to identify those pixels of said array which contain image information of significance;
- said processing means being further arranged to assign each pixel containing image information of significance to one of at least one image segment, said at least one image segment including a number of contiguous pixels containing image information of significance;
- wherein said processing means provides a data output of summary information pertaining to said at least one image segment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.