Image processing apparatus and method for recognizing specific pattern and recording medium having image processing program recorded thereon

An image processing method for retrieving a specific pattern of an image comprising:

• dividing the image into a plurality of block regions, each of the block regions having a predetermined size;
• creating a map image comprising a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels corresponding to one of the block regions by one to one;
• extracting features of the image for each of the block regions;
• deciding whether or not the extracted feature meets a predetermined condition;
• labeling the pixel on the map image based on a result of the decision, the pixel corresponding to the block region of which feature meets the condition;
• detecting a predetermined pattern for specifying a search region on the image from the labeled map image;
• specifying the search region based on a position on the map image in which the predetermined pattern is detected;
• and
• retrieving the specific pattern in the specified search region on the image.

A computer readable recording medium in which a program for controlling the computer to retrieve a specific pattern from an image, the program being capable of executing the following functions:

• a function for dividing the image into a plurality of block regions, each of the block regions having a predetermined size;
• a function for creating a map image comprising a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels corresponding to one of the block regions by one to one;
• a function for extracting features of the image for each of the block regions;
• a function for deciding whether or not the extracted feature meets a predetermined condition;
• a function for labeling the pixel on the map image based on a result of the decision, the pixel corresponding to the block region of which feature meets the condition;
• a function for detecting a predetermined pattern for specifying a search region on the image from the labeled map image;
• a function for specifying the search region based on a position on the map image in which the predetermined pattern is detected;
• and
• a function for retrieving the specific pattern in the specified search region on the image.

An image processing apparatus for labeling a connecting region of an image comprising:

• a flag memory including flags indicating whether or not each pixel of the image is finished with examination;
• a candidate stack for storing indexes, each of indexes specifying a pixel of which adjacent pixels are to be examined;
• a region memory for storing indexes, each of indexes indicating one of pixels constituting the connecting region;
• a labeling unit for labeling pixels specified by the indexes stored in the region memory;
• and
• a connecting region detecting unit for detecting the pixels constituting the connecting region, the connecting region detecting unit scanning the image, examining whether or not a pixel of the image constitutes the connecting region, setting the flag for the examined pixel, and when the pixel constituting the connecting region is first detected in the examination,
• (1) pushing an index of the detected pixel into the candidate stack, and storing the index to the region memory,
• (2) while there is at least one index stored in the candidate stack, repeating
• a) popping an index from the candidate stack to examine whether or not pixels adjacent to a pixel which is indicated by the popped index and of which flag indicates unexamined constitute the connecting region,
• b) when the adjacent pixels constitute the connecting region, pushing the indexes of the adjacent pixels into the candidate stack and storing the indexes to the region memory, and
• c) setting the flags for the adjacent pixels.

An image processing method for labeling a connecting region of an image comprising:

• scanning the image;
• examining whether or not a pixel of the image constitutes the connecting region;
• setting the flag for the examined pixel;
• and
• when the pixel constituting the connecting region is first detected in the examination,
• (1) pushing an index of the detected pixel into a stack, and storing the index to a memory,
• (2) while there is at least one index stored in the stack, repeating
• a) popping an index from the stack to examine whether or not pixels adjacent to a pixel which is indicated by the popped index and of which flag indicates unexamined constitute the connecting region,
• b) when the adjacent pixels constitute the connecting region, pushing the indexes of the adjacent pixels into the stack and storing the indexes to the memory, and
• c) setting the flags for the adjacent pixels,
• (3) reading all indexes out from the memory when there is no index stored in the stack to label pixels indicated by the read indexes with same number.

A computer readable recording medium in which a program for controlling the computer to label a connecting region of an image, the program being capable of executing the following functions:

• a function for scanning the image;
• a function for examining whether or not a pixel of the image constitutes the connecting region;
• a function for setting the flag for the examined pixel;
• and
• when the pixel constituting the connecting region is first detected in the examination,
• (1) a function for pushing an index of the detected pixel into a stack, and storing the index to a memory,
• (2) while there is at least one index stored in the stack, repeating
• a) a function for popping an index from the stack to examine whether or not pixels adjacent to a pixel which is indicated by the popped index and of which flag indicates unexamined constitute the connecting region,
• b) when the adjacent pixels constitute the connecting region, a function for pushing the indexes of the adjacent pixels into the stack and storing the indexes to the memory, and
• c) a function for setting the flags for the adjacent pixels,
• (3) a function for reading all indexes out from the memory when there is no index stored in the stack to label pixels indicated by the read indexes with same number.