Identification, separation and compression of multiple forms with mutants

Apparatus for processing images, comprising an image processor, which is arranged to receive a group of the images having similar characteristics, the group comprising multiple classes, such that each image belongs to one of the classes and comprises a fixed portion common to all of the images in the class to which it belongs, and a variable portion, which distinguishes the image from the other images in the class,

• the image processor being further arranged to evaluate a plurality of areas of the images in the group, so as to assign respective classifications to the areas that are indicative of a difference among the images in each of the areas, and to select one of the areas, based on the classifications, as a reference area, in which the fixed portion of the images in a first one of the classes differs consistently from the fixed portion of the images in a second one of the classes, and to sort the images into the classes based on the reference area.

Apparatus for processing images, comprising an image processor, which is arranged to receive a group of the images having similar characteristics, the group comprising multiple classes, such that each image belongs to one of the classes and comprises a fixed portion common to all of the images in the class to which it belongs, and a variable portion, which distinguishes the image from the other images in the class, and to find a reference area in the images, in which the fixed portion of the images in a first one of the classes differs consistently from the fixed portion of the images in a second one of the classes, and to sort the images into the classes based on the reference area,

• wherein in order to find the reference area, the processor is arranged to classify a plurality of areas of the images into areas of a first type, in which substantially all of the images in the group are substantially the same, a second type, in which a sub-group of the images in the group, but not all of the images in the group, are substantially the same, and a third type, in which substantially all of the images in the group are different, and to choose one of the areas of the second type to use as the reference area.

A computer software product, comprising a computer-readable medium in which program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to receive a group of images having similar characteristics, the group comprising multiple classes, such that each image belongs to one of the classes and comprises a fixed portion common to all of the images in the class to which it belongs, and a variable portion, which distinguishes the image from the other images in the class,

• wherein the instructions further cause the computer to evaluate a plurality of areas of the images in the group, so as to assign respective classifications to the areas that are indicative of a difference among the images in each of the areas, and to select one of the areas, based on the classifications, as a reference area, in which the fixed portion of the images in a first one of the classes differs consistently from the fixed portion of the images in a second one of the classes, and to sort the images into the classes based on the reference area.

A computer software product, comprising a computer-readable medium in which program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to receive a group of images having similar characteristics, the group comprising multiple classes, such that each image belongs to one of the classes and comprises a fixed portion common to all of the images in the class to which it belongs, and a variable portion, which distinguishes the image from the other images in the class, and to find a reference area in the images, in which the fixed portion of the images in a first one of the classes differs consistently from the fixed portion of the images in a second one of the classes, and to sort the images into the classes based on the reference area,

• wherein the instructions cause the computer, in order to find the reference area, to classify a plurality of areas of the images into areas of a first type, in which substantially all of the images in the group are substantially the same, a second type, in which a sub-group of the images in the group, but not all of the images in the group, are substantially the same, and a third type, in which substantially all of the images in the group are different, and to choose one of the areas of the second type to use as the reference area.