Method and means for dividing an image into character image lines, and method and apparatus for character image recognition

An apparatus for dividing an image into character line images, the apparatus comprising:

• segment-dividing means for dividing an input image into a plurality of image segments arranged side by side, each segment having a predetermined width;
• first pixel distribution statistic means for obtaining the pixel distribution statistic in each image segment divided in said segment-dividing step, based on the number of black pixels in each pixel-row of the image segment divided in said segment-dividing step;
• second pixel distribution statistic means for obtaining the pixel distribution statistic in the whole of the input image, based on the number of black pixels in each pixel-row of the whole input image;
• first dividing means for dividing the image segment into segment blocks according to the pixel distribution statistic of the image segments obtained by said first pixel distribution statistic means;
• determining means for determining an inappropriate segment block from the segment blocks divided by said first dividing means;
• second dividing means for dividing the determined inappropriate segment block into segment blocks according to the pixel distribution statistic of the whole of the input image obtained by said second pixel distribution statistic means;
• and
• line images forming means for integrating the segment blocks divided by said first dividing means and the segment blocks divided by said second dividing means into character line images based on the position of the segment blocks.

A storage medium which stores a program for executing the following steps:

• segment-dividing step for dividing an input image into a plurality of image segments arranged side by side, each segment having a predetermined width;
• first pixel distribution statistic step for obtaining the pixel distribution statistic in each image segment divided in said segment-dividing step, based on the number of black pixels in each pixel-row of the segment divided in said segment-dividing step;
• second pixel distribution statistic step for obtaining the pixel distribution statistic in the whole of the input image, based on the number of black pixels in each pixel-row of the whole input image;
• first dividing step for dividing the image segment into segment blocks according to the pixel distribution statistic of the image segments obtained in said first pixel distribution statistic step;
• determining step for determining an inappropriate segment block from the segment blocks divided in said first dividing step;
• second dividing step for dividing the determined inappropriate segment block into segment blocks according to the pixel distribution statistic of the whole of the input image obtained in said second pixel distribution statistic step;
• and
• line images forming step for integrating the segment blocks divided in said first dividing step and the segment blocks divided in said second dividing step into character line images based on the position of the segment blocks.