PURPOSE: To perform a simple and precise area extraction utilizing the characteristic of the vertical writing/lateral writing decision of a document picture by performing the vertical writing/lateral writing decision of the document picture before performing the area extraction/attribute decision.
CONSTITUTION: A longest white run distribution extraction processing 2 scans a binarizing picture 1 in vertical and lateral directions and extracts the longest white run distribution. By utilizing this longest white run distribution, a histogram with the width of a continuous white run is prepared in a white run width histogram preparation processing 3. In a white run width detection processing 4, the widths of the continuous white runs which the width of the white run gives a maximum value of the histogram for the vertical and lateral directions by the histogram of the width of the continuous white run are determined, respectively. Then, the discrimination of the vertical writing/lateral writing is performed by comparing these values in a vertical writing/lateral writing decision processing 5.
HIROGAKI SADAMASA
TSUKAMOTO AKITOSHI
