Image processing apparatus for identifying character, photo and dot

Abstract

An image processing device according to the present invention comprises a picture element extraction circuit for extracting picture signals in a matrix area composed of picture signals corresponding to density of pixels of an image, a first area determination circuit for determining whether the image in the matrix area is in a photo area or a provisional character area, a second area determination circuit for determining whether or not the image is a dot image, and a third area determination circuit. The first area determination circuit determines whether the matrix area is the provisional character area or the photo area based on the maximum and minimum values of picture signals in the matrix area. The second area determination circuit detects a continuous edge from picture signals of picture elements in the primary scanning direction and the secondary scanning direction in the matrix area. When the continuous edge is detected either in the primary or secondary scanning direction, the second area determination circuit determines the matrix area to be a character area. When it is not detected, the circuit determines the matrix area to an area other than the character area. The third area determination circuit detects plurality of the results of determination by the first and second area determination circuits, and determines finally whether the matrix area is a character area or another area based on the results of determination.