Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for generating a graphic image having symbols whose centers and aligned with each other and whose sizes are adjusted to accord with each other

US5293469A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
4References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 21, 1992
Grant dateMar 8, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 21, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06V30/412
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The apparatus provides a way of receiving graphic symbols whose sizes are mutually different, and whose positions are irregularly arranged, such as a handwritten flow chart. For example, the apparatus automatically generates a flow chart image in which sizes of the graphic symbols are adjusted to be balanced, and in which the positions of the centers of the graphic symbols are aligned. First, the apparatus transforms the input graphic image into vectors representing the graphic symbols. Then, a set of symbol parameters are recognized for each graphic symbol. Center positions of the groups of graphic symbols which fall within a predetermined range, are aligned. Also, the heights and widths of the group of graphic symbol are adjusted through use of the symbol parameters. Finally, aligned, size-adjusted graphic symbols are output in an output image.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.