Method and apparatus for generating a layout model to define objects of a document image.

摘要

To provide a method for extracting a tree structure by using image analysis results of an actual document and generating a flexible layout model. A tree structure and layout model are newly generated by automatically extracting the tree structure in accordance with document image analysis before a user executes graphical correction. That is, the inputted document image 51 is physically analyzed to extract a separator with a high possibility to separate the objects of the document and segment the above document image into a plurality of areas (51A through 51G) in accordance with the information for the separator. Then, the area segmentation is displayed on a display unit 13 together with the document image 51 and interactively corrected by the user to define a desired tree structure and complete a flexible layout model 80 by setting a parameter to each of the nodes (61A through 61G) of the tree structure. <IMAGE>