Judging a logical relation between a plurality of areas based upon the physical relation therebetween

摘要

Image processing method and apparatus are provided. Image information is inputted. The input image information is divided into a plurality of areas. Radial line segments are extended in upper, lower, left, and right directions from a point in an arbitrary notice area in the divided areas and connection information between the line segments and the input image is detected. Characteristics of the notice area are discriminated in accordance with the connection information detected. The connection information of the areas is a relative position of each area. The image information is dot information. The characteristics to be discriminated are such that the image information of the area is a headline.