Improved Text-Detection Methods for a Camera-based Text Reading System for Blind Persons

  • Authors:

  • Nobuo Ezaki;Kimiyasu Kiyota;Bui Truong Minh;Marius Bulacu;Lambert Schomaker

  • Affiliations:

  • Toba National College of Maritime Technology. Japan;Kumamoto National College of Technology, Japan;Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan;University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands;University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

  • Venue:
  • ICDAR '05 Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Document Analysis and Recognition
  • Year:
  • 2005

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Abstract

Automatic text recognition from natural images receives a growing attention because of potential applications in image retrieval, robotics and intelligent transport system. Camera-based document analysis becomes a real possibility with the increasing resolution and availability of digital cameras. Our research objective is a system that reads the text encountered in natural scenes with the aim to provide assistance to visually impaired persons. In the case of a blind person, finding the text region is the first important problem that must be addressed, because it cannot be assumed that the acquired image contains only characters. In a previous paper [1], we propose four textdetection methods based on connected components. Finding small characters needed significant improvement. This paper describes a new textdetection method geared for small text characters. This method uses Fisher's Discriminant Rate (FDR) to decide whether an image area should be binarized using local or global thresholds. Fusing the new method with a previous morphology-based one yields improved results. Using a controllable webcam and a laptop PC, we developed a prototype that works in real time. At first, our system tries to find in the image areas with small characters. Then it zooms into the found areas to retake higher resolution images necessary for character recognition. Going from this proof-ofconcept to a complete system requires further research effort.