Text Line Extraction Method Using Domain-Based Active Contour Model

In this paper, we propose a novel text line extraction method using domain-based optimization for complex documents such as engineering drawings. In the complex documents, variations of text line due to differences in size, interval, and direction, as well as the complex layout (text lines and drawing objects are mixed) make the problem of automatic text line extraction extremely challenging. The proposed method divides a document into some domains based on line objects or spaces. Then, this method generates a potential map in each domain. Finally, text lines are extracted by an active contour model based on the potential map. In this process, the potential map is generated by a potential function that has some parameters concerning interval, character size and drawing objects. By optimizing these parameters, this method extracts text lines easily in complex documents. Our experimental result shows better performance than a conventional method for engineering drawings.