Sparse-pixel recognition of primitives in engineering drawings

Abstract

Recognition of primitives in technical drawings is the first stage in their higher level interpretation. It calls for processing of voluminous scanned raster files. This is a difficult task if each pixel must be addressed at least once, as required by Hough transform or thinning-based methods. This work presents a set of algorithms that recognize drawing primitives by examining the raster file sparsely. Bars (straight line segments), arcs, and arrowheads are identified by the orthogonal zig-zag, perpendicular Bisector tracing, and self-supervised arrowhead recognition algorithms, respectively. The common feature of these algorithms is that rather than applying massive pixel addressing, they recognize the sought primitives by screening a carefully selected sample of the image and focusing attention on identified key areas. The sparse-pixel-based algorithms yield high quality recognition, as demonstrated on a sample of engineering drawings. © 1993 Springer-Verlag.