Java image analysis - counting vertical lines

Question

I need a little help on an image analysis algorithm in Java. I basically have images like this:

So

Answer 1

A simple segmentation algorithm can help you out. Heres how the algorithm works:

• scan pixels from left to right and record the position of the first black (whatever the color of your line is) pixel.
• carry on this process unless you find one whole scan when you don't find the black pixel. Record this position as well.
• We are just interested in the Y positions here. Now using this Y position segment the image horizontally.
• Now we are going to do the same process but this time we are going to scan from top to bottom (one column at a time) in the segment we just created.
• This time we are interested in X positions.
• So in the end we get every lines extents or you can say a bounding box for every line.
• The total count of these bounding boxes is the number of lines.

You can do many optimizations in the algorithm according to your needs.