Fig. (6) Slashdot solution stages. (a) original images (b)
thresholded images (c) line pattern is detected (d) the remaining
line fragments (e) columns with large height gradient differences (f)
segmentation columns identified by scanning Δh for positive runs
that are followed by negative runs (g) segmentation lines between
crests (h) images after segmentation finishes (i) first stage of
merging characters (j) second stage of merging.