Abstract: A matrix operation apparatus for performing a matrix operation at high speed and in a wide dynamic range, i.e., high precision, wherein an input vector is displayed with radiance of pixels, a display image is replicated through an optical system, component multiplications and partial summing between rows or columns of the matrix and the input vector are simultaneously performed by a transparent/opaque mask representing a binary-valued matrix component and a photosensor, parallel channels, each assigned to different bit of the matrix component calculates the partial sums and a power-of-2 scaling summer connected to the parallel channels electrically produces components of an output vector.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for enlarging or reducing an image pattern, wherein the image pattern and a pair of parallel image sensors are moved relative to each other to read the image pattern, the size of the image pattern along the moving direction is calculated on the basis of an output from one image sensor, a read clock frequency of the other image sensor is controlled on the calculated size of the image pattern, and thus enlargement or reduction of the image pattern along the moving direction can be easily performed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for analyzing local features of a character or any other figures, an extraction of the local features is performed by correlation calculations using a plurality of first reference masks, an analysis associated with combinations of the extracted local feature is performed by pattern matchings using a plurality of second reference masks, and the extraction and the analysis are performed optically and simultaneously with respect to the plurality of reference masks, respectively. Therefore, the local features analysis can be performed at high speed and accurately.

Abstract: In an apparatus for serially performing simultaneous feature processing and similarity discrimination of an image such as a character or any other figure, an input image is multiplied by a first multiplier into a plurality of optical pattern images which are respectively supplied to means for detecting different types of projection features. The means for detecting different types of projection features simultaneously performs different types of projection operations of the input image. The optical pattern image obtained by converting a vector corresponding to the different types of projection features is displayed on a vector display. The optical pattern image displayed on the display is multiplied by a second multiplier into optical images which are then respectively supplied to different types of reference masks. Optical pattern matching between the optical images from the second multiplier and the different types of reference patterns is simultaneously performed.

Abstract: In a lines and character separation apparatus for separating lines and characters in a document page, the separation being a step in pattern recognition, images are multiplied from one area within the page, a plurality of photosensor arrays are used which have different alignment directions of pluralities of light-receiving elements thereof and which are respectively paired with the multiple images, and the lines and the characters can be separated at high speed.

Abstract: In a page segmentor for dividing a page into areas each having a single feature, the division being performed as preprocessing for pattern recognition, one of the areas within the page is multiplied into multiple images, a feature of each area is extracted according to the presence or absence of each of pairs between the multiple images and a plurality of different masks, and the page is divided into areas until each area has a single feature. High-speed page segmentation can be achieved so as to obtain a desired feature.

Abstract: In an apparatus for preprocessing of character recognition so as to obtain data necessary for character recognition, page segmentation is performed by simultaneously extracting a plurality of features, separation between lines, separation between characters, and separation between the lines and the characters are simultaneously performed, and a calculation time for normalizing the separated individual characters can be reduced, thereby performing proprocessing required for character recognition systematically at high speed.

Abstract: In a vector discrimination apparatus for performing discrimination such as class classification and recognition of a vector consisting of vector components corresponding to features of predetermined information, an optical pattern displayed on a display at a position corresponding to the size of the vector component is optically multiplied by a multiplier to form multiple images each having a substantially identical shape in the vicinities of various types of reference masks, and pattern matching is established between the multiple images and the various types of reference patterns formed on the reference masks. Discrimination such as class classification and recognition of the vector consisting of the vector components corresponding to the features of predetermined information such as a character or the like can be performed at a high speed, although the apparatus configuration is simple and low cost.

Abstract: An optical data reading and writing system in which a laser beam records data spots on a medium and a wide light beam is used for simultaneously reading the data spots and prerecorded information. The laser beam records spots of a uniform size which is less than about ten micrometers. The wide beam which may be emitted by an LED illuminates a substantially larger area of the medium than the laser beam. Prerecorded information, if present, may include parallel track lines, the wide beam illuminating adjacent pairs of track lines in addition to the data spots and prerecorded clock spots in data tracks between the track lines. Multiple data paths may be present between track lines, which may then be read simultaneously by a photodetector. The photodetector may have a plurality of detector elements which have apertures such that simultaneously illuminated data spots are distinguished.

Abstract: Beam focusing and scanning method and apparatus are shown comprising a plane mirror (40) upon which a laser beam (32) is directed through a focusing lens (38). The beam is reflected back through the focusing lens (38) onto a pivotal mirror (52). The plane mirror (40) is movable back and forth along the beam axis, and the movement of plane mirror (40) and pivotal mirror (52) is synchronized whereby the beam is focused at the face of an object (54) while scanned across the object.

Abstract: Electrophotographic apparatus capable of being operated in the copying mode and scanning mode and in the printing mode and scanning mode, in which a latent electrostatic image, formed on the photoconductor, is developed. The photoconductor has a light-reflective surface. After the latent electrostatic image is developed, a focused laser beam or focused light beam scans the developed image and specularly reflected light from the photoconductor surface is directed onto a photodetector. The output of the photodetector is encoded and may be transmitted or stored. The developed image is not destroyed, and it can then be transferred to a carrier sheet if desired.

Abstract: A servo tracking system for an optical record uses a pattern of preformed optically detectable uniform servo track marks disposed in parallel spaced apart columns in combination with a beam from a radiation source split by a diffraction grating into three beams having unequal power distribution. The placement of the beams across the pattern of preformed servo tracks on an optical recording material has one position for writing data by the center beam on an information track while the two outside beams intercept track marks on two adjacent tracks. For reading recorded data tracks, the beams shift to a second position in which the center beam intercepts marks on a servo track while the two outside beams read two adjacent data tracks. Because of the unequal power distribution, increasing the energy level of the radiation source causes the intensity of the middle beam during recording to reach a level sufficient to record while the two outside tracking beams remain below that threshold.

Abstract: An imaging sensing system (10) has a laser light source (12). Steering mirrors (16), (18) and (22) are used with scanning mirror (20) to produce scanning of beam (24) in a line (26) across a workpiece (28). Beam (36) is reflected from the workpiece (28) and directed to a linear photodiode array (38) by the scanning mirror (20). The scanning mirror (20) is connected to a galvanometer (40) to move the beams (24) and (36), both for scanning the workpiece (28) and for supplying the scanned image in sequential fashion to individual linear diodes (42) in the array (38).

Abstract: Information is stored, using a relatively low-power light beam, by redistributing the material in a deformable film. In a disc configuration, positioning of the light beam is achieved by referencing to a previously recorded track. In a document storage and retrieval system the document is scanned with the resultant scanned signal modulating the writing light beam producing a recorded track. This track is optically read with the resultant signal applied to a printer. For optimum utilization of the area, the recording and readout take place at constant velocity.

Abstract: A color image is recorded on film at the television field rate. A portion of the film is illuminated, corresponding to a line in the color image, and decomposed into its component colors. The decomposed light from the line is imaged onto two or more line scanning photosensitive arrays which provide scanned signals. These scanned signals are decoded and used to provide the standard color television signals.

Abstract: A color image is recorded on film at the television field rate with alternate film frames representing the luminance and chrominance information. The chrominance information is encoded by filtering the color image through a striped color filter. On playback two line scanners are used to simultaneously scan the luminance and chrominance frames to provide the desired information simultaneously. A decoding signal is used to decode the encoded chrominance information and derive color-difference signals.