Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to methods and systems for detecting glyph pixels in a digital image.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to methods and systems for determining a background color in a digital image. A background color value for a pixel in an image may be determined by summarizing the color values in a color buffer, wherein the color values in the buffer may have been selectively added to the color buffer, from the image data, based on one, or more, criteria which may be related to edge density, image uniformity, non-local color information, a foreground color estimate and other selection criterion. The background color for the pixel maybe determined in a forward scan and updated during a backward scan.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to methods and systems for detecting glyph pixels in a digital image.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to methods and systems for determining a background color in a digital image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for segmentation of digital mixed-content documents. Segmentation processes may include identification of text and background regions and identification of contone regions outside the text and background regions. Further analysis may be performed to identify additional text and background regions within the contone regions thereby identifying verified contone regions, which may then be divided into contone sub-regions.

Abstract: A system and process for recognizing an object in an input image involving first generating training images depicting the object. A set of prototype edge features is created that collectively represent the edge pixel patterns encountered within a sub-window centered on each pixel depicting an edge of the object in the training images. Next, a Hough kernel is defined for each prototype edge feature in the form of a set of offset vectors representing the distance and direction, from each edge pixel having an associated sub-window exhibiting an edge pixel pattern best represented by the prototype edge feature, to a prescribed reference point on a surface of the object. The offset vectors are represented as originating at a central point of the kernel. For each edge pixel in the input image, the prototype edge feature which best represents the edge pixel pattern exhibited within the sub-window centered on the edge pixel is identified.

Abstract: A system and process for recognizing an object in an input image involving first generating training images depicting the object. A set of prototype edge features is created that collectively represent the edge pixel patterns encountered within a sub-window centered on each pixel depicting an edge of the object in the training images. Next, a Hough kernel is defined for each prototype edge feature in the form of a set of offset vectors representing the distance and direction, from each edge pixel having an associated sub-window exhibiting an edge pixel pattern best represented by the prototype edge feature, to a prescribed reference point on a surface of the object. The offset vectors are represented as originating at a central point of the kernel. For each edge pixel in the input image, the prototype edge feature which best represents the edge pixel pattern exhibited within the sub-window centered on the edge pixel is identified.

Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of leaves and debris by a vacuuming process is described which features an improved mechanism for supporting and manipulating an intake hose. A stationary support frame is mounted on a leaf collecting apparatus and a swing arm is pivotally attached to the support frame about a vertical axis. An intake hose cradle is fixed to the swing arm and supports the intake hose from underneath. The intake hose may be adjusted vertically by a hydraulic actuator (extensible piston) located on the swing arm which pivots about a horizontal axis in response to movement of the hydraulic actuator. Further, the intake hose may be manipulated from side-to-side by a handle attached to the intake end of the hose, the swing arm allowing lateral movement by utilizing bearings as pivot points along the vertical axis.

Abstract: This relates to a seam between two edge portions of fabric wherein one fabric edge portion is reversely folded beneath itself and the two edge portions are then disposed in overlapped relation with the two free edges of the fabric being generally aligned. Adjacent the folded edge there is a first line of stitching which extends through all three layers. There is also provided a second line of stitching which includes two needle threads and a single looper thread with one of the needle threads extending through all three thicknesses of the fabric and the second needle thread extending only through the one layer of fabric beyond the overlapped fabric portions. The second line of stitching includes a looper thread which not only extends between the loops of the two needle threads, but also transversely of the line of stitching between the adjacent needle thread loops wherein the looper thread serves to hold down and prevent unraveling of the free edges of the fabric.