Abstract: The invention is related to a method of matching image features with reference features, comprising the steps of providing a current image captured by a capturing device, providing reference features (r), wherein each of the reference features comprises at least one reference feature descriptor (d(r)), determining current features (c) in the current image and associating with each of the current features at least one respective current feature descriptor (d(c)), and matching the current features with at least some of the reference features by determining a respective similarity measure (D(c, r)) between each respective current feature descriptor (d(c)) and each respective reference feature descriptor (d(r)). According to the invention, the determination of the similarity measure is performed on an integrated circuit by hardwired logic or configurable logic which processes logical functions for determining the similarity measure.

Abstract: Provided are an information processing apparatus provided with a display unit including a touch panel, and a method for controlling the same. The information processing apparatus detects a plurality of touch points on a display object displayed on the display unit, and, if the number of the detected plurality of touch points is a predetermined number or more, divides this display object into a plurality of display objects in response to at least some of the plurality of touch points moving in an opposite direction on the touch panel to other of the plurality of touch points.

Abstract: A biometric information reading device includes an image capturing unit that sequentially captures a plurality of partial images about biometric information, an image feature extracting unit that extracts an image feature from each of the partial images and a position of the image feature, a matching relative position detecting unit that determines whether a relative distance between two successive partial images among the partial images is equal to or smaller than a threshold value, based on the image feature of an overlapping region between the two successive partial images, and a partial image output determining unit that determines to output at least two successive partial images as one set, determines not to output a partial image that is input after the partial images as the one set when the matching relative position detecting unit determines that a relative distance of the partial image from one of the partial images as the one set is equal to or smaller than the threshold value, and determines to out

Abstract: A method of generating a saliency image, which includes: converting an input image into an input image of the first size and an input image of the second size; applying a saliency extraction scheme to the input image of the first size to generate a first saliency image; converting the first saliency image to the second size; extracting an area that satisfies a first condition from the converted first saliency image; determining an area of the input image of the second size that corresponds to the extracted area; and generating a second saliency image by multiplying an image generated by applying the saliency extraction scheme to the determined area, and the converted first saliency image.

Abstract: A system for creating media-based projects includes a server, the server having access to a processor and a data repository, the server including a non-transitory physical medium, and software running from the non-transitory physical medium, the software providing a method comprising steps of receiving a plurality of images from a user-operated computing appliance to add to the media-project; performing image analysis on the images added to the media-project to identify a plurality of distinguishable features in the images; and selecting a subset of the plurality of distinguishable features in the images for presentation in a mosaic pattern in the media-project, wherein the mosaic pattern comprises the plurality of distinguishable features displayed in a tile pattern comprising a plurality of tiles, and wherein an overlaid die-cut pattern has a plurality of die-cuts corresponding to the plurality of tiles through which the mosaic pattern comprising the distinguishable features is visible.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided to allow a multi-functional apparatus to control a mixed mode scan job build. Different types of sheets of documents with various configurations can be combined into a single output document with the various configurations intact.

Abstract: Optimizing a layout of an electronic document. An electronic document can be processed to identify a plurality of document sections within the document. A plurality of document sections can be recursively combined in at least a first page of a modified document and a presentation size of content within the document sections can be reduced. With each recursive combination of document sections, a first perceptual delta value can be generated based on perceptual differences between the document sections as originally presented in the electronic document and the document sections as presented when combined into the first page. When the first perceptual delta value at least equals the first threshold value, the recursive combination of document sections into the first page can cease.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a layout of an electronic document. An electronic document can be processed to identify a plurality of document sections within the document. A plurality of document sections can be recursively combined in at least a first page of a modified document and a presentation size of content within the document sections can be reduced. With each recursive combination of document sections, a first perceptual delta value can be generated based on perceptual differences between the document sections as originally presented in the electronic document and the document sections as presented when combined into the first page. When the first perceptual delta value at least equals the first threshold value, the recursive combination of document sections into the first page can cease.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for identifying modified images based on visual dissimilarity to a first image. In an aspect, a method includes determining, for each of a first image and a second image, a respective set of local image feature descriptions; determining one or more unmatched regions of the images that include unmatched image features and that correspond to one or more same respective regions in both the first image and the second image; determining, for each of the one or more unmatched regions of the images, a modification measure based on the image data corresponding to the unmatched region in the first image and the image data corresponding to the unmatched region in the second image; and determining that the second image is a modification of the first image when one of the modification measures meets a modification measure threshold.

Abstract: Provided are an input device and an image processing method thereof. The image processing method of the input device having a scan function includes acquiring a first image frame and a second image frame to detect coordinates of the acquired first image frame and coordinates of the acquired second image frame; dividing an overlap region between the first image frame and the second image frame into a plurality of sub overlap regions by using the detected coordinates of the first and second image frames; dividing each of the sub overlap regions into unit regions; setting a reference feature point of a plurality of feature points within the divided unit regions; and extracting corresponding points by using the set reference feature point.

Abstract: Image processing system for generating control signals for printing means, from source image data from an image source, comprising a raster image processing and layout module configured to convert said source image data into a first lane bitmap element and a second lane bitmap element; a streaming processor arranged to receive said first lane bitmap element and said second lane bitmap element, and position signals comprising position data for said first and/or said second lane image in the printed image; said streaming processor being configured to generate control signals for the printing means based on said first lane bitmap element, said second lane bitmap element, and said position signals in order to be able to adjust the position of said first lane image and/or the position of the second lane image in the printed image.

Abstract: In a printing system configured such that a computer and an image forming apparatus can be connected via a network, the computer sets a stamp image and transmits the set stamp image to the image forming apparatus via the network. The image forming apparatus includes a reading device that reads an original image, an image combining unit that reads out at least one stamp image from a storage unit, combines the stamp image with the original image read by the reading device, and forms a composite image, and a printing unit that prints the composite image on recording paper.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing learned, piece-wise patch regression for image enhancement. In one embodiment, an image manipulation application generates training patch pairs that include training input patches and training output patches. Each training patch pair includes a respective training input patch from a training input image and a respective training output patch from a training output image. The training input image and the training output image include at least some of the same image content. The image manipulation application determines patch-pair functions from at least some of the training patch pairs. Each patch-pair function corresponds to a modification to a respective training input patch to generate a respective training output patch. The image manipulation application receives an input image generates an output image from the input image by applying at least some of the patch-pair functions based on at least some input patches of the input image.

Abstract: Logo data can be easily created and registered in a printer without requiring special knowledge. A host computer executes a dedicated tool starting step that starts a dedicated tool for logo editing when a first printer driver is selected from a printer selection field in a print window of an application; a print data output step that outputs print data generated by the application to the dedicated tool; an image editing step that edits the print data and produces logo data using the dedicated tool; and a registration command step that outputs the logo data and a registration command to register the logo data in a receipt printer using the dedicated tool.

Abstract: A method of recognizing characters in a plurality of documents includes capturing a preview image of a plurality of document, cropping each of the plurality of documents in the captured preview image into respective document images, recognizing characters on each of the plurality of the document images, and generating a document containing the plurality of the document images with the recognized characters. An apparatus for recognizing characters in a document includes a camera configured to capture a preview image of a plurality of document images, a display configured to display the preview image, and a controller configured to crop each of the plurality of documents in the captured preview image into respective document images, recognize characters on each of the plurality of the document images, and generate a document corresponding to the plurality of the document images with the recognized characters.

Abstract: A document management apparatus in an embodiment is configured to manage a printer unit which erase image information obtained by printing both characteristic identification information and document information or only the document information with an erasable color material on a printing medium, and a reading unit configured to read the characteristic identification information on the printing medium to be erased by a erasing unit, comprising: an processor unit configured to manage an erasability condition of the document information on the basis of the characteristic identification information and instruct the printer unit to output new document information according to the erasability condition of the document information, the erasability condition being contained in the characteristic identification information read by the reading unit; and an interface unit performs respectively of the transmitting and receiving of information to the reading unit and the printer unit to the processor unit.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus capable of delivering image data includes an image forming unit configured to read an image to generate image data, a workflow selection unit configured to receive selection of workflows each obtained by optionally combining input processing, image-conversion processing and output processing plug-ins for processing the generated image data, a storage unit configured to store data identification information for identifying desired electronic data, a data selection unit configured to receive selection of the desired electronic data, an electronic data acquisition unit configured to acquire the selected electronic data based on the corresponding data identification information, and a delivery processing unit configured to carry out delivery processing on the acquired electronic data and the generated image data based on a selected one of the workflows.

Abstract: A scanner device includes a plurality of image sensor arrays and an image processing component. Each image sensor is configured to acquire a corresponding sequence of image slices, wherein the sequences of image slices are concurrently acquired, and wherein each sequence of image slices represents a contiguous partial scan of a target medium. The image processing component is configured to generate an image file representing the target medium based at least in part on the sequences of image slices.

Abstract: A passport and identification card reader minimizes the time and effort required for an operator to read/scan a passport or piece of identification. An immigration official, for example, can slide a passport into place with one hand while tending to other important security activities with the other hand. Once in place, the passport will be automatically detected and read. Numerous passports bound together by a traveler with multiple visas can be held flat in place and accurately read, even with one hand, despite the natural tendency of the passport(s) to return to a closed position.

Abstract: A parallel Raster Image Processor system that includes a plurality of Raster Image Processors (RIPs) for parallel processing of a plurality of document jobs into a printer-ready format for the printing of the document jobs and a splitter. The splitter configured to combine the plurality of document jobs to form a plurality of chunks, each chunk is sent to a respective designated RIP for processing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printing apparatus that forms a color image and a background image on a medium by repeating a dot formation operation of causing ink to be discharged from a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array moving in a moving direction so as to form the color dot and the background dot on the medium and a transport operation of transporting the medium in a transport direction, wherein a pixel in which the background dot is formed on the color dot and a pixel in which the color dot is formed on the background dot are mixed so as to form an area where the color image and the background image overlap.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a display portion, a control portion including a display control portion for causing the display portion to display a preview image of output target data, a touch sensor for receiving, on the display portion, a user operation for performing output setting for the output target data concerning the preview image, an output portion for outputting the output target data based on the output setting, and a control portion for, in a state where the display control portion arranges objects in page unit sequentially to be displayed as the preview image, when the touch sensor receives a predetermined pinch operation for the objects, performing page setting concerning the objects to be operated.

Abstract: An image processing device including an image information acquirer and a control device configured to detect encircling lines written on a document sheet, based on acquired image information, determine an arrangement order of a partial image formed within each encircling line, detect first symbols each written on the document sheet and added to a corresponding partial image, the first symbols relating to how to lay out the partial images, determine a layout of the partial images based on the arrangement orders and the first symbols, extract, from the image information, a plurality of pieces of image information each of which is image information of a partial image within a corresponding encircling line, and generate layout image information in which the pieces of image information are arranged according to the layout.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming device capable of performing overlay printing in which a desired image overlaps with a desired page. An image processing system includes a display control unit that displays a setting screen which enables at least one overlay image overlapping with a page to be selected from predetermined overlay images and which enables at least one target page to be selected from pages, an operation input unit that receives an operation, an information obtaining unit that obtains selected image information indicating a selected overlay image in the setting screen, target page information indicating a target page selected as a target with which the selected overlay image overlaps, and selection method information indicating a selection method used to select the target page, and an image setting unit that sets an overlay image.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit, a dividing unit, and an output controller. The receiving unit receives an output instruction for a report. The dividing unit divides, when the output instruction for the report is received, report items to be output into a main-report item to be output as characters on a recording sheet and a sub-report item to be output as a digital watermark on the recording sheet in such a manner that the report items to be output are formed within a predetermined number of recording sheets or a predetermined number of pages. The output controller causes an output mechanism to output the main-report item as characters on the recording sheet and output the sub-report item as a digital watermark on the recording sheet, based on a division result by the dividing unit.

Abstract: A moving image generation apparatus includes an image display unit, a partial image specification unit, a partial image cutout unit, and a moving image generation unit. The image display unit displays an image. The partial image specification unit specifies a partial image of a predetermined range corresponding to each of points in the displayed image. The partial image cutout unit cuts out a plurality of partial images from between two arbitrary partial images included in the specified partial images. The moving image generation unit generates a moving image based on the specified partial images and the cutout partial images.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and computer program products for displaying one or more pages of a first document in a first region on a user interface; displaying thumbnail images of the one or more pages of the first document in a second region on the user interface; receiving user input for inserting one or more pages from a non-digitized second document into the first document; and in response to the user input, digitizing the one or more pages of the non-digitized second document using a document scanning device, and inserting the one or more pages of the digitized second document into the first document, wherein the inserted pages are displayed as part of the first document on the user interface.

Abstract: An imaging kiosk comprises an image printer, a frame-specification reader for reading frame-specification information specifying two or more image openings in a picture frame, an image-acquisition device, and a computer system for controlling the image printer, the frame-specification reader, and the image-acquisition device. Images are acquired for rendering a single printable image having the two or more acquired images located in positions corresponding to the two or more image openings, and for printing the rendered image to make a frame-matched multi-image print.

Abstract: A document scanner comprises a first image sensor unit (32) and a second image sensor unit (30) and a scanning mechanism (70, 72, 76, 80) for causing relative movement between a document and the units so that the units scan the document in a scanning direction. The first unit (32) is situated ahead of the second unit (30) in the scanning direction and partially overlaps the second unit.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image acquiring section for acquiring images; a mount number setting section for setting a mount number for mounts; an image dividing section for dividing the acquired images into a predetermined number of groups based on accessory information of the images, with the number of groups being equal to the mount number; and an image arranging section for arranging images included in each group after division on each corresponding mount. The image dividing section divides the images into the groups so that the number of images included in each group is not more than the upper limit number of images capable of being arranged on the corresponding mount.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for making a single rendered printable image corresponding to a picture frame. Two or more digital images are arranged on a print sheet according to machine decodable frame-specification information that specifies where two or more image openings in a picture frame are situated. The two or more acquired images are rendered into a single printed page of images having the two or more acquired images located in positions corresponding to the image openings.

Abstract: Methods and devices identify gloss levels and appearance colors for different printers based on the common printing capabilities of the different printers. Such gloss levels and appearance colors are formed from different combinations of one or more colorant marking materials combined or stacked on a print substrate surface. Further, such methods and devices identify common color metameric pairs based on the gloss levels and the appearance colors. Each of the common color metameric pairs has the same appearance color, but has a different gloss level. Patterns of different gloss levels in an area of uniform appearance color form a differential gloss security feature on a printed document. The methods herein can store a file with the common color metameric pairs in a non-transitory storage medium that is operatively connected to at least one of the different printers.

Abstract: In the case of disposing regions of various sizes within a page, many blank areas appear and a layout result that is visually attractive could not be obtained. Therefore the present invention determines the starting position of a new row or column, using the difference in sizes of the multiple regions disposed in each row or column.

Abstract: An image reader includes a reading unit that reads an image; a detection unit that detects marks from the read image read by the reading unit; a creation unit that creates a hiding image, which hides a region including the marks, on the basis of the marks detected by the detection unit; and a combining unit that combines the read image and the hiding image to create an electronic document.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads image data, a drawing data storage unit that stores object data comprising the read image data so as to allow the stored object data to be distinguished between a vector object and a raster object, a vector gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored vector objects is formed of an achromatic color, a raster gray determination unit that determines whether each of stored raster objects is formed of an achromatic color, and an output data creation unit that converts the stored object data into multicolor when the stored object data includes a chromatic color and converts the stored object data into monochrome when the stored object data is formed only of achromatic colors.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a document having a void pantograph highlight pattern is presented. The method includes computing a score for a void pantograph highlight pattern layer in relation to a document formatted content layer, incrementing a relative position of the void pantograph highlight pattern layer and the document formatted content layer, repeating the computing and the incrementing steps to obtain a plurality of scores at a plurality of relative positions, evaluating the plurality of scores to determine an optimal alignment, and printing the document using variable-data printing techniques, wherein the printed document has a multi-layer architecture including the document formatted content layer and the void pantograph highlight pattern layer. The system includes a control processor, a score computation unit and an evaluation unit.

Abstract: An attached file printing method of an image forming apparatus, and image forming apparatus and system employing the same are provided. The attached file printing method of an image forming apparatus includes: determining whether there is a printable attached file in a printing target original document or not; converting at least one of the original document and the attached file to a printing data depending on the determining result; and printing the converted printing data.

Abstract: A user interface is presented to a remote user via a network, such as through a computer. A preview command is received from the user. A scanning process (e.g., scanning multiple photographs simultaneously) is initiated at a scanner coupled with the user's computer, in response to receiving the preview command. The act of initiating is performed from a location remote from the user. A single scanned image is obtained through the scanner. A plurality of crop selections are received from the user, all of which are made within the single scanned image. Several regions within multiple scanned photographs may be selected for cropping. A plurality of image files are created based on the crop selections. The plurality of image files may be created in response to the user clicking just once on a button presented by the user interface.

Abstract: A sheet transport device includes a shaft member that extends in an axial direction orthogonal to a sheet transport direction, and a roller that includes plural components which are assembled together so as to surround the shaft member. The components have a shape such that a joint between the components is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the roller which is formed by assembling the components together. The joint extends from one end to another end of the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction while bending or curving at least at a portion in the middle thereof.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for combining a document image with a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image to perform printing includes a unit configured to determine a video count value from the document image, a unit configured to determine a video count value from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, and a unit configured to multiply the video count value determined from the document image by a rate of dots other than dots constituting the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image in the document image to obtain a product, and to add, to the product, the video count value determined from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image to determine a video count value for the printing.

Abstract: A scanner connected to an external device through a network is provided. The scanner includes, a reading section that reads an image recorded on a sheet so as to generate image data, an image data group supply section that, in a case where a plurality of images recorded on a plurality of sheets are read by the reading section, sequentially generates an image data group every time a part of the plurality of sheets is read by the reading section, and sequentially supplies the generated image data group to the external device, a joint information generation section that generates joint information used to join two or more of the image data groups, the two or more of the image data groups representing the plurality of images; and a joint information supply section that supplies the joint information to the external device.

Abstract: Capturing a sequence of images of a multi-page printed document is performed by a handheld device, such as a Smartphone. The device has one or more processors, memory, and a digital image sensor. The device monitors preview images of a first printed page of the multi-page printed document, where the preview images are generated by the digital image sensor. Without user indication of when to capture an image, the device captures a still image of the first printed page when a first quality metric of the preview images exceeds a first quality threshold. The device repeats the monitoring and capturing of additional pages until receiving indication from the user that capturing images is complete. In response to receiving indication from the user that capturing images is complete, the device concatenates the captured still images into a single digital document and stores the single digital document.

Abstract: A duplex imaging apparatus for imaging at least one side of a document, including a processor and lower and upper imaging devices. Each imaging device includes an optical-chamber, a camera and a light-source-configuration, facilitated to directly illuminate each face of the document from at least two illuminating angles. The lower imaging device is enclosed by a glass-window, wherein the document is operatively disposed on the glass-window. Each of the light source configurations includes at least one cluster of light sources, wherein the clusters of light sources are operated in a preconfigured sequence. Direct illumination forms hotspots in the acquired image frames at preconfigured locations, corresponding to the light sources positioning. The processor is facilitated to cutout preconfigured image frame portions containing the hotspots, forming clean portions of the image frames, and to combine the clean portions to form a clean output image frame.

Abstract: An inspection system that receives image data corresponding to an image and processes the image data to produce a report corresponding to characteristics of the image. Interface cards receive the image data in a flow, where each interface card receives image data corresponding to a different portion of the image. Process nodes connect to the interface cards, and receive the image data from the interface cards. A host computer is connected to the process nodes, and job managers implemented in the host computer manage the flow of image data to and from the process nodes. The job managers are written in a relatively stable and slow programming environment, to remain operable during a crash of one of the process nodes. Process node programs are implemented in the process nodes, and analyze a portion of the image data and produce the report corresponding to the characteristics of the analyzed portion of the image data. At least one process node program is implemented in each process node.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanning method for a large-size scanner system (1) comprising at least two image detection elements (2) that are used for scanning a large-size original (4) to be scanned and are arranged in a cascaded manner so as to have at least one overlapping area (13, 14).

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product for tracing seismic sections to convert to digital format are provided. The method includes: receiving a scan of a seismic section having multiple overlapping traces measured at spot points; splitting the traces into segments; associating the segments with appropriate baselines; estimating the traces between segments using logical rules; and deriving amplitudes of the traces.

Abstract: A method of stitching frames of a video sequence to image a target document. The method comprises capturing a group of frames of a video sequence using an image sensor of a handheld device having a display, during the capturing, analyzing the video sequence to select iteratively a group of the frames, each member of the group depicts another of segments of a target document, during the capturing, sequentially presenting a plurality maneuvering indications, each the maneuvering indication is presented after a certain frame depicting a certain of the segments is captured and indicative of a maneuvering gesture required for bringing the image sensor to capture another frame depicting another segment of the segments, the another segment being complementary and adjacent to the certain segment, and stitching members of the group to create a mosaic image depicting the target document as a whole.

Abstract: There is described an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible not only to eliminate the deterioration of the perceptibility, but also to determine the pages being suitable for applying the predetermined image processing. The control section determines specific pages, being suitable for applying a predetermined image processing, based on the attributes detected by the detecting section, so as to apply the predetermined image processing to the specific pages. On the other hand, the control section applies image processing, including a variable power processing, to both the partial image area and the partial character area by employing different magnification factors, so as to generate a size-changed partial image area and a size-changed partial character area, and to arrange both of them into a predetermined imaginary area being smaller than an area of the original image, so as to accommodate them within the predetermined imaginary area.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for evaluating a one-to-one mapping between a first spatial point set and a second spatial point set in nD comprising the steps of receiving a first and a second spatial point sets in nD and a one-to-one mapping between the two spatial point sets; generating a pair of mapped agreeable (n+1)-combinations in the first point set; computing two affine transformations that transform the pair of mapped agreeable (n+1)-combinations to correspondents in the second point set; computing the difference of the left sub-matrices of the two affine transformations; and computing a local distance measure based on the difference of the left sub-matrices of the two affine transformations.

Abstract: A method to create a data file in a controller device connected to an image reading apparatus is provided. The method includes receiving an event signal generated in the image reading apparatus based on an instruction, obtaining image data according to receipt of the event signal, judging whether the received event signal is a first event signal in a first operation mode, setting the controller device to operate in a second operation mode, releasing the controller device from the second operation mode when a terminating event occurs, judging whether the received event signal being a non-first event signal is a continuing event signal, and adding the image data obtained according to the non-first event signal being a continuing event signal to the image data obtained according to the first event signal to create a single multiple-paged file when a terminating event occurs.