Abstract: A currency identification system comprises at least two laterally displaced scanheads, one or more laterally moveable scanheads, or at least two laterally displaced sensors of a linear scanhead. The scanheads or sensors are positioned so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a first side of a bill. The scanheads or sensors are capable of detecting characteristic information from the bill along the segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated. The system also comprises a pattern generator for generating at least one scanned pattern from the output signals, the scanned pattern representing analog variations in the characteristic information along a segment of the bill. The system also comprises a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill.

Abstract: An overlap processor receives and temporarily stores a plurality of aligned scan lines. Each scan line is representative of a lane or zone of an image. The processor sequentially reads the plurality of scan lines and then synchronously and selectively outputs the scan lines producing an output comprising one scan line representative of one lane or zone plus a predetermined amount of scan line data from an adjacent lane or zone or both adjacent lanes or zones.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing character information in an original document with high recognition accuracy regardless of the size of a character to be recognized. An input image is processed by an image processing circuit and stored in an image recording unit. A character region in the recorded image data is detected by a recognition section, and the image corresponding to the detected character region is read with a predetermined magnification. Character recognition is performed on the image of the character region read at the predetermined magnification, in the recognition section. If the recognition accuracy does not satisfy a predetermined criterion, the same image is read again with a modified magnification wherein the magnification is determined on the basis of preset sizes and the size of the character pattern of a character to be recognized.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus having a device for scanning a line of an image along a first scanning direction. One of a plurality of formats for storing an image is selected. In accordance with the selected format, one of a plurality of second scanning directions for moving the scanning device is selected. The second scanning directions are perpendicular to the first scanning direction. The scanning device is then moved along the determined second scanning direction after scanning a line of an image along the first scanning direction.

Abstract: A method and system of image modulation detection of an aircraft exhaust plume by time sequence differentiation is provided. The method comprises the steps of forming two sequential images of the field of view in which an exhaust plume to be detected is located, and forming a differential image from the sequential images showing components of the aircraft's exhaust plume that are modulating at a rate greater than the frame rate of the detection system. The nonmodulating components such as the sky hills, and even the missile body are eliminated from the differential image. Only the plume remains and only the plume is detected. Therefore there is not false alarm note. Each image is formed by a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel images a portion of the field of view. A value is assigned to each pixel in each of the sequential images that corresponds to one or more characteristics of the pixel.

Abstract: A zoned inspection system and method produce inspection results consistent with a user's view of an article by transforming parallel, temporal inspection results from multiple detectors into a serial, spatial domain.

Abstract: A method of detecting counterfeit bills includes the steps of determining the denomination of the bill being evaluated, generating data corresponding to the concentration of magnetic ink on the bill and comparing this data to the expected concentration of magnetic ink on a genuine bill of the same denomination. The bill is considered genuine if the data is within an acceptable range of the expected value. An apparatus for detecting counterfeit currency employs a microprocessor to control an optical scanning operation of the bill being evaluated and to generate image data that is compared to stored images corresponding to genuine denominations of currency. The denomination of the bill is determined by evaluating the correspondence between the image data and the stored images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the quality of images captured by inexpensive scanning devices is described. After an initial scan of the image to be captured is performed, at least two additional scans are performed, one at an exposure level much greater than that used in the first scan and one at an exposure level much lower than that used in the first scan. After all three scans are complete, a composite stored image is formed using the gray scale values generated by the overexposed scan for darker areas of the image, the gray scale level generated by the underexposed scan for the lighter portions of the image, and, for those areas between the extremes, using the gray scale levels produced by the first scan. An apparatus is also described for performing these scans and selecting and combining the requisite data.

Abstract: A method for reporting groupings of answers to test questions. Answers to test questions are received in electronic form, after which the answers are divided according to predefined categories and organized into separate groupings. The answers in the groupings are reported.

Abstract: There is disclosed a character recognition method, and an apparatus therefor, capable of improving the accuracy of character recognition employing character normalization and direction index counting. The original image information is read with a resolving power matching the character size, so that the result of direction index counting is not distorted by the character size change in the normalization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting the surface of articles, such as chips and wafers, for defects, includes a first phase of optically examining the complete surface of the article inspected by scanning its complete surface at a relatively high speed and with an optical beam of relatively small diameter, particularly a laser beam, and a second phase of optically examining with a relatively high spatial resolution only the suspected locations for the presence or absence of a defect therein.

Abstract: A two-dimensional coded character string linker for eliminating duplications when first and second two-dimensional coded character string files partially overlap each other, by automatically deleting the duplicated coded character data from one file, and linking the two-dimensional coded character string files. In order to achieve this object, in the two-dimensional file linker of this invention, any duplications between a first file written into a first memory and a second file written into a second memory are identified by an aligner. A linking element removes any duplication, and links the first and second files as one two-dimensional coded character string file.

Abstract: A currency identification system comprising at least two laterally displaced scanheads, one or more laterally moveable scanheads, or at least two laterally displaced sensors of a linear scanhead. The scanheads or sensors are positioned so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a first side of a bill. The scanheads or sensors are capable of detecting characteristic information from the bill along the segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated. The system also comprises a pattern generator for generating at least one scanned pattern from the output signals, the scanned pattern representing analog variations in the characteristic information along a segment of the bill.

Abstract: An improved method of generating a master pattern corresponding to a given denomination for use in a discrimination system capable of discriminating among currency bills of different denominations. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of component patterns for a given denomination by scanning at least one genuine bill of the given denomination and generating a master pattern for the given denomination. The master pattern is derived from an average of the component patterns. The component patterns represent analog variations in characteristic information detected from a genuine bill during scanning. The master pattern represents an average of analog variations of the characteristic information for the given denomination.

Abstract: Digital images of documents such as bank checks are analyzed to determine acceptable image quality by capturing an image at a first or normal sensitivity and at a second or greater sensitivity. Both sets of image signals are subjected to speckle filtering to remove extraneous image elements or noise. The greater sensitivity signals are grouped in discrete areas having a predetermined number of pixels and black pixels which are connected are identified as an object in each discrete area. Each object is analyzed by measuring height, width, area, perimeter, aspect ratio, density ratio and perimeter to area ratio. Predetermined limits for these characteristics are applied to each object to classify the object as stroke-like or of another shape. Stroke-like objects are then compared with the object at the same position in the normal image field and a so-called area ratio of the number of black pixels in the normal image to the number of black pixels in the more intense image is determined.

Abstract: A double side scanner and method for controlling the scanner. While each of the two scanners of the double side scanner require its own scanning parameters, a user is only required to input one set of parameters for the first side and the second side parameters can be determined from the first side parameters. The second side parameters can be copied from the first side parameters or a transformation process may be performed on the first side parameters in order to obtain the second side parameters. The transformation process can include the changing of margins to account for a binding margin and the changing of the darkness of the scan depending upon the variation of the sensitivities of the light detector of each of the scanners. In order to reduce the amount of time for the scanning process, it is possible to transfer information contained within an image memory to a storage memory at the same time as additional scanning data is being obtained.

Abstract: A scanning system for orienting bar codes use a first stage made up of a low-resolution scanner and a digital signal processor (DSP), and a second stage made up of a high-resolution scanner and a decoder. The first stage scans the surface of an object to obtain an image, which the DSP analyzes to determine the location and orientation of any bar codes. The DSP does this by dividing the image into windows and finding the windows which contain part of a bar code. The second stage receives the results from the DSP and scans the bar code on the object.

Abstract: A method and system for comparing an input image with a stored image. An input image is obtained and processed. By the processing of the input image, a rough judgment of whether the input image corresponds to the stored image is obtained. If the input image does correspond to the stored image, then further processing is preformed on the input image. Characteristics of the processed input image are determined. The system then determines whether the characteristics correspond to characteristics of the stored image.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus is obtainable which is capable of automatically and continuously adjusting variations of characteristics due to various factors after each video signal input system is adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus for currency discrimination comprises first and second stationary scanheads, disposed on opposite sides of a bill transport path, for scanning respective first and second opposing surfaces of a bill traveling along the bill transport path and for producing respective output signals. The bill travels along the transport path in the direction of a predetermined dimension of the bill. A memory stores master characteristic patterns corresponding to associated predetermined surfaces of a plurality of denominations of genuine bills. Sampling circuitry samples the output signals associated with the respective first and second opposing surfaces of the scanned bill. A signal processor is programmed to determine which one of the first and second opposing surfaces corresponds to the associated predetermined surfaces of the plurality of denominations of genuine bills.

Abstract: A system for reporting groupings of answers to test questions. The system receives in electronic form answers to test questions, after which the system divides the answers according to predefined categories and organizes the divided answers into separate groupings. The system reports the answers in the groupings. The system can also merge a test answer with other report information to provide an indication of a process used in obtaining a given answer.

Abstract: A computer implemented process of matching two lines of text produced by optical character readers analyzes words in the two lines to identify matching words in corresponding positions in the two lines. Lines are then identified as matching based on the number of matching words in corresponding positions.

Abstract: A set of track gauges for use in aligning, focussing and normalizing an imaging system of a high speed document processor have been provided. Each of the gauges fit within a track (14) in front of the imaging system (10 or 12). The depth gauge (70) is used to align the secondary light beam (26) with the primary light beam (22) so that all documents passing through the track (14) will be evenly illuminated from two points symmetrically offset from a line normal to the track (14). In addition, the depth gauge (70) is used to align a normally reflected beam (32) with a photodetector array (56). Two different trunnion mirrors (54 and 28) are adjusted in the two different alignment operations. The focussing gauge (80) includes a set of black 87 and white 88 stripes positioned on a middle region 86. The white reference gauge (90) has a reflective white coating in its middle region 96.