Abstract: In a method for processing image data, at least one section of a form (10) is raster scanned and converted into a digital image with image points (22, 24, 26), the color of each image point (22, 24, 26) being represented as tone H, saturation S, and brightness B. Using fuzzy technology, the membership of the image points (22, 24, 26) ant their colors in color categories (UB, SF, BF) is determined by way of membership functions and a gray value GW is allocated to each image point (22, 24, 26) depending on the thus determined color category (UB, SF, BF).

Abstract: Image-pattern-specific separation values are calculated in each case per column for a separation image of standardized width, with the aid of a separation classifier, and the column having the maximum separation value is defined as the right-hand separation column. On the basis of the separation column predetermined by the separation classifier, an attempt is made, starting from the upper pixel of the separation column, to find a separation path which, in the absence of a white column, is formed within a separation region, which is located on both sides of the separation column, partially by contour tracing and, if no white path can be found by contour tracing, partially by forced separation along the separation column.

Abstract: The image data (BDAT) associated with a respective document are transmitted to one of a plurality of recognition units for processing in a recognition process comprising a plurality of partial processes. The allocation of the processing jobs and the monitoring of the time cycles of the recognition processes is performed by a control unit (AU), by mean of which a timer is triggered to set the processing time of the recognition process in a recognition unit (e.g. RUn), the value of which is compared with an expected value for the processing time of the currently running partial process. The partial process results from the processing status of the recognition unit which is determined by status information and can be called at any time.

Abstract: The printer device is fashioned as an independent structural unit and is arranged such that the printer head is situated in front of a cooperating platen that is seated such next to the deflection roller that does not cover the full width of the document in the document processing means that its apex line facing toward the printer head proceeds in alignment with a corresponding apex line of the deflection roller. The structural unit is held in guide elements and is removable from the printing position tangentially relative to the apex line of the cooperating platen along the guide elements. A printer head operating based on the thermo transfer principle and having a thermo-inking ribbon transported synchronously with the document preferably serves as the printer device.

Abstract: In a method for automatic character recognition, character strings marked by word start and word end are formed from the discrete characters calculated with the assistance of a character classifier. These character strings are checked with stored comparison strings of a context lexicon with respect to identity or similarity. The context lexicon is continuously updated by continuous read-in of strings containing no rejection characters, whereby the repeated read-in of identical strings is counted. Current strings are compared to the strings of the context lexicon and that string which is optimum with respect to similarity and frequency is selected for further evaluation. A correction provided with reference to the context comparison is only executed when the substitution transposition is probable based on the classifier characteristic for the characters under consideration.

Abstract: A symmetrically constructed inking ribbon cassette is provided that is substantially rectangular in shape and which has two openings symmetrically arranged at the shorter sides of the cassette for receiving capstan drive shaft and a light barrier. The cassette housing is formed of two halves which are held together with catch noses at a joining plane of the housing halves and a viewing slot is provided in each slot adjacent to one of the ribbon winding hubs which are carried in the housing.

Abstract: The deposit drawer includes a first slide which is guided carriage-like in a longitudinal channel open at one side which is provided in the deposit drawer by a second slide guided carriage-like in a longitudinal channel of the first slide and having a detent angle put in place thereon; and by a fashioning of both slides in such fashion that the upper surfaces of the deposit drawer, first slide, and second slide merge flush into one another.

Abstract: A level classifier comprises a group classifier and a plurality of sub-classifiers respectively assigned to a group. Each character is first assigned with the assistance of the group classifier to one of the n respective groups and then, to the specific group sub-classifier in which the actual character recognition occurs.

Abstract: A method and circuit for segmentation of characters from a serially-read character sequence scans the character sequence in a column-by-column format and intermediately stores portions or cut-outs of the scanned characters in the form of an image pattern matrix associated with each portion. The image patterns are thus offset by one column with respect to one another. For each image pattern, a coefficient memory stores several coefficients associated to the specific image pattern which are read out and summed to form a margin value which is associated with the average column of the individual image pattern matrix. A maximum value which occurs in the series of continuously formed margin values signifies a separating point for the associated column.

Abstract: For formation of features for automatic character recognition an image pattern memory matrix corresponding to a respective character is read-out analogous to a sampling at different sampling angles with a multitude of section lines proceeding in accordance with said sampling angles. The evaluation per sampling angle ensues in such manner that there are determined and supplied to a classifier for character recognition the number of the section lines intersecting the character at least once (sampling range); the sum of all section line intersections; the center of gravity of the sampling range; and the scatter within the sampling range.

Abstract: For compensating tolerances within a photodiode matrix of a scanning unit, in a single scanning process, various momentary, column, displaced positions of a scanning pattern are compared with one another as current image signals. To this end, the plurality of black elements in an image signal to be first intermediately stored in a first image memory is counted in an image element counting device. When the current image signal reproduces a "fat" character, the white elements of the current image signal and of a correlated image pattern intermediately stored in a second image memory are disjunctively linked with one another in a switching device. Given "weak" characters, the black elements are employed. Insofar as the direction of the relative velocity between the scanning unit and a recording medium is not prescribed, a plurality of positions of the correlated image signal are to be employed for a comparison in a comparator circuit. This comparison yields the position with the best coincidence.

Abstract: Patterns on a recording medium are scanned, with reflected light from a light source, and interference factors occurring from fluctuating diffused reflectance of the recording medium and the changing distance of the light source from the scanning field are overcome through the regulation of the light source in response to the light received by the scanner. With a control loop for the light source undesired information in the image signal is eliminated by regulating the illumination intensity. In the scanning device, a sensor converts the light reflected from the scanning field into a plurality of individual analog signals. A sum signal is formed from the individual signals and is provided, delayed, as a measurable variable and is compared with a predetermined reference value in a comparator. The output signal of the comparator controls a regulating unit in the electric circuit of the light source.

Abstract: An optical wand for automatically recognizing characters in a plurality of fonts incorporates a manually movable scanner incorporating a light source and a sensor array composed of a diode matrix. A first preprocessing unit is connected to receive the output from the scanner, and includes a correlation unit for buffering the data and apparatus for eliminating the effect of different characteristics of the individual photo diodes. The first preprocessing unit also includes a row tracking circuit and a segmentation circuit for presegmenting and for centering the character. Further segmentation, and filtering of the image is carried out by a second preprocessing unit which is decoupled from the first preprocessing unit, so that its operation is concurrent with that of the scanner. A recognition unit, decoupled from the second preprocessing unit, is connected thereto, and establishes individual values for the scanned characters by use of a quadratic polynomial classifier.