Abstract: The invention locates address indicia on digitized images of mail pieces by dividing the mail piece images into blocks; identifying rows of blocks that are adjacent along a first direction and that have similar defined image features by comparing such image features within adjacent blocks; assembling at least some of the identified rows of blocks that are adjacent along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction into address block candidate regions; and selecting the address block by scoring the various address block candidate regions on the basis of defined criteria. The criteria initially score the candidate regions based on closeness to the center of the rectangle and then reduce this initial score if an edge of the region is close to an edge of the image, the region contains a small or very high number of text rows, or the aspect ratio between the width and height of the region is high.

Abstract: The invention accurately generates counterfeit probability data indicating that a non-reproducible document is being processed even when the pattern which identifies such documents has been defaced. One set of rules and membership functions is stored in each of three memory sets, for each of (1) an unaltered pattern identifying a non-reproducible document, (2) an altered version of that pattern, and (3) a pattern identifying an ordinary reproducible document. A fuzzy inference unit uses these rules and membership functions to generate data representing the probability that a counterfeiting attempt is occurring. These probability data are transmitted to the copy machine through a control CPU to prevent unlawful copying.

Abstract: A bitstream quality analysis system includes a demultiplexer, a bitstream quality analyzer, and a graphical user interface. The demultiplexer receives a bitstream and separates from the bitstream at least one elementary bitstream that includes a video elementary bitstream. The bitstream quality analyzer receives the video elementary bitstream from the demultiplexer and parses the video elementary bitstream to extract parameters characterizing the video elementary bitstream. The bitstream quality analyzer provides the extracted parameters to the graphical user interface, which displays the extracted parameters characterizing the video elementary bitstream. A user can monitor the video elementary bitstream at varying levels of detail, and can perform varying levels of quality analysis on the video elementary bitstream.

Abstract: In a digital signal processing system, a method for selecting a transform function to apply to an input signal based on characteristics of the signal, and for self-adjusting criteria which are used in selecting a transform function to apply to a subsequent signal. Characteristics are obtained from the signal. The characteristics are compared to adjustable criteria which are used in selecting a transform function. Differing criteria are maintained for the different selectable transform functions. A record is maintained of transform functions selected and the particular characteristics that caused the selection. Based on the ability of a transform function to minimally define the coded signal, an inverse transform function is selected to decode the signal. The criteria used in selecting a transform function to apply to a subsequent signal are adjusted based on a quality measure of the decoded signal and the record of selected transform functions.

Abstract: An encoded symbol reading device capable of reading and decoding a tessellated symbol. A detector detects an optical image formed by the encoded symbol and outputs a signal corresponding to the optical image. The signal is compared with threshold values and a 1-bit data value is output. The 1-bit data values are converted into an n-bit data value which is stored in a memory. The threshold values are also stored in memory and are obtained by detecting an optical image formed by a surface having a predetermined color.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, in a computer system, for compressing bit formats provided in a first packed data sequence. One embodiment of the method comprises the steps of generating, in response to execution of a first instruction, a second packed data sequence by copying the first packed data sequence. A second step of replacing, in response to execution of a second instruction, a first portion of the second packed data sequence with a second portion of the second packed data sequence. A third step of generating, in response to execution of a third instruction, an intermediate result, by multiplying data elements of the first packed data sequence with corresponding data elements of a third packed data sequence, and adding adjacent products. A fourth step of performing, in response to execution of a fourth instruction, a first shift operation, wherein bits of the second packed data sequence are shifted.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a window setting unit which sets a window for input low-resolution information, including a target pixel and pixels surrounding the target pixel. A detection unit detects MAX and MIN values from among the pixels within the window, and a quantization unit quantizes information relating to each pixel, having n values within the window, into a value smaller than n. A LUT (look-up table) determines a distribution ratio of the MAX and MIN values based on quantized values provided by the quantization unit within the window. A transformation unit synthesizes the MAX and MIN values based on the distribution ratio, and a forming unit forms high-resolution output information from the synthesized values. Thus, input low-resolution information is converted into high-resolution output information, at a high speed, to produce a high quality image.

Abstract: A method for matching objects based on spatial layout of regions based on a shape similarity model for detecting similarity between general 2D objects. The method uses the shape similarity model to determine if two objects are similar by logical region generation in which logical regions are automatically derived from information in the objects to be matched, region correspondence, in which a correspondence is established between the regions on the objects, pose computation in which the individual transforms relating corresponding regions are recovered, and pose verification in which the extent of spatial similarity is measured by projecting one document onto the other using the computed pose parameters. The method of the invention can be carried out in a microprocessor-based system capable of being programmed to carry out the method of the invention.

Abstract: A telephone line interface section, which has a selector switch for selectively connecting two of a facsimile section, a telephone line and an information unit such as a personal computer, is provided. The telephone line interface section is provided with a telephone line monitor which detects an ON/OFF state of a start switch for directing the facsimile section to be operated and detects existence or non-existence of a DC loop current which is a connecting signal at the time when the facsimile section is connected to an external telephone switchboard via the telephone line. The selector switch connects the facsimile section to the information unit based upon the telephone line monitor when the start switch is in the ON state and the connecting signal is not detected. As a result, in the case where the facsimile section is used as a scanner and printer of the information unit, the facsimile section can be simply connected to the information unit.

Abstract: An image is optically scanned by projecting the image onto an optical sensor through an optical shutter. In an exemplary embodiment, the image is projected through the optical shutter while the shutter is made substantially opaque except for a selected substantially transparent group of contiguous pixels. Then, the contents of the document are scanned by advancing this group of pixels across the shutter in a predetermined pattern. The shutter, for example, may comprise an LCD screen. To scan a document, the document is first placed against the shutter. As a light source directs light through the document and the shutter, the shutter is made substantially opaque except for a selected substantially transparent group of contiguous pixels. Then, the contents of the document are scanned by advancing this group of pixels across the shutter in a predetermined pattern. The document may be placed against either side of the shutter--near the light source or near the optical sensor.

Abstract: A post-processing system for an optical correlator automatically detects and ranks peaks in the correlation image. An array of input buffers each receive pixels from a predetermined region of the image from the correlator camera. An array of peak detectors search the image pixels in each region for correlation peaks exceeding a predetermined threshold figure of merit. For example, each peak detector can be convolver array and a local maximum detector. The peak detectors generate a report entry for each such correlation peak that contains the figure of merit and location of the peak within the image. Results sorting and reporting means collect and store the report entries from each peak detector. The report entries are sorted by their figures of merit and reported to the host computer system.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of identifying the script and orientation of a document image by identifying each set of connected pixels in the document image; computing the number of pixels in each set of connected pixels; computing the horizontal mean position of the pixels; computing the vertical mean position of the pixels; computing the horizontal extent of the pixels; computing the vertical extent of the pixels; computing a plurality of moment values for each set of connected pixels in the document image using a unique normalized centered moment calculation; grouping the moment values according to moment type; sorting the moment values within each moment group according to moment value; selecting moment values from each rank ordered moment group in order to characterize the document image; comparing the selected moment values to moment values for representative document images in a number of scripts and orientations; defining the script and orientation of the document image as being the same as the r

Abstract: An encoding process is configurable to trade calculational complexity for bit rate while maintaining code format and image quality. A software encoder which implements the encoding process monitors bandwidth and processor utilization and when either is overtaxed, adjusts complexity to compensate. If further adjustment is required, encoded image quality is changed. Changing the search process or search window size used during searches for predictive blocks or changing a threshold which is compared to inter-code length before determining whether to calculate an intra-code changes complexity. An intra-coding method subtracts a base which depends on codes representing neighboring blocks from coefficients for a current block to determine a difference which is often small and easily compressed. Additionally, restricting a quadtree structure for one color component to a sub-tree of a quadtree structure for another other color component improves compression efficiency and reduces coding complexity.

Abstract: Production and processing of data representing digitized images are disclosed. The disclosure addresses the problem of providing an image which simultaneously represents both high spatial resolution information and low spatial resolution information which pertains to the high spatial resolution information. Images may be produced which represent high spatial resolution information in the form of relative luminance contrasts, and represent low spatial resolution information in the form of color variance. Images representing high spatial resolution information may be altered to represent areas sharing a common trait (low spatial resolution information) by altering image data to make all pixels of those areas a common color, while scaling the luminance of each altered pixel by a uniform factor relative to its luminance in the original representation of the image.

Abstract: A facsimile device includes local area network communication controlling means for exchanging data between the facsimile device and the terminal of a correspondence partner through a local area network connected to an internet. An exchanging network communication controlling means is provided for exchanging image information between the facsimile device and the terminal of the correspondence partner through an exchanging network in accordance with a predetermined facsimile transmitting procedure. Telephone number converting table means is provided for registering telephone numbers used to place a call by use of the exchanging network and a group of addresses for transmitting signals by use of the local area network, for the terminals of the respective correspondence partners.

Abstract: An improved circuit for compensating a pattern recognition type edge for a video signal processor which is capable of preventing a undershooting and an overshooting by recognizing a pattern of a luminance signal which is converted into a digital form when compensating an edge of a luminance signal, by substituting a sample value at incline start or end portions and at decline start or end portions of a pattern with the previous sample value or the next sample value, by generating a plurality of luminance signals having a different delay time by sequentially delaying a luminance signal which is converted into a digital form as many as the number of samples, by subtracting a luminance signal which is delayed by the previous process from the luminance signal which is delayed by each process, by recognizing a pattern of an edge of luminance signal by logically operating a difference signal and a reference signal after computing a plurality of difference signals, and by selecting a signal among luminance signals h

Abstract: A laser scanning cytometer, used with forward light scatter measurements, is provided with a laterally extended, asymmetrically positioned (relative to a light blocking position) light blocker, positioned between a cell sample and a detector such as a photodiode. The light blocker is asymmetrically positioned, at the reference position (i.e., no specimen) to permit some light to pass by a first end thereof and wherein light scatter caused by a specimen cell passes the first end, with other light scatter being blocked by the extended light blocker at a second end. Contrast of light scatter detection is sufficient thereby to provide viewable images of cells by means of the laser scanning cytometer.

Abstract: The objects of this invention are accomplished by combinging the inverse DCT of an appropriate size with scaling on the resulting reconstructed image. In particular, if the data is stored as DCT values of blocks of size P.times.Q and an output image is to be scaled by a factor of R in one dimension and S in the second dimension, then the process is performed in two stages. First a scaling of factor K1/P in the first dimension and a scaling of factor L1/Q in the second dimension are done by inverse transforming with 2-dimensional DCTs of size K1.times.L1. A factor .sqroot.(K1/P).times..sqroot.(L1/Q) is absorbed into a dequantization process prior to the inverse transorm process. Then a scaling of factor K2/K3 in the first dimension and a scaling of factor L2/L3 in the second dimension is done in the spatial domain. The integers K1, K2, K3, L1, L2, L3 are chosen so the (K1K2/K3)=R, (L1L2/L3)=S, (K1/P).gtoreq.R, (L1/Q).gtoreq.S, and the ratios (K2/K3) and (L1/L2) are close to 1.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus comprising image input means for inputting image data, storage means for successively storing the image data input by the image input means, on a input image data basis, feature-extracting means for producing histogram data per input image data which is stored in the storage means, and extracting the features of the respective image data on the basis of the histogram data, image-selecting means for selecting an image to be output, on the basis of the extracted features of the images, and image output means for forming the image selected by the image-selecting means on recording paper.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an electronic part includes a reflector located in the rear of an electronic part held by a nozzle on a transferring head, and an image reading device for observing an electronic part held and moved by the transferring head. The image reading device picks up an image from the electronic part. The picked-up image is recognized so as to detect a position of the electronic part with which the motion of the transferring head is controlled. The image reading device includes a line sensor for observing from below the electronic part held by the nozzle of the transferring head, a transmissive illuminating unit for irradiating light onto the reflector so as to make the background of the electronic part bright; a direct illuminating unit for irradiating from below the lower surface of the electronic part passing above the line sensor.