Abstract: The apparatus and method for digitizing and segmenting a handwriting movement comprises an electrical transducer for generating three electrical digital position signals characterizing a trajectory of the handwriting movement. The apparatus comprises a device for low-pass filtering the electrical signals; a device for deriving the electrical signals by predetermined time and transfer functions for generating V.sub.x and V.sub.y electrical components which represent respectively speeds of the point according to X and Y axes of a cartesian reference; and a device for calculating V.sub..sigma. and V.sub.74 values from the V.sub.x and V.sub.y values. The apparatus also comprises a device for calculating handwritten components and handwritten strings, where each of the handwritten components is delimited by two successive liftings of the point along the trajectory, and each of the handwritten strings is delimited by two successive portions of the trajectory where the V.sub..theta.

Abstract: In a system and method for automatically segmenting a scanned document to separate areas containing different types of information such as black/white text or graphics, continuous tone pictures, and half-tone pictures, the document is divided into a number of subimages and the individual subimages are classified in an initial labeling phase. The initial label matrix thus obtained is relaxed in a subsequent step so that a pattern of uniformly labeled segments corresponding to the areas in the document containing different types of information is the result. In order to speed-up the system and/or improve the robustness thereof, the number of initial labels used in the initial labeling step is selected larger than the number of types of information to be distinguished. The number of initial labels is then reduced in the relaxation step on the basis of a series of context rules.

Abstract: A character recognition apparatus includes an inputting function of ruled lines. The apparatus is equipped with a tablet type input device integrating a tablet type input device with a display panel. The apparatus includes a control unit that recognizes information inputted in an input panel by a stylus pen. There is a memory unit for storing the recognized information. The control unit sets a grating-like virtual frame in the input panel. The frame set in the input panel is a virtual boarder obtained by calculation and does not appear on a display panel.

Abstract: A method of separating finely textured and solid regions in a binary image from other regions such as those containing text and line graphics. The image is subjected to a first set of operations (10) that eliminates OFF pixels that are near ON pixels, which tends to thicken text and lines and solidify textured regions. The image is then subjected to a second set of operations (12) that eliminates ON pixels that are near OFF pixels. This thins out and eliminates the previously thickened text and lines, but leaves the previously solidified textured regions substantially intact.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting multilevel video images into a bilevel image having an accurate rendition of the original grayscale of the image. The apparatus can provide an improved rendition of low contrast images.

Abstract: An improvement in the electronic imaging of documents, of the type wherein document sheets are transported at a uniform constant velocity past an electronic imaging member with the document sheet surface to be imaged maintained at a constant imaging distance from the electronic imaging member, wherein the document is fed through a document position and velocity holding and feeding nip formed between the outside wall of a rotatable transparent cylinder and an opposing nip forming member moving therewith, preferably an idler belt, and wherein the electronic imaging member is mounted inside the transparent cylinder to image this nip area through a narrow portion of the wall of the rotatable transparent cylinder and thereby to image scan only the narrow portion of the document which is being fed through and held in the nip.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interpolating existing gray-level pixel data to obtain new pixel values during image reduction and enlargement. A quadratic interpolation equation is used to apply location weighting factors to the density values of neighboring pixels. Edge strength modifying factors are used to modify the weighting factors in the x, y, and diagonal directions. In one embodiment, the modifying factors are set to greater than unity when the corresponding edge strength is greater than a predetermined threshold value. In another embodiment, the modifying factors are a non-linear function of the edge strength. These techniques preserve the sharpness of high contrast edges in the original image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for parallel processing "live" and pre-recorded "reference" fingerprint data for comparison purposes. An array sensor images a selected portion of a live fingerprint and video means produce corresponding digital live image data. The pre-recorded, multi-pixel reference data and the image data are scanned relative to one another via recirculating First-in-First-Out (FIFO) buffer memories and row and column shift means. Exclusive OR (XOR), summation and accumulation circuitry simultaneously compare the reference and image data over a plurality of correlation cycles and compute a correlation value for each correlation cycle. A microprocessor determines the best correlation value of the reference and image data from a tabular store of correlation values for each correlation cycle relative to a PASS/FAIL threshold.

Abstract: A portable optical character reader which is designed to read optical characters, symbols and the like is provided with a unit for recognizing each character within the visual field, a recognition result storing unit for temporarily storing a recognition result, a recognition result comparing unit for comparing a recognition result newly obtained with the content of the recognition result storing unit, and a timer for measuring the time elapsed since a recognition result is obtained. In operation, when the same recognition result has been repeatedly obtained for a period of time which is longer than a predetermined time, this recognition result is output. Accordingly, no recognition result is output when the scanner is moved at excessively high speed, and therefore the operator can read characters by moving the scanner without any fear of erroneous recognition.

Abstract: An adaptive segmentation system that utilizes a genetic algorithm in image segmentation. The system incorporates a closed-loop feedback mechanism in the segmentation/learning cycle. The system can adapt to changes appearing in the images being segmented, caused by variations of such factors as time and weather. Adaptation is achieved with a measure based on differences of analyzed past imagery and current imagery and on the criteria for segmentation quality. The invention is not dependent on any particular segmentation algorithm or specific sensor type.

Abstract: In a magnetic ink character recognition system provided in a magnetic ink character reader, the system includes; a read unit for detecting magnetic flux generated from each magnetic ink character separately printed in every field in a check or bill, and outputting a digital signal read therefrom; a storage unit operatively connected to the read unit for storing the digital signals output from the read unit; a field sort unit operatively connected to the storage unit for receiving the digital signals from the storage unit in every field and sorting the digital read signals for each field; a decision unit operatively connected to the field sort unit for receiving the digital read signal sorted by the field sort unit, judging the thickness of the magnetic ink character in every field, and determining a representative thickness value in every field; a correction unit operatively connected to the storage unit and the decision unit for receiving the digital signals from the storage unit and correcting the digital s