Abstract: A vector quantization image processing apparatus includes a minimum value separation circuit, a normalization circuit, and a first codebook. By separating the minimum value of the inputted vector and normalizing at the maximum value, it is possible to reduce drastically the number of output vectors. Using the position information of the inputted vector, the output vectors in the first codebook are classified to make it possible to search for the optimum output vector at a high speed.

Abstract: Cells are imaged, digitized and binarized pixel by pixel, after which cell identification codes for each of the cells in the image field are derived from information indicative of the edges of the cells. Various cell image parameters such as cumulative chromaticity information, chromaticity histograms, cumulative gradient information and gradient histograms relates to a large number of cells are calculated from the cell identification codes. These parameters make it possible to classify the cells.

Abstract: A plurality of individual frames or stampings provided in a sheet strip material by a stamping device are passed in proximity to a sensing device. As each individual frame or stamping is passed in proximity to the sensing device, the sensing device provides a voltage signal to a controller. The voltage signal is proportional to the amount of, or mass of, metallic material in each frame or stamping and the distance between the frame or stamping and the sensing device. The controller generates an individual waveform from the voltage signal for each frame passed in proximity to the sensing device. Each individual waveform is a function of the position of the movable portion of the stamping device for one cycle. As the plurality of individual frames are passed in proximity to the sensing device, a plurality of individual waveforms are generated within the controller. The waveforms are compared within the controller to detect a deviation between waveforms.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image encoding system in which a size of an image to be encoded is inputted, reference pixel positions or the number of reference pixels are determined in accordance with an input image size, and a noticed pixel is encoded by using reference pixels of the determined pixel positions or the determined member.

Abstract: Apparatus including a device for calculating coordinate values of intersections between the image outline and parallel scanning lines which are superimposed on each other in a coordinate system, and a device for storing the calculated coordinate values such that the values for each scanning line are arranged in order of the magnitude of the values and adjacent two of the ordered values are paired as a pair of coordinate values. The apparatus further includes a device for preparing a batch of dot data indicative of the dots to be formed in corresponding picture elements positioned in the coordinate system. The dot data is prepared such that successive bits of the dot data corresponding to successive picture elements consisting of two picture elements represented by the above-indicated pair of coordinate values and at least one picture element between these two picture elements are set at one time such that each of the successive bits indicates a dot to be formed in the corresponding picture element.

Abstract: A system that obtains the internal contour of a pattern without changing the ratio of the image area to the non-image area in the original image, by taking logic products between the original pattern and inverted patterns obtained by moving the original pattern in lateral and vertical directions by a small amount.

Abstract: A computer system used with special input hardware for providing the benefits of computerization to handwritten as well as keyboard entered information to meet a wide spectrum of commonly-occurring, written information processing needs. The input hardware consists of a transparent digitizing tablet mounted atop a flat panel display screen such that a user can handwrite directly upon the display screen with an attached pen. Application program functions include appointment documentation and work scheduling, handwritten or text file creation and manipulation, author-to-typist liaison functions for document production, handwritten annotation to text, handwritten note creation from text, and text document creation from handwritten source material.

Abstract: A self-organizing neural network having input and output neurons mutually coupled via bottom-up and top-down adaptive weight matrics performs pattern recognition while using substantially fewer neurons and being substantially immune from pattern distortion or rotation. The network is first trained in accordance with the adaptive resonance theory by inputting reference pattern data into the input neurons for clustering within the output neurons. The input neurons then receive subject pattern data which are transferred via a bottom-up adaptive weight matrix to a set of output neurons. Vigilance testing is performed and multiple computed vigilance parameters are generated.

Abstract: An image processing method is described for the hierarchical storage and display of high resolution digital images in a multiuse environment. The method makes reduced resolution versions of the original image available for quick display on video monitors while providing access to the full resolution image for photographic quality hardcopies. This multiresolution method also provides for the efficient storage of this data via a hybrid coding scheme based on residuals. Several embodiments of this approach are described.

Abstract: A new image (S'ij) is generated from an image signal (Sij) by determining whether the configuration of the distribution of the image signal (Sij) at a point of interest (i, j) is upwardly convex, or a downwardly convex, or otherwise, employing, as the new image signal (S'ij), the original image signal (Sij) at the point of interest (i, j) if the configuration is upwardly convex or downwardly convex, and employing, as the new image signal (S'ij), an unsharp signal (Uij) if the configuration is otherwise. A differential signal (Sij-Uij), or an absolute signal .vertline.Sij Uij.vertline., or a square signal ((Sij-Uij).sup.2), or a Laplacian signal (.gradient..sup.2 Sij) is compared with a threshold signal (T) to determine whether the configuration of the distribution of the image signal (Sij) at a point of interest (i, j) is upwardly convex, or a downwardly convex, or otherwise.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a data-processing device relating to pixels. This data is marked per line and per column. The device comprises processing means comprising at least four identical processors, (PE0, PE1, PE2, PE3) respectively connected to memories (MEM0, MEM1, MEM2, MEM3) marked on row J=0 to row J=3. The data relating to the pixels to be processed are recorded in the memories according to an helicoidal addressing. Connection means (1C0, 1C1, . . . , 2C0, 2CE1, . . . ) are provided so that the processors are connected according to a looped line configuration.

Abstract: An image reader having a scanning optical means for a document, a projection lens and an image sensor for reading an image of a document is disclosed. The image reader includes a pattern element on which a predetermined pattern having two edges symmetric with respect to the optical axis of the projection lens at a predetermined reading magnification and a circuit for determining the center position of an image of a document based on data obtained when the predetermined pattern is read by the image sensor through the projection lens at a designated reading magnification.

Abstract: A method for identifying a table region within an input image data of an original obtained by an optical character reader. The table region identification method comprises the steps of extracting first sets of runs of successive black picture elements from each of the lines of the input image data, unifying adjacent runs among the first sets of the runs into first rectangles, unifying second sets of runs within a second rectangle having a size greater than a prescribed size among the thus unified first rectangles to extract ruled lines, the second sets of the runs having a length greater than a prescribed length, and finally making a decision on whether the second rectangle constitutes a table region or any other region depending on the number of the ruled lines counted.

Abstract: An image-data scaling system in which a digital image data is subjected to a desired scale with respect to a main scanning direction to obtain a reduced or enlarged image data. The original image data is sequentially distributed to be sequentially stored into a plurality of memory means in synchronism with a data clock for the original image data. Image data stored in the plurality of memory means are parallelly read out on the basis of a read clock synchronized with the data clock and according to a desired scaling factor. The image data parallelly read out are partially or wholly extracted, or one or a plurality of interpolation image data are inserted between any selected adjacent image data, to thereby obtain an image data having the desired scaling factor.

Abstract: A data reading apparatus reads data of dots from a recording sheet on which data is recorded in the form of a mesh pattern, and decodes the read data into binary data. The data reading apparatus has an image sensor to read black/white levels of dots of the mesh pattern using the image sensor and to binarize the read levels by a hardware component or CPU processing according to software. An image can have a high recording density by minimizing a dot size.

Abstract: A method for compressing the data required to represent an image using a set of save-maps, with each save-map being identified by an index and each save-map identifying a subset of transform coefficients. The method begins by spatially partitioning the image into a plurality of blocks, includes the generation of transform coefficients representative of the data spatially located in each block; the generation of an index for each block as a function of the transform coefficients for that block; and selecting one of the save-maps as a function of the index. By employing the index and the value of the magnitude components of the subset of transform coefficients identified by the selected save-map for each block, compressed data may be obtained representative of that portion of the image spatially contained in each of the corresponding blocks.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting multilevel video images into a bilevel image having an accurate rendition of the original grayscale of the image. The apparatus performs enhanced preservation of edge information in the image when using error diffusion techniques.

Abstract: A marked region recognition apparatus recognizes an arbitrary marked region of a document image from a mark signal which indicates whether or not there exists a mark which indicates the marked region. The marked region recognition apparatus comprises a first storing part for storing the mark signal for at least one scanning line, a second storing part for storing a coordinate in a main scanning direction where the marked region ends for each scanning line based on the mark signal stored in the first storing part, and a recognition part for recognizing an inside and an outside of the marked region and producing a marked region signal which indicates the inside or the outside of the marked region for a present scanning line responsive to a state of the marked region of a previous scanning line, which state is read out from the first and second storing parts.

Abstract: An image reader is disclosed in which, upon application of an illuminating light beam to an original by an illuminating optical system, a light beam reflected from the original is applied through a contracting optical system to a line sensor for converting an optical image of the original into an image signal. The image reader has a first mirror provided for said original to reflect said light beam reflected from the original; a repetitive reflection optical system including a pair of parallel mirrors for causing said light beam reflected by the first mirror to go and return at least once in a reflection mode; and a second mirror provided for a contracting optical system to reflect the light beam thus caused to go and return towards the contracting optical system.

Abstract: Accurate inspection of a pattern (14) of metallized areas (12) printed on a substrate (10) is accomplished by compensating the pattern for any deformation prior to comparing the image thereof to that of a perfect (master) pattern (14'). The amount of compensation is determined by first capturing the image of selected elements in the pattern with the aid of a television camera (32). A machine vision processor (36) processes the output of the camera (32) to determine the offset of each of the selected elements in the pattern from the corresponding elements within a master pattern (14') which represents a perfectly formed version of the actual pattern (14). From the amount of offset between the selected elements in the pattern (14) and the corresponding elements in the master pattern (14'), the amount of pattern deformation at the preselected elements, as well as at all intermediate sites, is determined and the pattern is compensated accordingly.