Abstract: An apparatus for determining a background level of an image to be scanned. The apparatus builds a series of histograms of the image each corresponding to a line of the image, analyzes each of the histograms, and averages the results of the analysis, to continually update a background level during the scan of the image. The apparatus may be implemented with a simple architecture capable of operating at high speed.

Abstract: Highly accurate, reliable optical character recognition is afforded by a layered network having several layers of constrained feature detection wherein each layer of constrained feature detection includes a plurality of constrained feature maps and a corresponding plurality of feature reduction maps. Each feature reduction map is connected to only one constrained feature map in the same layer for undersampling that constrained feature map. Units in each constrained feature map of the first constrained feature detection layer respond as a function of a corresponding kernel and of different portions of the pixel image of the character captured in a receptive field associated with the unit.

Abstract: An image signal representing a radiation image comprising an object image and a background region is converted with a predetermined threshold value into a two-valued system, from which a binary image comprising regions approximately corresponding to the object image and the background region is formed.In cases where only one area makes up the region approximately corresponding to the background region in the binary image, a picture element, which corresponds to the image signal value closest to the threshold value among at least some of the picture elements constituting an edge of the binary image in the region approximately corresponding to the object image, is set as another area making up part of the region approximately corresponding to the background region. Thereby two areas separated by the region approximately corresponding to the object image are formed.

Abstract: An image reading method and apparatus includes detecting an optimal position of a slot of a light intercepting plate by reading an output level from a light sensor which receives light passing through the slit, moving the light intercepting plate to an optimal slit position in accordance with the read output level, and correcting any deviations in a scanning direction based on the amount the light intercepting plate is moved.

Abstract: A technique of characterizing histograms using unique serial code words for discrimination between look alike acceptable and unacceptable items. The histogram is processed by normalizing the captured histogram image pixels preferably to the largest pixel size image normally encountered. Thereafter the histogram is attributed. The preferred embodiment related to a gray scale histogram (as distinguished from a histogram relating to area, length, width, perimeter, or aspect ratio) and successively attributes each histogram into peak location, range of histogram, peak value, right of peak value, and a selected gray scale count. For each attribute, an arbitrary range of codes is generated to break the classification of each attribute into manageable two-digit code categories. These two-digit code categories are typically written to a serial look-up table opposite the actual histogram value and extracted from the look-up table in real time to create two-digit code words.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image reading apparatus capable of preparing unsharp mask data from an image with a simple structure. For this purpose there is employed a first line sensor with plural photoelectric converting elements, and a second line sensor with larger photoelectric converting elements of a greater length, both being arranged parallel and desired data being obtained by processing the signal from these sensors.

Abstract: A laser pattern inspection and/or writing system which writes or inspects a pattern on a target on a stage, by raster scanning the target pixels. Inspection can also be done by substage illumination with non-laser light. A database, organized into frames and strips, represents an ideal pattern as one or more polygons. Each polygon's data description is contained within a single data frame. The database is transformed into a turnpoint polygon representation, then a left and right vector representation, then an addressed pixel representation, then a bit-mapped representation of the entire target. Most of the transformations are carried out in parallel pipelines. Guardbands around polygon sides are used for error filtering during inspection. Guardbands are polygons, and frames containing only guardband information are sent down dedicated pipelines. Error filtering also is done at the time of pixel comparisons of ideal with real patterns, and subsequently during defect area consolidation.

Abstract: A laser pattern inspection and/or writing system which writes or inspects a pattern on a target on a stage, by raster scanning the target pixels. Inspection can also be done by substage illumination with non-laser light. A database, organized into frames and strips, represents an ideal pattern as one or more polygons. Each polygon's data description is contained within a single data frame. The database is transformed into a turnpoint polygon representation, then a left and right vector representation, then an addressed pixel representation, then a bit-mapped representation of the entire target. Most of the transformations are carried out in parallel pipelines. Guardbands around polygon sides are used for error filtering during inspection. Guardbands are polygons, and frames containing only guardband information are sent down dedicated pipelines. Error filtering also is done at the time of pixel comparisons of ideal with real patterns, and subsequently during defect area consolidation.

Abstract: A robotic vision, optical correlation system which optically compares an input image with optical information stored in a multiple array of matched filters to provide identification and aspect information about the input image. The input image is incident upon a spatial light modulator, and the input image spatially modulates a coherent beam of radiation. A multiple holographic lens has the spatially modulated radiation beam incident thereon, and performs a multiple number of Fourier transformations thereon to obtain an array of a multiple set of Fourier transforms of the spatially modulated radiation beam. The array of matched filters has the array of Fourier transforms incident thereon, and each matched filter comprises a Fourier transform hologram of an aspect view of an object of interest.

Abstract: A method of identifying an object from a digitized image is disclosed. One embodiment of the method is particularly applicable to the classification of ships and a second embodiment is particularly applicable to the classification of aircraft. The digitized image of an unknown object is represented as a set of vertical vectors or, in the second embodiment, a set of radial vectors. The vectors are normalized and then compared to a library containing normalized digitized images of known objects. The unknown object is thereby identified as being similar to the known object corresponding to the library image most closely matching the image of the unknown object.