Abstract: A computer implemented method for optical character recognition (OCR) of a character string in a text image. The method efficiently combines two different OCR engines with the computation that needs to be done by the second OCR engine depending on the results found by the first OCR engine. This method provides, in particular, a high speed and accurate results when the first OCR engine is fast and the second OCR engine is accurate. The combination is possible because the second OCR engine identifies each segment to be processed by the second OCR engine without needing to process all segments.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for optical character recognition (OCR) of a character string in a text image. The method efficiently combines two different OCR engines with the computation that needs to be done by the second OCR engine depending on the results found by the first OCR engine. This method provides, in particular, a high speed and accurate results when the first OCR engine is fast and the second OCR engine is accurate. The combination is possible because the second OCR engine identifies each segment to be processed by the second OCR engine without needing to process all segments.

Abstract: An ironing appliance including a steam distribution circuit having at least one filter designed to retain lime scale particles transported by the steam flow, wherein it includes a lime scale disposal orifice that communicates with a portion of the steam distribution circuit located upstream of the filter and that said filter is fixedly mounted in the appliance or is removable via an orifice separate from the lime scale disposal orifice.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combining a first Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and a second OCR. The first OCR is run first on an image of string of characters. Its output (first identified characters, positions of the characters and likelihood parameters of the characters) is used to generate a first graph. Segmentation points related to the positions of the first identified characters are used as input by the second OCR performing a combined segmentation and classification on the image of string of characters. The output (second identified characters, positions of the characters and likelihood parameters of the characters) of the second OCR is used to update the first graph to generate a second graph that combines the output of the first OCR with the output of the second OCR. Decision models are then used to modify the weights of paths in the second graph to generate a third graph.

Abstract: The optical character recognition method applies a first OCR engine to provide an identification of characters of at least a first type of characters and zones of at least a second type of characters in the character string image. A second OCR engine is applied on the zones of the at least second type of characters to provide an identification of characters of a second type of characters. The characters identified by the first OCR engine and by the second OCR engine are in a further step combined to obtain the identification of the characters of the character string image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combining a first Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and a second OCR. The first OCR is run first on an image of string of characters. Its output (first identified characters, positions of the characters and likelihood parameters of the characters) is used to generate a first graph. Segmentation points related to the positions of the first identified characters are used as input by the second OCR performing a combined segmentation and classification on the image of string of characters. The output (second identified characters, positions of the characters and likelihood parameters of the characters) of the second OCR is used to update the first graph to generate a second graph that combines the output of the first OCR with the output of the second OCR. Decision models are then used to modify the weights of paths in the second graph to generate a third graph.

Abstract: Iron containing a steam generator connected to steam outlet holes by a steam conduit with at least one filter for retaining mineral particles carried by the steam, wherein the steam conduit has a mineral deposit collection cavity with a mineral deposit removal orifice closed by a detachable plug that is accessible from outside the iron, and wherein the filter can be detached from the iron through the mineral deposit removal orifice.

Abstract: An ironing appliance including a steam distribution circuit having at least one filter designed to retain lime scale particles transported by the steam flow, wherein it includes a lime scale disposal orifice that communicates with a portion of the steam distribution circuit located upstream of the filter and that said filter is fixedly mounted in the appliance or is removable via an orifice separate from the lime scale disposal orifice.

Abstract: A method for identifying a pattern in an image. In a first step the image is normalized to a binary matrix. A binary vector is subsequently generated from the binary matrix. The binary vector is filtered with a sparse matrix to a feature vector using a matrix vector multiplication wherein the matrix vector multiplication determines the values of the feature vector by applying program steps which are the result of transforming the sparse matrix in program steps including conditions on the values of the binary vector. Lastly, from the feature vector, a density of probability for a predetermined list of models is generated to identify the pattern in the image.

Abstract: The optical character recognition method applies a first OCR engine to provide an identification of characters of at least a first type of characters and zones of at least a second type of characters in the character string image. A second OCR engine is applied on the zones of the at least second type of characters to provide an identification of characters of a second type of characters. The characters identified by the first OCR engine and by the second OCR engine are in a further step combined to obtain the identification of the characters of the character string image.

Abstract: A line segmentation method which starts with determining a first starting point coordinate and generating a list of potential character widths dependent on a maximum character width stored in a database and on characteristics of the portion of the line of text corresponding to the maximum character width. The method determines a second portion of the line of text corresponding to the first starting point coordinate and the first width on the list of potential character widths. On the second portion, a classification method is applied providing a likelihood of error for the first width and a candidate character. The likelihood of error is compared with a first threshold determined by a trade-off between speed and accuracy, and if the likelihood of error corresponding to the first width is lower than the threshold value, the candidate character is selected as the character meaning that a segment is known.

Abstract: A method for identifying a pattern in an image. In a first step the image is normalized to a binary matrix. A binary vector is subsequently generated from the binary matrix. The binary vector is filtered with a sparse matrix to a feature vector using a matrix vector multiplication wherein the matrix vector multiplication determines the values of the feature vector by applying program steps which are the result of transforming the sparse matrix in program steps including conditions on the values of the binary vector.

Abstract: A line segmentation method which starts with determining a first starting point coordinate and generating a list of potential character widths dependent on a maximum character width stored in a database and on characteristics of the portion of the line of text corresponding to the maximum character width. The method determines a second portion of the line of text corresponding to the first starting point coordinate and the first width on the list of potential character widths. On the second portion, a classification method is applied providing a likelihood of error for the first width and a candidate character. The likelihood of error is compared with a first threshold determined by a trade-off between speed and accuracy, and if the likelihood of error corresponding to the first width is lower than the threshold value, the candidate character is selected as the character meaning that a segment is known.

Abstract: A pattern recognition system and method which generates a feature vector by multiplying an image vector with a sparse matrix. The sparse matrix is generated from a Gabor function which is a sinusoidal wave multiplied by a Gaussian function. The Gabor function is a function of a set of parameters including a parameter related to the direction of the sinusoidal wave, a parameter related to a center of the Gabor function, and a parameter related to a wavelength of the sinusoidal wave. The wavelength takes at least two values, with a first wavelength value lower than or substantially equal to the distance between two adjacent centers of the Gabor function, and the first wavelength value is lower than a second wavelength value and higher than or substantially equal to half the second wavelength value.

Abstract: Iron containing a steam generator connected to steam outlet holes by a steam conduit with at least one filter for retaining mineral particles carried by the steam, wherein the steam conduit has a mineral deposit collection cavity with a mineral deposit removal orifice closed by a detachable plug that is accessible from outside the iron, and wherein the filter can be detached from the iron through the mineral deposit removal orifice.