Abstract: A document scanner (10) includes an input tray (20) for holding documents (11); an input image capture device (30) for capturing images of documents in the input tray; an image processor for determining characteristics of documents; and the documents are processed based on the characteristics.

Abstract: A method of determining document characteristics prior to processing the document in a document scanner (10) includes capturing an input image of documents in an input tray (20); transmitting the images to a processor (65); determining characteristics of the documents; and processing the document based on the characteristics.

Abstract: A method for obtaining bitonal image data from a document obtains scanned color image data from at least two color channels and identifies, in the scanned color image data, at least one region of interest (R1) containing foreground content and background content. At least one threshold data value is obtained according to an image attribute that differs between the foreground content and the background content within the region of interest (R1). The scanned color image data of the document is converted to bitonal image data according to the at least one threshold data value obtained from the region of interest (R1).

Abstract: A method of fault isolation comprises the steps of attaching a probe to at least one pin of each sub-circuit (32-38) of the digital electronic device (10). A predefined stimulus (20) is sent to the digital electronic device and a transmission from 0 to 1 is counted for each of the probes to obtain a first sum. A transition from 1 to 0 is counted for each of the probes to obtain a second sum. The first and second sum are then compared to a predetermined criteria and a subset of the sub-circuits, which fail to meet the predetermined criteria, is determined. From the subset a sub-circuit is identified, which failed to meet the predetermined criteria and which is closest in signal progression to the predefined stimulus (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitally synchronizing data units received from multiple asynchronous data sources which includes storing the data necessary to compensate for phase and frequency differences between the independently clocked asynchronous sources. The method includes the step of comparing the input queues for each of said data streams against a set of known threshold conditions, and generating the composite output upon satisfaction of the threshold conditions. This method allows data from asynchronous data sources to be properly interleaved without implementation of complex phase or frequency compensation techniques, and without a large amount of data storage for buffering the input data. Furthermore, in its preferred embodiment, this invention allows the implementation of a fixed rate output clock, which greatly simplifies the design over the prior art.

Abstract: A duplex document scanner for processing multiplexed images with a single data path is disclosed. A document transport (131) moves documents past a first image acquisition system (81) and second image acquisition system (82). The first digital image is transferred to a datastore (89) and the second digital image is transferred to a datastore (90). The images are merged into a composite image.

Abstract: The present method and apparatus can be used to detect dot-matrix printed text in a binary digital image and create a filter mask indicating the locations of dot-matrix printed text in the digital image. The serial image data output of the scanning device can be processed at the full data rate of said scanning device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for locating dot-matrix printed text in a digital image and filtering only those regions determined to contain dot-matrix printed text. The apparatus incorporates a detection algorithm with a digital filter. The system detects dot-matrix printed text and selectively turns the filter on or off within regions of the digital image, thereby improving read rates of dot-matrix printed text while not affecting read rates of higher quality machine printed text.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating discontinuities inherent to binary digital image data when hard copy text is generated by a dot-matrix printer. An M.times.M matrix is moved over a bit-mapped image of said text one pixel at a time, and for each pixel position, pixels are selectively converted from white to black based on a predetermined set of rules.