Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and apparatus for calculating a by spot occupancy of a parking lot are disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving an indication of a triggering event, sending a query to receive a first image and a second image in response to the triggering event, receiving the first image and the second image, analyzing the first image and the second image to determine a change in an occupancy status of a parking spot within the parking lot and calculating the by spot occupancy of the parking lot based on the change in the occupancy status of the parking spot.

Abstract: A method uses a sparse test pattern to identify a spatial relationship between a printhead and an image receiving surface in a printer. The method includes operating a plurality of ejectors in the printhead to form a printed marks on the image receiving surface, generating image data of the test pattern, and applying a predetermined disjoint template to the image data to identify a location of the printed marks. The disjoint template matching process improves the accuracy of identifying the printed marks in noisy image data and for sparse test patterns.

Abstract: A printer uses closed loop control to keep material drops ejected by a printhead within a predetermined range. The printer forms at least two objects on a support member and then operates a specular sensor array to obtain image data of the two objects on the support member. The two objects have different predetermined heights to enable a controller in the printer to identify the mass or volume of the material drops forming the objects to adjust operational parameters of the printer to maintain the mass or volume of the material drops in the predetermined range.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing video-based tracking of an object of interest are provided. A video of a regularized motion environment that comprise multiple video frames is acquired and an initial instance of an object of interest in one of the frames is then detected. An expected size and orientation of the object of interest as a function of the location of the object is then determined. The location of the object of interest is then determined in a next subsequent frame using the expected size and orientation of the object of interest.

Abstract: A method of operating a three-dimensional object printer includes generation of a printed predetermined test pattern on a substrate in the printer with a plurality of ejectors in a printhead. An image sensor generates image data of the printed test pattern and a controller identifies a z-axis distance between the printhead and the substrate that receives the test pattern with reference to an identified dispersion between cross-process direction distances separating printed marks in the test pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tag recognition in captured images. A candidate region can be localized from regions of interest with respect to a tag and a tag number shown in the regions of interest within a side image of a vehicle. A number of confidence levels can then be calculated with respect to each digit recognized as a result of an optical character recognition operation performed with respect to the tag number. Optimal candidates within the candidate region can be determined for the tag number based on individual character confidence levels among the confidence levels. Optimal candidates from a pool of valid tag numbers can then be validated using prior appearance probabilities and data returned, which is indicative of the most probable tag to be detected to improve image recognition accuracy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tag recognition in captured images. A candidate region can be localized from regions of interest with respect to a tag and a tag number shown in the regions of interest within a side image of a vehicle. A number of confidence levels can then be calculated with respect to each digit recognized as a result of an optical character recognition operation performed with respect to the tag number. Optimal candidates within the candidate region can be determined for the tag number based on individual character confidence levels among the confidence levels. Optimal candidates from a pool of valid tag numbers can then be validated using prior appearance probabilities and data returned, which is indicative of the most probable tag to be detected to improve image recognition accuracy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for localizing numbers and characters in captured images. A side image of a vehicle captured by one or more cameras can be preprocessed to determine a region of interest. A confidence value of series of windows within regions of interest of different sizes and aspect ratios containing a structure of interest can be calculated. Highest confidence candidate regions can then be identified with respect to the regions of interest and at least one region adjacent to the highest confidence candidate regions. An OCR operation can then be performed in the adjacent region. An identifier can then be returned from the adjacent region in order to localize numbers and characters in the side image of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying perpetrators of ATM fraud. A subscription fee is collected for defined services for collecting, processing, and analyzing facial data. Facial data is acquired from a person conducting a transaction with an automated transaction system having a camera device. The facial data is linked to a transaction identifier including at least time and location associated with the transaction. The facial data and the transaction identifier are stored in a centralized repository. Upon request from an authorized subscriber to identify the person based on the transaction identifier, because the transaction is deemed fraudulent, the facial data associated with the transaction identifier is compared to facial profiles obtained from private, public, and law enforcement databases. Potential identity matches are generated based on the facial profiles. The potential identity matches are output to the authorized subscriber for further prosecutorial and/or investigative actions.

Abstract: A printer compensates for printing errors occurring during production of the layers for the formation of an object in a three-dimensional printer. The printer includes an optical sensor that generates data corresponding to edges of each layer of the object after each layer is printed. Differences between the raster data used to eject the material to form a layer and the data received from the optical sensor are used to modify the raster data that operates a printhead to form a next layer in the object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer ejects drops of a build material from a plurality of ejectors in a first printhead to form an object on a first region of a member and ejects drops of a support material from a plurality of ejectors in a second printhead to support the object on the first region of the member. The second printhead ejects drops of the support material onto a second region of the member that is separate from the first region to form a substrate layer. The first printhead ejects drops of the build material onto the substrate layer to form a printed test pattern. An image sensor generates image data of the printed test pattern to identify an inoperable ejector in the first printhead.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for calculating a transaction quality score of a merchant are disclosed. For example, the method analyzes fraudulent transaction data in a fraudulent transaction data table for each one of a plurality of merchants, calculates a transaction quality score for the each one of the plurality of merchants based on the fraudulent transaction data, filters the plurality of merchants having a respective transaction quality score above a threshold and transmits the plurality of merchants having the respective transaction quality score above the threshold for display.

Abstract: Methods and systems print test patterns in different test pattern areas on print media using a printer to produce a printed item. The printer has a printing width in a cross-process direction, and each of the test pattern areas is in a different cross-process location of the printing width. The test pattern areas are distributed across the entire printing width, and each of the test pattern areas partially overlaps at least one other test pattern area in the cross-process direction. Next, these methods and systems individually scan the sections of the printed item using a scanner that has a scanning width that is less than the printing width. This produces individual scans of the test pattern areas. The widths of the test pattern areas are equal to or less than the scanning width. Then, these methods and systems can calibrate cross-process characteristics of the printer based on the scans.

Abstract: Methods and systems print test patterns in different test pattern areas on print media using a printer to produce a printed item. The printer has a printing width in a cross-process direction, and each of the test pattern areas is in a different cross-process location of the printing width. The test pattern areas are distributed across the entire printing width, and each of the test pattern areas partially overlaps at least one other test pattern area in the cross-process direction. Next, these methods and systems individually scan the sections of the printed item using a scanner that has a scanning width that is less than the printing width. This produces individual scans of the test pattern areas. The widths of the test pattern areas are equal to or less than the scanning width. Then, these methods and systems can calibrate cross-process characteristics of the printer based on the scans.

Abstract: A method of generating a test pattern for use in identification of a z-axis distance between a printhead and a substrate in a three-dimensional object printer includes forming a first predetermined test pattern on a substrate with the printhead and generating image data of the first test pattern. The method further includes identifying cross-process direction offsets of marks in the image data of the first test pattern and generating second test pattern data for the printhead using only a portion of the ejectors in the printhead and not including a mark from at least one ejector in the printhead with a cross-process direction offset that is less than another cross-process direction offset of at least one ejector in the portion of the ejectors.

Abstract: A printer compensates for printing errors occurring during production of the layers for the formation of an object in a three-dimensional printer. The printer includes an optical sensor that generates data corresponding to edges of each layer of the object after each layer is printed. Differences between the raster data used to eject the material to form a layer and the data received from the optical sensor are used to modify the raster data that operates a printhead to form a next layer in the object.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for verifying a validity of a communication from a fraud detection service are disclosed. For example, the method receives the communication from the fraud detection service indicating that a credit card number is associated with potentially fraudulent activity, provides a personal identification to the fraud detection service via a secured connection to request a confirmation that the communication is from the fraud detection service, wherein the personal identification is used to identify the credit card number and receives the confirmation that the communication is valid and was sent from the fraud detection service based upon a verification performed by the fraud detection service that compares the credit card number to a database containing a plurality of credit card numbers that are flagged for potentially fraudulent activity.

Abstract: An inkjet printer forms low and high area coverage test patterns using inkjets in a printhead. The printer identifies process direction offsets for the inkjets in both test patterns using scanned image data of the printed test patterns. The printer identifies a level of cross-talk in the printhead with reference to a standard deviation difference between the process direction offsets identified in the low area coverage and high area coverage test patterns. The printer generates a recommendation for an operational configuration of the printhead based on the identified level of cross-talk.

Abstract: There is described a method of operating an aqueous ink jet printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a member defining a reflective imaging surface wherein the imaging surface is substantially white or grey in the visible spectrum and wherein the imaging surface has an optical density variation of less than about 0.3. The method includes a photosensor array disposed to receive light reflected from the reflective imaging surface. The method includes ejecting aqueous ink onto the reflective imaging surface using a printhead and forming aqueous ink drops on the surface of the rotating member. The method includes generating image data from the reflecting imaging surface using the photosensor array.

Abstract: An inkjet printer forms low and high area coverage test patterns using inkjets in a printhead. The printer identifies process direction offsets for the inkjets in both test patterns using scanned image data of the printed test patterns. The printer identifies a level of cross-talk in the printhead with reference to a standard deviation difference between the process direction offsets identified in the low area coverage and high area coverage test patterns. The printer generates a recommendation for an operational configuration of the printhead based on the identified level of cross-talk.