Patents by Inventor Jan W. Amtrup

Jan W. Amtrup has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9584729
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for capturing and analyzing image data, preferably video data, are disclosed. The inventive concepts include using multiple frames of image data to generate a composite image, where the composite image may be characterized by a higher resolution than one or more of the individual frames used to generate the composite image, and/or absence of a blurred region present in one or more of the individual frames. Inventive techniques also include determining a minimum capture resolution appropriate for capturing images of particular objects for downstream processing, and optionally triggering generation of a composite image having sufficient resolution to facilitate the downstream processing in response to detecting one or more frames of image data are characterized by a resolution, and/or a region having a resolution, less than the minimum capture resolution appropriate for capturing images of those particular objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kofax, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan W. Amtrup, Jiyong Ma, Anthony Macciola
  • Patent number: 9576272
    Abstract: In one approach, a method includes: capturing an image of a document using a camera of a mobile device; performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the image of the document; extracting data of interest from the image based at least in part on the OCR; and validating the extracted data of interest against reference information stored on the mobile device. In another embodiment, a method includes: capturing an image of a document using a camera of a mobile device; performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the image of the document; extracting data of interest from the image based at least in part on the OCR; and validating authenticity of the document based on comparing some or all of the extracted data of interest to reference information stored on the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kofax, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Macciola, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Publication number: 20170024629
    Abstract: Techniques for improved binarization and extraction of information from digital image data are disclosed in accordance with various embodiments. The inventive concepts include independently binarizing portions of the image data on the basis of individual features, e.g. per connected component, and using multiple different binarization thresholds to obtain the best possible binarization result for each portion of the image data independently binarized. Determining the quality of each binarization result may be based on attempted recognition and/or extraction of information therefrom. Independently binarized portions may be assembled into a contiguous result. In one embodiment, a method includes: identifying a region of interest within a digital image; generating a plurality of binarized images based on the region of interest using different binarization thresholds; and extracting data from some or all of the plurality of binarized images. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher W. Thrasher, Alexander Shustorovich, Stephen Michael Thompson, Jan W. Amtrup, Anthony Macciola
  • Publication number: 20160350592
    Abstract: Systems, computer program products, and techniques for reconstructing objects depicted in digital image data within a three-dimensional space are disclosed, according to various exemplary embodiments. The inventive concepts uniquely utilize internal features to accomplish reconstruction, thereby avoiding reliance on reconstructing objects based on information derived from location of edges. The inventive concepts thus provide an improvement over conventional object reconstruction since objects may be reconstructed even when edges are obscured or not depicted in the digital image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Jiyong Ma, Stephen Michael Thompson, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Publication number: 20160328667
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for performing workflows using a mobile device, without requiring tactile input from the user. The workflow is thus “touchless” and may utilize input preferably including optical data and/or audio data. Tactile input may be optionally provided in some embodiments, but the workflow is configured to be performed without any tactile input. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for performing a touchless mobile workflow includes: invoking a mobile application using a mobile device; receiving auditory input via the mobile device; and performing a business workflow via the mobile application based on the auditory input. Corresponding systems and computer program product embodiments configured for touchless mobile workflows are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony Macciola, Jan W. Amtrup, Jiyong Ma
  • Publication number: 20160328610
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes: capturing an image of a document using a camera of a mobile device; performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the image of the document; extracting an identifier of the document from the image based at least in part on the OCR; comparing the identifier with content from one or more reference data sources, wherein the content from the one or more reference data sources comprises global address information; and determining whether the identifier is valid based at least in part on the comparison. The method may optionally include normalizing the extracted identifier, retrieving additional geographic information, correcting OCR errors, etc. based on comparing extracted information with reference content. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Thompson, Jan W. Amtrup, Anthony Macciola
  • Patent number: 9483794
    Abstract: A method includes: capturing or receiving at least one image of one or more identity documents (IDs) using a mobile device; determining identifying information from one or more of the IDs; building an ID profile based on the identifying information; storing the ID profile to a memory of the mobile device; invoking a workflow configured to facilitate a business transaction; detecting a predetermined stimulus in the workflow, the stimulus relating to the business transaction; providing at least a portion of the ID profile to the workflow in response to detecting the predetermined stimulus; and driving at least a portion of the workflow using the provided portion of the ID profile. Related systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Kofax, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan W. Amtrup, Steven Kilby, Anthony Macciola
  • Publication number: 20160307045
    Abstract: Techniques for capturing long document images and generating composite images therefrom include: detecting a document depicted in image data; tracking a position of the detected document within the image data; selecting a plurality of images, wherein the selection is based at least in part on the tracked position of the detected document; and generating a composite image based on at least one of the selected plurality of images. The tracking and selection are optionally but preferably based in whole or in part on motion vectors estimated at least partially based on analyzing image data such as test and reference frames within the captured video data/images. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jiyong Ma, Anthony Macciola, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Publication number: 20160259973
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a digital image captured by a mobile device; and using a processor of the mobile device: generating a first representation of the digital image, the first representation being characterized by a reduced resolution; generating a first feature vector based on the first representation; comparing the first feature vector to a plurality of reference feature matrices; classifying an object depicted in the digital image as a member of a particular object class based at least in part on the comparing; and determining one or more object features of the object based at least in part on the particular object class. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Jan W. Amtrup, Anthony Macciola, Steve Thompson, Jiyong Ma, Alexander Shustorovich, Christopher W. Thrasher
  • Publication number: 20160259974
    Abstract: A method includes: displaying a digital image on a first portion of a display of a mobile device; receiving user feedback via the display of the mobile device; analyzing the user feedback to determine a meaning of the user feedback; based on the determined meaning of the user feedback, analyzing a portion of the digital image corresponding to either the point of interest or the region of interest to detect one or more connected components depicted within the portion of the digital image; classifying each detected connected component depicted within the portion of the digital image; estimating an identity of each detected connected component based on the classification of the detected connected component; and one or more of: displaying the identity of each detected connected component on a second portion of the display of the mobile device; and providing the identity of each detected connected component to a workflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony Macciola, Alexander Shustorovich, Christopher W. Thrasher, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Publication number: 20160232149
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for smart, automated capture of textual information using optical sensors of a mobile device are disclosed. The capture and provision is context-aware, and determines context of the optical input, and invokes a contextually-appropriate workflow based thereon. The techniques also provide capability to normalize, correct, and/or validate the captured optical input and provide the corrected, normalized, validated, etc. information to the contextually-appropriate workflow. Other information necessary by the workflow and available to the mobile device optical sensors may also be captured and provided, in a single automatic process. As a result, the overall process of capturing information from optical input using a mobile device, invoking an appropriate workflow, and providing captured information to the workflow is significantly simplified and improved in terms of accuracy of data transfer/entry, speed and efficiency of workflows, and user experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony Macciola, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Patent number: 9386235
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed and include: initiating a capture operation using an image capture component of the mobile device, the capture operation comprising; capturing video data; and estimating a plurality of motion vectors corresponding to motion of the image capture component during the capture operation. The systems, techniques, and computer program products also include detecting a document depicted in the video data; tracking a position of the detected document throughout the video data; selecting a plurality of images using the image capture component of the mobile device, wherein the selection is based at least in part on: the tracked position of the detected document; and the estimated motion vectors; and generating a composite image based on at least some of the selected plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kofax, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiyong Ma, Anthony Macciola, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Patent number: 9378268
    Abstract: A method is provided for organizing data sets. In use, an automatic decision system is created or updated for determining whether data elements fit a predefined organization or not, where the decision system is based on a set of preorganized data elements. A plurality of data elements is organized using the decision system. At least one organized data element is selected for output to a user based on a score or confidence from the decision system for the at least one organized data element. Additionally, at least a portion of the at least one organized data element is output to the user. A response is received from the user comprising at least one of a confirmation, modification, and a negation of the organization of the at least one organized data element. The automatic decision system is recreated or updated based on the user response. Other embodiments are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Kofax, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauritius A. R. Schmidtler, Jan W. Amtrup, Stephen Michael Thompson, Anthony Sarah
  • Publication number: 20160171603
    Abstract: A method includes: receiving or capturing an image comprising an identity document (ID) using a mobile device; classifying the ID; analyzing the ID based at least in part on the ID classification; determining at least some identifying information from the ID; at least one of building an ID profile and updating the ID profile, based at least in part on the analysis; providing at least one of the ID and the ID classification to a loan application workflow and/or a new financial account workflow; and driving at least a portion of the workflow based at least in part on the ID and the ID classification. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Jan W. Amtrup, Steven Kilby, Anthony Macciola
  • Patent number: 9349046
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for smart, automated capture of textual information using optical sensors of a mobile device are disclosed. The textual information is provided to a mobile application or workflow without requiring the user to manually enter or transfer the data without requiring user intervention such as a copy/paste operation. The capture and provision context-aware, and can normalize or validate the captured textual information prior to entry in the workflow or mobile application. Other information necessary by the workflow and available to the mobile device optical sensors may also be captured and provided, in a single automatic process. As a result, the overall process of capturing information from optical input using a mobile device is significantly simplified and improved in terms of accuracy of data transfer/entry, speed and efficiency of workflows, and user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Kofax, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Macciola, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Patent number: 9342741
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes: capturing an image of a financial document using a camera of a mobile device; performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the image of the financial document; extracting an identifier of the financial document from the image based at least in part on the OCR; associating the image of the financial document with metadata descriptive of one or more of the financial document and financial information relating to the financial document; and storing the image of the financial document and the associated metadata to a memory of the mobile device. Exemplary systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Kofax, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan W. Amtrup, Stephen Michael Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160125613
    Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting, estimating, calculating, etc. characteristics of a document based on reference objects depicted on the document are disclosed. In one approach, a computer-implemented method for processing a digital image depicting a document includes analyzing the digital image to determine one or more of a presence and a location of one or more reference objects; determining one or more geometric characteristics of at least one of the reference objects; defining one or more region(s) of interest based at least in part on one or more of the determined geometric characteristics; and detecting a presence or an absence of an edge of the document within each defined region of interest. Additional embodiments leverage the type of document depicted in the image, multiple frames of image data, and/or calculate or extrapolate document edges rather than locating edges in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Alexander Shustorovich, Christopher W. Thrasher, Jiyong Ma, Anthony Macciola, Jan W. Amtrup
  • Publication number: 20160112645
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for capturing and analyzing image data, preferably video data, are disclosed. The inventive concepts include using multiple frames of image data to generate a composite image, where the composite image may be characterized by a higher resolution than one or more of the individual frames used to generate the composite image, and/or absence of a blurred region present in one or more of the individual frames. Inventive techniques also include determining a minimum capture resolution appropriate for capturing images of particular objects for downstream processing, and optionally triggering generation of a composite image having sufficient resolution to facilitate the downstream processing in response to detecting one or more frames of image data are characterized by a resolution, and/or a region having a resolution, less than the minimum capture resolution appropriate for capturing images of those particular objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jan W. Amtrup, Jiyong Ma, Anthony Macciola
  • Patent number: 9311531
    Abstract: A method includes receiving or capturing a digital image using a mobile device, and using a processor of the mobile device to: determine whether an object depicted in the digital image belongs to a particular object class among a plurality of object classes; determine one or more object features of the object based at least in part on the particular object class at least partially in response to determining the object belongs to the particular object class; build or select an extraction model based at least in part on the one or more determined object features; and extract data from the digital image using the extraction model. The extraction model excludes, and/or the extraction process does not utilize, optical character recognition (OCR) techniques. Related systems and computer program products are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Kofax, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan W. Amtrup, Anthony Macciola, Stephen Michael Thompson, Jiyong Ma
  • Publication number: 20160055395
    Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and computer program products for determining distance between an object and a capture device are disclosed. The distance determination techniques are based on image data captured by the capture device, where the image data represent the object. These techniques improve the function of capture devices such as mobile phones by enabling determination of distance using a single lens capture device, and based on intrinsic parameters of the capture device, such as focal length and scaling factor(s), in preferred approaches. In some approaches, the distance estimation may be based in part on a priori knowledge regarding size of the object represented in the image data. Distance determination may be based on a homography transform and/or reference image data representing the object, a same type or similar type of object, in more approaches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: KOFAX, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Macciola, Jiyong Ma, Alexander Shustorovich, Christopher Thrasher, Jan W. Amtrup