Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic document classification using text and images. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatic document classification based on text and image. A new document is analyzed based on textual content as well as visual appearance. The new document is automatically stored in one or more mirror directories in which the new document would most likely be stored by the user of the device if the new document were placed manually. Determination of the most likely directories is based on an analysis of multiple documents stored by the user in various directories. The mirror directories are components of a mirror directory structure, which is a copy of a pre-existing directory structure, such as the user's hard drive. By storing the new document automatically, the user is relieved of the duty of manually selecting a directory for the new document.

Abstract: A system and method for handling duplex documents by exploiting bleed-through of the image on the back side of a document. The images of the back sides and front sides of documents are associated with one another to assure correct output in copying, faxing, scanning, etc. This increases reliability, eases recovery from errors including paper jams. Improved document handling capabilities also include avoiding twice duplicated and skipped pages and correcting page orientation errors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting proper page orientation of a scanned document image. The document is subdivided into a series of word boxes. The number of ascending and descending text characters within the word can then be compared with the number expected for a properly oriented document to verify page orientation.

Abstract: Document query and search techniques in which documents to be searched are “decomposed” into “zones,” with each zone representing a grouping of text or graphical image or a combination thereof. The zones are defined within, and associated with a document page. One or more zones in the documents are selected for annotation with text (e.g., keywords), image features, or a combination of both. Document query and search are based on a combination of text annotations and image features. In one implementation for operating a document retrieval system, an unindexed (also referred to as a “query” or “search key”) document is captured into electronic form and decomposed into a number of zones. The zones can be segmented into text zones and image zones. Descriptors are formed for at least one of the zones. The descriptors can include text annotations for text zones, and text annotations and image features for image zones.

Abstract: A system and method for handling duplex documents by exploiting bleed-through of the image on the back side of a document. The images of the back sides and front sides of documents are associated with one another to assure correct output in copying, faxing, scanning, etc. This increases reliability, eases recovery from errors including paper jams. Improved document handling capabilities also include avoiding twice duplicated and skipped pages and correcting page orientation errors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic document classification using text and images. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatic document classification based on text and image. A new document is analyzed based on textual content as well as visual appearance. The new document is automatically stored in one or more mirror directories in which the new document would most likely be stored by the user of the device if the new document were placed manually. Determination of the most likely directories is based on an analysis of multiple documents stored by the user in various directories. The mirror directories are components of a mirror directory structure, which is a copy of a pre-existing directory structure, such as the user's hard drive. By storing the new document automatically, the user is relieved of the duty of manually selecting a directory for the new document.

Abstract: A system and method for handling duplex documents by exploiting bleed-through of the image on the back side of a document. The images of the back sides and front sides of documents are associated with one another to assure correct output in copying, faxing, scanning, etc. This increases reliability, eases recovery from errors including paper jams. Improved document handling capabilities also include avoiding twice duplicated and skipped pages and correcting page orientation errors.

Abstract: A set of image feature extraction techniques to locate and group documents based upon appearance in a database management system. The system automatically determines visual characteristics of document images and collects documents together according to the relative similarity of their document images. The system is operable on both binary and grayscale images.

Abstract: An interactive database organization and searching system employs text search and image feature extraction to automatically group documents together by appearance. The system automatically determines visual characteristics of document images and collect documents together according to the relative similarity of their document images.

Abstract: In a character recognition system, a method and apparatus for correcting the skew of a document image. Skew correction is typically performed during segmentation of the document image into text and non-text parts. Skew correction generally involves skew angle determination and correction of the document image based on the skew angle. A skew angle is determined through the steps of: providing a set of associated rectangles representing the document image, identifying a column edge associated with the set of associated rectangles, comparing rectangles from the set of associated rectangles to identify those that are in the same column and suitably far apart, calculating a tangential angle between the rectangles identified and identifying the most common tangential angle as the skew angle.

Abstract: A portable image transfer system includes a digital still camera which captures images in digital form and stores the images in a camera memory, a cellular telephone transmitter, and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU controls the camera memory to cause it to output data representing an image and the CPU controls the cellular telephone transmitter to cause a cellular telephone to transmit the data received from the camera memory. A receiving station is coupled to the cellular telephone transmitter by a cellular network to receive image data and store the images.

Abstract: A system for manipulating image fragments so that image processing devices such as copiers, fax machines and scanners may efficiently process oversize images. The system provides a user interface so that when an oversize image is scanned in multiple parts to produce multiple image fragments the user can manipulate the image fragments by performing drag, drop and merge operations on the image fragments. Embodiments of the invention include the use of a touch screen or mouse to allow the user to perform the operations. Other operations are selectable such as rotating an image fragment, zooming in or out on portions of the displayed fragments, merging the fragments into an integrated image and storing or printing the image fragments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding whitespace between lines of text in a document image. The method and apparatus preserves the text size and relative spatial orientation within text areas.

Abstract: In a character recognition system, a method and apparatus for segmenting a document image into areas containing text and non-text. Document segmentation in the present invention is comprised generally of the steps of: providing a bit-mapped representation of the document image, extracting run lengths for each scanline from the bit-mapped representation of the document image; constructing rectangles from the run lengths; initially classifying each of the rectangles as either text or non-text; correcting for the skew in the rectangles; merging associated text into one or more text blocks; and logically ordering the text blocks.

Abstract: In a character recognition system, a method and apparatus for correcting the skew of a document image. Skew correction is typically performed during segmentation of the document image into text and non-text parts. Skew correction generally involves skew angle determination and correction of the document image based on the skew angle. A skew angle is determined through the steps of: providing a set of associated rectangles representing the document image, identifying a column edge associated with the set of associated rectangles, comparing rectangles from the set of associated rectangles to identify those that are in the same column and suitably far apart, calculating a tangential angle between the rectangles identified and identifying the most common tangential angle as the skew angle.

Abstract: In a character recognition system, a method and apparatus for segmenting a document image into areas containing text and non-text. Document segmentation in the present invention is comprised generally of the steps of: providing a bit-mapped representation of the document image, extracting run lengths for each scanline from the bit-mapped representation of the document image; constructing rectangles from the run lengths; initially classifying each of the rectangles as either text or non-text; correcting for the skew in the rectangles; merging associated text into one or more text blocks; and logically ordering the text blocks.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved display package comprising a first body member having a top wall, a cylindrically shaped side wall and a circumferential shoulder member extending outwardly from the terminus of the side wall and a second body member having a top wall, a cylindrically shaped side wall and a circumferential shoulder member extending outwardly from the terminus of the side wall. First body member and the second body member are cooperatively engageable through the use of snap means located on each respective circumferential shoulder member.

Abstract: A portable image transfer system includes a digital still camera which captures images in digital form and stores the images in a camera memory, a cellular telephone transmitter, and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU controls the camera memory to cause it to output data representing an image and the CPU controls the cellular telephone transmitter to cause a cellular telephone to transmit the data received from the camera memory. A receiving station is coupled to the cellular telephone transmitter by a cellular network to receive image data and store the images.