Abstract: A mobile terminal reads a read manuscript as image data. A character recognition block performs character recognition from the image data, which is read, on the basis of a threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness. A character recognition result is transmitted to a central control unit, or the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness is received from the central control unit in a threshold receiver. On the other hand, the central control unit receives the result of character recognition from the mobile terminal, or transmits the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness from a threshold transmitter to the mobile terminal. Furthermore, the central control unit controls the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness with a threshold controller.

Abstract: A method for embedding a digital watermark includes a step of inputting digital watermark information; a step of inputting an image; a step of dividing the image into a plurality of areas; a step of ordering the plurality of areas according to a predetermined ordering criterion; a step of embedding the digital watermark information over the plurality of areas that have been ordered; and a step of outputting an image with the digital watermark information embedded therein.

Abstract: Stored digital data is searched for on the basis of an input image, difference information is extracted by comparing the retrieved digital data and the input image, and the difference information is composited to the digital data. Digital data generated by composition is stored. When no digital data is retrieved, the input image is converted into vector data, and the image that has been converted into the vector data is stored as digital data. Obtained region segmentation information and an input image are composited, the composite image is displayed on an operation screen of an MFP, and a rectangular block to be vectorized is designated as a specific region from the displayed region segmentation information. A user designates the specific region by designating rectangular blocks in an image using a pointing device.

Abstract: This invention provides an image processing method which allows easy re-use of image information that is stored to minimize deterioration of image quality and the storage capacity. Storage means is searched for original digital data corresponding to each input image. If no original digital data is found, the input image is converted into vector data, and is stored as digital data in the storage means. A sheet including at least one of information associated with the found original digital data when the original digital data is found in the search step and information associated with digital data which is obtained by converting the image into the vector data in the vectorization step and is stored in the storage step when no original digital data is found in the search step is generated, thus providing a sheet that allows easy re-use.

Abstract: There are provided an image processing apparatus and image processing method which can increase the processing efficiency upon obtaining data which allows re-use and re-editing of a document such as a paper document. While image data is input, and pieces of character information included in the input image data are sequentially recognized, the pieces of character information included in the input image data are subjected to outline conversion using vector data. At this time, the character type of the pieces of recognized character information and the vector data having undergone outline conversion are managed while being associated with each other. Upon recognizing the pieces of character information, it is determined whether the character type of the pieces of character information has undergone previous outline conversion. If it is determined that the character type has undergone the previous outline conversion, the management is controlled so as to use vector data used in the previous outline conversion.

Abstract: The invention significantly improves operability by automatically discriminating a plurality of image orientations, which are not assured of always being fed in common orientations, and reduces possible burdens to operators by eliminating efforts required to arrange the images in a common orientation before feeding or to correct each orientations into a common orientation after feeding. The invention improves the operability also by enabling modes in which orientation discrimination as well as tilt corrections can be performed before operator's instructions, if the Auto mode has been specified for the orientation recognition function. The invention also improves accuracy of processing by determining whether orientations or tilt recognition is proper and providing the result to the operators.

Abstract: A plurality of binary images are obtained from one form image by binarizing the form image by using a plurality of binarizing threshold values for improving a recognition rate of the search form irrespective of a state of the inputted form image, and format data are generated respectively from the plurality of binary images. If the inputted form image is a binary image, after the binary image has been converted into a multi-valued image by a vignetting filter, a plurality of binary images are obtained from one form image by executing the binarizing processing by use of the plurality of binarizing threshold values respectively, thereby generating the format data respectively from the plurality of binary images.

Abstract: An apparatus for embedding a digital watermark in a document image detects circumscribing outer shapes of characters in the document image and sets a plurality of reference lines that extend in the column direction and are spaced apart in the row direction by a basic pitch. The outer shapes include a first outer shape, a second outer shape that neighbors the first outer shape, and a third outer shape that neighbors the second outer shape, and the reference lines include a first reference line located between the first outer shape and the second outer shape, and a second reference line located between the second outer shape and the third outer shape. Control is performed for at least one of the second and third outer shapes so that a distance between the first reference line and an edge of the second outer shape is different from a distance between the second reference line and an edge of the third outer shape, in accordance with digital watermark information to be embedded.

Abstract: Distance d1 between the right edges of A1 and B2, and distance d2 between the right edges of A3 and B4 are calculated. If data to be embedded is 1, one or a combination of a process for increasing the size of B2 in the column direction or decreasing the size of B4 in the column and a process for moving the position of B2 toward B3 or moving the position of B4 toward B3 is executed to meet d1>d2. If data to be embedded is 0, one or a combination of a process for decreasing the size of B2 in the column direction or increasing the size of B4 in the column direction, and a process for moving the position of B2 toward B1 or moving the position of B4 toward B5 is executed to meet d1<d2.

Abstract: It is required to protect the copyrights and the like of partial images which form respective parts of an image obtained by reading an image, exchanged using a print as a medium, by an image scanner or the like. Input image data is divided into a plurality of image regions having different features, digital watermarks, which are embedded in the detected image regions by embedding methods corresponding to the features of the image regions, are extracted, and the availability of the input image is checked on the basis of the extracted digital watermarks.

Abstract: A document image undergoes document analysis to obtain circumscribing rectangles of characters (S601), and two distances between non-neighboring circumscribing rectangles from the head of the document are respectively calculated as d1 and d2 (S603). If information to be embedded is 1, one or a combination of a process for changing a parameter associated with the size of a circumscribing rectangle and a process for changing a parameter associated with the position of a circumscribing rectangle is executed to satisfy d1>d2 (S605). If information to be embedded is 0, one or a combination of the above two parameter change processes is executed to satisfy d1<d2 (S606).

Abstract: A data processing apparatus produces electronic data from a document image in which a text part, a photograph part, etc. are mixed. This electronic data enables a user to display information in a required part. The apparatus extracts an object from an input image and integrates information on the extracted object and layout control information (script) for modifying a layout so as to generate integrated electronic data. A script program can be executed when the electronic data is used, which allows an object designated by a user to be magnified and rearranged so as to facilitate visualization of the object.

Abstract: The positional offset of an image is corrected without performing any processing for the setting of a reference position with respect to a document image, e.g., the setting of markings. Pieces of information about a reference image, including a reference position, are stored in a predetermined storage unit. Information about the input image is extracted from the input image, and a target position on the input image is calculated on the basis of the extracted information. In addition, a reference image with respect to the input image is specified on the basis of the information about the input image from the predetermined storage unit. The positional offset of the target position with respect to the reference position of the specified reference image is calculated. The positional offset of the input image with respect to the reference image is corrected on the basis of the calculated positional offset amount.

Abstract: This invention provides the following environment. That is, an original document file corresponding to a document to be copied is specified from image data of that document to be copied, and a print process is made based on the specified file so as to prevent deterioration of image quality. Also, when a document to be copied is not registered, a registration process is executed to suppress deterioration of image quality in an early stage. Furthermore, since the document is converted into vector data, re-use of such document is facilitated, and deterioration of image quality can be suppressed even when an image process such as enlargement or the like is made. To this end, when an original digital file cannot be specified, an apparatus of this embodiment executes a vectorization process (S54), converts the obtained vector data into a data format that can be re-used by an application (S55), and registers the converted file in a file server (S56).

Abstract: Forms such as business forms used in banks and post offices are automatically classified using a form search apparatus and method. The method of classifying forms comprises extracting features from the image data of the input form and comparing the extracted features with stored features of a set of template forms corresponding to a set of known classifications of forms. The comparing step compares extracted features which comprise attributes of tables contained in the template forms and the input form respectively. The attributes of tables may be the number of tables in the form, or the number of cells comprising the tables. An approximate matching step is used to reduce the number of candidate template forms.

Abstract: Forms such as business forms used in banks and post offices are automatically classified using a form search apparatus and method. The method of classifying forms comprises extracting features from the image data of the input form and comparing the extracted features with stored features of a set of template forms corresponding to a set of known classifications of forms. The comparing step compares extracted features which comprise attributes of tables contained in the template forms and the input form respectively. The attributes of tables may be the number of tables in the form, or the number of cells comprising the tables. An approximate matching step is used to reduce the number of candidate template forms.

Abstract: The positional offset of an image is corrected without performing any processing for the setting of a reference position with respect to a document image, e.g., the setting of markings. Pieces of information about a reference image, including a reference position, are stored in a predetermined storage unit. Information about the input image is extracted from the input image, and a target position on the input image is calculated on the basis of the extracted information. In addition, a reference image with respect to the input image is specified on the basis of the information about the input image from the predetermined storage unit. The positional offset of the target position with respect to the reference position of the specified reference image is calculated. The positional offset of the input image with respect to the reference image is corrected on the basis of the calculated positional offset amount.

Abstract: A mobile terminal reads a read manuscript as image data. A character recognition block performs character recognition from the image data, which is read, on the basis of a threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness. A character recognition result is transmitted to a central control unit, or the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness is received from the central control unit in a threshold receiver. On the other hand, the central control unit receives the result of character recognition from the mobile terminal, or transmits the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness from a threshold transmitter to the mobile terminal. Furthermore, the central control unit controls the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness with a threshold controller.

Abstract: There are provided an image processing apparatus and image processing method which can increase the processing efficiency upon obtaining data which allows re-use and re-editing of a document such as a paper document. While image data is input, and pieces of character information included in the input image data are sequentially recognized, the pieces of character information included in the input image data are subjected to outline conversion using vector data. At this time, the character type of the pieces of recognized character information and the vector data having undergone outline conversion are managed while being associated with each other. Upon recognizing the pieces of character information, it is determined whether the character type of the pieces of character information has undergone previous outline conversion. If it is determined that the character type has undergone the previous outline conversion, the management is controlled so as to use vector data used in the previous outline conversion.

Abstract: A mobile terminal reads a read manuscript as image data. A character recognition block performs character recognition from the image data, which is read, on the basis of a threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness. A character recognition result is transmitted to a central control unit, or the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness is received from the central control unit in a threshold receiver. On the other hand, the central control unit receives the result of character recognition from the mobile terminal, or transmits the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness from a threshold transmitter to the mobile terminal. Furthermore, the central control unit controls the threshold for judgement of unrecognizableness with a threshold controller.