Abstract: A digitized image is treated by an electronic system where pairs of pixels within a convolution window are compared, and for those differences which are greater than a preselected, or automatically calculated, threshold, a black or white vector is counted, respectively, depending on whether the more centrally located pixel is darker or lighter than the outer pixel. The central pixel is replaced with an enhanced value, if it is surrounded by a majority of significantly lighter or darker pixels, as indicated by the black and white vector counts. Weighting factors allows for custom tailoring the enhancement algorithm to suit the need of the particular image.

Abstract: A process and device for analyzing image data and performing automatic optimization of a black and white image created by a scanner. The process and device performs dynamic thresholding by approximating the information level and the background level at every pixel in the image, the threshold being calculated as a function of the background and information levels at that point, and a characterization process step comparing the pixel intensity at that point with the threshold, so that if the pixel is darker, it is considered to be black, or if it is lighter, it is considered to be white.

Abstract: In a system for visual telecommunications, e.g. for use by deaf people, an electronic camera (20) makes an image of a moving subject for transmission. The TV type image is passed through a contour extractor (25) to be converted to an animated cartoon line-drawing type image. The contour image is then compressed by means including a sampler (28) for image reduction, a difference detector (30) for selecting only points which change from one image to the next, a filter (34) for rejecting isolated points in the contour image, and an encoder (36) for converting sequences of on/off bits into data words for transmission, via a modem (14) over a telephone line (15). At the other end of the line a similar transmitter/receiver system decodes the received words and reconstitutes the successive images for display on a screen (46).

Abstract: The device of the invention allows the binarized evaluation of a pattern from a signal indicative of intensity values of spatially distributed discrete points of the pattern. It comprises circuits for registering the intensity values of points distributed in at least two concentric rings within an elementary area, at least in one sector centered on the elementary area, determining contrast values each equal to the difference of the registered intensity values between a point of an inner ring and a point of an outer ring, and assigning a positive and negative difference sign to respectively the positive and negative contrast values thus determined having an absolute value higher than a predetermined contrast threshold. A counter is provided for counting distinctively the positive and negative difference signs in the vicinity of the elementary area.

Abstract: A pattern recognition system comprising scanning means (1) for producing a binary signal indicative of the state of the elementary areas in successively scanned columns of elementary areas and segmentation means to separate from said signal data relating to individual discrete graphic objects in the scanned pattern and to store the separated data in individual storage zones of a memory array, characterized in that said segmentation means comprise a QTC generator (2) for producing quasitopological codes indicative of predetermined states of successive elementary areas using the data in the signal of each successive scanned column and the data in the signal of the last previously scanned column, and for producing therefrom a start and a stop signals at the beginning and end of any series of data corresponding to a fragment of a graphic object, the succession of codes being different depending on whether a fragment detected in the signal is or is not continued from last previously scanned column, and assignment

Abstract: An image scanning method, comprising providing an array of intercalated odd and even detectors, said odd detectors and said even detectors being aligned parallely to a common direction, displacing said array over said image transversely to said direction, repeatedly serially sampling element signals from said detectors, each indicative of the intensity detected by a corresponding detector over an element part of the image, and serially transferring into an image signal a sequence of said element signals sampled from said odd detectors and a sequence said element signal sampled from said even detectors alternately.

Abstract: A device for image analysis comprising scanner (1) for producing a video signal indicative of the light intensity received at successive regular time intervals from an image scanned along a first direction at an automatically controlled known motion velocity and along a second direction at an unknown motion velocity, characterized in that it further comprises circuits (2,5) for determining a reference contrast value from the difference between light intensities received from points of the image scanned along the first direction, circuits (3,6) for determining a variable contrast value from the difference between light intensities received from points of the image scanned along the second direction, circuit (7) for comparing the variable contrast value with the reference contrast value, and circuits (8,10) for using the comparison for compensating for the unknown motion velocity in the production of the video signal.

Abstract: The method and apparatus disclosed involve the scanning of a representation of a character by means of at least three frame scans based on respectively different directions, the frame scans developing quasitopological codes (QTC) indicative of character STARTS, OPENINGS, CLOSINGS and FINISHES. The QTC relating to convexity-shapes and concavity-shapes of different segments of the character are then automatically stored in respective groups of storage locations in a store, such that, at the end of the process, the groups storing QTC are functionally arranged approximately in the shape of the character so that the character is at least partially recognizable thereby. Also disclosed is method and apparatus in which at least partial recognition of the character takes place by comparing the distances between selected pairs of QTC. In addition, the recognition process may involve the actual comparison of the list of QTC for the character with a set of lists representing predetermined characters.

Abstract: A procedure for the parallel conversion of an analog signal to a cyclic binary code with one comparison to a threshold per channel, or bit, in which each channel is composed of an analog function generator, characterized by the fact that the transfer function of said generator is constructed in a piecewise-linear manner from a certain number of pairs of segments of straight lines, whose input/output slopes have equal absolute values and opposite signs, where in each pair the lower instantaneous value is selected by an operator MIN, of two arguments, and among all the lower instantaneous values thus selected, the greatest instantaneous value is selected by an operator MAX, of number of arguments equal to the number of pairs of segments that compose the said transfer function, in such manner that the value of the code is zero or one according to whether the instantaneous value at the output of the said function generator is below the value of the threshold of a comparator or above.