Abstract: A method for evaluating stacking or sorting integrity at an output device of a high-speed apparatus that processes media includes: acquiring an audio data substantially in real-time from the output device of the high-speed apparatus while the high-speed apparatus is in operation, by use of an audio sensor located at the output device; transforming by a processor, the audio data to into a stacking or sorting integrity value; and if the stacking or sorting integrity value exceeds a predetermined threshold, stopping by the processor a document transport of the high-speed apparatus. An apparatus for evaluating stacking or sorting integrity at an output device, and a system for evaluating stacking or sorting integrity at an output device of a high-speed apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A multi-mode document scanning system includes a scanning bed configured to transport a plurality of documents through a scanning area. A scanning camera is configured to image the documents. At least one illumination bank includes a plurality of illumination elements of at least two different light wavelengths interspersed on at least one illumination bank. An illumination source switching assembly controls at last some elements of one wavelength. A selection process selects a wavelength appropriate to a document to be scanned, and instructs a processor operatively coupled to the illumination source switching assembly to illuminate elements of that wavelength. A multi-mode scanning method of document scanning is also described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for printing an image on a receiver medium are provided. In accordance with the method, digital image data representing an image to be printed is received and, a print engine is used to print an image on the receiver medium based upon the digital image data and initial printing settings. A press sheet image is captured of the image printed on the receiver medium and, the press sheet image is automatically compared to the digital image data to detect differences. Selected types of differences can be identified or can be addressed by adapting the press sheet image or adjusting digital image data prior to comparison.

Abstract: Methods and systems for printing an image on a receiver medium are provided. In accordance with the method, digital image data representing an image to be printed is received and, a print engine is used to print an image on the receiver medium based upon the digital image data and initial printing settings. A press sheet image is captured of the image printed on the receiver medium and, the press sheet image is automatically compared to the digital image data to detect differences. Selected types of differences can be identified or can be addressed by adapting the press sheet image or adjusting digital image data prior to comparison.

Abstract: A method for determining skew angle (5) and location of a document in an over-scanned digital image is disclosed. A document is scanned to capture a gray scale image. The outline pixel (1) of a document from the captured gray scale image are connected (2). An initial angle is set at zero and a x-minimum, y-minimum, x-maximum, and y-maximum of the polygon are determined (3). A rectangular boundary (4) area based on the x-minimum, y-minimum, x-maximum, and y-maximum is calculated and recorded. The angle is recorded and the polygon is rotated z-degree. The process is repeated and a minimum boundary area is selected. An angle corresponding to the minimum boundary is the skew angle of the document.

Abstract: A method for determining skew angle (5) and location of a document in an over-scanned digital image is disclosed. A document is scanned to capture a gray scale image. The outline pixel (1) of a document from the captured gray scale image are connected (2). An initial angle is set at zero and a x-minimum, y-minimum, x-maximum, and y-maximum of the polygon are determined (3). A rectangular boundary (4) area based on the x-minimum, y-minimum, x-maximum, and y-maximum is calculated and recorded. The angle is recorded and the polygon is rotated z-degree. The process is repeated and a minimum boundary area is selected. An angle corresponding to the minimum boundary is the skew angle of the document.

Abstract: A region-based binarization system applies adaptive thresholding and image rendering to a gray scale image to generate first and second binary images. The gray scale image can also be subsampled to acquire a low resolution image and locations of photographic images are detected in the low resolution image. Further, photographic images of the detected photographic images which have a rectangular shape are identified and a classification map which distinguishes pixels in the rectangular shaped photographic images from remaining pixels is generated. A final binary image can then be formed from the first and second binary images based on the classification map. The binarization system of the present invention is effective when the gray scale image is captured from a document which contains at least both photographic and text portions.

Abstract: A method of generating an M-bit grayscale image from an N-bit grayscale image, where 1<M<N, includes the steps of: for each pixel in the N-bit image, determining a threshold, based on the values of neighboring pixels, for generating the most significant bit (MSB) of the M-bit image, and determining thresholds, based on the threshold determined in step i) and the values of surrounding pixels, for each successive less significant bit(s) (LSB) of the M-bit image. The thresholds are used to quantize the pixels in the N-bit image to produce the M-bit image. The resulting M-bit image can be displayed on a multilevel display device for good readability, and the most significant bit of the M-bit image can be archived and printed on a binary printer thereby minimizing long term storage requirements.

Abstract: A digital image processing system applies an edge-based adaptive thresholding technique with different contrast parameters to convert an image into first and second binary images. In the digital processing system of the invention, the first and second binary images are compared and a map of the difference between the first and second binary images is generated. A vertical profile of this map is projected and local peaks in the vertical profile which correspond to a vertical pattern or artifact in the map is detected. Pixels in the first binary image are reversed based on the vertical pattern or artifact in the map. This system is effective in reducing vertical artifacts produced by scanners.

Abstract: A digital image processing method and system is adapted to remove diagonally disposed artifacts such as lines, dots, dashes etc., from a scanned skew corrected document or image. The system and method converts a captured skew corrected image into first and second binary images and generates a map indicative of a difference between the first and second binary images. Black pixels in the map are projected based on a skew angle of the image to form a projection profile, and an image based on the map, detected peaks in the projection profile and the pixels is created.

Abstract: A technique, specifically apparatus and an accompanying method, for accurately thresholding an image based on local image properties, specifically luminance variations, and particularly such a technique that uses multi-windowing for providing enhanced immunity to image noise and lessened boundary artifacts. Specifically, a localized intensity gradient, G(i,j), is determined for a pre-defined window (300) centered about each image pixel (i, j ) . Localized minimum and maximum pixel intensity measures, L.sub.min and L.sub.max, respectively, are also determined for another, though larger, window (330) centered about pixel (i,j). Also, a localized area gradient measure, GS(i,j), is determined as a sum of individual intensity gradients for a matrix of pixel positions (370) centered about pixel position (i,j). Each image pixel (i,j) is then classified as being an object pixel, i.e., black, or a background pixel, i.e., white, based upon its area gradient, GS (i,j), and associated L.sub.min and L.sub.max measures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating discontinuities inherent to binary digital image data when hard copy text is generated by a dot-matrix printer. An M.times.M matrix is moved over a bit-mapped image of said text one pixel at a time, and for each pixel position, pixels are selectively converted from white to black based on a predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating text information from previously printed material on forms by automatically detecting and selecting the drop-out color based on sampling a color from a selected calibration zone or patch. Using a three-color electronic scanner, the filtering parameters are adjusted based on the detected color in the zone of the form being processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating text information from previously printed material on forms by automatically detecting and selecting the drop-out color used on a preprinted form to enhance optical character recognition of information on such forms. Using a 3-color electronic scanner, the system adjusts the filtering parameters automatically based on the form being processed.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a character which cannot be machine read so that the operator may observe and hopefully recognize the character in question. A bit-map video image of the unrecognized character(s) is inserted in the ASCII data line of neighboring characters to create an impression of the original line of text from the document. A data entry operator uses this information to enter the required correct character(s) via the keyboard or other means. This reject/reentry method allows for quick operator response, and minimizes data storage and transmission of video information.

Abstract: A method for identifying a character which cannot be machine read so that the operator may observe and hopefully recognize the character in question. A bit-map video image of the unrecognized character(s) is inserted in the ASCII data line of neighboring characters to create an impression of the original line of text from the document. A data entry operator uses this information to enter the required correct character(s) via the keyboard or other means. This reject/reentry method allows for quick operator response, and minimizes data storage and transmission of video information.