Abstract: A system and method of identifying foreground segments in a JPEG image. The method includes the steps of: selecting a block in the JPEG image; extracting a set of DCT coefficients from the block, wherein the set comprises the first N AC components of the block; computing a sum of the set of DCT coefficients; and analyzing the sum to determine if the block is part of a foreground segment.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and process for automatically adjusting the quality of a scanned image includes a conversion module configured to produce a processed image matrix by modifying each value in a scanned image matrix using a table of values assigned to each element of the scanned image matrix. Also included is a measurement module configured to determine a quality of the processed image matrix and to store a quality history and a quality adjustment module configured to adjust the quality of the processed image matrix if the quality history shows a decrease in quality. Quality may be determined using average brightness, maximum brightness or some other quality parameter of the scanned image.

Abstract: An apparatus for predicting when maintenance is required for a scanner comprises a tracking module configured to track a quality parameter history, a prediction module configured to predict when maintenance is required based on the quality parameter history, and a notification module configured to notify a user when maintenance is predicted to be required based on a quality parameter trend. The quality parameter is selected from a group consisting of an average brightness, a maximum brightness, a video gradient, and a contrast.

Abstract: A workstation having low resolution and high resolution image capture apparatus such as is useful for tele-conferencing. Optical wedge apparatus is placed between an object and a focusing lens according to the invention to create multiple overlapping low resolution images of a whole object. Programmed or hardwired logic is then used to construction a high resolution image of the object by interleaving the picture elements of the low resolution images.

Abstract: Brightness correction and image enhancement are derived to compensate for changes in captured image data by hardware scanners and the like by statistically measuring the captured data and generating or selecting a compensation quantization table to be substituted in image data encoded for compression. Three techniques of compensation usable singly or in combination are provided which may be used in combination with techniques for dynamic range reduction for extreme compression. Thus, improved images which may be enhanced in any desired manner, for example, to conform to an established image standard, may be derived from data having sufficient compression to allow economically acceptable long-term storage in high-speed access storage media even though the data captured is degraded in dynamic range, brightness and the like.

Abstract: Invented method, apparatus, and computer program product for determining image quality can be employed either during diagnostic mode or at run time of an imaging system. One component performs numerical analysis on a digital image. Another component accepts or rejects the quality of the digital image based on the results of the numerical analysis. In one embodiment, if the cumulative harmonic content of Fourier component amplitudes of a synthesized scan line exceeds a threshold value, the digital image is rejected as being of inadequate quality; otherwise the digital image is accepted. In another embodiment, a maximum gradient of a scan line of the digital image is computed. If, for some specified number of occurrences during a scan of a target, the maximum gradient exceeds a ceiling value or falls below a floor value, then the image is rejected.

Abstract: Invented method, apparatus, and computer program product for determining image quality can be employed either during diagnostic mode or at run time of an imaging system. One component performs numerical analysis on a digital image. Another component accepts or rejects the quality of the digital image based on the results of the numerical analysis. In one embodiment, if the cumulative harmonic content of Fourier component amplitudes of a synthesized scan line exceeds a threshold value, the digital image is rejected as being of inadequate quality; otherwise the digital image is accepted. In another embodiment, a maximum gradient of a scan line of the digital image is computed. If, for some specified number of occurrences during a scan of a target, the maximum gradient exceeds a ceiling value or falls below a floor value, then the image is rejected.

Abstract: An optical scanning station is disclosed which utilizes light bending apparatus such as mirrors or optical wedges to gather and redirect some of the illumination radiating from the object. The gathering of the light occurs off-axis from the lens and the redirection of the light to the lens causes an off-axis angle between the light beam and the lens axis, thereby resulting in multiple images which are spaced apart from each other when focused on an image plane. The multiple images may be split apart and directed to separate image planes by use of front surface mirrors making the images then available for individual capture by charge couple devices or other similar image capture apparatus. Alternatively, the outboard images may be redirected, again by mirrors, to be focused coincident to the on-axis image, thereby increasing the illumination level at the image plane well in excess of that obtainable with only a single image of the object being focused at the image plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a continuous line of light for a document scanner. An incoherent light beam is directed into one surface of an optical wedge device. The light beam is repeatedly reflected, back and forth, between input and output reflective surfaces on the wedge. The output surface is only partially reflective, thereby allowing a portion of the light to escape the wedge and provide the line of light which illuminates the document. Non-parallel sides extending between the reflective surfaces are used to provide total internal reflection and concentrate all of the incoherent light beams into a smaller area, Alignment of the incoherent light beam according to a predetermined angle causes the escaping light beams to be adjacent to each other and produce a uniform and continuous line of light free from destructive interference areas.

Abstract: A scanner for reading indicia on a member, surface, sheet, or similar object. Several laser diodes are used to separately generate laser beams which are scanned across the member as separate beams. The light spots produced by the beams on the member are not coincident with each other. Light reflected from the scanned member is imaged onto a linear CCD array which combines or integrates the reflected light produced by each spot to produce the resulting data for the corresponding location. Controlling the output of the laser diodes can customize the overall wavelength of the scanning light and the energy profile of the light across the scan. Some component tolerances of the system are reduced because less than the entire light spot is used to illuminate an area imaged onto the CCD sensors.

Abstract: An exposure system for electrophotographic apparatus having an aperture plate for masking one or more laser beams. The plate contains one or more apertures which have irregular edges to form a gaussian light distribution for the light beams passing through the apertures. A saw-toothed edge is used with a predetermined amplitude ratio to predictably attenuate the light at the edges which correspond to the process or in-track direction in the exposed image. The gaussian distribution is more tolerable of spacing changes in scan lines and improves the continuity of process direction lines in the finished image.

Abstract: In a laser printer, light beams need to be focused onto a printing surface to form points where print indicia are to effect a print image. In a printer where it is desirable to have variable pitch print characters, a new method has been employed to create variable print character pitches. Multiple non-parallel points of light are emitted through a collimating lens onto a wedge shaped optical component which directs the multiple beams of light into parallel alignment. The optical wedge has one planar surface perpendicular to at least one light beam emitted through the collimating lens. This light beam is normal to the perpendicular planar surface and passes through the wedge without being deflected. The optical wedge also has one or more planar surfaces that direct the other light beams into parallel alignment with the undeflected light beam.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus for use on a laser electrophotographic printer provides improved imaging in both the scan and process direction in a printer using a multiple spot printhead.

Abstract: An aspheric lens exhibiting varying optical power as a function of locating along the longitudinal axis of the lens is intended for use in an electrophotographic printer of the type having a mirror for providing tilt error and scan bow error correction of a laser beam to be imaged at a photoconductor surface.

Abstract: An optical sighting system for aiming the main operative axis of an apparatus in the direction of a distant target wherein the sighting system includes an optical sighting device fixed to the apparatus and laterally offset from the main axis of the apparatus and a reticle projector fixed to the apparatus and projecting a reticle image into the sighting device along a path parallel to said main operative axis, various embodiments being disclosed including additional features whereby the sighting device is supported on an arm which is separate from another arm coupled to mount a device for directing the projected reticle image into the optical sighting device, the directing device comprising a mirror or a polygonal prism.