Abstract: A method of stacking objects such that various factors are considered. These factors include: 1) what objects are to be removed from the stack; 2) the number of stacks that have no objects stacked; 3) the number of objects to be removed from a stack; 4) the number of stacks of objects to be stacked and the number of objects to be stacked before the object to be stacked; and 5) the number of objects to be removed from the stack after the object to be stacked.

Abstract: A method for recognizing and providing an output corresponding to a character is disclosed. The character is received by an imager, digitized and transmitted to a buffer memory. Data in the buffer memory is read in a sequence which circumnavigates the test character. Only data representative of the periphery of the character are read. During the circumnavigation character parameters, such as, height, width, perimeter, area, calipers, programmable penetrators and waveform are determined. The character parameters are compared with reference character parameters and the ASCII code for the reference character which matches the character is provided as an output.

Abstract: A method for recognizing and providing an output corresponding to a character in which the character is received by an imager, digitized, and transmitted to a memory. Data in the memory is read in a sequence which circumnavigates the test character. Only data representative of the periphery of the character are read. During the circumnavigation, character parameters, such as height, width, perimeter, area and waveform are determined. The character parameters are compared with reference character parameters and the ASCII code for the reference character which matches the character is provided as an output.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining whether or not two signatures were written by the same individual. An X-Y data tablet indicates the location of the writing instrument at a predetermined clock pulse rate as the signature is written. A number string is generated which indicates the relationship between sequentially determined locations of the writing instrument as it moves to different locations on the X-Y data tablet. The quantity of numbers within the number string is an indication of the distance between sequentially determined locations and the value of the numbers within the number string is an indication of the direction of movement between sequentially determined locations. Series of number strings form a waveform representative of the signature as written by the individual. The waveform of the sample signature is compared with the waveform of a reference signature and an output is provided indicating whether or not the sample signature and the reference signature were made by the same individual.

Abstract: Circumnavigation using an increased test cell domain may be used to collect data from discontinuous characters stored in a bit map such as those printed by a dot matrix printer. The test cell domain is increased to locate a pixel and consider it a portion of the same character if it is within the minimum permissable pixel gap range. The sequence of testing must be designed to read each possible pixel and not enter an endless loop during the circumnavigation. One sequence of testing is to begin testing those cells in the column adjacent to the reference cell beginning of the cell in the row adjacent to the reference cell and testing cells adjacent to the most recently tested cell along the entire column until the desired number of cells in that column according to the minimum permissable pixel gap range have been tested. Each column adjacent to the most recently tested is tested in the described sequence until the desired number of columns have been tested to permit the minimum permissable gap spacing.

Abstract: A didactic device for providing a learning experience and/or entertainment by serving as a learning aid to improve penmanship and drawing skills. The didactic device combines an optical image processing system with a speech synthesis system, wherein a drawing surface is provided in registration with the field of view of an optical imager. The user of the didactic device is requested either visually via a display mounted on the housing of the didactic device in proximity to the drawing surface or verbally via speech synthesis electronics to write or draw something on the drawing surface. When the user has completed the assignment by drawing indicia on the drawing surface, the image processing system, which includes an imager chip, a matrix memory in which signal data output from the imager chip is stored, and a data processor having an object recognition comparator, is actuated.

Abstract: A character recognition circuit is provided with the image of unknown characters, in an accessible memory. A microprocessor directs a microcontroller to access the memory and to perform pixel counting, transition recognition and pattern finding. The microprocessor directs such operations and effectively locates lines of unknown characters, deskews those lines if necessary, roughly identifies each unknown character by forming a window around the character and counting pixels inwardly from the top and bottom and from each side until a transition is reached from white (0) to black (1), and from that information as weighted and combined, categorizing the unknown character to be of a particular set of known characters. By comparing the unknown character with the possible known characters, the unknown character is positively identified and stored in a random access memory until the entire message is assembled. Then the message is sent to a buffer unit for ultimate transmission.

Abstract: A laser system for selectively producing, in response to electronic signals, laser pulses at random intervals and of preselected and variable energy, including a laser cavity capable of being electronically controlled to effect a selectively variable gain. An acousto-optic deflector is disposed in the laser cavity and the amount of acoustic energy applied to the deflector controls the amount of radiation feedback to the laser rod and thus controls the Q or gain of the laser system to any of a wide range of selectable values.