Abstract: A document image capture method and scanner, and an image processing apparatus incorporating such a scanner, in which a document is scanned two or more times. The first scan preferably provides bi-level image data, which is analyzed to identify blocks of uniform image type (for example, text, line drawing, grayscale image, or full-color image) within the document. The second scan, preferably performed at lower resolution than the first, provides grayscale or color information, which is substituted in the grayscale or color blocks, respectively, for the bi-level information obtained in the first scan. A third scan, to provide information of the third type, may also be performed.

Abstract: A document image capture method and scanner, and an image processing apparatus incorporating such a scanner, in which a document is scanned two or more times. The first scan preferably provides bi-level image data, which is analyzed to identify blocks of uniform image type (for example, text, line drawing, grayscale image, or full-color image) within the document. The second scan, preferably performed at lower resolution than the first, provides grayscale or color information, which is substituted in the grayscale or color blocks, respectively, for the bi-level information obtained in the first scan. A third scan, to provide information of the third type, may also be performed.

Abstract: Abstractions of digital images are created and displayed based on the pixels forming the digital image, by selectively extracting less than all pixels from the digital image, and by displaying the extracted pixels against predetermined background pixels such that the extracted pixels are displayed in substantially the same relative positions as in the digital image and such that the predetermined background pixels are displayed in substantially the same relative positions as unextracted pixels in the digital image. The abstract image has a size substantially the same as the size of the digital image. The predetermined background pixels are selected so as to enhance viewability of the abstract image, or the background pixels may be pixels from previous displays of image extractions so as to allow a fill-in effect for single digital images or an abstract motion video effect for digital images that comprise frames in a digital motion video sequence.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identifying completed forms includes scanning a plurality of different blank forms, and creating hierarchical profiles of each scanned blank form. Each hierarchical form profile is stored in a dictionary. Once the form dictionary is created, a completed form is scanned. A hierarchical profile of the completed form is created, and the hierarchical profile of the completed form is compared with stored hierarchical form profiles. In accordance with the result of comparison, one of the stored hierarchical form profiles is identified as corresponding to the completed form hierarchical profile. Based on the identity of the corresponding hierarchical form profile, the completed form can be routed for further processing. A further aspect of the invention makes it possible to extract data from predesignated fields which may be unique to that particular form within a completed form based on the form's identity.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for extracting text from a structured data file and generating synthesized speech in accordance with the extracted text includes a processor for executing stored process steps, a storage device for storing structured data files partitioned into plural types of fields and for storing process steps for execution by the processor, an interface device for accepting a dual tone modulated frequency signal, each dual tone modulated frequency signal representing an operation selection, and a text-to-speech convertor for converting synthesized speech corresponding to a field of a structured data field.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for scripting a multimedia presentation in accordance with a multimedia script file. The multimedia script file includes text narration and multimedia scripting commands which are set off from the text narration by action tokens. A processor serially and sequentially processes the multimedia script file so as to detect the multimedia scripting commands when an action token is encountered. The text narration in the multimedia script file is fed to a text-to-speech conversion interface. The multimedia scripting commands are executed so as to cause file access such as retrieval and multimedia display of MIDI music files, still video and motion video images, animated images, and digital audio wave files, so as to alter the text-to-speech characteristics of the text-to-speech converter, and so as to cause multimedia script branching and/or control, preferably based on operator input and/or arithmetic calculations.

Abstract: A network sound channel which permits voice communication over a local area network (LAN). Plural workstations are connected via respective connection nodes to the LAN. Each workstation includes a sound processor for converting sound into digital information and digital information into sound, and each workstation is operable in (a) a talk mode in which the sound processor converts sound into digital information and the digital information is stored in the storage over the LAN, and (b) a listen mode in which digital information is retrieved from the storage over the LAN and the sound processor converts the digital information into sound.

Abstract: A text parser for a text-to-speech processor accepts a text stream and parses the text stream to detect non-spoken characters and spoken characters. The spoken characters are passed to the text-to-speech converter and are not altered. A text generator generates pre-designated text sequences in response to non-spoken characters, such as special character sequences or character sequences which match format templates. A speech command generator generates speech commands in response to detecting of non-spoken characters such as non-spoken characters which affect text style, font, underlining, etc. The text-to-speech converter converts spoken text parsed by the parser and text generated by the text generator into speech, the text-to-speech converter being operable in response to speech commands generated by the speech command generator.

Abstract: A system for encrypting two-dimensional data such as image data, or data like multi-media data which can be transformed into two-dimensional data. The data is encrypted by multiple encryption passes through the data. In each pass, each mth row and each nth column of data is encrypted by complementation of the data in the row or column. For each encryption pass, m and n are randomly selected. The encryption system converts non-two-dimensional data to a pseudo-two-dimensional format by computing the square root of the binary length of the non-two-dimensional data file.

Abstract: A system for controlling how text is fed to a text-to-speech converter. Text is controllably fed from a text buffer to a text-to-speech converter, the control being based on operator commands which are effectuated at text boundaries, such as word boundaries or sentence boundaries. Operator commands can include commands to advance through the text in a file, in which case text is fed to the text-to-speech converter on a selectable level of granularity, for example, next word, next sentence, next paragraph, etc. It is also possible to advance through the text file rapidly in which case only a sampling of text segments, for example, three words out of twenty, are fed to the text-to-speech converter. Text segments can be repeated, and text segments can be searched for.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing an interactive network board having a local area network interface, a Small Computer System Interface, and a test interface comprises supplying power to the interactive board, and performing a power-on self-test program within the interactive board. At the completion of the power-on self-test, a test program is loaded into a RAM on the interactive network board through the test interface, and the test program resident in the RAM is activated. The test program is executed and checkpoint test results are outputted after completion of the test program. A test computer is provided to receive the checkpoint test result and may script additional tests in accordance with checkpoint test results. Preferably, at the completion of the test program, ROM-resident firmware is downloaded into the RAM on the interactive board, and the firmware is loaded from the RAM into a ROM on the interactive network board.