Abstract: An apparatus for decoding a sequence of pictures from a data stream is configured for decoding a picture of the sequence by: deriving a residual transform signal of the picture from the data stream; combining the residual transform signal with a buffered transform signal of a previous picture of the sequence so as to obtain a transform signal of the picture, the transform signal representing the picture in spectral components; and subjecting the transform signal to a spectral-to-spatial transformation, wherein the buffered transform signal comprises a selection out of spectral components representing the previous picture.

Abstract: A method for the automatic separating useful and noise information in microscopic images, particularly, microscopic images of wafer surfaces, for example, upon which printed circuits are formed for automatic recognition of wafer identifications which is divided into an image editing step, a conversion of the image content into a representation by data structures (FIG. 6) and also into actual separating steps for discriminating between noise and useful information. The method allows the automatic recognition of greatly disturbed wafer identifications. It allows then identification contours on a wafer to be reconstructed in an undisturbed manner even where there are extreme disturbances and where there is a very small signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A method for locating and circumscribing text areas on a master which may contain text, graphics and/or image areas employs the steps of optoelectronically scanning the master, digitizing the analog signals obtained from the scanning, processing the digital values for forming a plurality of isolated black blocks, and statistically analyzing the coordinates corresponding to the beginning and the end of the black blocks in order to obtain a statistical decision as to whether a particular black block being analyzed represents a line of text.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically recognizing the presence of an image area and a text or graphics area on a printed master which is being examined for determination of the textual content thereof employ an optoelectronic video scanner, the scanned values obtained therefrom being digitized and stored in a memory. The input master is schematically divided into small overlapping windows and a number of length of run histograms are generated by a computer for each such window. The particular characteristics of each of the histograms are examined for determination as to whether the histograms correspond to a text or graphics area or an image area of printed material on the master.

Abstract: A method for automatic recognition of white blocks as well as text, graphics and/or gray image areas on a printed master employs the steps of optoelectronically scanning the master and converting the analog scanning signals into digital signals such that a binarily encoded representation of the master is generated. Horizontal and vertical white blocks are successively searched for in the binary image and the locations of such white blocks are stored. The binary image thus subdivided by horizontal white blocks and the binary image subdivided by vertical white blocks are logically linked to one another in order to locate white "frames" for the individual areas of the printed matter. Such printed master areas formed in white are subsequently statistically analyzed in order to determine whether the framed area represents a text, graphics or gray image area on the printed master.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic recognition of image and text/graphics areas on a master undertake an opto-electronic scanning of the master with analog values obtained by the scanning being sampled and converted into digital information which is stored in a data field which is divided into a number of windows having edge lengths selected to be greater than the spacing between two successive lines of text. A grayscale value histogram is generated for each window and is statistically analyzed for determining whether the area of the master represented by the window is predominantly a text/graphics area or an image area based on known statistical characteristics generally related to each type of area.