Abstract: Provided herein is a mobile electronic apparatus or a control method of the mobile electronic apparatus, the mobile electronic apparatus including an operating unit for performing a character input operation, an acquiring unit that acquires a photographed image of a subject, an analyzing unit that analyzes the photographed image acquired by the acquiring unit and extracts character information contained in the photographed image, and a control unit that detects an input operation as a character input operation when the input operation is performed with the operating unit while the photographed image is being analyzed by the analyzing unit. Accordingly, detecting an input operation in the operating unit as entering characters even during an analysis in the analyzing unit makes it possible to use time efficiently.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for broadcasting history or coarse representations or both of stroke media and other media. Levels are created for media, and the levels are periodically broadcast. The levels segment the media and allow the media to be examined with details that range from coarse to fine or examined with varying importance or both. The periodic broadcast of the levels provides history of the media. In particular, for stroke data, levels of detail are determined through a certain method. Each level of detail is periodically broadcast. The levels of detail may be shown by themselves or combined at a receiver to create segmented views of the stroke data. A user can select a coarse view of the stroke data to quickly see the stroke history. Additionally, techniques are provided for quickly and repeatedly accessing data elements in already existing data structures. Generally, a description is created that describes data elements in a preexisting data structure.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus that is capable of reducing the garbling of characters caused by the difference among the character codes when setting data are transferred to another apparatus by the import-export function. A storage unit stores setting data for the data processing apparatus. A receiving unit receives an instruction for exporting the setting data stored in the storage unit. A converting unit converts Unicode data included in the setting data into character code data of language, which is set to the data processing apparatus. An export unit exports the character code data converted by the converting unit and the Unicode data.

Abstract: In a system where a print device is connected to a computing device but not to an external web service that relates to the print device, the computing device implements a print driver session that retrieves print device operational data, identifies the web service, and generates a barcode that encodes the device operational data as a data string with a web address for a web service. A user may use a mobile electronic device to receive an image of the generated barcode, decode the barcode to detect the web address and the device operational data, and send a web service request comprising the device operational data to a web service associated with the web address. When the mobile electronic device receives a response that is responsive to the web service request, it may present the response to a user via a display of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: An image-reading device includes a reading unit, a displaying unit, a recognition target region setting unit, a recognition target region adding unit, and a character recognizing unit. The recognition target region setting unit sets a recognition target region within the displayed image data to recognize characters. The recognition target region adding unit adds a new recognition target region based on the recognition target region set by the recognition target region setting unit. The character recognizing unit performs character recognition in the recognition target regions.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus determines whether a color image is formed by reading an original with a reading unit or input from an external apparatus, and sets a conversion method for converting the color image into a monochrome image such that when an image obtained by monochrome converting the color image is output onto a recording medium, security information included in the color image is difficult to be discriminated by human eyes, if the color image is formed by reading an original. If the color image is input from the external apparatus, the image processing apparatus sets a monochrome conversion method selected by a user. The apparatus then converts the color image into a monochrome image by the set monochrome conversion method.

Abstract: Battery-powered portable scanner, comprising: a scanning unit for scanning documents and forming digital representations thereof; a processor, communicatively connected to the scanning unit and provided for controlling the scanning operation; at least a first embedded storage capabilities, each of which is communicatively connected to the processor and each of which comprises either an internal memory for internally storing the digital representations or a communication link to an external storage medium for externally storing the digital representations. The processor is provided for enabling autonomous operation without connection to a terminal. The processor may be provided with an embedded routing application which is provided for routing the digital representations to a predetermined selection among the embedded storage capabilities.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit configured to read information as image data, a character recognition unit configured to recognize individual characters included in the image data, a grouping unit configured to group the individual characters recognized into one or more character string based on character information indicating a format of the character, a character extraction unit configured to extract a character string for which a link is to be created based on an importance of the character string obtained by the grouping, a character search unit configured to search the image data in which the characters have been recognized for the character string having the same character base among the character strings extracted, and a link setting unit configured to link the character strings having the same character base that are retrieved to each other based on the importance.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a receiver that receives sheet identification information included in information images printed onto sheets scanned by a scanner, a detector that detects that a scanning operation by the scanner is an operation indicating that a plurality of sheets are a sequential sheet group, and a unifier that, when the detector detects an operation indicating the sequential sheet group, unifies information corresponding to the plurality of sheets that is respectively indicated by the plurality of sheet identification information received by the receiver during the scanning operation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit configured to read information as image data, a character recognition unit configured to recognize individual characters included in the image data, a grouping unit configured to group the individual characters recognized into one or more character string based on character information indicating a format of the character, a character extraction unit configured to extract a character string for which a link is to be created based on an importance of the character string obtained by the grouping, a character search unit configured to search the image data in which the characters have been recognized for the character string having the same character base among the character strings extracted, and a link setting unit configured to link the character strings having the same character base that are retrieved to each other based on the importance.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for extracting information about individuals from a family history document includes applying optical character recognition (OCR) to a digital image of a family history document to create an OCR copy, identifying a person's name in the digital image, extracting name data and related information from the OCR copy representing the name, identifying a family relationship indicator corresponding to the identified person's name in the digital image, confirming accuracy of the extracted name data, and publishing the extracted name data and related information in a searchable format.

Abstract: An image scanning device accepts an instruction to scan a double-sided document and scans a plurality of double-sided documents with respect to each page to produce image data. Image data is eliminated when a page is determined as being solid colored from the image data produced by the scanning section. Image data other than the eliminated image data is transmitted to the outside. When an instruction to scan a double-sided document is received from the outside and accepted, elimination of image data is prohibited.

Abstract: In a conventional scan system, even in the case where an image forming device has an image processing function, since image processing such as OCR processing and OCR preprocessing for increasing a character recognition rate in the OCR processing is performed by only a scan server, a processing load is concentrated in the scan server. In the scan server of the present invention, scan setting and the OCR preprocessing are described in a scan ticket (instruction data), and the image forming device performs, on a scanned image, the OCR preprocessing described in the scan ticket received from the scan server.

Abstract: When an electronic document is to be generated from an image of a document, reproduction of both an appearance of the document image and a logical structure is difficult because of format limitations imposed on the electronic document. According to the present invention, from among column arrangements allowed by the specifications of the electronic document, a column arrangement is selected by using which the positions of character areas in an input image and the logical structure analyzed from the input image can be most appropriately reproduced, and is used to generate an electronic document.

Abstract: In this invention, scan conversion processing of changing the scan order for each block is used. Parallel scan conversion processing is executed if possible, thereby making the number of scan conversion target blocks per unit time larger than before. To do this, a scan status holding unit holds statistical information based on the appearance frequency values of coefficients in a block. A scan order holding unit holds coefficient position information in which the coefficient positions in a block are arranged based on the scan order. A parallel number determination unit determines the number of blocks processable in parallel based on the statistical information held in the scan status holding unit and supplies the result to a scan conversion unit as a control signal. If the control signal from the parallel number determination unit indicates parallel processing, the scan conversion unit executes scan conversion of two input blocks in parallel.

Abstract: Printer systems and methods provide a plurality of unique identification codes to assignment devices in various geographical locations in order to assign a unique code to a single item of commerce through affixing tags or the like thereon or by direct printing. Information regarding which code is associated with which item of commerce may be captured and stored in database(s) along with other advertising, authenticity, distribution, manufacturing, note, quality control, and retail information. Inquires may be made regarding the codes by users with handheld devices including cellular phones, PDAs, notebook computers, barcode scanners, RFID readers, etc. through carrier networks, LANs, and WANs in order to obtain information about the item of commerce or related products. Stored information from the database may be provided to the users in response to their inquiries. Information may also be uploaded by the handheld devices for counterfeiting, diversion, and other tracking purposes.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document tray, first and second output trays, first and second conveyance paths, a conveying roller, a switch unit that changes a destination of documents to one of the first and second conveyance paths, a multi-feed determination unit that determines whether the documents are in a multi-fed state (e.g., a state in which a plurality of documents are layered on one another), a reading unit that acquires image data, an image storage unit that stores the image data, a control unit that controls the switch unit, and a multi-feed image storage unit that stores image data acquired by re-reading the multi-fed documents, as multi-feed image data. The control unit assigns information of page order of the documents to the image data stored in the image storage unit.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for processing character data is provided, which selects a format of the character data to be used for generating print data. When a user instruction for printing character data according to character command data specifying the output of the character data is received, the format of the character data is selected based on the character command data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read an open document. The open document includes a first page including a first image and a second page including a second image. The apparatus also includes a storing unit configured to store the first page read by the reading unit as first page image data including the first image, and to store the second page read by the reading unit as second page image data including the second image.

Abstract: A secure fax transmission system can be used to assure the intended recipient of a confidential document being sent via facsimile is the only person that will have access to the document once it is sent. An application module communicates with a client user interface over a first network and communicates with a recipient fax machine over a second network. The application module receives information associated with a confidential document being sent via facsimile. Prior to sending the document, the application module determines if the recipient fax number has been previously registered as a secure fax number. The application module then sends the document to the recipient if the recipient fax number is registered a secure. If the recipient fax number is not registered as secure, the application module sends a request for registration to the recipient fax number.

Abstract: A document scanner is disclosed. The document scanner includes a document bed having a document positioning surface. The document bed has a plurality of perforations therethrough. The document scanner also includes a fan mounted to the document bed on a side opposite the document positioning surface and oriented to draw air through the perforations of the document bed. A method of use of the document scanner, and a particular check scanner are disclosed as well.

Abstract: A method for reducing image noise is provided. The procedure of the method is provided in the following steps. First, the color level scale of a scanned image of a document is reduced by a plurality of bits in order to subtract a noise level from the scanned image. Then the color level scales of all pixels of the image are recombined by a halftone pattern method in order to recover the color level scales. Finally the missing codes of the image are filled out by bit enhance method. Because of the color level scales of the proceeding image are not reduced, the scanned image quality does not be blurred by the method. Because the method does not minimize the color level of the proceeding image, the image noise can be reduced without blurring the scanned image and the quality of the image can be increased after the process thereof. And because each color level of the pixel in the image is subtracted by a noise level, some of the bits are removed and the capacity of the image file is decreased.

Abstract: Multiple images are combined where the images exhibit variations in illumination between one another. The images are of the same portion of an object, and each image is represented by a set of image data. A comparative data transform is applied to each set of image data, such that the transformed comparative image data isolates and preserves first variations in the illumination between the images but suppresses second differences in illumination between the images. At least one normalization transform is determined from the transformed comparative image data sets. When applied to at least one of the image data sets, the at least one normalization transform minimizes the variation in illumination between the image data sets. Each determined normalization transform is applied to the at least one of the image data sets. The normalized sets of image data are transformed to a single image of the portion of the object.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing font subsetting. One or more font subsetting parameters are received. The one or more font subsetting parameters indicate a granularity level for which font subsetting is performed for portions of a data container. The font subsetting parameters indicate a font subsetting granularity level other than an entire document associated with the data container. A first portion of the data container is determined in accordance with the font subsetting granularity level. A subset of font data for at least one font family is determined in accordance with what font data for the at least one font family is actually used by the first portion. The subset of font data is embedded in an output for a consumer.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming device that does not require an original image scanning operation upon copying of an original for the second time or later in a device for preventing illegal copying with the use of paper fingerprint information. Upon registration of the paper fingerprint information, original image data is scanned from the original. Also, the paper fingerprint information is scanned. The image forming device associates the original image data and the paper fingerprint information with each other to register them in an information processing device. Upon copying, paper fingerprint information scanned from an original is transmitted to the information processing device to request the device to determine whether or not the paper fingerprint information has been registered. If the paper fingerprint information has been registered is received, the original image data registered in association with the paper fingerprint information is retrieved from the information processing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that annotates an image with a barcode is disclosed. The method may include receiving one or more image parameters from a user, determining information concerning a device to be used for processing, determining a date on which image processing occurs, determining a number of copies of the image to be processed, generating a barcode that contains at least coded information concerning the device to be used for processing, the date on which the image is processed, the number of copies of the image to be processed, and at least one of the one or more image parameters received from the user, and sending the generated barcode to the device to be used for processing to enable the barcode to be placed near the image when processed.

Abstract: A method of printing content is disclosed. The method starts by a server receiving a request for content. The server renders the content into a pre-rendered format before transferring the content in the pre-rendered format to a mobile telecommunications device. The content is then printed on a print medium in a media feed path of a printer module of the mobile telecommunications device. During the printing step, coded data disposed on the print medium is sensed using a sensor module in the media feed path of the printer module. The coded data encodes a print medium identifier which uniquely identifies the print medium. Finally, the content is associated with the print medium identifier for later retrieval using the print medium identifier.

Abstract: A method of printing content on a print medium is disclosed. The method starts by receiving the print medium in a media feed path. The media feed path includes a sensor module and a printer module. A print media identifier is read from a surface of the print medium using the sensor module. The print medium identifier uniquely identifies the print medium. The content is then on the print medium using the printer module and the content is stored in association with the print medium identifier in a database. The content is retrievable from the database using the print media identifier.

Abstract: A system for communicating check information to a financial institution is provided. The system includes but is not limited to a check reader, a centralized computer, and a financial institution computer. The check reader retrieves check information from a drawn check. The check information includes an amount of money, a routing number, and an account number. The centralized computer is in communication with the check reader. The centralized computer converts the check information into debit card data for transmission over a debit card network. The financial institution computer is in communication with the centralized computer via the debit card network. The debit card data is transmitted to the financial institution over the debit card network.

Abstract: A method of printing content on a print medium using a mobile telecommunications device is disclosed. Upon activation by an information link on the mobile telecommunication device, a request for the content is received at a server. The content is then transferred to the mobile telecommunications device. The mobile telecommunications device prints the content on the print medium using a printer of the mobile telecommunications device.

Abstract: A method of retrieving information using a mobile telecommunications device is disclosed. The method starts by reading a print media identifier encoded on the print medium using a sensor module of the mobile telecommunications device. Information linked to the print media identifier and the mobile telecommunications device is then retrieved from a database.

Abstract: An image transmitting apparatus includes: an address acquiring component that acquires an first address of a document image on the basis of address information other than numbers added to the document image; an address input component that receives input of the second address with respect to the document image; a match determining component that determines whether or not the second address that the address input component has received and the first address that the address acquiring component has acquired match; and a transmitting component that transmits the document image in accordance with the determination result of the match determining component.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided which has a coded tag generator configured to generate first coded tags using first identity data of a first interface received from a computer system so that each tag contains first data on an identity of a region and a position of that tag on the first interface, an inkjet printhead configured to substantially simultaneously print the first coded tags and graphic information onto a surface to generate the first interface, and an ink channel dedicated for printing the first coded tags.

Abstract: A method of displaying information to relate level of severity or importance comprising the steps of (a) displaying data points; (b) coloring said data points in varying colors according to set levels; and (c) adjusting shades of said colors depending on further defined levels within said set levels. Another method of displaying information to relate level of severity or importance comprising the steps of (a) querying disparate information systems with a certain search parameter (b) displaying data points returned from said search parameter into a single window; (c) coloring said data points in varying colors according to set levels; and (d) adjusting shades of said colors depending on further defined levels within said set levels. A system for displaying information according to level of importance or severity comprising a database, a worklist and an interface wherein said interface conveys level of importance or severity using varying shades of colors.

Abstract: A system for printing a reminder list on a print medium is disclosed. The system includes a mobile telecommunications device having a printer module to print the reminder list on the print medium and a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium.

Abstract: A method of printing content on a print medium using a mobile telecommunications device is disclosed. When the print medium is inserted into a media feed path of the mobile telecommunications device, a print media identifier read from the print medium using a sensor module of the mobile telecommunications device. The content is then printed on the print medium using a printer module of the mobile telecommunications device, and the content is also stored in a database using a server in communication with the mobile telecommunications device. This allows the content to be retrieved from the database using the print media identifier.

Abstract: A printing system for one- or two-dimensional barcodes, and a method and program of creating virtual fonts for such barcodes enable the font and output parameters of the font to be easily changed. The printing system for printing one- or two-dimensional barcodes has a host computer and a printer in communication therewith. The host computer has an application program for creating text data containing a one- or two-dimensional barcode and a printer driver for converting the text data to commands and for sending the commands to the printer. The printing system also has a virtual font configuration program for defining a virtual font linking one- or two-dimensional barcode font data of the printer driver with parameter values configuring the corresponding barcodes.

Abstract: A system comprising a facsimile device configured to transmit a code-associated information material, an interactive user device, and a processor. Typically, the code-associated information material is a medical record to which a barcoded fax cover sheet is appended. The interactive device is preferably a computer terminal, wherein the processor is coupled to the interactive user device via the Internet. The processor is configured to receive from the facsimile device a transmission of the information material, and to display it to an authorized user upon a request from the authorized user. The information material may be displayed via Internet, or else may be faxed to an authorized user in response to a telephone call.

Abstract: This present invention provides an image processing system and image processing method which can reliably transmit image information to a destination without attaching a large file which applies load to an e-mail system or reception terminal and make the receiving side easily acquire necessary image data on the basis of determination on the receiving side. In an image input/output device (10), image information is input from an image input device (201) and stored in a HDD (208) in a control unit (200). A low-resolution image or vector data is generated from the image information in accordance with the properties of objects contained in the image information. The generated information and information about the storage location of the image information are transmitted to a designated transmission destination.

Abstract: A method for performing optical character recognition (OCR) on an image of a document including text includes embedding a physical manifestation of digital information associated with the text on the document. When the document is scanned with a scanning device, the digital information and a digital text file are produced. The digital text file is proofed using the digital information.

Abstract: A digitization process and system which is initiated with the pick up and transport of documents to a scanning facility. Following pickup and transport, a number of additional steps are performed toward the goal of digitzing all documents without the loss of any documents and with assurance that all documents are properly catalogued, tracked and scanned. Various aspects of the process are designed to provide the highest possible assurance of document integrity. Further, the system and process herein disclosed assures proper merging of documents which may be scanned in parallel and via multiple scanning stations. In this way it is also possible to track, organize and scan documents associated with multiple projects in parallel and at one or more scanning stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overwriting image data in an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image control unit having a central processing unit and an image control unit for receiving image data. The image control unit stores image data on a non-volatile storage apparatus. A memory includes an overwrite application program for generating a string of random numbers and overwriting the image data with patterns from the string of random numbers.

Abstract: A printer for printing a first interface onto a first surface, thereby to generate a first interface surface. The first interface includes first coded data and is at least partially based on first document data. The document data includes first identity data indicative of at least one identity, the identity being associated with a region of the first interface. The printer includes an actuator in the form of a button, a coded data generator to generate the first coded data based at least partially on the first identity data, and a printing mechanism. When the button is pressed, the printer prints the first interface onto the first surface.

Abstract: An image-reading device includes a reading unit, a displaying unit, a recognition target region setting unit, a recognition target region adding unit, and a character recognizing unit. The recognition target region setting unit sets a recognition target region within the displayed image data to recognize characters. The recognition target region adding unit adds a new recognition target region based on the recognition target region set by the recognition target region setting unit. The character recognizing unit performs character recognition in the recognition target regions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image output apparatus having an image reading section, an image storing section for storing image data read by the image reading section, and an image output section for outputting an image corresponding to a document on the basis of the image data stored in the image storing section. The apparatus further includes an index recognizing circuit for image-recognizing index information on an index sheet when the index sheet is read by the image reading section, and an index registering circuit for registering the recognized index information and storage area designation information for designating a storage area in the image storing section, associated with each other. The image data representing the document which has been read by the image reading section subsequently to the index sheet is stored in a storage area, in the image storing section, to be designated by the storage area designation information associated with the index information.

Abstract: An output print produced by an image processing apparatus comprising a substrate having an image thereon and a machine readable marking identifying a data source used to process the image provided.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a communication unit configured to exchange data with an external device, an attribute determination unit, an embedding unit, and a storage unit. The attribute determination unit determines an image attribute of a first image signal to generate an attribute signal indicating the image attribute. The embedding unit embeds the attribute signal in the first image signal in a predetermined format to obtain a second image signal. The storage unit stores the attribute signal and one of the first image signal and the second image signal. The second image signal is transmitted to the external device through the communication unit.

Abstract: A digital image processing method for adaptively sub-sampling an image to X % of original pixels, includes the steps of generating an edge map of the image; normalizing the edge map to N-bits; applying a shift to the normalized edge map such that X % of the pixels will be ones when the normalized shifted edge map is halftoned using a blue noise halftoning technique; halftoning the edge map using the blue noise halftoning technique to generate a halftone mask; and sub-sampling the image at the pixel locations represented by ones in the halftone mask.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method are adapted to prevent a decline in image quality while reducing the number of bits in a discrimination signal stored in memory. The apparatus includes an image compressing device for encoding image data in prescribed block units and then storing the encoded data in a memory, after which the stored image data is decoded and outputted. A black-character discriminating unit discriminates a plurality of attributes of the image data, and a black-character compressing device encodes the plural results of discrimination in conformity with the image processing. The plurality of codes are divided into blocks of different sizes in such a manner that resolution is reduced, and the codes are stored in memory. Thereafter, the stored codes are decompressed and sent to a masking UCR circuit and to a spatial filter. On the basis of the codes sent, the masking UCR circuit and spatial filter apply image processing to the image data outputted from the image compressing device.

Abstract: A facsimile machine is disclosed that can record and print identifying information pertaining to the transmitter and the transmission of a facsimile message. The invention accommodates and allows for identifying information in many languages, accommodating telephone numbers that are exceptionally long as having more than 20 characters. These features are realized by finding the Transmitting Terminal Identification (TTI) in a transmitted message and forming a bit map therefrom. As a result, terminal identification can be communicated and recorded in virtually any language and can contain information up to the scan length instead of being restricted to a smaller number of characters.