Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for pattern matching encoding disclosed a font bit map library is provided separately from a temporary updating library, in which temporary bit map pattern data capable of being updated according to a character pattern cut out from input binary image data is stored. In the font bit map library is stored font bit map library pattern data of an input character pattern font or a font designated by the user. A pattern matching process on the character pattern, is executed by comparing the character pattern with temporary bit map pattern data and font bit map pattern data. The character pattern is newly registered in the temporary updating library, when it is judged as being matched with only the temporary bit map pattern or as being matched with neither of the temporary bit map pattern or the font bit map pattern. It is possible to improve data compressibility without sacrifice in image quality.

Abstract: A printing system in which multiple images are positioned on multiple special electronic pages is provided. The printing system includes an interpreter which reads a stream written in a page description language (PDL). Upon reading a first portion of the PDL stream, a position indicator is established to indicate where a first one of the multiple images is to be positioned on a first one of the multiple special electronic pages. In response to reading a second portion of the PDL stream, the position indicator is used to automatically indicate where a second one of the multiple images is to be positioned on a second one of the multiple special electronic pages.

Abstract: There are provided a facsimile apparatus in which fonts of plural languages each including plural characters need not be permanently stored from the beginning, and a control method therefor. A data request from the facsimile apparatus is recognized by an information processing apparatus, which in response transfers data meeting the request of the facsimile apparatus thereto, among the data managed in the information processing apparatus, and the facsimile apparatus is enabled to manage and utilize thus transferred data, whereby the facsimile apparatus can effectively utilize the memory.

Abstract: A facsimile device is linked to an external station via a telephone line in a data communication and processing system, the external station being one of a host computer and a fax server. The facsimile device includes an input unit which inputs image data containing task processing data and a kind of task. A recognizing unit recognizes the task processing data and the kind of task from the image data from the input unit, and converts the task processing data and the kind of task into code data. A facsimile communication unit transmits the code data from the recognizing unit to the external station via the telephone line by using a facsimile communication function, the facsimile communication unit receiving code data from the external station via the telephone line by using the facsimile communication function.

Abstract: A method for data compression provides for an improved digital facsimile document transmission system. The mixed mode method provides that symbols can be located both individually and as a part of a line of symbols in order to provide for efficient operation for both the symbol and graphic portions of a document to be transmitted without requiring that the symbols be organized in lines or that each location be conveyed independently of all other locations of symbols.

Abstract: A process for the transmission and/or storage of information defined in digital form comprises transforming the clear file, containing said information, to graphic equivalent form, transmitting and/or storing the same in such graphic-equivalent form and bringing it back to digital form.

Abstract: A lossless image compression encoder/decoder system having a context determination circuit and a code generator. The image compressor uses the context of a pixel to be encoded to predict the value of the pixel and determines a prediction error and maps the prediction error to a mapped value having a distribution suitable for Golomb encoding. The image compressor contains a context quantizer that quantizes the context of pixels. The image compressor determines a Golomb parameter based on the context and historical information gathered during the coding of an image. To avoid systematic prediction biases in an image, the image compressor adjusts the distribution of prediction residuals to a distribution suitable for Golomb coding. As it encodes a particular pixel, the encoder uses the Golomb parameter to determine a Golomb code for the prediction error and encodes that value. To decompress an image, the decompressor determines and quantizes the context of each pixel being decoded.

Abstract: An inventive page encoding, printing, retrieval and archiving system and method wherein document information designators are encoded for pages. The designator includes information regarding the location of the digital representation of the page and optionally includes page generation and reproduction information. An enhanced copier or facsimile machine scans the printed designator and retrieves the stored digital representation of the page and outputs a "subsequent original" of the page. In the alternative, when the copier cannot directly access the digital representation of the page, the enhanced copier can decode the page generation and reproduction information found in the designator and apply the information to production of a high quality photocopy.

Abstract: Task order system 10 dispatches task orders throughout user network 10N concerning user record documents. Task order 10T is carried on an input medium suitable for scanning such as ordinary paper, and specifies both the dispatch task and the record document. The task order contains an input task identification (ID) 22 and record document index symbols 24. Scanner 10S receives the input medium and scans the task order thereon to obtain pixel images of the input ID and the index symbols. Classifier 10C receives the pixel images from the scanner for classification into an input ID code, and index codes. Template library 10L has a task ID template which defines the corresponding each task ID. Selector 11S selects the template code which matches the input ID code. Display device 10D notifies the user if the selection was unsuccessful. The user may correct the input ID code or manually select a template code from user keys 10K.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for compressing and decompressing image data. The apparatus includes: a composition circuit for composing composed data, having a predetermined bit width, from the given image data which correspond to spatially continuous pixels of an image; a compression circuit for compressing the composed data with Lempel-Ziv algorithm so as to obtain compressed data; a memory for storing the compressed data therein; and a controller for controlling the composition circuit and the compression circuit.

Abstract: An OCR document sheet is printed at an order terminal side, and contents of an order written in the OCR document sheet by an transmitter are read by a scanner of a scanner control element at the order terminal side. The contents of the order are converted into pieces of character recognized data according to the optical character recognition. Also, character patterns such as "commodity name" are generated in a character generating element. The character recognized data and the character patterns are displayed, and the character recognized data are corrected when a transmitter desires the correction of the data displayed. Thereafter, the character recognized data are transmitted to an order-receiving center to inform the center of the contents of the order. Also, the character recognized data and the character patterns are printed out to record the contents of the order at the order terminal side.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a reading part for optically reading font pattern data by raster scanning of a font pattern sheet, a communication part for receiving image data from an external facsimile terminal via a telephone line and for transmitting image data read from a document to an external facsimile terminal via the telephone line, a memory part for temporarily storing image data received or transmitted by the communication part, a printing part for printing an image on a recording sheet in accordance with the image data stored in the memory part, a converting part for converting the font pattern data read by the reading part into bi-level image signals, and for supplying this font data to the memory part, a storage part for storing the font data produced by the converting part, and a control part for reading the font data from the storage part and for allowing the printing part to print an image by using the font data read from the storage part, so that the printed image includes data represented b

Abstract: In an encoded symbol reader for decoding a two-dimensional encoded symbol, an image of the symbol is read and primary image data which directly corresponds to the symbol is generated. Further, from the primary data, secondary image data having less information than the primary image data is generated. The edge of the encoded symbol is detected using the secondary image data, and then decoding of the encoded symbol using the primary image data within the area defined by the detected edge.

Abstract: An input receiving apparatus receives an input such as an order slip transmitted from a facsimile apparatus at a user terminal. The user makes a conversation reservation before the user transmits the image data of the order slip. After the input receiving apparatus receives the image data, the input receiving apparatus switches a connection line from a facsimile receiving apparatus to a facsimile transmitting apparatus within the input receiving apparatus within the same call upon receipt of the conversation reservation signal automatically transmits a switching signal to the facsimile apparatus at the user end and performs a character recognition by extracting a character portion from the image data, thereby preparing a return image data based on the character recognition. When the facsimile apparatus at the user end is ready for receiving the return image data, the input receiving apparatus transmits the return image data.

Abstract: An image compression and decompression apparatus wherein the scale of a required frame memory is reduced to allow reduction of the circuit scale is disclosed. The image compression and decompression apparatus comprises first and second frame memories each of which is used as, upon compression processing, a pre-frame memory for storing digital image data before compression but as, upon decompression processing, a post-frame memory for storing digital image data after decompression. First and second compressed image memories are each used as, upon compression processing, a transmission buffer for storing data after compression but as, upon decompression processing, a reception buffer for storing data before decompression. Each of the two kinds of memories is constructed in a double buffer structure. Control of two kinds of memory controllers for controlling accessing to the two kinds of memories, compression and decompression processing, and sequence control are effected using a program.

Abstract: A mixed-mode transmission control apparatus for transmitting a mixed-mode document data from a transmitting terminal to a reception terminal via a network. The apparatus includes a storage part in which at least a transmitting terminal identifying data and a page number denoting each page of the mixed-mode document data are stored, a generating part for generating an identification block into which at least the terminal identifying data and the page number are transferred from the storage part, an editing part for editing the mixed-mode document data before transmission so as to add the identification block thereto, and a control part for transmitting the mixed-mode document data, to which the identification block is added, to the reception terminal by performing a predetermined data transmission procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for utilizing a printable, yet unobtrusive glyph or similar two-dimensionally encoded mark to identify copyrighted documents. Upon attempting to reproduce such a document, the glyph is detected, decoded and used to accurately collect and/or record a copyright royalty for the reproduction of the document, or to prevent such reproduction. Furthermore, the glyph may also include additional information so as to enable an electronic copyright royalty accounting system, capable of interpreting the encoded information, to track and/or account for copyright royalties which accrue during reproduction of all or portions of the original document.

Abstract: Machine encoding of forms allows a simple recognition system to determine what marks on the form bear relevant information and, then to transmit only the relevant information, i.e. transmits bit maps representing the unique parts of the form and a description of the form itself but not a bit map of the entire form. Depending on the architecture of the system and the needs of the user, the original document may be processed at the reception site after only a small fraction of the document' contents has been transmitted. Transmission of bit mapped information is thus proportional only to the size and density of the bit map to be transmitted. Transmission of other types of information, e.g. checkboxes or ASCII coded data, is proportional to the number of such items, and not their size or density.

Abstract: In a facsimile data processing apparatus, printer code, including a line pitch amount control command and character codes are received from a host computer. The character codes are converted into image data and the image data is converted into transmission code, such as modified Huffman code. The space following the last character line on one page is neither converted into image data nor converted into transmission code, rather a control return code is added following the transmission code of the last character line on the page.

Abstract: A facsimile in which various kinds of management reports on its operation conditions are output. In the facsimile, when outputting a management report about the facsimile itself, the contents of the management report are once converted into code data and the code data are then stored in a code storage unit. After that, the stored code data are output from an image recording unit in the same manner as the code data of an image received from outside in the code storage unit is output.

Abstract: It is determined whether an object pixel in entered image data resides on (a) part of a black character or line, (b) not on part of a black character or line but in close proximity thereto, (c) neither part of nor in close proximity to a black character or line. When it is determined that (a) holds, the object pixel is recorded using dark black ink only. When it is determined that (b) holds, a pixel comprising various color components is recorded using ink whose density is lower that that of ink having a designated density. When it is determined that (c) holds, namely that the object pixel is remote from a black character or line, the object pixel is recorded using the ink of the designated density.

Abstract: In a printing device for printing bar-codes, a string of characters and symbols representing the contents of the bar-codes are printed under the bar-codes by replacing the lower part of the dot pattern with the dot pattern for the string. The present invention is characterized in that the printing device has a decision means for deciding whether or not to print characters and for printing bar-codes with a sufficient height for reading operation by bar-code readers. The printing device automatically omits the string of characters when a character size set by an operator is not large enough to print a string and a bar-code in juxtaposition.

Abstract: In a facsimile data processing apparatus, printer code, including a line pitch amount control command and character codes are received from a host computer. The character codes are converted into image data and the image data is converted into transmission code such as modified Huffman code. The line space is directly converted into the transmission code, in the form of white code, without the conversion into image data. The line space varies according to the line pitch amount control command by changing the amount of the white code to be added.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reproduction of an original document wherein image information on the document is selected by character-coding to designate the information for treatment according to one or more particular selective editing or machine control functions. Each character code is predefinable by the user by marking one or more code definition sheets. The documents and code definition sheets are placed in a document handler and passed over a scanner that is sensitive to the image information, the character coding, and the markings on the code definition sheets. The sensed image information is processed according to a determination of the desired functions. A marking engine then provides hard copy reproductions of the original documents from the processed image information.

Abstract: A system for representing and recognizing data in machine readable graphic image form in which data to be encoded is entered into the system and a processor encodes the data into a two-dimensional pattern of graphic indicia and generates transfer drive signals representative of the indicia. A transferring device such as a printer transfers an image of the two-dimensional pattern of graphic indicia onto a carrier such as a card or paper document in response to the transfer drive signals. A recognition device converts the image on the carrier into electrical signals representative of the graphic indicia and decodes the signals into output signals representative of the data for further processing or use.

Abstract: A serial communication peripheral device operates both as a conventional modem and to transmit and receive facsimile images as scan encoded data. Text data containing ASCII characters can be received from a local device and converted into scan encoded data for transmission to facsimile machines or other computers. The text to facsimile conversion process uses an image builder to produce a partial image of a line of text. The partial image is stored in a buffer with each character at regularly spaced intervals. The desired intercharacter spacing and attributes such as bold and expanded characters are stored in an attribute array with each element of the array corresponding to one of the character images in the buffer. A Modified Huffman compressor scans the image buffer and produces the scan encoded data based upon the detected bits and the attributes stored in the attribute array.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing selectively edited reproductions of an original documents with high productivity. Selected areas of information on the originals are bounded by a loop of a first or second type of highlighting material to indicate the area for reproduction in one or more treatment modes such as color-accenting. Alphanumeric character codes, written using the highlighting means, designate the treatment(s) to be applied. The two types of highlighting material respectively indicate that the selected area is located within or outside the boundary. By scanning the highlighted originals, the boundaries are distinguished and the character codes are detected. The resulting output signals are processed using boundary detection and character recognition algorithms and the resulting information is stored in a bit map. The information is used to adjust a charged image version of the original on an image-bearing member using an LED or other light source.

Abstract: A computer input system includes a facsimile machine connected to a computer through an interface. A data sheet which is fed to the facsimile machine includes a character pattern row in which a character pattern of data to be entered into the computer is written, and a standard pattern row in which a standard reference pattern corresponding to the character pattern is written. An identification index is marked on the data sheet, and the character pattern, standard pattern, and identification index are transmitted by the facsimile machine from the data sheet to the computer via the interface. The computer includes an arrangement responsive to the character pattern, the standard pattern and the identification index for recognizing and recording the corresponding relationship between the character pattern and the standard pattern.

Abstract: A multicolor image forming apparatus includes an image input means for outputting at least a character, a character size, and character coordinate data on a screen as image code data on the basis of input image data, a font storage section for storing font data and outputting the font data in accordance with an input address signal, a font data conversion sectin having a function of converting the image code data into image data consisting of pixel data on the basis of the font data, and an image buffer memory for temporarily storing the image data output from the font data conversion section. Toner images are frame-sequentially formed in layers on an image forming body in units of color components on the basis of the obtained image data, thereby forming a multicolor toner image.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing selectively edited reproductions of an original document wherein areas of information on the original are bounded and alphanumerically character-coded with the use of a highlighting means to designate the area for editing. The highlighted originals are serially passed during a copy run over an image scanner that is sensitive to the highlighted portions. The selected areas and the character codes are recognized and the image information is stored in a bit map. In one embodiment an original is imaged onto two image frames of an electrostatically-charged image-bearing member. Character recognition of the character codes allows the selected areas to be deleted, repositioned, selectively screened, or filled with a screen tint. Combinations of modalities may be indicated using appropriate combinations of character codes. The image frames are developed and transferred in register to a copy sheet to provide a reproduction according to the treatment mode indicated.

Abstract: There is an image processing system comprising: a storage device to store the binarized image; a dividing circuit to divide the storage space in the storage device into rectangular meshes of a predetermined size in which at least one character is included; a discriminating circuit to discriminate the image area included in the mesh; and an encoder to compress and encode the image area on the bases of the first or second encoding method in accordance with the result of the discrimination of the discriminating circuit. This system may include the first or second decoder to decode the image information in correspondence to the first or second encoder. The second encoding method is based on a dot level. When continuous white or blank meshes exist in the image area, namely, no black pixel exists in the image area, the run length, i.e., the number of blank meshes is encoded.

Abstract: As image processing method suitable for creative image generation in which the image data of an original image are divided into plural areas each consisting of plural pixels, the shape of these areas is modified according to the image data of the original image, and the pixel data in each area are processed in accordance with a representative value of the image data.

Abstract: An image generation system includes a data processor for carrying out data processing operations along with a read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). A bus bar interconnects the various units to establish a flow of commands and data. A floppy disk controller operates as an interface for a floppy disk drive and a direct memory access controller controls the floppy disk controller for the transfer of data to the RAM. A serial communication controller serves as an interface between the flow of data from the image generation system to a printer engine. A bit-map means operates for storing, addressing and re-organizing data for normal and duplex printing.

Abstract: A character compaction and generation method and apparatus which is particularly adapted to the compaction and generation of complex characters such as Kanji characters. Each character in a complex character set is defined by an I row and J column dot matrix, wherein each row is comprised of J bytes. Each successive row of a given character is scanned from the first through the Jth byte to determine if the current byte being scanned has the same numerical value as the immediately preceding or directly above byte in the scanning sequence. The number of successively read out sequence of bytes that have the same numerical value as the immediately preceding or directly above byte are coded as single symbols words Pn and Am, respectively, where n and m are integers which are indicative of the number of successive bytes scanned in sequence which are equal in numerical value to each immediately preceding or directly above byte.

Abstract: Hierarchal encoding of an image is achieved by first deriving a picture element array of binary coded intensity values representing the image and then deriving from the intensity values of the picture element array a sequence of hierarchal codes consisting of one of the intensity values as the first code followed by n-1 cyclic differences between n-1 distinct pairs of intensity values, where n is the total number of intensity values of the picture element array. The distinct pairs of intensity values are systematically selected by making alternating horizontal and vertical passes through the picture element array of intensity values. In each horizontal pass, consecutive nonoverlapping adjoining pairs of intensity values are selected along consecutive rows of the picture element array and successive undersampled arrays, the undersampled array for a horizontal pass being constructed by eliminating every other row from the undersampled array for the preceding vertical pass.