Abstract: This invention relates to an image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program for combining an original image and another image. In this invention, an original image is segmented into a plurality of segmented images, and a segmented image to be combined is extracted from these segmented images. This extracted segmented image is combined with that segmented image of another image, which corresponds to the extracted segmented image.

Abstract: In a sky shot, when a closing and opening detection unit detects the opening of a document cover, contour detecting means detects as a probable edge point a pixel thought to be a document edge point, a contour correction unit determines whether the probable edge point is a document edge or not, and an image forming unit forms image data of a document on the basis of the document edge point.

Abstract: The invention provides a data filing device for storing an original image as one electronic file by not uniformly encoding but in different systems for each of parts in the original image. The data filing device includes an analyzer for analyzing a layout of a construction for an original image; a partial images encoder for sorting the original images into classifications of partial images and for individually encoding the partial images; and a data storage unit for storing data by combining the individually encoded data and a corresponding encoding attribute data as one image data in accordance with a predetermined format.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a method and apparatus for document processing that efficiently separates and interrelates single modalities, such as text, handwriting, and images. In particular, the present invention starts with the recognition of text characters and words for the efficient separation of text paragraphs from images by maintaining their relationships for a possible reconstruction of the original page. The text separation and extraction is based on a hierarchical framing process. The process starts with the framing of a single character, after its recognition, continues with the recognition and framing of a word, and ends with the framing of all text lines. The method and apparatus described herein can process different types of documents, such as typed, handwritten, skewed, mixed, but not half-tone ones.

Abstract: An information processing methodology gives rise to an application program interface which includes an automated digitizing unit, such as a scanner, which inputs information from a diversity of hard copy documents and stores information from the hard copy documents into a memory as stored document information. Portions of the stored document information are selected in accordance with content instructions which designate portions of the stored document information required by a particular application program. The selected stored document information is then placed into the transmission format required by a particular application program in accordance with transmission format instructions. After the information has been transmission formatted, the information is transmitted to the application program. In one operational mode, the interface interactively prompts the user to identify, on a display, portions of the hard copy documents containing information used in application programs or for storage.

Abstract: If identifying information for identifying a print request is not included in the print request transmitted from a user computer, the identifying information for the print request is generated, and the identifying information is embedded in a received image data to be printed as an electronic watermark. The image data in which the electronic watermark has been embedded is stored by associating that image with the identifying information and the image data is outputted to a print server. If the identifying information is included in the print request, image data corresponding to the identifying information is searched, and electronic watermark information of the identifying information related to the previous print request is extracted from the searched image data to transmit it to the user computer.

Abstract: A relay device for providing communication between a sensing device and a computer system includes first and second communications modules and a processor. The first communications module receives first indicating data transmitted from the sensing device in a first format. The indicating data is sensed by the sensing device when it is placed into an operative position in relation to first coded data forming part of a first interface disposed on a first surface. In particular, the indicating data includes a first region identity indicative of an identity of a region associated with the first interface. The processor is configured to generate second indicating data based on the first indicating data. The second communications module then transmits the second indicating data in a second format to the computer system.

Abstract: A printing system simultaneously prints both images and related information which is recorded together with the images. The print output may be unsuitable for use, depending on the combination of the image layout and positions where the related information is printed. To obviate this problem, an image processing apparatus lays out, on a recording medium, a plurality of images and information related to each of the images. The image processing apparatus has an image layout changing unit and an image layout controlling unit. The image layout changing unit changes a layout method for laying out the plurality of images. The image layout controlling unit determines, in accordance with the layout method changed by the layout changing unit, whether the related information is to be located within or outside areas of the associated images.

Abstract: In a postal information input apparatus in which when a postcode to be read by a reader of a postal matter sorting machine cannot be normally read, a correct postcode is reentered manually from an input device, a first display means which displays on a display device of the input apparatus a first display so as to indicate that the postal information input apparatus receives a data to be input from the postal matter sorting machine, and also displays an unprocessed number in the postal information input apparatus, is provided.

Abstract: A logical separation between pages, such as an implicit page break, is introduced to separate text entered during one handwriting session from text entered during another handwriting session. The amount of time elapsed since ink has been captured on the previous page is a factor that may be used to determine whether to insert an implicit page break into the new page. A change in context, such as a different date or different recognized subject matter labels, is also a factor that may be considered in determining whether to insert an implicit page break.

Abstract: The method sets a region to be subjected to red eye correction for red eye designation when a red eye in an image that has been produced in shooting is corrected into an eye having a pupil of a specified color. This setting method automatically extracts only the red eye from a first region including the red eye which has preliminarily been designated by an operator or automatically and sets a second region to be subjected to red eye correction for correcting a color of the pupil into the specified color of the pupil. If only the red eye can not automatically be extracted, the setting method sets the second region by designating only the red eye by the operator manually. The red eye correcting method converts the second region thus set by the above setting method into the eye having the pupil of said specified color to correct the red eye.

Abstract: A method for modifying a visible object shot with a television camera, in which method the object is marked by one or more marking surfaces disposed in the area of the object or in its vicinity, these marking surfaces being identifiable on the basis of radiation differing from other radiation in the area being shot. At least one of the marking surfaces differs in radiation from the environment on the basis of a property other than the color of visible light. The marking surface is identified using at least one identifying detector which is separate from the detectors of the television camera and by means of which the object is shot substantially from the same shooting direction as the picture shot by the television camera.

Abstract: A technique which can generate stable virtual page marks even in a non-OCR form to stably identify the form. Key segments which can be stably detected within a form are predefined for the detection of virtual page marks, and the virtual page marks (circumscribed rectangle) are generated on the basis of the key segments. Redundancy is bestowed on the detection of the key segments, and substitute segments are defined so as to generate the virtual page marks on the basis of them even in a case where the key segment has failed to be detected due to a stain, a partial lack or the like.

Abstract: This invention provides an object extraction method for performing processing for extracting and cutting out a specific object from a sensed image at high speed, and an image sensing apparatus using the method. In this invention, in a method of extracting an object by comparing a sensed image and a standard image, a focusing signal, focal length data, visual axis direction data, and illumination conditions are detected, and the initial size, initial position, or initial color of the standard image is changed on the basis of the detection results, and extraction is started under optimal conditions. In a method of extracting a specific object from the background image, the background image is converted into an image having the same conditions as those of the object image. From a plurality of images obtained under different image sensing conditions, the contour of the object is accurately obtained at high speed.

Abstract: A logical separation between pages, such as an implicit page break, is introduced to separate text entered during one handwriting session from text entered during another handwriting session. If the user leaves more than a threshold amount of blank space at the bottom of the page immediately preceding the new page, then an implicit page break may be inserted at the beginning of the new page. The amount of blank space left at the end of the preceding page may be combined with other criteria to determine whether to insert an implicit page break. The amount of time elapsed since ink has been captured on the previous page is another factor that may be used by itself or combined with other factors to determine whether to insert an implicit page break into the new page. A change in context, such as a different date or different recognized subject matter labels, is also a factor that may be considered in determining whether to insert an implicit page break.

Abstract: The invention is a method of and system for identifying a target form for increased efficiency in an automated data capture process. Forms are scanned and stored as digitized images. Regions are defined on the form relative to corresponding reference points between the form and the digitized image. The regions are defined in areas that contain anticipated digitized data from data fields of the form. Digitized data is recognized through such means as optical character recognition (OCR) and the resulting string variable is compared in form to a plurality of formats expected for that data. Scoring systems are used to attain a resultant score for a number of string variables which is compared to a predetermined confidence number. If said confidence number is reached, the form is flagged as a target form and used in the data capture process. A first step identification of certain graphical features can be added as an initial determination as to the source of the form.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for recognizing non-English alpha characters that contain diacritics. An image analysis separates the character into its constituent components. The one or more diacritic components are then distinguished and isolated from the base portion of the character. Optical recognition is performed separately on the base portion. The diacritic is recognized through a special image analysis and pattern recognition algorithms. The image analysis extracts geometric information from the one or more diacritic components. The extracted information is used as input for the pattern recognition algorithms. The output is a code that corresponds to a particular diacritic. The recognized base portion and diacritic are combined and a check is performed for acceptable combinations in a chosen language. By separately recognizing the base portion and diacritic, the character sets used by the recognizer can be narrowed, resulting in greater recognition.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the capture of an OCR character region of a postage indicium, wherein the OCR character region may exhibit a defect associated with the production or the reading of the indicium. A plurality of error compensation marks is provided in the proximity of the OCR character region such that the error compensation marks are caused to exhibit one or more changes indicative of the defect of the OCR character region. Thus, the defect in the OCR character region can be identified by detecting the changes in the error compensation marks. Accordingly, the defect in the OCR character region can be compensated for when the OCR characters are interpreted.

Abstract: A method for detecting an image area in a digital image includes identifying in the digital image a first image region indicative of a background area and a second image region indicative of the image area, computing gradient values using the pixel values of the digital image, defining a list of strokes based on the gradient values, merging the list of strokes, defining a list of corners using the list of strokes, and defining an image area rectangle delimiting the image area using the list of corners and the list of strokes. The image area rectangle can be used to define a binding box for extracting the image area from the digital image. The method enables the automatic detection of multiple image areas in a digital image. Moreover, the method implements a robust algorithm for image area detection such that even imperfect image areas can be detected without errors.

Abstract: The user circles the fax number or name of the receiving party and the system then uses the circled number or name to dial the receiving party's fax machine to initiate the transmission. The system scans the first page or cover page of the document to be faxed and uses a computer-implemented algorithm to detect the user-circled region. The image within the user-circled region is then extracted and optical character recognition performed to ascertain the fax number. Alternatively, the user-circled region may contain a name or other information to access a database where the fax number is stored.

Abstract: A logical separation between pages, such as an implicit page break, is introduced to separate text entered during one handwriting session from text entered during another handwriting session. If the user leaves more than a threshold amount of blank space at the bottom of the page immediately preceding the new page, then an implicit page break may be inserted at the beginning of the new page. The amount of blank space left at the end of the preceding page may be combined with other criteria to determine whether to insert an implicit page break. The amount of time elapsed since ink has been captured on the previous page is another factor that may be used by itself or combined with other factors to determine whether to insert an implicit page break into the new page. A change in context, such as a different date or different recognized subject matter labels, is also a factor that may be considered in determining whether to insert an implicit page break.

Abstract: An image reading device reads an image of an electronic part as an image pickup object with camera 8 having a line sensor. The line sensor comprises a plurality of pixels having a photoelectric transfer element arranged in series. The image reading device selects pixels periodically one by one and outputs image signals. The pixels for outputting image signals are set based on width data of an image pickup area stored on image pickup area storage 10. The image reading device monitors a relative positional relation between the image pickup object and the line sensor using a pulse of encoder 4A, and controls writing of the image signal into an image storage 15 with a storage controller 12 based on length data of the image pickup area. This process can remove uselessness of outputting the image signal from an unnecessary range and storing it, and improve efficient image reading.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing a document. The method comprises: marking an area of a document, using at least one predetermined markup symbol; identifying a markup symbol; using the identified markup symbol to locate the document area; determining characters in the document area; and, processing the determined characters. Fields that can be processed include title, keywords, author, signature, document name, category, subject, or document status, to name but a few examples. In some aspects, marking an area of a document, using at least one predetermined markup symbol includes: electronically marking using a medium such as a touchscreen, pressure pad, or a mouse. Alternately, the paper document can be physically marked (with a pen or pencil) before scanning. Typically, marking an area of a document includes forming a markup character proximate to an enclosing figure. A wide range of markup characters can be defined cross-referenced to document processes.

Abstract: An image processing device and a computer program product capable of accurately determining a user-desired region even when a region has been only roughly marked by a user, wherein a specific region within an image to be processed is detected; the image to be processed is allocated into a plurality of blocks; text included in the image to be processed is recognized; it is determined based on a result of text recognition that presence and absence of relevance between a first block which is partially included in the specific region and a second block which is entirely included in the specific region among the allocated blocks; and it is determined whether or not an image of the first block should be treated as an image belonging to the specific region in accordance with a result of determination as to the relevance.

Abstract: The character recognition apparatus incorporates a table recognition section. This table recognition section extracts circumscribing rectangles from connected components of black pixels on a whole surface of the image as an area where read image data are desired to be processed, sorts rectangles of character candidates and rectangles of frame candidates from the extracted circumscribing rectangles, fills the rectangles sorted as the character candidates with white pixels, recognizes and extracts frames as ruled lines from the rectangles which remain as the frame candidates.

Abstract: A data sheet identification device of the invention includes: a character/graphics extracting section, an identical shape deciding section, a graphics collating section, an identification code/data sheet ID identifying section for collating characters that have been decided to have the same shape with an identification code/data sheet ID database in which a plurality of characters showing features of a plurality of data sheets respectively have been registered, and an identifying section for uniquely identifying the data sheet based on a result of the collation by the graphics collating section and a result of the collation by the identification code/data sheet ID identifying section.

Abstract: Additive information for restoring the contour of an image is generated and embedded in the image data. The format of the additive information is determined beforehand. When a hard copy is produced, the additive information is extracted from received image data. The additive information is for example vary small characteristic points of a density different from the density assigned for image data and arranged inside the contour. The image data is restored according to the extracted additive information. The additive information can be generated for example from the code information for generating patterns such as control points data of an outline font. For a half-tone image, a plurality of density bands is assigned to the additive information. A read error is detected by comparing the restored image with the received image data.

Abstract: A method for data key-in includes receiving images of documents containing characters and receiving character codes entered by one or more key-in operators, the codes corresponding respectively to the characters in the documents. For at least some of the character codes, respective areas of the images that contain the corresponding characters are identified, such that each of the areas contains one of the characters. A group of the areas of the images is displayed together responsive to the corresponding character codes, so as to facilitate verification of the codes by a verifying operator.

Abstract: A relay device for providing communication between a sensing device and a computer system includes first and second communications modules and a processor. The first communications module receives first indicating data transmitted from the sensing device in a first format. The indicating data is sensed by the sensing device when it is placed into an operative position in relation to first coded data forming part of a first interface disposed on a first surface. In particular, the indicating data includes a first region identity indicative of an identity of a region associated with the first interface. The processor is configured to generate second indicating data based on the first indicating data. The second communications module then transmits the second indicating data in a second format to the computer system.

Abstract: Discriminating between documents scanned in a batch scanning process is achieved based on various analyses of the constituent document pages. The data provided by the various analyses are compared with each other to determine whether successive pages belong to the same document. Scanned documents result in a page sequence. The page sequence is then analyzed to extract one or more features attributes for each page. The feature attributes are provided to a feature comparison process in order to assess the similarity of successive pages. If a sufficient likelihood of similarity is found, then the compared pages are deemed to be from the same document; otherwise, they are deemed to be from different documents, indicating the existence of a document break. Through the display of the page sequence, a user may optionally modify the location of one or more document breaks. Based on the document breaks, separate scan files may be established.

Abstract: A character line is identified with a keyword included in the relevant logical element of a keyword dictionary, and the identification result is output to a “keyword identification part” to store the result. All the character lines processed through a “division process part” are output to a “tagging modification part” to replace tags so that there is no logically inconsistent in adjacent character lines, when tags given to adjacent character lines are in logically inconsistent as a combination of tags. A character line to which an appropriate tag may not be given in the “tagging modification part” is output to an “indecisive tag estimation part” where an appropriate tag is estimated and is given with reference to a tag adjacent the character lines. The process in the “indecisive tag estimation part” is applied to all the character lines, and repeated till there is no replacement of tags.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to effectively and accurately detect a characteristic of an image. In order to achieve the object, the invention comprises a calculating means for calculating an isolated amount of a pixel value in each of plural areas respectively having different sizes, an integrating means for integrating the calculated isolated amount in a predetermined area, and an extracting means for extracting the image portion having the predetermined attribute, according to the integrated isolated amount.

Abstract: Composing image data representing an original image in an image processing device, the image processing device having an input device and a display device, including performing a block selection process on the image data to identify at least one image block and to determine a set of block attribute data for each identified image block, displaying a composite image on the display device, the composite image comprised of each identified image block superimposed on the original image, receiving a block designation command from the input device, the block designation command designating one of the identified image blocks as a designated image block, and displaying, in response to the block designation command, a function command list for the designated image block, the function command list containing a plurality of function commands based on the set of block attribute data for the designated image block.

Abstract: A document contains zones in which to write at least one character per zone, and directions as to the information that is required in the zones. The directions are printed in the zones such that the written characters constituting the required information overlap the printed directions.

Abstract: A document is read by a scanner, the document type is detected, and a specific block in the document, for which character recognition is to be performed, is determined. The character recognition is performed for the specific block, the obtained character strings are analyzed, and in accordance with the analysis results, document objectives, such as the extraction of data, filing, transmission to a printer or notification of transmission, are attained. A process corresponding to the attained objectives is performed for the document that has been read.

Abstract: A digital information embedding apparatus comprises a band divider, a block divider, a key generator, an information embedder and a band synthesizer. The band divider divides the digital image signal into a plurality of frequency bands to obtain wavelet coefficients. The block divider divides the frequency band in which the digital information is to be embedded into a plurality of blocks in a predetermined block size. The key generator respectively generates secondary keys having different values from a key having a predetermined value using a predetermined function. The information embedder specifies the block in the embedding object region based on each of the generated secondary keys, and respectively embeds the corresponding information composing the digital information in the wavelet coefficients in the specified block in the embedding object region. The band synthesizer reconstructs a digital image signal.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code recognition processing method for recognizing a two-dimensional code made of a plurality of square cells arranged in accordance with predetermined layout rules. The method comprises the steps of: generating binary data from image information acquired externally in accordance with a predetermined threshold value; detecting a reference cell serving as a reference in recognizing the two-dimensional code based on the binary data generated in the binary data generating step; detecting corner cells each located in a predetermined search range with respect to the reference cell detected in the reference cell detecting step, on the basis of the binary data generated in the binary data generating step; and detecting code data assigned to the two-dimensional code existing inside an area of a code part enclosed by the reference cell and by the corner cells on the basis of the binary data generated in the binary data generating step.

Abstract: The area and position of each cell in a table are analyzed on the basis of the layout state of ruled lines and character strings contained in the image of the table to obtain a table structure. The obtained table structure is displayed. When a user instructs to correct the area of a cell in the displayed table structure, the area and position of the cell are corrected on the basis of the correction instruction to obtain a corrected table structure. After correction of the table structure, characters in each cell of the corrected table structure are recognized, and table format data is generated and output on the basis of the recognition result and table structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a character writing area inputs a plurality of images of written documents respectively having different characters recorded thereon to an existing document. The apparatus produces a common image and a differential image, based on the input images. By using of the common image and the differential image, a character-writing-areas are detected and an attribute is set for each of the areas. A format used for the written document is produced by using of the character-writing-areas and set attributes.

Abstract: A method of producing a mailpiece including the following steps: (i) printing a postal indicium and a first inspection image on a first label segment; and (ii) printing a recipient address and a second inspection image on a second label segment; (iii) applying the first label segment and the second label segment to the mailpiece. The first inspection image and the second inspection image have a human visible relationship indicating that the first label segment and the second label segment correspond to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a format recognition method, apparatus and its storage medium for automatically recognizing the format of a form, whereby the format is automatically determined by examining the arrangement of the smallest rectangles. According to the present invention, the smallest rectangles are extracted from a form, and the positional relationship of these rectangles is obtained. The attribute of the smallest rectangle is determined from the positional relationship. In accordance with the attribute, the smallest rectangles are sorted into a headline portion and a data portion, and a character string in the data portion is recognized.

Abstract: An albuming method includes the automatic adaptation of the page layout of a plurality of images to a boundary condition of an event. The method includes the steps of receiving a plurality of images having event-determining information that relates to one or more events to which the images pertain and the generation of an event boundary based on the on the event-determining information. The images for each event are then laid out into a page format adapted to the event boundary determined for that event. For example, if the page format is determined to have a maximum number of images per page, and if the number of images remaining for the last page are fewer than the maximum number, the page layout of the last or more pages of the event is automatically adapted to the event boundary by, e.g., adjusting the arrangement of the pictures on the last page.

Abstract: Systems and processes that automate receiving of unstructured information contained in electronic documents, detecting the document type, determining the corresponding document format, extracting structured information from the source document, and populating an information store with the extracted information for analysis purpose, are described. Generally, the electronic documents are pre-characterized and the extraction and mapping/translation details are developed as scripts on a per document type basis. These extraction and mapping/translation scripts are then automatically selected and used to automatically drive the subsequent information extraction processes.

Abstract: Document type comparison and classification using layout classification is accomplished by first segmenting a document page into blocks of text and white space. A grid of rows and columns, forming bins, is created on the page to intersect the blocks. Layout information is identified using a unique fixed length interval vector, to represent each row on the segmented document. By computing the Manhattan distance between interval vectors of all rows of two document pages and performing a warping function to determine the row to row correspondence, two documents may be compared by their layout. Furthermore, interval vectors may be grouped into N clusters with a cluster center, defined as the median of the interval vectors of the cluster, replacing each interval vector in its cluster. Using Hidden Markov Models, documents can be compared to document type models comprising rows represented by cluster centers and identified as belonging to one or more document types.

Abstract: A system for processing segmentation tags to generate a block level tag representative of a group of segmentation tags. The system includes first and second statistic compilation circuits, each of the compilation circuits being connected to receive segmentation tags and compile a statistic for a plurality of the received segmentation tags. An address controller connected to the first and second statistic compilation circuits operates to select one of the first and second compilation circuits to receive the segmentation tags.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the automated and semi-automated cropping of electronic images, and in particular to an apparatus and a method of using an electronic camera to capture and crop such electronic images. An electronic imaging processing device (1) for cropping an electronic image comprises an image processing means (6,8), the image processing means including an electronic processor (6) and firmware and/or software for processing the electronic image. The device (1) processes the electronic image to identify one or more features relevant to the composition of the electronic image, each such feature having one or more compositionally significant properties from amongst a plurality of different predetermined compositional properties, and each such feature occupying a sub-region of the electronic image.

Abstract: A object on a seat of a motor vehicle is classified by creating a video image of the area and forming a silhouette of the object. The silhouette is divided into two segments and a separate ellipse is positioned to approximate the shape of each segment. The parameters that define the location and size of the two ellipses form a feature vector for the object. A Bayesian classification function utilizes the feature vector to determine the probability that the object fits which each of a plurality of classes. A class for the object is determined based on the probabilities. This method can be used to control operation of an air bag in the motor vehicle in response to the class of the object on the seat.

Abstract: A scanner includes a gate to receive a media carrying an image to be scanned. A frame is movable toward and away from the gate between a scanning position and a retracted position spaced further away from the gate than the scanning position. A sensor and a lens mounted on the frame, which sensor and lens move with the frame between the scanning and retracted positions, so that the lens can focus at least part of an image in the gate onto the sensor. A method of scanning images is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for automated form identification in a forms processing application. Aspects of the form are not used in identifying the form. The identification is accomplished primarily through spatial relationship of entered data in comparison to a plurality of form templates. Each instance of entered data is assessed for location respective of form template field locations. Attributes of the form template fields are provided and a score is assigned based on those attributes and the existence of data. A total score is provided for each of the plurality of form templates. A best score is achieved for one of the plurality of form templates. This form template, the identified form, is used in the forms processing application.

Abstract: Elements are extracted from an input document image according to a predetermined extraction model. Based upon the variability in a predetermined set of layout characteristics of the extracted elements, the extraction model is adaptively modified to improve future performance in extracting the elements.