Abstract: A system and method is provided for automatically recognizing building numbers in street level images. In one aspect, a processor selects a street level image that is likely to be near an address of interest. The processor identifies those portions of the image that are visually similar to street numbers, and then extracts the numeric values of the characters displayed in such portions. If an extracted value corresponds with the building number of the address of interest such as being substantially equal to the address of interest, the extracted value and the image portion are displayed to a human operator. The human operator confirms, by looking at the image portion, whether the image portion appears to be a building number that matches the extracted value. If so, the processor stores a value that associates that building number with the street level image.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method of and a device for identifying direction of characters in image block. The method includes: performing optical character recognition processing on the image block by assuming various directions as assumed character directions to obtain sub image blocks, recognized characters and correctness measures in each assumed direction; in sub image blocks in the assumed directions with a 180° mutual relation, searching for a minimum matching pair; when there is one sub image block in each assumed direction in a minimum matching pair and recognized characters belonging to the minimum matching pair are the same rotation invariant character or belong to the same rotation invariant character pair, adjusting their correctness measures to the same; calculating an accumulative correctness measure in each assumed direction based on the adjusted results; and identifying the direction of the characters in the image block according to the accumulative correctness measures.

Abstract: A method of defining model characters of a font. The method includes receiving a string of characters, receiving an image that includes an occurrence of the string, identifying objects in the image, determining, for each respective object, which of the objects satisfies first criteria indicating that the respective object likely corresponds to a character in the string, determining, for each respective object satisfying the first criteria, which of the objects satisfies second criteria indicating that the respective object belongs to a sequence of objects likely to correspond to the string, and defining, for each respective object satisfying the second criteria, a model character for each character of the string based upon a corresponding object of the sequence of objects. The first criteria may include aspect ratio criterion, size criterion, or both, and the second criteria may include alignment criterion, spacing criterion contrast criterion, encompassment criterion, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An imaging-based bar code reader that includes an imaging and decoding system. Focusing optics and a sensor array define a field of view. A data processor has a memory for storing a pattern definition of previously imaged OCR characters and comparing a format of said previously stored characters to a present image to determine a character content of the present image.

Abstract: A method and system to localize data fields of a form. An image of a form is received, where the form includes data fields. Word boxes of the image are identified. The word boxes are grouped into candidate zones, where each of the candidate zones includes one or more of the word boxes. Hypotheses are formed from the data fields and the candidate zones, where each hypothesis assigns one of the candidate zones to one of the data fields or a null data field. A constrained optimization search of the hypotheses is performed for an optimal set of hypotheses. The optimal set of hypotheses assigns word box groups to corresponding data fields.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed pertain to mobile device based text detection and tracking. In some embodiments, a first reference frame is obtained by performing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on an image frame captured by a camera to locate and recognize a first text block. A subsequent image frame may be selected from a set of subsequent image frames based on parameters associated with the selected subsequent image and a second reference frame may be obtained by performing OCR on the selected subsequent image frame to recognize a second text block. A geometric relationship between the first and second text blocks is determined based on a position of the first text block in the second reference frame and a pose associated with the second reference frame.

Abstract: A system and method using a text extraction application for identifying words with multiple orientations from an image are described. The text extraction application receives an input image, generates progressively blurred images, detects blobs in the blurred images, outputs ellipses over the blobs, detects a word in the input image, orients and normalizes a first version of the word, generates an inverted version of the word, performs OCR on the first version and the inverted version of the word, generates confidence scores for the first version and the inverted version of the word and outputs text associated with the word.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an image of a document; performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the image; extracting an address of a sender of the document from the image based on the OCR; comparing the extracted address with content in a first database; identifying complementary textual information in a second database based on the address; and at least one of: extracting additional content from the image of the document; correcting one or more OCR errors in the document using the complementary textual information, and normalizing data from the document prior to determining a validity of the document using at least one of the complementary textual information and predefined business rules. At least one of the aforementioned operations is performed using a processor of a mobile device. Exemplary systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: A user's mobile device has an application that, when employed, verifies and authenticates to a third party that the user has ownership of a physical book. Use of the application's process allows unique identification of each book by means of ISBN lookup in conjunction with a) signature image analysis or b) a generated unique identifier code, and assigns that book to the user's account. User possession of the book is associated with ownership in the user's account and ownership is authenticated by assigning the unique book to the user's account. Fraud or multiple use prevention is built into the application and process. Evidence of authentication is sent to the interested third party for use in distribution of e-books in a manner contingent on ownership of the physical book.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for post optical character recognition font size determination. Optical character recognition output from an optical character recognition engine that includes character and bounding box information is aggregated into character strings. Measurements are then collected from each character in each character string that correspond to alignment heights of the top or bottom of the character with an ascender-line, a cap-line, a digit-line, a mean-line, a base-line, or a descender-line. Histograms are formed for each of these heights for each character string from the collected measurements. Based on the histograms, a pivot height is selected and used to determine the relative font size of the character string. The relative font size is normalized using a preselected factor associated with the selected pivot height. The normalized font size is then output as the font size of characters in the optical character recognition output.

Abstract: A method for automatically typesetting patent images extracts a brief introduction of each patent image from a description part of a patent document, and records a keyword of the brief introduction. The method distinguishes an image label of each patent image from an image part of the patent document. The method rotates the patent image by ninety degrees clockwise in response that the image label of the patent image does not contain the keyword, and outputs the rotated image onto a display device.

Abstract: A character recognition apparatus and method based on a character orientation are provided, in which an input image is binarized, at least one character area is extracted from the binarized image, a slope value of the extracted at least one character area is calculated, the calculated slope value is set as a character feature value, and a character is recognized by using a neural network for recognizing a plurality of characters by receiving the set character feature value. Accordingly, the probability of wrongly recognizing a similar character decreases, and a recognition ratio of each character increases.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a document management method thereof. A document management method of an image forming apparatus which includes an image scanner to scan a document and generate a scanned image, the method includes generating the scanned image by scanning a document including a bar code, determining whether to perform an optical character recognition (OCR) on the scanned image by using bar code information of the generated scanned image, extracting character information of the document by performing the OCR with respect to the scanned image according to the determination result, and setting a file name by using at least one of the bar code information and the extracted character information and storing the scanned image. The apparatus and method set a file name of a scanned document to identify the document without an additional input.

Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods for translating language text on a mobile camera device offline without access to the Internet. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and methods for displaying text of a first language and a translation of the first language text into a second language text which is displayed in real time in augmented reality on the mobile device. The processing can use a single line or a multiline algorithm designed with a plurality of processing innovations to insure accurate real-time translations without motion jitter. The invention may be used to help travelers in a foreign country with difficulties in reading and understanding text written in the local language of that country. The present invention may be utilized with wearable computers or glasses, producing seamless augmented reality foreign language translations. Some embodiments are particularly useful in translations from Asian languages to English.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for selecting a solution technique from a plurality of solution techniques for accomplishing a task is provided. The plurality of solution techniques are ranked according to a set of parameters. A first set of solutions are then obtained based on each of the plurality of solution techniques until at least the first predefined number of solutions from the first set of solutions matches with the corresponding solution from the second set of solutions. The second set of solutions corresponds to correct solutions for the task. Thereafter, one of the plurality of solution techniques is selected for which at least the first predefined number of solutions from the first set of solutions matches with the corresponding solution from the second set of solutions.

Abstract: Character recognition is described. In one embodiment, it may use matched sequences rather than character shape to determine a computer-legible result.

Abstract: A page layout module receives a page image displaying text in an unknown script and unknown orientation, determines a text section in the received image and transmits the text section to an orientation and script module. The orientation and script module comprises a training module, a classifier and a recognition module. The training module trains the classifier to identify connected components that include a connected portion of one or more characters of text. The recognition module uses the trained classifier to identify in the received text section a set of connected components. The recognition determines the likely orientation and script for the connected components and then uses the determined information to determine the orientation and script for the text section. The determined orientation and script for the text section is transmitted to the OCR module. The OCR module uses the determined orientation and script to recognize text in the text section.

Abstract: A method for classifying a document (3) to be associated with at least one service (Si), including a step in which a scanner (1) having a processor (6) scans (E1) the document (3). The method also includes steps in which the processor (6): develops (E2) at least one structure (?j) representing the document (3), determines (E3) for each service (Si) at least one similitude value (?ij) between the structure (?j) representing the document and a reference structure (Rij) of the same kind and representing the service (Si), deduces (E4) from the similitude value (?ij) the service (Si) with which the document (3) is to be associated, and processes (E5) the document (3) according to the service (Si) thus associated. The invention also relates to a scanner for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a tag, includes: a step (205) of capturing an image, with a communicating mobile terminal, of at least a portion of a tag having at least a portion of an identifier; a step (210) of transmitting the identifier to a server; a step (215) of reading, from a memory of tag images, the image of a tag having the identifier; a step (220) of transmitting, to the communicating mobile terminal, at least a portion of the image read from the memory; and a step (230) of displaying at least a portion of the transmitted image superimposed on an image captured by the terminal.

Abstract: Methods and several apparatus embodiments are disclosed operating Optical Characteristic Systems (OCS) in a container storage and/or transfer yard supporting the automated recognition of container codes displayed on various sides of the containers being stored and/or transferred. At least one processor may initiate an operational process by an OCS mounted on a container handler to create an operational result, select the operational process based upon an operational schedule and communicate with at least one OCS to receive an image of a container being handled by the container handler to at least partly create a container code estimate for a container inventory management system. A program system directing at least one computer implementing these operations, and may reside in computer readable memory, an installation package and/or a download server. The computer readable memory may or may not be accessibly coupled to the computer.

Abstract: The present embodiments disclose a method of and a device for identifying the direction of characters in an image block. The method includes: performing optical character recognition processing on the image block by assuming various directions as assumed character directions, respectively, to obtain sub image blocks, recognized characters corresponding to the sub image blocks and correctness measures thereof in each of the assumed character directions; determining a language group to which the characters in the image block belong; adjusting a correctness measure corresponding to a sub image block which corresponds to a recognized character not belonging to the determined language group in each of the assumed character directions; calculating an accumulative correctness measure in each of the assumed character directions based on the adjusted correctness measure; and identifying the direction of the characters in the image block according to the accumulative correctness measures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to designing of a hierarchy of feature vectors. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating design of a hierarchy of feature vectors while recognizing one or more characters in a video is disclosed. The method comprises collecting one or more features from each of the segments in a video frame extracted from a video; preparing multi-dimensional feature vectors to classify the one or more characters; calculating a minimum distance between the multi-dimensional features vectors of a test character and the multi-dimensional feature vectors of a pre-stored character template; selecting, with respect to a decreasing order of the minimum distance, the multi-dimensional feature vectors to design a hierarchy of the multi-dimensional feature vectors; and classifying the characters based on the hierarchy of the multi-dimensional feature vectors.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficient delivery of a plurality of information regarding items for auction. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a server entity adapted to communicate with a plurality of information sources (such as sources having vehicle history information, estimated valuation information, etc.) The server entity compiles information received from the plurality of sources and formats the information for efficient delivery to a client device via e.g., SMS based text messaging, internet-based instant messaging, or the like. In another salient aspect of the invention, a client enters an auction identification number (AID) rather than a longer alpha-numeric VIN or other identification number. The server entity may also calculate and communicate estimates and/or alerts/reminders of when bidding will begin for particular items for auction which the client has expressed interest in. Exemplary client interface and business methods are also given.

Abstract: A fingerprint of an image identified within a received message is generated following analysis of the message. A spam detection engine identifies an image within a message and converts the image into a grey scale image. The spam detection engine analyzes the grey scale image and assigns a score. A fingerprint of the grey scale image is generated based on the score. The fingerprint may also be based on other factors such as the message sender's status (e.g. blacklisted or whitelisted) and other scores and reports generated by the spam detection engine. The fingerprint is then used to filter future incoming messages.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a translation environment interface to a user are disclosed herein. The techniques include receiving a message template to be translated, the message template including a text portion and one or more template placeholders, parsing the message template to identify the text portion and the template placeholders, generating non-editable objects corresponding to the template placeholders and generating a display message template by replacing each of the one or more template placeholders with its corresponding non-editable object in the message template, the display message template including the text portion to be translated. The techniques further include providing the display message template to a user device and receiving a translated display message template from the user device, the translated message including a translated text portion and the one or more non-editable objects.

Abstract: A character recognition apparatus includes an extracting unit that extracts a numerical value reading region in which a numerical value that is a character string of a numeral is read from an image that is a character recognition target, a character recognizing unit that performs character recognition on the extracted numerical value reading region and obtains plural recognition candidates for each numerical value, and a selecting unit that selects a potential candidate from the plural recognition candidates on the basis of a numerical value range set for each numerical value reading region.

Abstract: Disclosed are a form template definition method and a form template definition apparatus. The form template definition method comprises a cell extraction step of analyzing an image of a form so as to extract one or more cells from the image of the form; a cell classification step of classifying the extracted cells; and a cell attribute definition step of defining attributes of the extracted cells class by class. If an attribute of a first cell in one class is defined, then other cells in the class automatically copy the attribute of the first cell. As a result, the work amount of form template definition may be dramatically reduced by employing the form template definition method and form template definition apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing method for identifying a region in an input image by character recognition, the region coinciding with a predetermined search condition, includes receiving the search condition, the search condition including assignments of plural format character strings, each format character string including an assignment of a character type or a specific character for each character of a recognition target, extracting a character string region becoming a candidate from the input image, calculating a similarity between a character recognition result and the plural format character strings with respect to each group of plural character string regions, the character recognition result being of each character string region included in each group, and determining the group coinciding with the search condition among the groups of plural character string regions according to the calculated similarity.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating an electronic shopping list based on a digital photograph of a handwritten shopping list. The techniques include obtaining a digital photograph of a handwritten shopping list and identifying a handwritten text portion in the digital photograph. The techniques further include determining a set of candidate items corresponding to the handwritten text portion, each candidate item of the set of candidate items representing a different item that may have written in the handwritten text portion of the handwritten shopping list and being indicative of a product sold by a retailer. The techniques further include selecting one of the set of candidate items for inclusion in the electronic shopping list. The techniques can be performed by a mobile computing device or by a shopping list server.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that enables a business to purchase a generic, but unique, kit containing one or more signs, with a machine readable medium. The computer readable medium stores information relating to a unique web address of a configurable web site landing page. An administrator configures the web site as desired so that when a user scans the machine readable medium, the user will be direct to the web site, and will have access to the content configured by the administrator. A system and method is also provided for programming or generating machine readable medium.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute: acquiring a picked image; selecting pixels, which are adjacent to each other, to be connected based on value of the pixels in the image; generating a pixel connected area which includes the connected pixels; extracting a feature point from an outer edge of the pixel connected area; and calculating a moved amount of the feature point on the basis of the feature point of a plurality of images that have been picked at the first time and the second time by the acquiring.

Abstract: Determining a label from an image is disclosed, including: obtaining an image; determining a first portion of the image associated with a special mark; determining a second portion of the image associated with a label based at least in part on the first portion of the image associated with the special mark; and applying character recognition to the second portion of the image associated with the label to determine a value associated with the label.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for identifying a page layout of an image that includes textual regions. The textual regions are to undergo optical character recognition (OCR). The system includes an input component that receives an input image that includes words around which bounding boxes have been formed and a text identifying component that groups the words into a plurality of text regions. A reading line component groups words within each of the text regions into reading lines. A text region sorting component that sorts the text regions in accordance with their reading order.

Abstract: A receipt processing system includes at least one imaging device which generates an image of a paper receipt. At least one processor programmed to acquire the image of a paper receipt from the at least one imaging device, textualize the data from the acquired receipt image, define specific local partial models based on regular expressions and geometric proximity, extract information from the textualized data according to the local partial models, apply rules to the extracted information, and generate receipt data from the application of the rules.

Abstract: A two-dimensional code that includes a bar code readable by a scanning operation is provided. The two-dimensional code has an associated alphanumeric representation, and the bar code and the alphanumeric representation represent the same first information. Further, a position of at least one character of the alphanumeric representation with respect to at least one element of the bar code represents second information.

Abstract: This invention is a method creating a machine readable language of medical billing codes from medical records by artificial intelligence and human intelligence both. The software related engine is achieved by converting difficult billing code numbers into and from easy code letters. Also, this software makes scheduling easier, with reappointments and sends letters by electronic means, messaging, voice over internet protocol and wireless connections using an unique implementation of other applications in combination with this novel medical software operation.

Abstract: A method for processing data by using an optical character reader (OCR) is provided. The method includes obtaining OCR data from each image file of a plurality of image files and storing the obtained OCR data, receiving a search command with respect to an object, extracting the object from the stored OCR data, selecting OCR data which includes the object from among the OCR data, and displaying a list of image files which correspond to the selected OCR data.

Abstract: A system for document processing including decomposing an image of a document into at least one data entry region sub-image, providing the data entry region sub-image to a data entry clerk available for processing the data entry region sub-image, receiving from the data entry clerk a data entry value associated with the data entry region sub-image, and validating the data entry value.

Abstract: An overlap determining unit determines whether or not a stamp character string is readable using image data of a stamp image and image data of a scan image read by a scanner unit when the stamp image and the scan image area overlapped. A stamp image generating unit generates a correction stamp image obtained by correcting the stamp image to improve readability of the stamp characters when it is determined that the stamp characters are not readable. A synthesis image generating unit generates a synthesis image in which the correction stamp image and the scan image are overlapped. A printer unit forms the synthesis image on a printing medium.

Abstract: A photo sharing system with a face recognition function is provided. The photo sharing system includes a photo browser and a photo sharing platform. The photo browser has a photo classification module for classifying plural photos according to face image contained in the plural photos, thereby generating a photo classification message. The photo classification message contains the photos having the face image of the same person. Moreover, the photo classification message may be transmitted to the photo sharing platform at the same time to be shared to the receiver corresponding to face image. By the photo sharing system, the efficacy of sharing photos will be enhanced.

Abstract: A system for verifying and correcting errors after translation of printed text into machine-readable text. The system includes a memory for storing formulas defining relationships between data fields. A processor evaluates the formulas according to data values associated with the data fields to determine whether the formulas evaluate as truthful statements. The processor marks the data fields of the formulas as unverified or as verified based upon this evaluation. The system also uses the processor to calculate a determined value for data fields in an attempt to correct errors in the translation of the printed text into machine-readable text. If different determined values are calculated for the same data field, based upon different formulas, the data field is marked as uncertain. The system iterates based upon the marking of the data fields of the formulas as verified or unverified and as uncertain or not uncertain.

Abstract: An arrangement for, and a method of, electro-optically reading different types of targets by image capture, include an imaging assembly for capturing an image of a target over a field of view, and a controller for automatically distinguishing between the different types of targets, for decoding a symbol if the target being imaged is a symbol target, and for identifying and processing individual fields on a form if the target being imaged is a form target.

Abstract: A first identification number obtained by performing character recognition of each of a plurality of digits of an identification number and allocating predetermined characters to digits where characters cannot be determined and a second identification number representing an identification number that is the target of character recognition processing or search processing are compared with each other by calculating a matching ratio between the two numbers. When the matching ratio is lower than a predetermined reference value, a shifted identification number obtained by shifting each character forming the first identification number one digit in a predetermined direction and the second identification number are compared with each other by calculating a matching ratio between the two numbers. If this matching ratio is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference value, subsequent processing is continued, so that the shifted identification number is treated as the first identification number.

Abstract: A character recognition method for recognizing a character of a medium is provided. A character image of an individual character from a medium is acquired and the character image is read out step by step to determine the character according to a hierarchical structure in which a set of predetermined characters are hierarchically classified into a plurality of groups configured of main groups and sub groups.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and computer readable media for performing image orientation detection using image processing techniques are described. In one implementation, an image processing method is disclosed that obtains image data from a first image captured by an image sensor (e.g., from any image capture electronic device). Positional sensor data captured by the device and corresponding to the image data may also be acquired (e.g., through an accelerometer). If the orientation of the device is not reliably discernible from the positional sensor data, the method may attempt to use rotationally invariant character detection metrics to determine the most likely orientation of the image, e.g., by using a decision forest algorithm. Face detection information may be used in conjunction with, or as a substitute for, the character detection data based on one or more priority parameters. Image orientation information may then be included within the image's metadata.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-dimensional object detection are described. Embodiments disclose receiving image frames, extracting image components in the image frame, identifying line segments in the extracted components, grouping the line segments into groups, based at least in part on one or more similarities between the slope associated with a line segment and the spatial proximity between the line segments, and merging each of the one or more identified line segments in a selected group into a single line segment. Embodiments additionally disclose detecting the position of one or more objects in the image frame by identifying objects in the image frame, producing a second version of the image frame, applying at least one image classifier to the image frame and the second version of the image frame, and identifying coordinates associated with at least one target object. Some embodiments additionally couple lane and object detection with alert generation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application relate to a form recognition method, a form recognition system, and a computer program product for recognizing forms. A form recognition method is provided. The method includes conducting a straight line detection of a form in a form binary image to acquire a plurality of form boundaries of the form and a plurality of positional relationships between the plurality of form boundaries, extracting a plurality of features from the form using the plurality of form boundaries and the positional relationships between the plurality of form boundaries, establishing a feature vector associated with the form based at least in part on the plurality of features, calculating similarities between the form and respective ones of a plurality of template forms based at least in part on the feature vector of the form, and identifying the form based on the calculated similarities.

Abstract: An electronic device and method identify a block of text in a portion of an image of real world captured by a camera of a mobile device, slice sub-blocks from the block and identify characters in the sub-blocks that form a first sequence to a predetermined set of sequences to identify a second sequence therein. The second sequence may be identified as recognized (as a modifier-absent word) when not associated with additional information. When the second sequence is associated with additional information, a check is made on pixels in the image, based on a test specified in the additional information. When the test is satisfied, a copy of the second sequence in combination with the modifier is identified as recognized (as a modifier-present word). Storage and use of modifier information in addition to a set of sequences of characters enables recognition of words with or without modifiers.

Abstract: An electronic device and method receive a block sliced from a rectangular portion of an image of a scene of real world captured by a camera and use a property of the block to operate one of multiple optical character recognition (OCR) decoders. In an illustrative aspect, a first OCR decoder is configured to recognize characters whose property satisfies the test based on a first limit, the first limit being obtained by reducing a predetermined limit by an overlap amount. In this illustrative aspect, a second OCR decoder is configured to recognize characters whose property does not satisfy the test based on a second limit, the second limit being obtained by increasing the predetermined limit by the overlap amount. When the property of the block satisfies the test, the first OCR decoder is operated and alternatively the second OCR decoder is operated, resulting in candidates for a character being identified.

Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed that relate to serially displaying text on an electronic display using techniques for placement of an optimal recognition position of words at a fixed display location. In some embodiments, an optimal recognition position character is displayed at the fixed display location. In other embodiments, an optimal recognition proportionate position is displayed at the fixed display location. Various related techniques for processing and displaying text are further disclosed herein.