Abstract: Establishments are identified in geo-tagged images. According to one aspect, text regions are located in a geo-tagged image and text strings in the text regions are recognized using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) techniques. Text phrases are extracted from information associated with establishments known to be near the geographic location specified in the geo-tag of the image. The text strings recognized in the image are compared with the phrases for the establishments for approximate matches, and an establishment is selected as the establishment in the image based on the approximate matches. According to another aspect, text strings recognized in a collection of geo-tagged images are compared with phrases for establishments in the geographic area identified by the geo-tags to generate scores for image-establishment pairs. Establishments in each of the large collection of images as well as representative images showing each establishment are identified using the scores.

Abstract: A method for translating selected content in a web conference may include receiving, by a processing device, a selected area in an image from a shared application in a web conference. The selected area may contain text for translation into a chosen language. The method may also include performing an optical character recognition process on the text in the selected area of the image to provide OCR resulting text. The method may additionally include translating the OCR resulting text into the chosen language. The method may further include presenting the translated OCR resulting text in the chosen language to at least a translation requester in the web conference.

Abstract: The character recognition apparatus recognizes characters from a read document original to correct a character string as a character recognition result in a word unit with a space character as a separator. The character recognition apparatus includes a circumscribed rectangle formation portion which forms a circumscribed rectangle for each recognized alphabet character string, a fixed-pitch font determination portion which determines whether or not a font is a fixed-pitch font based on a distance between center lines in a width direction of adjacent circumscribed rectangles, a portion for determining an excess space character which determines, in the case of a fixed-pitch font, that the space character is an excess based on that a width of a space character in the character string is narrower than a predetermined width, and a portion for deleting the space character determined as an excess from the character string.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus that can OCR an image, or selected portions of an image, and then provide options to a user for use of the results of the OCR, including passing the results of the OCR to a software program so the software program can perform some action on the results of the OCR.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing and processing images of remittance coupons using a mobile device and obtaining data from the captured image which is used to set up or carry out payment of a bill that corresponds to the remittance coupon. Optimization and enhancement of image capture and image processing are provided on the mobile device to improve the initial quality of the captured image and provide a user with real time feedback. The image is then sent from the mobile device to a remote server, where additional image processing is performed to improve the quality of the image and then extract data from the image that is relevant to paying the bill. The extracted data may be verified through comparisons with databases which store information on billers, bill formats and other relevant content that will appear on the bill.

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: 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: Methods are systems are provided that include obtaining a digital image from a digital photograph, such as may be taken by a digital camera or a camera phone. The digital image includes, for example, a URI or URL, which may be contained within a visible frame. A character recognition technique, such as an optical character recognition technique, may be used to recognize the URI or URL from the digital image. The URI or URL may be used to access a corresponding Web page. The character recognition technique may be applied on the digital camera or cell phone itself, or remotely.

Abstract: A method recognizing dice dots comprises the steps: projecting at least one dice with a plurality of different angle light sources; capturing a plurality of images of the dice according to the projecting times of the light sources on the dice; and recognizing dice dots based on the images through calculation methods. When recognized results obtained through the calculation methods are judged same by the recognizing module the dice dots are confirmed and accepted. If the recognized results done through the calculation methods are different, the dice is rolled anew.

Abstract: The use of optical character recognition (OCR) in mobile devices is becoming prevalent with the increasing use of mobile devices. One important application for OCR in mobile devices is recognizing and translating the text to a language understandable by the user. Techniques are provided for replacing symbols in an image, while reducing the artifacts as a result of re-rendering of the background image.

Abstract: A method for recognizing a text block in an object is disclosed. The text block includes a set of characters. A plurality of images of the object are captured and received. The object in the received images is then identified by extracting a pattern in one of the object images and comparing the extracted pattern with predetermined patterns. Further, a boundary of the object in each of the object images is detected and verified based on predetermined size information of the identified object. Text blocks in the object images are identified based on predetermined location information of the identified object. Interim sets of characters in the identified text blocks are generated based on format information of the identified object. Based on the interim sets of characters, a set of characters in the text block in the object is determined.

Abstract: The present embodiments disclose a method of and 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 to obtain sub image blocks, recognized characters corresponding to the sub image blocks and correctness measures thereof in each assumed character directions; in sub image blocks in the assumed character directions with 180° mutual relation, searching for a minimum matching pair of the sub image blocks; adjusting the sub image blocks in the searched minimum matching pair to eliminate the effect, on an identification result, of different numbers of sub image blocks in various assumed character directions; calculating an accumulative correctness measure in each assumed character directions based on the adjusted sub image blocks; and identifying the direction of characters in the image block according to the accumulative correctness measures.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a document management system in the embodiments, includes an information acquisition unit that acquires a management ID, acquires, using the management ID, document type information, and outputs the document type information. The document management system in the embodiments of the invention, includes a policy selection evaluation unit that acquires operation information, user information, and the document type information, selects policy information defining an operation extent of user based on the document type information, and evaluates whether or not that a user defined in the user information is authorized to perform an operation defined in the operation information in accordance with a definition of the selected policy information.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes extracting an identifier from an electronic first document, and identifying a complementary document associated with the first document using the identifier. A validity of the first document is determined by simultaneously considering: textual information from the first document; textual information from the complementary document; and predefined business rules. An indication of the determined validity is output. Systems and computer program products for providing, performing, and/or enabling the methodology presented above are also presented.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, device, method, and computer program product. In an embodiment, a device includes a handheld writing device that includes a writing element, and a writing detector module operable to generate information indicative of a handwriting movement of the writing element. The device also includes a context detector module operable to generate information indicative of a content portion of a document proximate to the handwriting movement of the writing element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a reading order of characters The method includes preparing a list of character information, which is character information extracted from image data by character recognition processing and preparing a list of line information, which is made up of a line box surrounding a set of characters which are continuously aligned in the same direction in image data and an alignment direction of characters in the line box. In response to a request for adding character information to the list of character information, extracting a line box containing a character region of the character to be added, obtaining all character information having the character region contained in the concerned line box from the list of character information and rearranging according to the position with respect to the alignment direction of characters corresponding to the line box to determine a new reading order of characters.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, system and computer program product for detecting and recognizing text in the images captured by cameras and scanners. First, a series of image-processing techniques is applied to detect text regions in the image. Subsequently, the detected text regions pass through different processing stages that reduce blurring and the negative effects of variable lighting. This results in the creation of multiple images that are versions of the same text region. Some of these multiple versions are sent to a character-recognition system. The resulting texts from each of the versions of the image sent to the character-recognition system are then combined to a single result, wherein the single result is detected text.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed to automatically extract data from documents, such as scanned paper forms and/or digital forms that need to be pre-configured to understand a layout for the forms to be processed. The system extracts data from the form definition at a two dimensional barcode and dynamically configures a workflow with services for extracting desired user filled information from the data fields present on the form. Support for a re-flowable service is provided.

Abstract: A toll violation enforcement system that contains a capture unit that receives a trigger signal and takes vehicle images of passing vehicles. A lighting unit configured to operate continuously is provided to establish a major lighting source incident on the vehicle. A processing unit is provided that processes the vehicle image and controls the settings employed by the capture unit. The processing unit preferably contains a plate location module for extracting an original resolution license plate area image from a first vehicle image; an exposure control module for controlling the exposure setting on the capture unit to provide consistent intensity of the license plate area; a resolution reset module for changing the image resolution for a second vehicle image; an image enhancement module for brightening pixels of the second vehicle image; and an image compression module for compressing the license plate area image and second vehicle image to a predetermined format.

Abstract: A novel and useful method of using Incremental Connected Components to segment and isolate individual characters in a gray-scale or color image. For each pixel intensity of pixels in the image, a plurality of pixel groups are created comprising contiguous pixels of intensity equal to or less than the current pixel intensity. The pixel groups are then input to a character classifier which returns an identified character and a confidence value. Non-overlapping pixel groups (i.e. segmentation) of identified characters having the highest confidence values are then selected.

Abstract: A system for providing information to a user via a printed substrate. The system includes the printed substrate, an optically imaging pen device and a display device. The optically imaging pen device is configured for reading coded data from the substrate; generating interaction data using the coded data; and sending the interaction data to a computer system. Receipt of the interaction data by the computer system causes the computer system to: identify and retrieve a page description corresponding to the printed substrate; generate a query expression including one or more search terms; form a request using the query expression; and send the request to the display device.

Abstract: A method of interacting with a substrate and communicating with a computer system using an optical sensing device operable in a plurality of modes including a cursor control mode and a hyperlinking mode. The method includes the steps of: actuating a nib switch of the optical sensing device when a nib force exceeds a predetermined threshold; optically imaging coded data printed on the substrate; generating cursor control data when the optical sensing device is in said cursor control mode; generating interaction data using the imaged coded data when the optical sensing device is in the hyperlinking mode; and communicating the cursor control data or the interaction data to a computer system. The cursor control data initiates a cursor control response in the computer system while the interaction data initiates a hyperlinking response in the computer system.

Abstract: A method for locating an object in an image is provided for an object that exhibits, in at least one direction, foreground pixel runs and background pixel runs consistent with at least characteristic of the object. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of defining a plurality of regions in the image, associating a metric with each of the regions, finding pixel runs in the image, and identifying at least one pixel run in one of the plurality of regions where the at least one pixel run is consistent with the at least one characteristic of the object. According to one embodiment, the method includes the acts of adjusting the metric associated with the region where the at least one pixel run is identified and identifying, from among the plurality of regions, a region where the object is located based on a metric determined for a plurality of regions. In various embodiments, the object includes a repetitive pattern such as those found in barcodes and character strings.

Abstract: A wide range of digital devices either have or are provided with imaging devices which are capable of imaging externally provided information in the form of special codes that contain setup and/or configuration information. Processors within these devices, which include cell phones, cameras, PDAs and personal computers, to name just a few, recognize the image and convert it to the desired configuration and/or setup information.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of processing of output data from an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system, wherein the output data comprises images of double printed characters. The method identifies the respective members of a suspected double printed character image by first providing a set of single character template images from images of characters identified in the text being processed by the OCR system, then combining the single character templates providing candidate models for the suspected double printed character image. Correlation between each respective candidate model and the suspected double printed character image provides an indication of which pair of modelled single template character images that most probable are the correct identification of the respective character images in the double printed character image.

Abstract: A parse module calibrates an interior space by parsing objects and words out of an image of the scene and comparing each parsed object with a plurality of stored objects. The parse module further selects a parsed object that is differentiated from the stored objects as the first object and stores the first object with a location description. A search module can detect the same objects from the scene and use them to determine the location of the scene.

Abstract: A parallel test payload includes a bit sequence configured to be segmented into a plurality of sub-sequences having variable bit length carriers. Respective carriers are represented uniformly in each one of the plurality of sub-sequences.

Abstract: A consolidated system for performing, recording, and distributing the performance and/or recordation of medical procedures, including a plurality of computer-controlled medical systems each having one or more input devices; and an aggregation system for aggregating information pertaining to a medical procedure and/or pertaining to the use of one or more of the medical systems to perform a medical procedure, the information having a plurality of sources, forms, and formats. The aggregation system is configured to provide a preview of the information to allow a user to combine and/or edit the information and provide transmission of the combined and/or edited information to one or more recipients via a network.

Abstract: The image processing apparatus and method, and the program and the recording medium according to the present invention can make the coefficient vector into high precision by noise elimination or correction utilizing the mutual correlation of the divided image areas in the intermediate eigenspace, and allows relaxation of the input condition and robustness. The high correlation in the divided image areas in the intermediate eigenspace can reduce the divided image areas to be processed, and actualize reduction in processing load and enhancement of the processing speed.

Abstract: A method and system for recognizing a character affected by a noise or an obstruction is disclosed. After receiving an image with characters, a character being affected by a noise or an obstruction is determined. Then, areas in the character where the noise or obstruction affected are precisely located. Templates representing every possible character in the image are updated by removing equivalent areas to the areas in the character being affected by the noise or obstruction. Then, the character is classified in a template among the updated templates by finding the template having the highest number of matching pixels with the character.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an image processing apparatus in which, in processing of a document image read by a document reading device, an inclination of a character string in the document image which is recognized in character recognition is obtained more accurately. The image processing apparatus includes a similar character extraction portion which extracts and outputs a character group comprised of characters having a shape and a size that are same with or similar to each other from among characters constituting a character string comprised of a character recognized in optical character recognition from a document image read by a document reading device; and an inclination calculation portion which calculates an inclination value of the character string based on position information of each character of the character group output from the similar character extraction portion.

Abstract: When a display language is different from an OCR language, which is used for document name OCR, the name of a document to be sent may not be correctly displayed on a screen. A data processing apparatus is provided that includes a document name setting unit configured to set a document name including a character string recognized on the basis of document data for the document data generated by a read unit, and a control unit configured to restrain the document name setting unit from setting the document name when a language specified by a character recognition language specifying unit is different from a language specified by a display language setting unit.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a character recognition processing portion which performs a character recognition processing with respect to a character string region in an image; a character string information extraction portion which extracts character string information being information related to a character string from the character string in which a character is recognized by the character recognition processing portion; a display character string generation portion which generates a display character string of a character font corresponding to the character string information which is extracted by the character string information extraction portion; and a display control portion which performs control so as to display the display character string in the vicinity of the character string region in the image.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) receiving image data, (b) processing the image data to yield first data, (c) obtaining second data from a repository, based on the first data, and (d) storing the first data and the second data as a record in a database. There is also provided a method that includes (a) receiving image data, (b) processing the image data to yield first data and second data, (c) matching the first data to a record that is stored in a database, and (d) updating the record to include the second data. There is also provided a system that performs the methods, and a storage medium that contains instructions that control a processor to perform the methods.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus supports image processing in multiple languages via a user interface, a determining unit, a setting unit, and a character recognizing unit. The user interface sets an instruction from a user for various functions performed by the image processing apparatus. The user interface displays characters in a language. The determining unit automatically determines the language currently used for the characters displayed in the user interface of the various functions. The setting unit sets, in response to the determining unit automatically determining the language currently used for the characters displayed in the user interface, the determined language as a scanned document language for use in recognizing characters in a scanned document which is obtained by scanning a paper document. The character recognizing unit utilizes the scanned document language set by the setting unit to recognize characters in the scanned document and create text data.

Abstract: A sheet media reading control method includes conveying a sheet medium on which magnetic ink characters are printed through a transportation path, reading the magnetic ink characters and an image of the sheet medium using a magnetic head and an image sensor head positioned along the transportation path, extracting partial scanned image data containing at least an outside edge part of the sheet medium from the scanned image data captured by the image sensor head, executing a skew evaluation based on the partial scanned image data to detect if the sheet medium is conveyed skewed at a skew angle exceeding an allowable skew angle, and invalidating at least the magnetic ink character data captured by the magnetic head from sheet media that are determined by the skew evaluation to be skewed.

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: The embodiments described herein relates to systems and method for testing user content of given mobile communication devices. According to one aspect, there is provided a method for testing user content of given mobile communication devices that includes the steps of providing at least one model image associated with at least one graphical user interface (“GUI”) screen of a model mobile communication device corresponding to the given mobile communication device, obtaining at least one test image associated with at least one GUI screen of the given mobile communication device, comparing the test image with the model image, and determining whether the user content of the given mobile communication device is different from the desired content of the model mobile communication device.

Abstract: A method and system for preprocessing an image, wherein the image includes a plurality of columns, or regions, of text is disclosed. A plurality of components associated with the text is determined. On determining the plurality of components, a line height and a column spacing is determined for the components. The components are then associated with a column based on the line height and the column spacing. A set of characteristic parameters are calculated for each column and the plurality of components of each column are merged based on the characteristic parameters to form sub-words and words. A first plurality of words and/or subwords is merged and processed as a first region and a second plurality of words and/or subwords is merged and processed as a second region wherein at least a portion of the second region vertically overlaps at least a portion of the first region.

Abstract: Semantically meaningful segments of an image of a document, such as tables of contents, page numbers, footnotes, and the like, are identified. These segments form a model of the document image, which may then be rendered differently for different client devices. The rendering may be based on a display parameter provided by a client device, such as a display resolution of the client device, or a requested display format.

Abstract: A data input system includes: an image reader reading, on a form basis, an original image of each form filled with characters; extracting original image data pieces by dividing, on a character basis, the original image data, and setting identification information to each original image data piece for defining positions; for each original image data pieces, associated character-associated information; and making output with a correlation among the original image data pieces, the identification information set to each original image data piece, and the character-associated information for each original image data piece; and a data input receiver displaying any original image data piece selected according to a predetermined procedure; receiving input of text data to identify which character is represented by each original image data piece; and making storage by correlating the text data with the original image data pieces and the identification information set to each original image data piece.

Abstract: A character recognition apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a specification unit, a movement unit, and a recognition unit. The acquisition unit acquires data representing a character string. The specification unit specifies an element of a compound character satisfying a predetermined condition for determining the compound character from the character string. The movement unit moves the element of the compound character close to an adjacent character. The recognition unit recognizes a changed character string in which the movement unit has moved the element of the compound character, based on a shape of characters and relevance between adjacent characters.

Abstract: Physical page layout analysis for optical character recognition is performed. A physical page layout analysis method finds constituent parts of an image and gives an initial data-type label, such as text or non-text. Within the text data, connected components are identified and analyzed. Tab-stops are detected from groups of edge-aligned connected components. The detected tab-stops are used to deduce the column layout of the page by finding column partitions. The column layout is then applied to find the polygonal boundaries of and a reading order of regions containing flowing text, headings, and pull-outs.

Abstract: A document image processing apparatus includes an specifying section, an extracting section, a recognizing section, an interpreting section, an arranging section and a generating section. The specifying section specifies a sentence region including a character row from a document image. The extracting section extracts at least one of character row images included in the specified sentence region. The recognizing section recognizes respective characters included in the extracted character row image. The interpreting section interprets an original sentence character row comprising the recognized characters and generates an interpreted sentence character row. The arranging section arranges the respective character row images in the sentence region by contracting the respective character row images. The arranging section arranges the generated respective interpreted sentence character rows in a vacant region except a region arranging the respective character row images from the sentence region.

Abstract: A printer, scanner device and methods for using same are described herein. A printer device may include a dedicated input that, when actuated, generates and sends a request to a computer for known data or a predetermined print job, e.g., schedule information from a personal information management (PIM) application. A scanner device may include another dedicated input that, when actuated, automatically scans a document fed to the device by the user and sends the scanned image to IM (or other) software on a computer, bypassing the need to manipulate the scanned image using scanner software. The device may be used with printed metapaper, which includes a barcode or other indicia identifying the metapaper and corresponds to a stored template image of the metapaper. When the metapaper is rescanned, the scan can be compared to the stored template information to identify changes and synchronize the changes with the IM software.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and apparatus are provided for identifying a graphic symbol within an image obtained by optical scanning. An image intensity is measured for each of a plurality of columns of the image, wherein each column has a length that extends across the graphic symbol in a first direction, and wherein the plurality of columns collectively extend across the graphic symbol in a second direction. The graphic symbol is then identified by matching a profile of the image intensity to a predetermined image intensity profile associated with a given graphic symbol. Optionally, the image is a digital image and the image intensity for each column is the sum of the image intensity for each pixel in that individual column. An image intensity differential between adjacent columns may be calculated for matching with a predetermined differential profile or comparison with an electronic profile generated by a magnetic scan.

Abstract: The example embodiments relate to a method for assisting in the translational testing of computer software. A translated panel, which may include a translatable portion and a continuously dynamic portion, may be provided. An overlay that includes only the continuously dynamic portions of the panel may be produced. The overlay may be applied to first and second versions of the panel to produce first and second iterations of the panel, respectively, wherein each iteration does not include the continuously dynamic portion of the panel. The translatable portions of the first and second iterations may be compared to determine whether the translatable portions are different. If the translatable portions are different, then the panel may be retested for translational accuracy; if the translatable portions are not different, then the program may indicate that the second iteration is not different from the first iteration.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, device, method, and computer program product. In an embodiment, a device includes a handheld writing device that includes a writing element, and a writing detector module operable to generate information indicative of a handwriting movement of the writing element. The device also includes a context detector module operable to generate information indicative of a content portion of a document proximate to the handwriting movement of the writing element.

Abstract: An imaging system (10) and method (200) for reading residential and/or commercial meters. The system and method comprise a transmission element (12) that attaches to an external location of a meter (24). The transmission element (12) selectively communicates a reading signal (40) corresponding to a meter value. The system and method further comprise an imaging unit (14) located within the transmission element (12) that images the meter value at a prescribed frequency. The system and method also comprise a transceiving arrangement (16) that receives the reading signal (40) communication from the transmission element. The transceiving arrangement (16) also comprises a converter (44) that analyzes and converts the reading signal (40) communication to a use signal (46).

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate dominant point detection for text in a scanned document. The dominant points are classified as “major” (e.g., structural) and “minor” (e.g., serif). A set of rules or parameters for each character is determined off-line. During the text vectorization, OCR is performed and the rules (parameters) associated with the recognized character are selected. Both major and minor dominant points are detected as a maximization process with the parameter set. For minor dominant points, additional processes are optionally employed.