Abstract: A semiconductor failure analysis system and method therefor facilitated by a failure information collection unit for collection, by bit, failure information of a semiconductor, an inspection unit for examining relations between various types of inspection data obtained by inspection of the semiconductor and for examining relations between the inspection data and failure information, a storage unit for storing design information of the semiconductor, an analysis unit for analyzing the failure information from the failure information collection unit, from the inspection unit and design information stored in the storage unit, a display unit for displaying at least one of the result of analysis from the analysis unit and the failure information, a failure cause estimation unit for estimating a cause of the failure information, and a unit for feeding the estimated cause of the failure information back to a process in which the failure has occurred.

Abstract: An image data is inputted by using a device such as a document scanner. The input image data is scanned in a square block unit of M×N pixels, and blocks that satisfy specific conditions is detected based on the scanning process. In one example, a ratio of white pixels and black pixels falls within scanned blocks is used as the specific condition to detect those blocks. Then a region that neighbored by the other blocks is detected, and is extracted as a two-dimensional code region.

Abstract: An automatic method detects missing lines occurred in an image, thereby identifying possible internal problems in the scanner. The method comprises the following steps. First, from the image of a slanting line, the pixel having gray levels closest to the median value of the predetermined highest gray levels and set a fault tolerance value are identified. Then the pixel as (Xi,Yj). Then, the gray levels of the pixels on (Xi,Yj) and (Xi−1,Yj+1) are compared. If the gray-level difference between these two pixels is larger than the fault tolerance value, the occurrence of a missing line is determined. To determine the total number of missing lines on that row, the gray levels to check if (Xi−2,Yj+1)≦(Xi,Yj)<(Xi−1,Yj+1) are compared. If not, the shift index k is incremented by one repeatedly until the gray-level difference is correspondent to the predetermined comparison condition.

Abstract: Pattern detection methods, which may be embodied in copiers or scanners/printers, examine documents to be copied or printed to determine whether the documents contain one or more targeted patterns. The pattern detection methods include algorithms that look for certain features and geometric relationships between the features in determining whether one or more of the targeted patterns are present.

Abstract: A scheme for detecting telop character displaying frames in video image which is capable of suppressing erroneous detection of frames without telop characters due to instability of image features is disclosed. In this scheme, each input frame constituting the video data is entered, and whether each input frame is a telop character displaying frame in which telop characters are displayed or not is judged, according to edge pairs detected from each input frame by detecting each two adjacent edge pixels for which intensity gradient directions are opposite on some scanning line used in judging an intensity gradient direction at each edge pixel and for which an intensity difference between said two adjacent edge pixels is within a prescribed range as one edge pair, edge pixels being pixels at which an intensity value locally changes by at least a prescribed amount with respect to a neighboring pixel among a plurality of pixels constituting each input frame.

Abstract: A system for distinguishing photocopied or laser-printed documents from original documents produced by offset printing, handwriting, or typewriting. The system scans a document at low-resolution and at high-resolution to produce a low-resolution and a high-resolution matrix representation of the presence or absence of ink or toner at discrete locations on the surface of the document. Printed regions detected by the system at low-resolution are used to mask regions of the high-resolution matrix representation from the analysis. The remaining unmasked regions of the high-resolution matrix representation are analyzed by the system to detect discrete microdots uniformly distributed within those regions. The presence of microdots on the surface of the document indicates that the document was produced as a photocopied or a laser-printed duplicate.

Abstract: To cut out a character and the like which are relatively darker than a background and are written with a pen and so on at a high speed, to use the cutting-out of a character and the like as pre-processing for character recognition, and to emphasize an object so as to hardly damage determinability of a character, a figure and the like to binarize the same. Attention is paid to that a character written with a pen and so on is relatively darker than a background, and a relative density of the character to a periphery thereof is obtained to binarize the same, thus emphasizing an object such as a character.

Abstract: An image processing device is disclosed which can reliably detect documents which may not be copied, which has a very small probability of false positives, and which can handle newly issued documents which may not be copied. In addition, an image processing scheme is disclosed which would accurately obtain the location of a pattern indicating a document to be detected; which would extract that pattern; which would determine correctly whether it is the right pattern; and which would make it difficult for anyone to tamper with the pattern. To achieve this, a specified pattern is imprinted before use on a document which may not be copied, and a previously specified number of positioning marks and dummy marks which identify the location of the pattern may also be imprinted. The device is able to detect a wide variety of documents and perform the required processing at high speed.

Abstract: A computer based image processing system uses an extraction process to include a pressure invariant feature for measuring distances between minutiae. The feature extraction process identifies one or more of the following features of the fingerprint: an orthogonal image contrast, a parallel image contrast, and a feature confidence. A ridge counter process, executing on the computer system, determines the number of ridges (ridge count) running across two given points and further qualifies (invalidates) this count if the confidence value of the pixels in the region adjoining the region is not reliable. The ridge count feature between minutiae is used for determining reliable features when matching fingerprints.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the fast detection of spiculated lesions in a digital mammogram, the method for use in a computer aided diagnosis system for assisting a radiologist in identifying and recognizing the spiculations among a multiplicity of lines corresponding to standard fibrous breast tissue. A line and direction image is created from a digital mammogram, and a region of potential intersection for substantially every pixel in the digital mammogram image is determined. The region of potential intersection for each pixel is a predetermined pattern, such as a high aspect ratio rectangle or trapezoid, positioned around the pixel and rotated in a direction corresponding to direction information for that pixel. The regions of potential intersection are accumulated among the pixels to produce a cumulative array, and information in the cumulative array is processed for identifying spiculations in the digital mammogram.

Abstract: A method and system of encoding and decoding image data in images having less than 128 distinct colors. Eight bit data bytes representing the color of each pixel data are re-indexed for each pixel to seven or less bits, and a sub-palette stores the relationship between the re-indexed colors and the original eight-bit color values. The remaining bits in the byte store run lengths of pixels that have contiguous colors. Further data compression is achieved by grouping pixels into rows, eliminating any duplicate rows and identifying the pixel data by a series of row pointers. Still further compression is accomplished by dropping representations of transparent pixels from the end of rows and representing a number of transparent pixels at the beginning of rows with a single byte. The compressed data is efficiently decoded using the row pointers to expedite vertical clipping of the image and adjusting horizontal clipping for leading and trailing transparent pixels.

Abstract: Compensation data 10 distilled from image sample population volume 12 compensates pixel records 25R and 25L of related images 26R and 26L. Each pixel address stores a parameter code defining a parameter level for that pixel along a code scale of levels of a parameter such as greyscale common to both related images. The pixel records are enhanced through compensation of these parameter codes to provide enhanced disparity information. Pixel pairer 28P establishes a set of pixel pairs from the related pixel records in image correspondence. Sample generator 28G determines discrepancy between the code levels of each pixel pair to provide image population 12 of code discrepancy samples between the pixel records. Each pixel pair established from the two pixel records yields a difference sample in the image population. Profile extractor 28E extracts population profiles 12E of code discrepancy samples from image population 12. Each population profile is a vertical slice (see FIG.

Abstract: Every frame represented by a moving picture signal is divided into blocks. Calculation is made as to a number of pixels forming portions of a caption in each of the blocks. The calculated number of pixels is compared with a threshold value. When the calculated number of pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is decided that the related block is a caption-containing block. Detection is made as to a time interval related to the moving picture signal during which every frame represented by the moving picture signal has a caption-containing block. A 1-frame-corresponding segment of the moving picture signal is selected which represents a caption-added frame present in the detected time interval.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing characters read by a reading unit. A circumscribing rectangle of a read character is formed, and the degree of narrowness of that circumscribing rectangle is acquired. Characters having a degree of narrowness that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value are selected and blank areas are added to the circumscribing rectangle to yield a character area with a corrected degree of narrowness. The character is normalized by converting the character area to a specified size, and is recognized based on the normalized character. It is therefore possible to normalize even characters significantly elongated vertically or horizontally for easier recognition and to group their character patterns.

Abstract: Image data for continuous three pixels delayed by one pixel from each other is input in row and column directions from an image input portion into a scanning window. A predetermined image pattern is stored in a count value comparison table for detecting a target pixel on an image contour, and a determining portion performs determination relating to the predetermined image pattern and the input image data. Based on the result of determination by the determining portion, an intensity converter portion performs conversion of intensity data such that the target pixel becomes black when the target pixel is present on the image contour, and that the target pixel becomes white in other cases. As a result, an image processing apparatus can output a smooth contour image without jaggies regardless of an input image intensity.

Abstract: A character reader for optically reading and entering characters. The character reader including: an input apparatus for photoelectrically reading characters as an image, creating image data formed by black pixels lying on a white surface, and entering the image data; a tangent detector for generating at least two line segments, each line segment connecting two black pixels within a character string of the image data; and a tilt decider for choosing a representative line segment from the at least two line segments which is representative of the tilt of the character string, on the basis that the distance between two black pixels specifying the representative line segment is longer than the distance between two black pixels specifying another line segment.

Abstract: Structures are identified in pixel data representative of a discrete pixel image and are differentiated from non-structures. The structures are identified by comparing gradient magnitudes with a selected gradient value and by comparing gradient directions of adjacent pixels. Pixels having desired relationships are counted and a focus parameter is applied to the resulting count. A final gradient threshold value is identified based upon the count and the focus parameter. The threshold value identifies structural pixels. Isolated adjacent regions may be eliminated from the structures. Edges defined by the structures are binary rank order filtered to arrive at the final structural definition. The structural and non-structural pixels may be further processed to enhance the image for subsequent display.

Abstract: An image processing circuit of the present invention includes a succession calculating circuit. In the succession calculating circuit, an average value calculating circuit determines an average value of image data, inputted via line memories, in a specific region, and a multivalue-binary converting circuit converts, in accordance with the average value, the image data into binary data in which the entire image data in the specific region are separated into black pixels and white pixels. A succeeding black pixels calculating circuit calculates the number of succeeding black pixels each in a main scanning direction and in a sub scanning direction, and determines respective maximum values in the main scanning direction and in the sub scanning direction so as to output the respective maximum values as a main scanning direction maximum succession and a sub scanning direction maximum succession.

Abstract: Systems and methods for frequency acquisition and channel tracking in a direct sequence code division multiple access system are described. Frequency estimates are prepared and refined, which estimates are also used in the channel tracking process.

Abstract: Matching between a reference image and an input image is performed without relying on specific elements such as line segments or tables. An edge image is generated from the reference image and divided into small blocks, and search range and search priority of each small block are determined and stored in a storage device. When an input image is input, an edge image thereof is generated. The small blocks in the reference image are retrieved in order of priority, and matching with the input image is judged. When the corresponding position of one small block is determined, the search range and search priority for other small blocks not yet judged for matching are updated on the basis of the determined corresponding position.

Abstract: An image stored in a memory of a computer as pixels, each pixel including a bit pattern to indicate a grey-scale level. The image is compressed by grouping the pixels of the image into a plurality of regularized groups of pixels. The partitioning of the image can be in groups of four by four adjacent pixels. Groups of pixels having identical bit patterns are identified. The groups of pixels are encoded according to a frequency of groups of pixels having identical bit patterns.

Abstract: A method for recognizing patterns comprising extracting features from a digital image, generating a numerical representation of each feature, indexing into a look-up table using the numerical representation to determine candidate pattern-types wherein the look-up table was generated by using a number of sample patterns to generate additional patterns based on relationships between the sample patterns; and selecting among the candidate pattern-types using selected contextual information. Extracting features from a digital image comprises identifying line segments in the digital image, grouping together adjacent line segments of the image that form features, storing the coordinates of the features to a file, the coordinates of the feature define a portion of the digital image containing the feature, dividing the portion of the digital image containing the feature into a number of cells, the number of cells is less than the number of pixels in each feature.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, and related apparatus, for improved compression of video images by determining optimum compression points using pixel-to-pixel slope comparison techniques and relaxable length limits. The method converts a digitized analog video signal into its piecewise linear equivalent, and then reduces the data stream by preserving only the break points. The linear segments may be as short as one pixel. After a predetermined slope length has been reached, the improved pointing technique combines length-limited points if the slopes of the corresponding linear segments are identical.

Abstract: An image and method for determining the location of known pattern of data in a captured object image wherein a feature analysis is performed upon a representative plurality of pixel locations to determine a starting point, feature analysis is performed upon the pixel locations surrounding the starting point and the starting point is moved to another pixel location if provides a higher feature analysis value than the starting point; the process of performing feature analyses and moving the starting point continues until the starting point is moved a maximum feature analysis value; once the maximum feature analysis value is found, the object image data may be rotated incrementally with respect to the reference pattern data and the feature analysis/starting point selection process repeated for each iteration until an object image location and object angle of rotation is determined.

Abstract: A method of 3-dimensional structure estimation of the invention, making use of a plurality of stereo-pictures, repeats, for each pixel of a first picture, a step of extracting corresponding small regions (4) corresponding to the concerning pixel according to a depth estimation (68); a step of calculating a neighboring correspondence value for each of the corresponding small regions representing correspondence among neighboring corresponding small regions of picures taken by neighboring cameras; a step of obtaining a sum (61) of the neighboring correspondence values; and selecting a value of the depth estimation (68) which gives a singular value of the sum (61) representing correspondence among the corresponding small regions.

Abstract: A video compression method and system including object-oriented compression with object boundaries described by maps of 2.times.2 (or larger) blocks of pixels in which at least a fraction of the pixels of such blocks are in the object.

Abstract: A method and system includes a method for generating a classifier from a set of collected sample patterns for use in pattern recognition. The sample patterns are representative of data to be processed by the classifier and are converted to electronic signals to be manipulated by a programmed computer. Further, the method and system generate and identify a number of transformers that map between sample patterns of the same pattern-type in the collected sample patterns. The method and system use the transformers and the sample patterns to generate additional patterns. The method and system then forms a table that contains the generated patterns and an indication of the pattern-type to which each pattern belongs. The process repeats the steps of generating additional patterns and forming a table until a measure accuracy for the mapping of the sample patterns and transformers do not provide an acceptable improvement.

Abstract: A character extraction apparatus is provided for extracting character data for each character from a text image which is represented by first pixels corresponding to character images and second pixels corresponding to background images. The character extraction apparatus comprises a character row detecting means for detecting character rows from the text image and obtaining position data of each character row; a pixel array extracting means for extracting arrays of continuous first pixels in an area specified by the character row position data and computing position data of each of the arrays of continuous first pixels; a character array linking means for linking the arrays of continuous first pixels in the area based on the position data of the arrays of continuous first pixels; and a character extracting means for recognizing each set of arrays of continuous first pixels linked by the character array linking means as a character and outputting character data.

Abstract: A figure, including characters, is developed into a plurality of figure patterns of figure shapes, and the plurality of developed figure patterns are registered, and a figure is drawn based on the selected registered figure pattern. Thereby it is possible to process not only a character but also a figure pattern by using a cache memory efficiently. As a result, high speed drawing can be performed.

Abstract: A processor based method for recognizing, capturing and storing tabular data receives digital-computer data representing a document either as a pixel-format document-image, or as formatted text. Within the digital computer, either form of the digital-computer data is processed to locate tabular data present therein. After a table has been located, tabular data is extracted from cells present in either form of the digital-computer data. The extracted tabular data is stored into a database present on the digital computer.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide an image processing device which would be able to extract a specified pattern accurately even if there are fine lines in its periphery. The invention is configured as follows in order to achieve this object. The density data for R, G and B are transmitted to fine line processor. There a count is made of the number of pixels among the eight surrounding a center object pixel, which have density values within a fixed margin of the center object pixel. If there are three or fewer, the center object pixel is judged to be part of a line segment, and the determination flag 0 is output. If there are four or more, the center pixel is judged to be not part of a line segment, but a part of pattern. Once the object pixel is judged to be a part of a line segment, then a line removal device remove the object pixel from the image data in order to extract a specified pattern.

Abstract: A method for tracing a contour of an object in an image of a video signal, the image including object pixels and background pixels, indexes each of the background pixels; detects contour pixels; groups the contour pixels to thereby provide one or more groups of contour pixels, each contour pixel in a group adjoining one or more background pixels of a same background index; and traces the contour pixels on a group-by-group basis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for binarization of pixel data in which a number of black-and-white binary images each having binarization characteristics of different degrees of sensitivity is formed from a set of grey scale value binary data. A dimension S is calculated for each of these binary images, according to the equation ##EQU1## where FS designates the number of black binary pixels and U designates the number of black-and-white transitions. A selection of the binary image for which the dimension S is at its maximum is optimally carried out.

Abstract: An image processor accurately executes area separation using small block size image data. The image processor includes a wavelet transforming circuit which converts input image data into a plurality of band-limited image data, and an edge detecting circuit detects edge information in the image data based upon the band-limited image data. A character-area detecting circuit detects character areas in the image data from the distribution of the edge information, and an expansion/contraction circuit unifies the character areas based upon the detected character-area information.

Abstract: A system and method is described for permitting the simultaneous automated collection of data with regard to the presence of diseased cells, in particular neo-plastic, dysplastic or cancerous cells, or normal cells at a given site in a section of tissue. This is accomplished according to the following steps. First, IR spectral data are collected simultaneously for each cell or pixel of the tissue. Next, these data are analyzed by identifying the cell types encountered in the sample by comparing them with reference data sets for healthy and diseased cells. Finally, a false color mapping of the distribution of different types of cells in the tissue section is presented that permits assessment of the prevalence of diseased cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying a textured image based on pattern coarseness and directivity comprises: a quantizer for obtaining a quantized image from the textured image, the quantized image containing a plurality of pixels each of which is represented by one of N quantized values, N being a positive integer; a scanning block for scanning the quantized image along M scanning directions, M being a positive integer, to thereby provide M scanned images; a grey level mean runlengths configuration block for providing a set of runlengths by counting runlengths of pixels having a same quantized value, for each of the M scanned images and each of the N quantized values, to thereby provide M x N sets of runlengths, providing M.times.N mean runlengths by averaging each set of runlengths, and forming an M.times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the fast detection of spiculated lesions in a digital mammogram, the method for use in a computer aided diagnosis system for assisting a radiologist in identifying and recognizing the spiculations among a multiplicity of lines corresponding to standard fibrous breast tissue. A line and direction image is created from a digital mammogram, and a region of potential intersection for substantially every pixel in the digital mammogram image is determined. The region of potential intersection for each pixel is a predetermined pattern, such as a high aspect ratio rectangle or trapezoid, positioned around the pixel and rotated in a direction corresponding to direction information for that pixel. The regions of potential intersection are accumulated among the pixels to produce a cumulative array, and information in the cumulative array is processed for identifying spiculations in the digital mammogram.

Abstract: A system for determining the type of graphical data within a scanned image. The system scans an image to obtain grayscale image data, and then performs a density slice operation on the grayscale image data, using a predetermined grayscale range, to produce binary image data. The system erodes the binary image data, and counts the number of black pixels remaining within the image data. If the count of the black pixels within the image exceeds a maximum acceptable pixel count, the area is considered to be continuous tone, such as a photograph, otherwise, the region is considered to be bi-tonal, such as line art or text. The system can also perform multiple density slices and erosions, using different grayscale ranges, OR the results, and then analyze the result of the OR operation to determine the type of image.

Abstract: In an image filing apparatus, the registered format similar to an input format is correctly retrieved from a plurality of the registered formats in a format registration section. The image data of a new form is inputted through an image input section. A format registration section previously registers a plurality of formats of forms. A format discrimination section extracts the input format from the new form, compares the input format with the plurality of formats in the format registration section, and calculates similarities between the input format and the plurality of formats, respectively. A preservation section stores the image data of the new form by using the registered format selected from the plurality of formats in accordance with the similarity.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining the toxicity of water-soluble substances or of substances which can be mixed with water and thus obtaining quantitative information concerning the toxic effect of said substances. The invention helps to reduce the number of tests, necessary hitherto, performed on mammals. According to the method, at least two measurements determine the variation in mobility and/or size of test organisms in an aqueous medium, under the influence of at least one toxic substance. A device for carrying out the method comprises an image-detection unit which detects the object and sequentially records images of this object in at least one plane at predetermined time intervals. Arranged downstream of the image-detection unit is an evaluation arrangement with a computer and display devices which statistically evaluate the mobility and/or size of the organisms in relation to the existing toxicity.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus is disclosed for splitting, for subsequent storage or processing by OCR apparatus, character images in digital form comprising connected characters, the image processing apparatus extracts an image skeleton from an input image and represents the topology of the image skeleton in a first data structure; generates, from the first data structure, second data structures representing the topologies of the results of possible splits of the input image skeleton; evaluates the second data structures and selects one of the possible splits to thereby split the input image.

Abstract: A SLAVE coprocessor connectable to a MASTER processor and cooperating with at least one external memory. The coprocessor presents an internal memory communicating with an internal data line extending between a first and second interface circuit communicating respectively with the processor and the external memory; the internal memory contains a character composed of a rectangular matrix of pixels corresponding to a digitized alphanumeric character; and the coprocessor presents an electronic arithmetic unit for comparing a character from the internal memory with a reference matrix from the external memory.

Abstract: An apparatus, for use in a low bit-rate image signal encoder, for detecting a foreground region in an image signal, wherein the image signal has a number of objects therein and the foreground region has at least one moving object therein, which comprises: a previous frame memory for storing a previous frame of the image signal; a current frame memory for storing a current frame of the image signal; a change detector for comparing the current frame and the previous frame to detect changed pixels, each changed pixel having a differential luminance value; a region detector for detecting an object region for one of the objects in the current frame; and a foreground/background determinator for counting the number of all of the pixels contained in the object region to determine a first size of the object region; and for counting the number of changed pixels which are located in the object region to determine a second size of the object region; and for comparing the first size with the second size to determine wheth

Abstract: An OCR system 10 classifies an input image vector of an unclassified symbol with respect to a library 14T of template image vectors of pre-classified characters. Each template vector is in the form of a sequence of elements representing the image intensity level of a pixel within the character defined by that template vector. Each template element is part of the image background, foreground, or transition ground between the background and foreground. Each input vector, like the template vectors, is also in the form of a sequence of elements. However, in the input vector, each element represents the sum or an image intensity level signal component defining the symbol within the image of the unclassified symbol plus a greyscale noise component. Each input element is also part of the background, foreground, or transition ground. The input vector and at least one of the template vectors are entered into a classifier device 18.

Abstract: Image processing method and apparatus are provided. A histogram of image information is obtained. A peak position is detected from the histogram obtained. A small area is decided by using the detected peak position as a reference. A histogram of the decided small area of the image information is obtained. A specific point is determined from the peak position of the histogram of the small area obtained. The size of small area is decided in accordance with a peak width of the histogram of the image information. The image information is inputted by a scanner. A table can be used as image information and the specific point which is decided is an intersection of ruled lines of the table. A cell area of the table is judged from the intersection decided.

Abstract: A contour coding method adaptively encodes a contour image in a video frame based on the size and complexity of the contour image in order to improve the quality of a reconstructed contour image. First, the size and complexity of the contour image inputted are determined. Simultaneously, the contour image is encoded by using a first and a second contour coding methods to thereby provide first and second coded contour data, respectively. And, the first or the second coded contour data is selected as encoded contour image data based on the size and complexity of the contour image.

Abstract: This invention in its preferred embodiment comprises an apparatus and process (including a computer program) for controlling unmarked lock-opening keys in a security systems, whereby the conventional metal keys used to unlock rooms or cars or other entities can be controlled even though unmarked. The technique of the invention effectuates such control through taking electronic photographs, creating a silhouette of the side of unmarked keys using their individual configurations on the edge, generating an individual and distinctive electronic signal, specific for each such key to generate a digital coordinate series of numbers for each key and inventorying each such identifying signal representing a key so that keys are recognized by these signals rather than numbers or codes marks on the key. Although marked keys can be utilized in such a system, it would be a waste of the identifying ability of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an analog processing element (APE) for the analog processing of charge packets present in an analog signal. The APE utilizes CCD-based elements in a semi-conductor device to move and process charge packets present in an analog signal. In one embodiment, the APE provides analog processing on dimensional signals such as audio or video signals. When the APE is embodied in a semi-conductor device, it may be provided as a chip for analog pre-processing of video or audio signals such as for compression of the signal prior to digitization and use by digital processing devices. In a particular embodiment, an array of APE's, along with related circuitry provides for a pipelined Pattern Recognition Processor (PRP). The PRP may perform analog video compression at rates substantially exceeding compression rates available with current digital processing technology.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing two-dimensional structures to obtain three-dimensional quantitative information therefrom includes a video camera, a digitizing board for transforming video image output signals from the video camera into digital data, and a computer for analyzing the digitized video image data. Regions of interest or desired objects in the video image corresponding to the video image data are observed by an operator. Thresholding commands are supplied to the computer instructing the computer to manipulate the digitized video image data to enhance or distinguish the regions of interest from other areas in the video image. Once sufficient thresholding is accomplished, the computer executes an algorithm that identifies the regions of interest, draws a solid line around them, and sets all of the video image data defining each region of interest bounded by a solid line to a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A method of recognizing the effects of coarse pixel quantization on text represented via raster signals to enable automatic selection between fax and normal modes of optical character recognition. A processor executes instructions stored in a memory to trace the contours of connected components included within a sample image and to count the number of runs one, two, and three pixels in length along the contour. If the sample image includes few runs two pixels in lengths along the contours of its connected components as compared to the number of runs one and three pixels in length, then the sample image has undergone coarse pixel quantization and the processor selects fax mode optical character recognition.