Abstract: A face-up document scanning apparatus stitches views from multiple video cameras together to form a composite image. The document scanning apparatus includes an image acquisition system and a frame merger module. The image acquisition, which is mounted over the surface of a desk on which a hardcopy document is placed, has two video cameras for simultaneously recording two overlapping images of different portions of the hardcopy document. By overlapping a portion of the recorded images, the document scanning apparatus can accommodate hardcopy documents of varying thickness. Once the overlapping images are recorded by the image acquisition system, the frame merger module assembles a composite image by identifying the region of overlap between the overlapping images. The composite image is subsequently transmitted for display on a standalone device or as part of a video conferencing system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for locating objects within a content stream, by transforming prospective objects and evaluating the results to identify meaningful semantic values. Transformation is accomplished using various contour transformations, possibly in combination with other tools and techniques. The semantic values produced by contour transformation can be efficiently searched and classified against a dictionary of archetypes to identify objects and object features in the content stream. Contour transformations may be scale-invariant and/or rotationally invariant or otherwise symmetric, so that distinctions between content objects based on their scale or orientation are avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for segmenting a binary document image so as to assign image objects to one of three types: CHARACTER-type objects, STROKE-type objects, and LARGE-BITMAP-type objects. The method makes use of a contour tracing technique, statistical analysis of contour features, a thinning technique, and image morphology.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing visual patterns of handprinted characters or the like by means of an optical character reader which reads the patterns by a so-called outermost point method. While tracing the contour of the pattern stored in a two-dimensional memory, the distances from the starting point of the tracing and the integrated values of the coordinates of the points traced on the contour from the starting points are simultaneously obtained successively to extract outermost points for the series of contours. According to this outermost points, the contours are segmented into the convex line segments, concavity line segments and hole segments and the corresponding parameters of features of each segment are detected. Simultaneously, the convex line segment of which is shorter than a predetermined length is rejected and the remaining segments are subjected to matching operation in accordance with preliminarily prepared dictionary, thereby making a decision as to the pattern's identity.

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: The present invention aims to reduce the code length and time for flushing the code. An encoding apparatus includes a data memory storing information source data, a learning memory storing learning data relating the encoding data, a probability estimation table for outputting an encoding parameter indicated by the learning data, and an encoder outputting the code by implementing an arithmetic encoding based on the encoding data and the encoding parameter. In the above encoding apparatus, according to the present invention, a synchronization detector is provided measuring one of inputting the information source data and outputting the code at a predetermined interval. Further, the encoding apparatus includes a boundary detector detecting a carry boundary value within the effective region at predetermined interval and instructing to truncate a part of the effective region based on the detection result.

Abstract: In a projection means black pixel histograms of a binary stationary image are generated in both the vertical and the horizontal direction. In a text type judgment means, in accordance with these histograms, a determination is made of whether the image is vertical text or horizontal text. Based on the result of this determination, a pattern block extraction means extracts either a column or a row from the image. The block is further projected and divided into smaller blocks. Then projection is again applied to these divided blocks and patterns are extracted by a pattern extraction means. A judgment is made as to whether or not joining of the extracted patterns is to be performed and, if joining is required, they are joined by a pattern joining means and finally the offsets of all the extracted patterns are calculated, whereupon data (of extracted patterns) are sent to a pattern matching process.

Abstract: A method of representing handwriting which includes receiving a pen input, for example at a digitizer (10), segmenting the input into strokes (13), grouping the strokes into stroke sub-structures (14) and quantizing the stroke sub-structures according to a predefined set (the “alphabet”) of stroke sub-structures. For handwriting recognition, distance measurements are computed between the input stroke sub-structures and members of a predefined set or “alphabet” (19) of stroke sub-structures.

Abstract: A method for deriving character features in a character recognition system for recognising characters, such as letters and digits, and a character recognition system in which the method is applied. After deriving a character description from a recorded image pattern of a character to be recognised, a unique point Pi of said character description is appended, by means of a distance transform, to each point Ri of a subset R={Ri/i=1, - - - ,N} of preselected reference points in the plane of said image pattern. Feature values of one or more features possessed by the character description in each appended unique point are then determined. If the character description is a contour description, the unique point Pi appended to each reference point Ri is that point where the reference point Ri has the shortest distance D(Ri) to the contour of the character, and the character features selected are the shortest distance D(Ri) and the direction H(Ri) of the contour in the appended point Pi.

Abstract: A scanner (12) of a photocopier system scans a document and generates output image signals that an image-processing circuit (14) processes in such a manner as to enhance text-region legibility, and a laser printer (16) generates the output copy in accordance with the resultant image. The image-processing circuitry (14) identifies dark, low-saturation pixels in the input image whose gradients are low but that border high-gradient pixels, and it sets these pixels to the blackest values, thus emphasizing text edges. With the remaining pixels, it reduces bright-region contrast, and this tends to suppress the visibility of text that has “bled through” from the document's reverse side or from documents disposed behind it.

Abstract: A character generating apparatus for generating a character image representing a character and a method therefor, which are capable of preventing a flicker phenomenon, which occurs in the television receiver, using a simple algorithm. In the present invention, an edge of the character is detected based on font data of the character, and a shadow property is determined from an attribute data of the character. A character image is generated by forming a shadow, having the shadow property, adjacent to the detected edge.

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 character line recognition apparatus including an image input section for binarizing an inputted document image so as to output a binarized image, an extracting section for obtaining a combining component of a black pixel from the binarized image so as to convert the combining component into circumscribed rectangular data, a calculating section for calculating out simplified projection information based on a prescribed function into which the circumscribed rectangular data, a calculating section for calculating line direction projection information based on the prescribed function as the simplified projection information, and a detecting section for detecting a character line on the document image based on the line direction projection information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that distinguishes between alphanumeric symbols on a white background and those on a mesh pattern and performs individual image data processing includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting analog data to digital data, a first determiner for determining a region as a white picture element region when the region is composed of a predetermined white picture element and a plurality of white picture elements surrounding the predetermined white picture element in the digital data, a conditional variant setter for setting a conditional variant to white picture elements in the white picture element region, a potential thin line extractor for extracting a potential thin line pattern using a black picture element that has been corrected after being extracted from the digital data and a white picture element that has been corrected after being extracted from the digital data, and a second determiner for determining which one of an alphanumeric symbol on a white background, an alph

Abstract: A method for pattern recognition of indicia composed of alphabetical characters of a language in the form of at least a part of a word. The shape of each character in a word is established by means of a pattern shape recognizer. A probability value designating the relative confidence in the recognition of the character as one of the language characters is assigned to each character. The established shapes of the characters are then sequentially applied to a linguistic recognizer for further processing and the probability values of language structure to each of the language characters is assigned. Then the probability values assigned to the characters in the shape recognizer is combined with the corresponding probability values assigned to the characters in the linguistic recognizer and the path between characters possessing the highest probability values is determined.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to generate a vector or data from inputted drawing data interactively by suppressing the input cost.When an unknown process occurs in the system during data processing, an inquiry to a user is generated in the case of interactive operation. However, when drawings are handled, the number of inquiries to a user increases and the system operability lowers inversely. The present invention executes the drawing recognition method by cooperation and and competition of a multi-agent on the basis of the basic property of a figure such as adjacent relation. When blurring or a problem portion such as in interruption part or a junction part appears during recognition of a drawing, the linkage relation of line paths is automatically decided by making the recognition agent adjacent to the problem portion cooperate and compete. An inquiry to a user is not made. By doing this, vector data is obtained.The input cost of figure information in a data base can be reduced remarkably.

Abstract: Font attributes of characters or letters are estimated by an optical character recognition system using character, run or stroke-based techniques with or without character identification information.

Abstract: A design for a high reliability recognition system utilizes two optimized thresholds for each class k of a prototype data base. One threshold is a class region threshold CR.sub.k and the other is a dis-ambiguity threshold DA.sub.k. CR.sub.k specifies a constrained region belonging to a class k, and DA.sub.k corresponds to a value with which a sample belonging to class k can be correctly recognized with a high level of confidence. During recognition, if the distance D(x, r.sub.M) between an input sample x and the representative prototype r.sub.M of a nearest class M is larger than the class region threshold CR.sub.M, x will be rejected. Furthermore, if the distance D(x, r.sub.M) is subtracted from the distance D(x, r.sub.S) between x and the representative prototype r.sub.S of a second nearest class S, the resulting distance difference must be greater than the dis-ambiguity threshold DA.sub.M, or x will be rejected. An inventive algorithm is used to compute optimum thresholds CR.sub.k and DA.sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing a segment of one or more strokes which are to constitute any of characters and signs by recognizing a relationship in the position between the frame encompassing the strokes previously hand-written and a stroke newly hand-written; judging whether there is any requirement for changing the segment by referring the above recognized relationship in the position to predetermined relationships; recognizing, if there is no requirement, the above newly hand-written stroke as a stroke which constitutes, alone or in combination with strokes to be hand written later, a character other than the character encompassed by the frame; ascertaining, if there is a requirement, the above newly hand-written stroke as any of one or more changing-instruction strokes which identify predetermined types of strokes for changing the segment; and changing the above segment according to the changing-instruction stroke.

Abstract: Character pattern data that are formed from outline data are stored. A thickening amount or a narrowing amount is input to thicken or narrow the character pattern. A coordinate value for the stored outline data is transformed based on the thickening amount or the narrowing amount that is input. A shape of an outline is determined when a transformation is to be performed, and coordinates that are to be transformed are adjusted based on a determination result. Since the adjustment is performed by referring to the shape of the outline, character data, such as bit map data and gray scale data, of high quality can be provided.

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: Groups of symbols to be recognized are standardized by fitting four flexible curves to the group of symbols. The curves are fitted by minimizing a cost or energy function that associates a cost with the curvature of the curves, the slant of the curves, the displacement in spacing between the curves and the distance of maxima and minima points from the curves. After the curves are fitted to the group of symbols, the symbols are standardized by transforming coordinates systems so that the fitted curves are placed in a predetermined configuration.

Abstract: A method for entering and manipulating spreadsheet cell data is described. The present invention provides a method for determining the target cell for written information and for scaling the information to fit within the boundaries of the target cell. A multi-tiered character recognition scheme is used to improve the accuracy and speed of character recognition and translation of handwritten data. The original handwritten data is preserved so that either the translated data or original data may be displayed. The present invention also provides for improved editing of cell entries by allowing a plurality of editing tools to be selected. Manipulation of blocks of data can be accomplished with simple gestures. Arithmetic, statistical and logical functions can be invoked with a single command.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative equivalency or match between two or more character strings represented in an array of image data, including the steps of determining page orientation, isolating character strings from adjacent character strings, and establishing a set of boundaries or reference lines about the character strings. Subsequently, the boundaries are used to represent the character string images as word shape contours or signals which are generated from the imaginal data within the boundaries. The word shape contours are then compared using one of the described comparison methods to determine the relative equivalency or similarity of the contours.

Abstract: A bounds evaluation unit generates a bounds measurement pair corresponding to a character pattern pair determined from a handwritten word. Within the bounds measurement pair, a first bounds measurement corresponds to a first character pattern, and a second bounds measurement corresponds to a second character pattern. The first and second bounds measurements are each a bounding box that defines a left-most, a right-most, a top-most, and a bottom-most extent of the corresponding character pattern. The bounds measurement pair is compared against one or more bounds model pairs, where each bounds model pair corresponds to a hypothesized character identifier pair in which each individual hypothesized character identifier has been determined by a character recognition unit. Each bounds model pair indicates the expected size and position of a character pattern pair corresponding to the hypothesized character identifier pair.

Abstract: A method for formatting paragraphs on a screen of a computer system including the steps of: a) entering a word on a screen of a computer system using a pointing mechanism; b) finding an associated paragraph, if any, that the word is to be associated with; c) adding the word to the associated paragraph, if one exists; and d) starting a new paragraph with the word if there is not a closely related exiting paragraph. A newly-entered word can be added to an associated paragraph in basically four ways. The word can be added in a new line at the top of the paragraph, in a new line at the bottom of the paragraph, at the end of an existing line, or between words of an existing line. After a word has been entered, the text within the paragraph is repositioned as desired by the user, either implicitly or through an explicit command. For example, the words within a paragraph can be caused to "reflow" so that they are aligned between the left and right margins of the paragraph.

Abstract: An apparatus for pattern processing includes a display control unit for controlling display by a CRT, a keyboard, a CPU, a RAM, and the like, the CPU being adapted to control the apparatus and incorporating a segment-information extracting unit and a boundary-position-information setting unit, wherein the segment-information extracting unit extracts segments respectively parallel with an x-axis and a y-axis of the coordinate system from a plurality of segments constituting the outline, on the basis of at least two sets of coordinates indicating a position of each of the segments, while the boundary-position-information setting unit determines a horizontal boundary position of the outline on the basis of the respective sets of coordinates indicating the position of the segment parallel with the x-axis of the coordinate system, and determines a vertical boundary position of the outline on the basis of the respective sets of coordinates indicating the position of the segment parallel with the y-axis of the coord

Abstract: A top-down technique for character text recognition of an image comprises a left-to-right analysis of each image line. A current image portion is selected. Possible text prefixes are selected from a dictionary. The upper and lower text contours of the text prefixes are compared with a bitmap of the current image portion. A distance value is generated, indicating the quality of the comparison. The prefixes are then added to an agenda of prefixes. Based on the distance value, corresponding to the similarity of the upper shapes and lower shapes of the possible prefix to the bitmap of the image portion, a list of the text prefixes generating the best distance values is selected from the agenda. From the selected list, a new list of extended text prefixes is obtained from the dictionary and added to the agenda. The process is repeated until the current image portion ends.

Abstract: A note taking system that integrates word-processing functionality and computerized drawing functionality for processing ink strokes comprises novel methods that provide this functionality such as: a method for modeless operation of the note taking system that automatically switches between providing word-processing functionality and drawing functionality; a novel method for processing ink strokes as drawings, a unique method for processing ink strokes as writing, and other methods for parsing the ink strokes into words, lines, and paragraphs. The present invention also includes additional methods for manipulating figures such as a division between line and shape type figures, and a special handle performing either rotation or re-sizing.

Abstract: A processor measures size or spacing of connected components for an image of text by obtaining a distribution of measurements of distances between edges of connected components. The distances are measured along lines extending in a measuring direction, such as a direction parallel or perpendicular to lines of text, which can be determined based on a measurement of skew. The distance measurements then can be used to produce a distribution of measurements as a function of distance, such as a histogram. Sufficient distances are measured that the histogram or other distribution data indicates a measure of size or spacing of connected components for the image, such as a stroke width, a maximum character width or height, or a spacing between characters, words, or lines. To measure sizes, distance can be measured across pixels within connected components. To measure spacings, distance can be measured across pixels that are not within connected components.

Abstract: A method for formatting paragraphs on a screen of a computer system including the steps of: a) entering a word on a screen of a computer system using a pointing mechanism; b) finding an associated paragraph, if any, that the word is to be associated with; c) adding the word to the associated paragraph, if one exists; and d) starting a new paragraph with the word if there is not a closely related exiting paragraph. A newly-entered word can be added to an associated paragraph in basically four ways. The word can be added in a new line at the top of the paragraph, in a new line at the bottom of the paragraph, at the end of an existing line, or between words of an existing line. After a word has been entered, the text within the paragraph is repositioned as desired by the user, either implicitly or through an explicit command. For example, the words within a paragraph can be caused to "reflow" so that they are aligned between the left and right margins of the paragraph.

Abstract: A data converting apparatus mainly includes: a memory part for storing at least one set of outline data representative of an outline of one character which includes at least one straight line segment; a first determining part for comparing each of the at least one straight line segment with a predetermined reference direction and for determining whether the corresponding straight line segment has an orientation sufficiently similar to the orientation of the predetermined reference direction; a second determining part for determining whether a offset error produced when the straight line element determined by the first determining part is converted to a dot image deviates from a predetermined tolerance range; and a correction part for correcting the straight line segment determined by the second judging part so that the offset error of the straight line segment does not exceed the tolerance range; and filling-in part for converting the outline data including the straight line segment corrected by the correctio

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus comprises an input image scanner for scanning an input image area with a beam of radiation and deriving from an image on at least part of the input image area a digital signal representing the image, and an output image scanner for reproducing from said signal an output image on at least part of an output image area. The input image scanner and the output image scanner are arranged to scan the input and output image areas respectively simultaneously at a fixed relative rate, and the output and input images are represented as a series of pixels arranged in orthogonal directions at fixed resolutions. In the data path between the input and output scanners the digital signal is processed to change the size of the output image relative to the input image, by using a data store whose data capacity is substantially less than that required to hold data corresponding to an image covering the whole of the input image area.