Abstract: A method of enabling at least one function of a telephone to be controlled is provided. The telephone is operative to perform the function in response to a command from a computer system. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a control interface containing information relating to the function, the control interface including coded data indicative of at least one operation relating to the command; (b) receiving, in the computer system and from the sensing device, indicating data regarding the operation and movement data regarding movement of the sensing device relative to the control interface, the sensing device, when moved relative to the control interface, generating the indicating data using at least some of the coded data and generating the movement data; and (c) effecting, in the computer system and from the indicating data and the movement data, the at least one operation.

Abstract: An image acquisition device includes an image sensing unit for registering raw image data and a movement sensing unit for determining information indicative of the current position of the image sensing unit and of a deviation of the current position of the image sensing unit from a reference position. The image sensing unit also includes a processing unit for receiving the information indicative of the current position of the image sensing unit and of its deviation from a reference position from the movement sensing unit. The processing unit is adapted for moving image data received from the image sensing unit to the current position by the amount of deviation from its reference position determined by the movement sensing unit and for performing object recognition on the thus moved image data.

Abstract: An OCR apparatus includes an operation unit configured to receive an input operation such as specification of an area to be verified, a display unit configured to visually present information, a scanner unit configured to convert character information provided on a document into image information, an OCR-processing unit configured to generate new character information by adding information about the result of evaluating OCR accuracy to character information obtained by subjecting the image information to OCR processing, a sound-conversion unit configured to convert the new character information into sound information adapted to evaluate the accuracy of the OCR result, a sound-output unit configured to output the sound based on sound information, and a control unit 17 configured to control each of the above-described units.

Abstract: An image coding technique capable of realizing a high speed coding processing for a mixed image with less a visual distortion.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing circuit to which a block image obtained by cutting an area corresponding to a predetermined main scanning width and a predetermined sub-scanning width from an original image is input and which performs filter processing on each of pixels constituting the block image to be output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning module, which is capable of integrating optical paths of illuminating and imaging for size reduction, and improving the quality of scanned image by using optical polarizers for filtering, and further achieving the same effect as the “projection scanning” digital camera. The scanning module comprises: a light source, a first polarizer, a quarter-wave plate, a polarizing beamsplitter, an image detection device, and a second polarizer. The light from the light source consists of both a first-polarized and a second-polarized light. The first polarizer is placed in front of the light source that only allows the first-polarized light to pass through. The optics unit directs the first-polarized light to a scanning object and transforms the reflected light into the second-polarized light before receiveded by the image detection device for image acquiring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstruction of a region of interest for an object is provided. The reconstruction of the object may be based on chords which may fill a part, all, or more than all of the region of interest. Using chords for reconstruction may allow for reducing data acquired and/or processing for reconstructing a substantially exact image of the ROI. Moreover, various methodologies may be used in reconstructing the image, such as backprojection-filtration, and modified filtration backprojection.

Abstract: A camera system includes an image sensor configured to capture an image. A memory is coupled to the image sensor and is configured to store the captured image. A printhead interface is coupled to the memory, and is configured to take a planarized linear image obtained from the stored image and produce a dithered image in real-time. A printhead is coupled to, and controlled by, the printhead interface to print the dithered image. An ink supply is provided in fluid communication with the printhead and supplies a plurality of colored inks to the printhead for printing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for searching for 3-dimensional shapes. The apparatus includes, an input means, an acquisition module, a storage means, a comparison and search module, an output means, and control means. The input means receives 3-dimensional image data. The acquisition module acquires a 2-dimensional image data group about the shape of an object represented by the 3-dimensional image data. The comparison and search module compares the respective data of the acquired 2-dimensional image data group with the respective data of the 2-dimensional image data groups that are previously stored in the storage means, and searches for 3-dimensional image data. The control means controls the modules and the means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for strobed image capture includes stroboscopic illumination synchronized with one or more cameras to improve a signal to noise ratio, reduce motion blur and avoid object damage in sensor systems used to analyze illumination sensitive objects.

Abstract: A reading apparatus reads image information and magnetic information displayed on the surface of a sheet-like recording medium. A scanner and MICR head are placed in a path for conveying a recording medium. The reading apparatus has a pressing roller, and a pressing pad. The pressing roller presses a recording medium to the scanner when reading the image information. The pressing pad presses a recording medium to the MICR head when reading the MICR information. The operations of pressing the pressing roller to the scanner and pressing the pressing pad to the MICR head are performed by one driving mechanism by cooperating the arm, rotation cam, roller lift member and link member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for providing insurance. Employing the invention involves the use of one or more forms capable of interacting with a computer system or network, each form comprising sheet material such as paper which has coded data printed on it and which allows it to interact with the computer system by use of a sensing device operated by a user. The invention can be employed by an insurance provider to allow it to deal with a customer in offering a broad range of services including providing the facility to obtain information about insurance products, insurance quotes, and to make insurance claims and payments, and to enter into new policies with customers.

Abstract: An image processing system, for correlating shapes in multi-dimensional images including image data processor for estimating a similarity measure including estimating two image signals representing shapes defined in respective windows in two multi-dimensional images using a Hermite Transform applied to both the image signals for performing an evaluation of two first sets of scalar valued Hermite coefficients from which a combination yields a transformed set of scalar valued Hermite coefficients {KI}. The inverse Hermite Transform is applied to the transformed set of scalar valued Hermite coefficients to achieve the computation of a windowed correlation function. The maximum of the windowed correlation function is estimated as the wanted similarity measure to correlate the shapes. The correlated shapes and/or processed images are displayed.

Abstract: A planar fingerprint pattern detecting array includes a large number of individual skin-distance sensing cells that are arranged in a row/column configuration. Each sensing cell includes an amplifier having an ungrounded input mode and an ungrounded output node. Output-to-input negative feedback that is sensitive to the fingerprint pattern is provided for each amplifier by way of (1) a first capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of a dielectric layer and is connected to the ungrounded amplifier input node, (2) a second capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close horizontal spatial relation to the first capacitor plate and is connected to the ungrounded output node, and (3) an ungrounded fingertip whose fingerprint pattern is to be detected, which ungrounded fingertip is placed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close vertical spatial relation with the first and second capacitor plates.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes a storage device for storing a silhouette image; an image sensor for capturing a first image of an object, the first image including a first object image and a first background image; a comparison module for comparing the first object image with respect to the silhouette image to obtaining a base difference; and a correction module for correcting position of the first object image with respect to the first image to obtain a second image of the object according to the base difference. The second image includes a second object image incorporating with the silhouette image to define a first difference that is smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A scanner is used for scanning an object (3, 4, 5), in particular a tooth or a plurality of teeth or a dental cast. The scanner (1) comprises a projector (2) for projecting a pattern (7) onto the object (3, 4, 5) and a camera which comprises a recording optics and an image sensor (18). To improve such scanner, the recording optics comprises a first imaging optics (9) and a second imaging optics (10).

Abstract: A communication system includes a server and a facsimile machine. The server includes templates and provides a Web page creation service. The facsimile machine communicates with the server and includes input and output units to input and output text, images, and voice messages. When a creation of a Web page is requested from the facsimile machine to the server, a user is prompted to input text, images, and voice messages to be embedded in a template via a display unit of the facsimile machine. The text, images and voice messages input accordingly are sent to the server as input data, and embedded in the template to complete a Web page on the server.

Abstract: A method for identifying an individual includes the steps of collecting data from an individual's face using visible and infrared cameras, processing the acquired data, fitting a geometric model template of the face to the data according to a mathematical method, processing the fitted model to extract relevant first metadata, storing the first metadata in a machine readable format, and comparing second metadata to the first metadata, to determine their degree of similarity in order to identify the individual.

Abstract: The present technique provides an image reading device that allows an image transmission destination terminal to be designated simply from a console. The communication unit of the image reading device receives verification data from terminals via a network. The storage unit stores each of the received verification data in association with the terminal which had transmitted the verification data. The user inputs authentication data to the console after setting the document in place. When the authentication data is input to the console, a list of terminals associated with the verification data matching the authentication data is displayed. The user may select from the displayed list, via the console, the transmission destination terminal to which the image is to be transmitted. When the transmission destination terminal is selected by the user, the reading control unit reads out an image and transmits the image to the selected transmission destination terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing digital images automatically. A digital image is acquired and automatically converted into an image data file with an associated date, and stored into a file system folder associated with that date. When the digital image is to be acquired using an optical scanner, the method automatically acquires the image using predefined scanner settings that are appropriate to a photographic image to scan the item.

Abstract: An image capture device, includes a body; an image sensor in the body; a lens configured to focus a scene onto the image sensor; a communications interface in the body; an image processor coupled to receive an image from or to send an image to the communications interface; executable program code embodied in a computer readable medium and configured to cause the image processor to: process image data associated with a first facial area in a first image to determine a first data set of parameters associated with the first facial area; scan one or more subsequent images stored in memory accessible by the image processor; identify facial areas in the subsequent images and process image data associated with identified facial areas in the subsequent images to determine subsequent data sets of parameters associated with identified facial areas; and compare the first and subsequent data sets to determine whether the one or more subsequent images includes a same face as the face highlighted in the first image.

Abstract: A scanner, which reads machine readable information on an item and determines its location on the item, also includes one or more video cameras for determining dimensions of features on the item. A computer uses the machine readable information to find a record within a data structure. The record includes dimensions of one or more visible features of an item corresponding to the machine readable information and identified according to their location relative to the machine readable information. These dimensions of features are then compared to the dimensions of features of the item being scanned to determine whether the machine readable information read by the scanner matches the item being scanned.

Abstract: A super-resolution processor includes a storage section for storing data of point spread functions of an X-ray CT scanner which are acquired using a phantom and a super-resolution processing section performing super-resolution of image data of a sample generated by the X-ray CT scanner using the stored point spread functions.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a lockable first fascia portion (20) which when unlocked enables access to a chest lock input device (104), inputs to which enable opening a chest door (18) of the machine. Opening the first fascia portion also enables access to an actuator (116) which enables moving a second fascia portion (22) for conducting service activities. A baffle structure (164) is positioned on the housing adjacent the second fascia portion to enable cooling air flow within the housing of the machine and to prevent the introduction of moisture into the housing. A controller (72) in the machine selectively illuminates light emitting devices (118, 126) for purposes of facilitating user operation of the machine. Sensing devices (128) adjacent a card reader slot (28) on the machine enables the controller to detect the presence of a fraud device or unauthorized card reading devices.

Abstract: Methods to capture a digital image are disclosed. Embodiments include methods for taking multiple color data readings with a series of sensing elements in one collecting location during a single exposure, associating the collecting location with a pixel, and calculating a color value for the pixel based on the multiple color data readings. The method may include directing light successively to the sensing elements of the series of sensing elements within one exposure via reflective optics. The method may include determining that a sensing element of the series of sensing elements is defective. The method may include redirecting light to align a non-defective sensing element of the series of sensing elements with the collecting location. The non-defective sensing element and the defective sensing element may be associated with the same color.

Abstract: An image-sensing apparatus has: an image-sensing portion that acquires an original image by shooting a subject; an alteration processor that applies reversible alteration to an image inside a specific region in the original image to produce from the original image an altered image; and a recording controller that records in a recording portion an image file in which the altered image is stored in association with restoration-oriented information that identifies the contents of the restoration that needs to be performed to restore the original image from the altered image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for performing rapid and programmable analysis of data. The present invention relates to a reconfigurable detector comprising at least one array of a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels can be selected to receive and read-out an input. The pixel array is divided into at least one pixel group for conducting a common predefined analysis. Each of the pixels has a programmable circuitry programmed with a dynamically configurable user-defined function to modify the input. The present detector also comprises a summing circuit designed to sum the modified input.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor (10) for the detection of codes having a light receiver (22) is set forth which is designed for reading in segments of color image data or gray value image data as well as having an evaluation unit (30) which can assemble the image data to form a total image (100), wherein a binarizer (26) of the sensor (10) is additionally provided to generate a binary image (102) from the color image data or gray value image data. In this connection, the binarizer (26) is designed for a conversion into the binary image (102) during the reception and/or in real time in that the color image data or gray value image data of each read in segment are binarized while the further segments are still being read in. A corresponding method for the detection of codes is furthermore set forth.

Abstract: A method of enabling instruction of a computer to perform tasks, using an interface surface having command and object interactive elements, the interface surface having command and object interactive elements, the interface surface including coded data. The method includes having the computer system receive indicating data from a sensing device, which is generated when the sensing device is moved relative to the interface surface, the indicating data being indicative of a stroke designating the interactive elements. The computer system uses the indicating data to determine the interactive elements designated by the stroke before applying a command to at least one object using the designated interactive elements.

Abstract: In an input device, a camera captures images of a surface. Using the images, the input device determines its orientation. Data representing the orientation of the input device and data representing the captured image are communicated from the input device to a host computing device.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes photoelectric conversion elements having a complementary or Bayer color filter array. The solid-state imaging element adds together electric charges stored in nine photoelectric conversion elements having color filters of one of multiple colors in each portion of six rows and six columns, to obtain a resulting electric charge, and outputs the resulting electric charge as one pixel. A portion for one of the colors deviates from a portion for each of the other colors by three rows and/or three columns. This pixel-addition operation produces an effect of a spatial low pass filter, thereby reducing signal components exceeding a Nyquist frequency corresponding to a target resolution. Consequently, aliasing noise in an image with the target resolution is reduced, and therefore higher image quality can be achieved, when compared with a conventional resolution reduction technique.

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix which detects a pixel signal of each pixel based on a voltage difference between a reset voltage which is a reference voltage of each pixel and a signal voltage generated by a photoelectric conversion at each pixel, and includes a plurality of read lines located for each pixel column, wherein the reset voltage and the signal voltage are read from the pixel of the corresponding pixel column; and a reset current supply section provided for each read line, wherein at the same time a first reset current is supplied from a pixel to the read line when reading the reset voltage from the pixel, the section supplies a second reset current to the read line such that a sum of the first reset current and the second reset current is constant.

Abstract: A calligraphy/drawing camera image-captures a document and sends a resultant captured image to a personal computer (S101). The personal computer applies various image processes such as correction of various deformations including a trapezoidal deformation based on image information obtained from the captured image, a rotation process, a cut out process, etc. to the captured image (S102 to S104). The personal computer sends the processed image to a projector (S105). The projector projects the processed image on a screen (S106). Since the captured image is corrected based on the image information obtained from the captured image, not only correction of a trapezoidal deformation but also various other corrections can be done on the captured image.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document placing table having a transparent member, a document pressing member, an image reading unit, a scanning unit that is disposed on a side opposite to a document placing surface of the transparent member and reciprocates in a predetermined direction along the transparent member with the image reading unit mounted thereon, an open/closed state detecting unit that detects open and closed states of the document pressing member, a control unit that controls an image reading operation of the image reading unit and a reciprocation movement of the scanning unit, and a reference member that serves as a luminance reference of the image reading unit. When the open/closed state detecting unit detects the open state of the document pressing member, the control unit set a predetermined light intensity set value to a light intensity value of light irradiated from the light source at the time of image reading.

Abstract: An image capturing system is installable in a room opposite a writing surface. The image capturing system is adapted to take visual images of the writing surface and identify information written thereon.

Abstract: A bio-optical sensor has a surface provided with an array of sensing pixels and calibration pixels. The sensing and calibration pixels are arranged in an interleaved fashion. The sensing and calibration pixels may be interleaved 1:1, or they may be arranged in interleaved blocks. The image plane receives an analyte and a reagent that reacts with the analyte to produce light. The sensing pixels generate signals as a function of the light produced.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: three line sensors; a mover moving a platen at a rate relative to the three line sensors; an interline corrector synchronizing the three line sensors' outputs to be a pixel having read a single location on an original; NOR and AND devices comparing three data corresponding to a single location on the original to detect a noise pixel; a determiner depending on a color of a pixel neighboring a pixel to be processed selected from pixels arranged in the main scanning direction, to determine first data from which a noise pixel is initially detected; and a determiner invalidating a noise pixel identical in location in the main scanning direction to the pixel to be processed, that is included in a line input prior to a line including the pixel detected from the first data and that is detected from data other than the first data.

Abstract: A system for detection and control of deposition on pendant tubes in recovery and power boilers includes one or more deposit monitoring sensors operating in infrared regions of about 4 or 8.7 microns and directly producing images of the interior of the boiler, or producing feeding signals to a data processing system for information to enable a distributed control system by which the boilers are operated to operate said boilers more efficiently. The data processing system includes an image pre-processing circuit in which a 2-D image formed by the video data input is captured, and includes a low pass filter for performing noise filtering of said video input. It also includes an image compensation system for array compensation to correct for pixel variation and dead cells, etc., and for correcting geometric distortion. An image segmentation module receives a cleaned image from the image pre-processing circuit for separating the image of the recovery boiler interior into background, pendant tubes, and deposition.

Abstract: The invention provides an image processing system which is suitable to carry out image processing in excellent accuracy while removing influence due to characteristics depending on the type difference and which facilitates wide and flexible adaptation over image capturing devices. A digital camera includes an image pick-up sensor unit which receives images as data, a URL memory unit which stores a URL to indicate an acquisition site of image processing data, and a URL adding unit which adds the URL in the URL memory unit to the image data. The printer includes an RAW data read unit which reads out the image data, a URL acquisition unit which acquires the URL added to the image data, an image processing data acquisition unit which acquires the image processing data from the image processing data storage server based on the acquired URL, and an image data processing unit to process the image data based on the acquired image processing data.

Abstract: A method of detecting two-dimensional codes using a plurality of light and dark data bits arranged two-dimensionally. The method includes detecting the code as a gray scale value image, splitting the detected gray scale value image into image areas corresponding to the individual data bits, determining a binarizing threshold representing a specific gray scale value for the image areas, carrying out a respective binarizing of the gray scale value of the individual image areas by means of a binarizing threshold to produce a bit sequence which represents the data bits and consists of the values 0 and 1, supplying the bit sequence to an error correction algorithm to recognize and/or correct bit errors within the bit sequence, identifying uncertain image areas whose gray scale values each lie close to the binarizing threshold, and taking the uncertain image areas into special account in the error correction.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless input device that employs optical sensing to effect the likes of cursor movement and scrolling. Power management techniques can be optionally employed to avoid premature depletion of the wireless input device's power source. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless device having a power management algorithm controlling its power consumption. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for managing the power consumption of a wireless device.

Abstract: The present invention provides interchangeable modules each of which is adapted to interface with at least one image receptor having predetermined physical interface parameters, including means for receiving image data from the at least one image receptor, processing means for converting the received image data into a converted, common format, and bus means for adapting to and communicating with a mother board. The interchangeable modules can be embodied in a plurality of daughter boards that are adapted for electrical connection to a mother board. Each daughter board can include the physical interface corresponding with the image receptor for which it has been programmed to receive data, with the physical interface being adapted for extending outwardly from a cabinet enclosing the daughter board and mother board.

Abstract: An optical scanner including a housing having a top portion, a bottom portion, a front portion and a rear portion; a platen member forming a portion of the housing top portion, the platen member having a flat upper surface defining a platen plane; a scanner base provided on the housing bottom portion and defining a base plane; the platen plane being inclined relative to the base plane.

Abstract: To prevent such a situation that a signal from a pixel in a dark state is output at a level shifted from an originally set level to deteriorate an image quality, and to improve the image quality.

Abstract: A facility for storing a text capture data structure for a particular user is described. The data structure comprises a number of entries. Each entry corresponds to a text capture operation performed by the user from a rendered document. Each entry contains information specifying the text captured in the text capture operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which includes a plurality of image forming portions transferring a yellow image, a magenta image, a cyan image, and a black image formed on a plurality of photoconductor drums to a sheet conveyed on a conveying belt, a marking unit forming marks on the conveying belt, a detecting unit detecting the marks with three or more sensors aligned in a direction normal to a direction in which the sheet is conveyed, a calculating unit calculating an amount of color misalignment in accordance with results detected by the detecting unit, and a correcting unit correcting the color misalignment in accordance with the calculated amount of color misalignment, wherein the calculating unit calculates an amount of skew difference in accordance with results detected by two sensors among the three or more sensors, wherein one sensor of the two sensors is disposed on one end of the three or more sensors and the other sensor of the two sensors is disposed on the other end of the three or more sensors, w

Abstract: A technique that can realize acquisition of a proper white reference value in shading correction is provided. It includes plural line sensors arranged at different positions from each other in a sub-scanning direction and configured to read reflected light from a reading target surface, guided by a scanning optical system that moves in the sub-scanning direction, and a reading control unit configured to control image reading timing in each line sensor so that, when reading a predetermined white reference board by the plural line sensors in order to perform shading correction, the plural line sensors have substantially the same reading area on the white reference board.

Abstract: An image sensor including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a main scanning direction, a plurality of switching elements connected to respective ones of the photoelectric conversion elements, individually, and a controller for generating a clock signal to control the switching elements. The photoelectric conversion elements are divided into plural groups, each including a predetermined number (N) of the photoelectric conversion elements. The outputs from the photoelectric conversion elements in one group are read out simultaneously in response to the clock signal generated from the controller, thereby attaining a high speed reading of a document.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip (IC) is equipped with a device for preventing reverse engineering by monitoring light emissions emitted from transistors and such electrically active devices in a circuit located in the IC. The device emits extraneous randomized light emissions in substantial close proximity to the transistors to hide a pattern of light emissions emitted from the transistors. As one feature, the device can include a source of randomized light emissions in substantial close proximity to the transistors to hide a pattern of the emitted light from the transistors in randomized light emissions emitted by the source. As a second feature, the device can emit the randomized light emissions by randomly delaying an electrical signal that is electrically coupled to the transistors and, in response to the randomly delayed electrical signal, the transistors randomly emitting light emissions thereby hiding a separate pattern of light emission emitted from the transistors.

Abstract: A multi-resolution color contact-type image sensing apparatus whereby a color image of an original can be obtained with a particular resolution, depending upon the size of the original image. A first array of photosensor segments with a base resolution is arranged with at least one other array of photosensor segments having a greater-than-base resolution. All such photosensor segments might be aligned in a single linear array, with at least one portion of segments having a greater-than-base resolution. A resulting image with at least the base resolution could be created depending upon the size of the original in relation to the placement and width of the greater-than-base resolution segments. A plurality of linear arrays might also be used, with each successive array having a greater resolution than the previous array. Moreover, the arrays might be arranged in parallel with each successive array being narrower in width than the previous.