Abstract: A media sheet is scanned. The media sheet has an image and an annotation. The annotation indicates a functionality to be performed in relation to the image. The annotation on the media sheet as scanned is detected. The functionality to be performed in relation to the image is determined in correspondence to the annotation detected on the media sheet. The functionality to which the annotation corresponds is performed in relation to the image.

Abstract: In this invention, scan conversion processing of changing the scan order for each block is used. Parallel scan conversion processing is executed if possible, thereby making the number of scan conversion target blocks per unit time larger than before. To do this, a scan status holding unit holds statistical information based on the appearance frequency values of coefficients in a block. A scan order holding unit holds coefficient position information in which the coefficient positions in a block are arranged based on the scan order. A parallel number determination unit determines the number of blocks processable in parallel based on the statistical information held in the scan status holding unit and supplies the result to a scan conversion unit as a control signal. If the control signal from the parallel number determination unit indicates parallel processing, the scan conversion unit executes scan conversion of two input blocks in parallel.

Abstract: A user gestures with a wireless mobile phone device to control some aspect of its operation, or the operation of a remote system with which the device communicates. (The gestures may be sensed by tracking movement of a feature across a field of view of a mobile phone device camera.) The resultant operation may additionally depend on other data obtained by the wireless device, e.g., obtained from an electronic or physical object, or sensed from the environment. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A method for routing a confirmation of receipt of a facsimile or portion thereof according to one embodiment of the present invention includes analyzing text of a facsimile for at least one of a meaning and a context of the text; and routing one or more confirmations to one or more destinations based on the analysis. A method for routing one or more confirmations according to another embodiment of the present invention includes analyzing a pattern of light and dark areas of a facsimile; correlating the pattern to one or more forms; and routing one or more confirmations to one or more destinations based on the correlation. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, a rotating polygonal mirror, a scanning optical system, a detector, and a light emission controller. The light source includes plural light emitting elements. The rotating polygonal mirror is irradiated with light beams. While rotating, the rotating polygonal mirror reflects and deflects, in a deflecting direction, light beams emitted from light emitting elements in a first direction to propagate through one point in the deflecting direction substantially at the same time. The scanning optical system causes the reflected and deflected light beams to scan over an object. The detector detects the timing at which a light beam propagates through a detection point. When the light beams propagate through the detection point, the light emission controller causes light emitting elements in a row in the first direction other than light emitting elements at both ends of a projection plane to emit light.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of signature marks in documents are provided. The method includes selecting candidate text objects in document pages and identifying a sequence of elements therein. The sequence has a numbering pattern including an incremental part and optionally a fixed part. Missing elements between two detected elements of the sequence are permitted. For an identified sequence, a model of the sequence is generated, which includes the numbering pattern of the sequence, an increment, which is computed based on the distance between pages on which consecutive elements of the sequence are identified, a valid sequence having an increment of greater than 1, and a first page, which corresponds to a page of the document on which the sequence starts. The sequence is then validated with the model, allowing elements of the sequence in the pages of the document to be identified as signature marks.

Abstract: An image processor comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit includes an obtaining unit that obtains image data generated as a result of reading a document by a reader in which a predetermined document reading condition is set; a selecting unit that allows a user to select an use of the image data obtained by the obtaining unit out of a plurality of the uses set in advance; a processing unit that processes the image data obtained by the obtaining unit according to an image processing condition suitable for the use selected by the selecting unit; and a transferring unit that transfers the image data after being processed by the processing unit to an application suitable for the use selected by the selecting unit.

Abstract: A method performed by a computer system. The method includes storing a version of a mass-produced printed paper, identifying at least a subset of characters within the version, and in response to the identified subset, forming at least one hyperlink within the version, the version being displayable on a display device as a likeness of the paper including an indicator of a hyperlink.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-function printer not requiring exclusive components (principally electrical components) for reading the print settings and thus being free from a cost increase, and a control method therefor. For print settings such as a paper size and a print quality in a copying or a direct printing, a lever is provided for each print setting item. Before executing the reading and printing operations of copying or direct printing, position of each lever is read and the setting of each print setting item is analyzed based on the position of each lever, and the reading and printing operations are executed according to thus analyzed settings.

Abstract: A computer peripheral apparatus (CPA) provided for connecting to a computer. The CPA includes a CPA processor to execute a CPA program to independently and directly carry out a document processing function without receiving an instruction from a computer. In an exemplary embodiment, the CPA includes a scanner for scanning a document and the CPA processor executes a optical character recognition (OCR) program to directly recognize characters included in the document scanned by the scanner. In another exemplary embodiment, the characters recognized by the OCR program further include instructions for instructing the CPA processor to execute a subsequent program to process the document scanned by the scanner. In another exemplary embodiment, the characters recognized by the OCR program further includes instructions for instructing the CPA processor to send a facsimile of the document scanned by the scanner to a facsimile destination.

Abstract: In some embodiments, provided are methods and reading devices with image capture capabilities for efficiently capturing multiple images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recognizing a location of a target are provided. One system includes a camera configured to generate first data representing an object resembling the target, a memory storing second data representing a template of the target, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive the first data and the second data, and determine that the object is the target if the object matches the template within a predetermined percentage error. A method includes receiving first data representing an object resembling the target, receiving second data representing a template of the target, and determining that the object is the target if the object matches the template within a predetermined percentage error. Also provided are computer-readable mediums including processor instructions for executing the above method.

Abstract: A reading machine that operates in various modes includes image correction processing is described. The reading device pre-processes an image prior to optical character recognition processing by detect distortion in an image of a page by measuring an extent to which page boundaries in the image deviate from a simple rectangular shape and correcting for the optical distortion by transforming the image to restore the page to a rectangular shape.

Abstract: A print processing device including a printing unit to print an image on a sheet, a reading unit to read a sheet, an operation unit including keys to be operated by a user, a print control unit to cause the printing unit to print either a first sheet for selecting an image from a plurality of images stored in a storage medium or a second sheet for selecting a language to be used in the first sheet, and an analyzing unit configured to analyze an image read by the reading unit. If a language is not registered, when the image corresponding to the second sheet is detected as an analysis result by the analyzing unit, the first sheet is printed using a language associated with the detected image and when the image corresponding to the second sheet is not detected, the second sheet is printed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for retrieving a printable media template from an identifier that is associated with printable media. The identifier is retrieved by a reader and a controller that are operatively coupled to receive and process the information. The controller includes a template engine that retrieves a printable media template corresponding to the information received from the identifier. A method for retrieving and generating a printable media template is also provided. A printable media package is also included that identifies a printable template for printing content on the printable media.

Abstract: A data management system includes a client apparatus, an image processing server, and a database. The client apparatus sets whether to extract text data from a print rendering command. According to the data management system, an appropriate text extraction method can be set according to an application. When a setting for extracting text data from a print rendering command has been performed, text data is extracted from a print rendering command output during print processing by the application. The extracted text data is sent to the image processing server together with printed image data. On the other hand, when a setting for extracting text data from a print rendering command has not been performed, the printed image data is sent to the image processing server. If no text data is received from the client apparatus, the image processing server performs optical character recognition processing on the printed image data to extract text data.

Abstract: A method for associating text with image data of documents is herein described. The method includes receiving image data of a document with manually marked text and recognizing the manually marked text. The image data is then annotated (e.g., tagged) using the manually marked text and the image data of the document is stored. When manually marked text is recognized, recognized text may be generated for annotating the image data of the document and used to populate a field associated with the image data. The field may be a name of the document or a subject line of an e-mail message, for example. A method including identifying the location of manually marked text in a first scanned document to automatically identify and annotate text in a corresponding location in a second scanned document is also disclosed.

Abstract: A projector with a color sensor module is provided. The projector includes a light source providing a light, a prism device refracting the light, a reflecting device reflecting the light refracted by the prism device, an optical lens receiving the light reflected by the reflecting device and forming a first light path between the optical lens and the reflecting device, and a color sensor module disposed on a second light path and comprising a light inlet receiving the light reflected toward the second light path by the reflecting device.

Abstract: A method for routing a facsimile according to one embodiment of the present invention includes analyzing text of a facsimile for at least one of a meaning and a context of the text; and routing the facsimile to one or more destinations based on the analysis. A method for routing a facsimile according to another embodiment of the present invention includes analyzing a pattern of light and dark areas of a facsimile; correlating the pattern to one or more forms; and routing the facsimile to one or more destinations based on the correlation. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for storing, organizing, and accessing image-based documents. The method includes receiving an image-based document, conducting an OCR conversion process to produce an equivalent document in text format, identifying keywords of the equivalent document in text format, linking the keywords with the image-based document and the corresponding equivalent document in text format, and storing the image-based document, the corresponding equivalent document in text format, and the keywords in a relational database.

Abstract: A print processing device including a printing unit to print an image on a sheet, a reading unit to read a sheet, an operation unit including keys to be operated by a user, a print control unit to cause the printing unit to print either a first sheet for selecting an image from a plurality of images stored in a storage medium or a second sheet for selecting a language to be used in the first sheet, and an analyzing unit configured to analyze an image read by the reading unit. If a language is not registered, when the image corresponding to the second sheet is detected as an analysis result by the analyzing unit, the first sheet is printed using a language associated with the detected image and when the image corresponding to the second sheet is not detected, the second sheet is printed.

Abstract: A projector has: light source (1R, 1G, 1B); a light modulation unit (6) that modulates a light emitted from the light source based on image signals; a display control unit (41) that outputs the image signals including main cyclic image signals to the light modulation unit, and controls the display thereof; a projection unit (7) that projects the image based on the light modulated by the light modulation unit; and an imaging unit (40) that captures an image to be displayed based on the light projected from the projection unit, and the display control unit inserts a correction image signal for projecting a correction image, which is visually recognized as a uniform white or gray screen when time integration is performed, between the cyclic main image signals.

Abstract: A system for delivering an electronic document is disclosed. The system has a printer for printing on a substrate user information indicative of a send instruction which is visible to a user and coded tags invisible to the user. A sensing device senses the coded tags when the sensing device is moved relative to the substrate by the user interacting with the user information. A computer system electronically captures a message composed with the sensing device via movement of the sensing device relative to a predetermined area on the substrate. The computer system determines the predetermined area on the substrate and electronically captures the message. When the sensing device senses coded tags coincident with the send instruction, the computer system transmits the message to a recipient address.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for identifying front pages from images representing media. In an embodiment, a system for identifying at least one front page within an image representing media is provided. The system includes a matcher, an aggregator and a reviewer. In another embodiment, a method for identifying at least one front page within an image representing media is provided. The method includes comparing each page to matching criteria to produce a matching confidence score. The method also includes aggregating, as front page candidates, each page having a matching confidence score that exceeds a matching confidence score threshold. The method further includes receiving decision information and identifying front pages from front page candidates based upon the decision information. According to another embodiment, the matching criteria may comprise at least one local, affine invariant feature point.

Abstract: Multiple images are combined where the images exhibit variations in illumination between one another. The images are of the same portion of an object, and each image is represented by a set of image data. A comparative data transform is applied to each set of image data, such that the transformed comparative image data isolates and preserves first variations in the illumination between the images but suppresses second differences in illumination between the images. At least one normalization transform is determined from the transformed comparative image data sets. When applied to at least one of the image data sets, the at least one normalization transform minimizes the variation in illumination between the image data sets. Each determined normalization transform is applied to the at least one of the image data sets. The normalized sets of image data are transformed to a single image of the portion of the object.

Abstract: An image data combining apparatus combines m lines of image data that have been output from a reading unit. The reading unit outputs m lines of image data based upon the pixel data that has been output upon being divided into the plurality of lines, and stored then in a memory. An upper address for accessing the memory is decided based upon first data indicating position, along the sub-scan direction, of an image that has been read by the reading unit, and a lower address for accessing the memory is decided based upon second data indicating position of the image along the main-scan direction. For the lower address utilizes values in which the sequence of a plurality of bits constituting the first data is interchanged, so that p items of pixel data at a time are extracted successively from each of the m lines of image data.

Abstract: An overall processing time to rasterize, at the first device, the electronic document to be rendered is computed. Also, a rendering time to render, at the first device, the electronic document to be rendered is computed. When the overall processing time to rasterize at the first device is greater than the rendering time to render at the first device, the electronic document to be rendered is parsed into a first document and sub-documents. A productivity capacity of each node is determined, the productivity capacity being a measured of the processing power of the node and the communication cost of exchanging information between the first device and the node. A sub-document is rasterized at a node when a productivity capacity of the node reduces the processing time to rasterize the electronic document to be rendered to be less than the computed overall processing time.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a facsimile including a digitized transmission page including an optical representation of the electronic destination address encoded in a facsimile format, determining the electronic destination address from the optical representation of the electronic destination address, combining the transmission page with a graphics template to form a composite document, formatting the composite document into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the composite document in the second format to the electronic destination address.

Abstract: A method of controlling depth of field of an image by a computer after the image has been taken based on the data acquired while taking the images including, acquiring multiple images from the same perspective with different focal points, selecting parameters for preparing a displayable image, constructing an image using the data of the acquired multiple images according to the selected parameters; and displaying the constructed image.

Abstract: The invention relates to the authentication of users for a multi-function peripheral (MFP) device using handwritten signatures. Systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a MFP that conditions access to MFP operations based on an authenticating process that compares a prospective user's signature to previously saved signatures. The signatures are communicated to the MFP using the MFP's native scanning function.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a reference member, a reading unit, a first reference value setting unit, a detecting unit, a second reference value setting unit, a determining unit, and a pixel value setting unit. The reading unit obtains image data and reference data. The first reference value setting unit sets a first reference value based on the reference data. The detecting unit detects a usage state of the reading unit. The second reference value setting unit sets a second reference value in accordance with the usage state. If the determining unit determines that the first reference value is in a predetermined condition, the pixel value setting unit sets a pixel value based on the image data and the first reference value; otherwise, the pixel value setting unit sets the pixel value based on the image data and the second reference value.

Abstract: A system for controlling a communications device is disclosed. A printer prints on a surface visual information relating to at least one operation of the communications device and coded data portions. Each coded data portion encodes a region identifier which uniquely identifies a region on the surface, and a portion identifier which uniquely identifies the coded data portion. A sensing device placed in an operative position relative to the coded data portions, generate indicating data regarding the region identifier and the portion identifier. A computer system receives the indicating data and determines an operation associated with the region identifier and the portion identifier. Finally, the computer system sends one or more commands to the communications device, thereby effecting the at least one operation.

Abstract: A pattern inspection apparatus includes a stage configured to mount a target workpiece to be inspected thereon, a sensor configured to include a plurality of light receiving elements arrayed in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction which moves relatively to the stage, and to capture optical images of the target workpiece by using the plurality of light receiving elements, an accumulation unit configured to accumulate each pixel data of the optical images overlappingly captured by the sensor at positions shifted each other in the second direction by a pixel unit, for each pixel, and a comparison unit configured to compare the each pixel data accumulated for each pixel with predetermined reference data.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to systems and methods for implementing use of customer documents in maintaining Image Quality (IQ)/Image Quality Consistency (IQC) of printing devices. The system may include an image analyzer configured to analyze input image data for a document and to identify one or more relevant pages of the document that may provide information regarding the state of the printing system; a scheduler that selects the relevant pages for printing out-of-order; a marking engine constructed to print images; a scanning device for scanning print images of the one or more relevant pages; and a buffer for holding the print images of the one or more relevant pages and inserting the print images of the one or more relevant pages into the media path in proper order. A method for analyzing printed documents is also provided.

Abstract: A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of a e-mail address, determining the e-mail address optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address.

Abstract: A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of data associated with an e-mail address, determining the data optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention includes a read unit to read an original document, a storage unit to store an image file of the original document read by the read unit, a control unit to control storage and readout of the image file into and from the storage unit, and an image formation unit to print the image file read from the storage unit, and the control unit creates a template including one or plural elements, automatically creates an image file name based on the template when the image file is stored in the storage unit, and stores the image file. According to the image forming apparatus of the invention, when a file is stored, an operation burden is low and an easily identified file name can be created.

Abstract: A tablet storing/retrieving device which stores a plurality of kinds of medicines, and delivers as many tablets of such descriptions as designated by prescription data into a vial (3) and retrieves it. An imaging device (400) is provided for photographing the interior of the vial before a cap is applied to the vial (3) after tablets are dispensed into the vial (3). Accordingly, a quick and easy auditing process is possible without removing the cap of a retrieved vial.

Abstract: A matching device includes a first storing unit, a second storing unit, and a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a control unit and a circuit unit. In the circuit unit, a first circuit including distance calculating circuits that calculate distances between unknown characters and dictionary characters and a selecting circuit that selects P distances having smallest values and character codes corresponding to the distances is configured, and then a second circuit including a permutation circuit that outputs distances in order from one having a smallest value and outputs character codes corresponding to the distances is configured.

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a first facsimile transmission from a user, wherein the first facsimile transmission includes a digitized representation of a first document transmitted using a facsimile transmission format, processing the digitized representation of the first document with an optical character recognition process to determine a first destination e-mail address, wherein the first destination e-mail address need not be known to the computer system a priori, reformatting at least a portion of the digitized representation of the first document into an e-mail attachment format, determining advertisement data in response to the first facsimile transmission, forming an e-mail message addressed to the destination e-mail address, wherein the e-mail message includes a body portion and an attachment portion, wherein the body portion comprises the advertisement data, and wherein the attachment portion comprises the portion of the digitized representation of the first document in the e-m

Abstract: A method for a computer system includes receiving a first transmission from a user, wherein the first transmission includes a digitized representation of a first document transmitted using a first transmission format, processing the digitized representation of the first document with an optical character recognition process to determine a first electronic destination, wherein the first electronic destination need not be known by the computer system before receiving the first transmission, reformatting at least a portion of the digitized representation of the first document from the first transmission format into a storage format; determining advertisement data in response to the first transmission, and sending an electronic transmission to the first electronic destination, wherein the electronic transmission includes the advertisement data and the portion of the digitized representation of the first document in the storage format.

Abstract: The present invention decides whether an OCR processing is necessary or not for a printing job by using a difference between text data extracted by performing the OCR processing on an image generated based on a previous printing job having been processed previously and text data extracted from text drawing command of the previous printing job having been processed previously. If the OCR processing is decided to be unnecessary, the text data extracted from the text drawing command of the printing job is registered in a database for retrieving an image data. If the OCR processing is decided to be necessary, text data extracted by performing OCR processing on the image data generated based on the drawing commands of the printing job and the text data extracted from the text drawing command of the printing job are registered in a database for retrieving an image data.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a light source; a bar-shaped light-guiding element having a first light-emitting section, which propagates light from the light source and irradiates an document from an oblique direction, and a second light-emitting section emitting light in a carrying direction of the document; a lens converging the light reflected from the document; a sensor receiving the light passed through the lens; a reflector disposed on the opposite side of the light-guiding element, by reflecting the light from the second light-emitting section such that an optical path of the light emitted from the second light-emitting section is located between the lens and the document, and irradiating the document from an oblique direction; and first and second light-scattering layers formed in areas opposed to the first and the second light-emitting sections, respectively, in the light-guiding element.

Abstract: Information indicating an area of an image and information indicating attributes of the image have been stored in an IC chip attached to an original paper. When a copying apparatus performs a character recognition process operation with respect to an image displayed on the original paper, the copying apparatus reads the information related to the area of the image and the information related to the attribute of this area from the IC chip attached to this original paper. Then the copying apparatus separates an area where a character is displayed therefrom. The copying apparatus executes the character recognition process operation with respect to the image of the separated area.

Abstract: A method transmitting a facsimile or scanned image to an electronic destination address includes receiving the facsimile or scanned image including a digitized instruction page including an optical representation of the electronic destination address, wherein the digitized instruction page is encoded in a first format, determining the electronic destination address from the optical representation of the electronic destination address, wherein the electronic destination address need not be known prior to receiving the facsimile or scanned image, converting the digitized instruction page to a second format, determining additional service provider data, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the instruction page encoded in the second format to the electronic destination address.

Abstract: A method for a computer system for transmitting a facsimile to an e-mail destination, comprises receiving a facsimile transmission comprising an instruction page and a document page, wherein the instruction page includes an optical representation of an e-mail address, using an optical character recognition process to determine the e-mail address from the optical representation of the e-mail address, wherein the e-mail address need not be known to the computer system before receiving the facsimile transmission, converting the facsimile transmission into an e-mail attachment, and sending an e-mail message including the additional service provider data and the e-mail attachment to the e-mail address, wherein the additional service provider data is selected from a group consisting of: a service provider identifier, a service sponsor identifier.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a sensor to sense one target from a plurality of targets includes predicting states of the targets. A set of probability distributions is generated. Each probability distribution in the set represents a setting or settings of at least one control parameter of the sensor. An expected information gain value for each control parameter in the set is calculated. The information gain value represents an expected quality of a measurement of one of the targets taken by the sensor if controlled according to the control parameter, based on the predicted state of the target. Updating the set of probability distributions takes place to identify the sensor control parameters that maximise the expected information gain value. The sensor is then controlled in accordance with the maximising control parameters.

Abstract: A method of controlling a communications device is disclosed. A printer prints on a surface visual information relating to at least one operation of the communications device and coded data portions. Each coded data portion encodes a region identifier which uniquely identifies a region on the surface, and a portion identifier which uniquely identifies the coded data portion. A sensing device placed in an operative position relative to the coded data portions, generate indicating data regarding the region identifier and the portion identifier. A computer system receives the indicating data and determines an operation associated with the region identifier and the portion identifier. Finally, the computer system sends one or more commands to the communications device, thereby effecting the at least one operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the invention includes a read unit to read an original document, a storage unit to store an image file of the original document read by the read unit, a control unit to control storage and readout of the image file into and from the storage unit, and an image formation unit to print the image file read from the storage unit, and the control unit creates a template including one or plural elements, automatically creates an image file name based on the template when the image file is stored in the storage unit, and stores the image file. According to the image forming apparatus of the invention, when a file is stored, an operation burden is low and an easily identified file name can be created.

Abstract: A method for removing unwanted form color content from a scanned document by segmenting the image into two or more tiles (14). Each tile (14) is classified into at least a first and second set according to its combination of background and color content. A background color is identified from the first set of tiles (14). At least one form color is identified from the second set of tiles. A transform is applied that shifts form color image data values toward background color data values.