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: Techniques for generating fingerprints for articles and using the fingerprints for various applications. Scan-related parameter values, including the area of an article scanned, may be specified and varied from one scan to another for collecting data points used for generating fingerprints for articles. A paper shredder is provided that is configured to, prior to shredding a paper sheet, scan the paper sheet and generate a fingerprint for the paper sheet. Fingerprints may also be generated for media keys that are used to access media data. The fingerprint generated for a media key may be used to authenticate the media key. Access to media data corresponding to the media key may be made contingent on successful authentication of the media key.

Abstract: A control device and a method for controlling scanning speed of a scanner. The control device includes a decision device and a driving device. The decision device further includes an image buffer, an up-down counter and a comparator. The decision device receives the input image data and utilizes the up-down counter to compute data access volume inside the image buffer. The comparator decides whether to increase or decrease the scanning speed according to the data access volume and also outputs decision data to the driving device.

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

Abstract: 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: A system includes a portion for receiving a transmission comprising a digitized document including a digitized computer network destination associated with a recipient from a user using a facsimile device, a portion for determining a telephone number for the facsimile device, an OCR portion for determining the computer network destination for the recipient from the digitized computer network destination for the recipient, a portion for determining an attachment from the digitized document, and a portion for sending the attachment to the computer network destination for the recipient including a service provider name, wherein the transmission is associated a pay-per-use service charge that may be asserted against the telephone number associated with the facsimile transmission device.

Abstract: A method of processing an image includes receiving a digital version of the image, processing the digital version of the image through at least two binarization processes to thereby create a first binarization and a second binarization, and processing the first binarization through a first optical character recognition process to thereby create a first OCR output file. Processing the first binarization through a first optical character recognition process includes compiling first metrics associated with the first OCR output file. The method also includes processing the second binarization through the first optical character recognition process to thereby create a second OCR output file. Processing the second binarization through the first optical character recognition process includes compiling second metrics associated with the second OCR output file. The method also includes using the metrics, at least in part, to select a final OCR output file from among the OCR output files.

Abstract: A method of shortening multiple image-scanning duration including setting the scanning parameters of each images in a pre-scanning operation, categorizing the images into groups, assigning images belonging to the same group to a scanning region and finally initializing the scanning operation.

Abstract: An image transmitting apparatus includes: an address acquiring component that acquires an first address of a document image on the basis of address information other than numbers added to the document image; an address input component that receives input of the second address with respect to the document image; a match determining component that determines whether or not the second address that the address input component has received and the first address that the address acquiring component has acquired match; and a transmitting component that transmits the document image in accordance with the determination result of the match determining component.

Abstract: An improved method for accurately and correctly encoding and printing complete checks on blank paper sheets from graphic check images. The method includes inputting into a computer a graphic image of a check. Scanning the graphic image, in computer memory, and identifying the MICR character codes with their locations. Printing said MICR codes with magnetic ink in MICR fonts in a designated “clear band”. Reformatting the scanned graphic image with the MICR images deleted and printing the reformatted graphic image above the “clear band” to provide a negotiable check instrument.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning a business card or a driver's license from within MS Outlook directly into the address book of MS Outlook. The system includes a scanning device and a program application that is integrated with MS Outlook. The application controls the card scanner connected to the personal computer, stores the acquired image of the scanned card, extracts the text data and image data using an OCR module, opens a new contact in the MS Outlook address book and inserts the extracted textual and image data into said contact each in its appropriate field.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which includes an image forming unit and an image scanning unit. The image forming unit includes a document-contact face, a light-source unit which arrays a plurality of light-emitting elements in the main scanning direction with a pitch to emit light beams to the document-contact face, and a light-guiding member which is provided between the light-source unit and the document-contact face and guides the light beams from the plurality of light-emitting elements to the document-contact face. The light-guiding member has a length in the main scanning direction which is defined with the pitch of the plurality of light-emitting elements, and lengths of the document-contact face and the light-source unit in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A method of decoding a position-coding pattern disposed on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) operatively positioning an optical reader relative to said surface and capturing an image of a portion of the coding pattern, the coding pattern comprising: a plurality of tags, each tag encoding a w-bit subsequence of a cyclic code sequence having a length n and a dimension k, the w-bit subsequence mapping to a corresponding coordinate codeword for the tag; (b) sampling a windowed subsequence contained in the imaged portion; (c) identifying a coordinate codeword corresponding to the windowed subsequence; and (d) determining a position of the optical reader from the coordinate codeword. The imaged portion has a diameter of more than one tag diameter and less than two tag diameters, and n>w>k.

Abstract: The disclosure describes pattern recognition detectors and software used to detect patterns in image streams. The detectors operate on streams of image data, making them suitable for detecting certain types of patterns in documents and images passed between processes and devices. For instance, the streaming mode detectors operate in printer drivers on streams of image data being passed to a printer. Also, the streaming mode detectors operate in scanner drivers on streams of image data being passed from a scanner. The disclosure describes pattern detectors for shapes with complex features as well as objects comprised of many smaller shapes. The disclosure also describes novel raster line and edge tracing pattern techniques.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit 3 that reads a front side image and a rear side image from a front side and a rear side of a medium, respectively, a mark detecting unit 42 that detects a combination instruction mark present in a predetermined position of at least one of the front side image and the rear side image, and an image combining unit 44 that combines, when the combination instruction mark is detected, a front side sliced image and a rear side sliced image sliced from predetermined positions of the front side image and the rear side image in a predetermined direction to obtain one image.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a web based OCR system including an OCR service apparatus that communicates with a web browser of a client apparatus and an optical character recognition method for controlling the OCR service apparatus that communicates with the web browser of the client apparatus, the OCR service apparatus comprising: a storage unit for storing an image; a sending unit for sending the image to the web browser of said client apparatus; a receiving unit for receiving a control instruction of a character recognition process from the web browser of said client apparatus, wherein the received control instruction is generated in the web browser of said client apparatus; and a character recognition processing unit for executing the character recognition process for the image based on the control instruction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for correcting distortions in a scanned image of a page is disclosed. The method comprises identifying at least one set of collinear elements in the scanned image; and generating a corrected image based on the scanned image including for at least some of the collinear elements in each set applying a spatial location correction to position all collinear elements in the set on a common horizontal rectilinear base line in the corrected image.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable an image processing apparatus to correspond to plural kinds of data, and to easily and surely perform printout and management of various kinds of and large quantity of data. In the image processing apparatus which includes image printing means, image reading means and storage means capable of storing plural kinds of data, a user specifies kinds of data in the storage means which are desired to be subjected to printout or management processing, and allows a mark type sheet adapted to the kinds of data to be printed. On the other hand, the printout or management processing of data printed on the mark type sheet is controlled on the basis of the presence of marks and the positions of the marks on the mark type sheet, which are read from the mark type sheet.

Abstract: A system for character recognition from a sheet bearing a plurality of characters, has a base for supporting the sheet, an image input device for taking an image of each of the characters on the sheet, a handle for supporting and manipulating the image input device, an axis, a sphere part, a receiving part fixed to the base and having a hollow for accommodating the sphere part, one of the sphere part and the hollow having a plurality of depressions and the other having a projection for fitting into one of the depressions, whereby when a view angle of the image input device is changed to point a location of each of characters on the sheet by manipulation of the handle, the image input device is rotated about the axis and a character recognizing unit for recognizing the character on the image taken by the image input device.

Abstract: A system is presented for scanning entire books or document all at once using an adaptive process where the book or document has known fonts and unknown fonts. The known fonts are processed through a verification system where sure words and error words are determined. Both the sure words and error words are sent to OCR training where they are re-OCR'ed and repeatedly verified until they meet a predetermined quality criteria. Characters or words not meeting the predetermined quality criteria receive additional OCR training until all the characters and words pass the predetermined quality criteria. Unknown fonts are scanned and clustered together by shape. Outliers in the shapes are manually keyed-in. Those symbols that are manually classified go to OCR training and then to the known type optimization process.

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: A system for initiating an action in a processing system. The system comprises a printed page having an interactive element enabling user interaction with the page; an optically imaging sensing device for interacting with the interactive element and generating indicating data using sensed coded data; and a processing system configured for: receiving the indicating data, identifying a page description corresponding to the printed page; identifying the interactive element and initiating an action associated with the interactive element. The printed page comprises a plurality of coded data portion, each containing a code pattern encoding a unique location on the page and identifying a page identity.

Abstract: A method of removing inserted text from a digital image includes recognizing the inserted text in the digital image using optical character recognition; and replacing pixels of the digital image corresponding to the inserted text so as to remove the inserted text from the digital image. A computer program product for removing inserted text from a digital image includes an inserted text removal program stored on a computer-readable medium, the program including an optical character recognition module for recognizing inserted text in a digital image; and an extrapolation module for replacing pixels corresponding to the inserted text in the digital image with replacement image pixels so as to remove the inserted text from the digital image.

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: Provided is an optical scanning device, including a light source, an incident optical system for allowing a light beam emitted from the light source to enter a deflection surface of a deflector at a predetermined angle within a sub scanning section, and an imaging optical system for guiding the light beam deflected on the deflector to a surface to be scanned, the imaging optical system including at least one optical element. The at least one optical element constituting the imaging optical system includes a plurality of regions which have different refractive powers in a main scanning direction within a sub scanning section. The light beam from the incident optical system passes through a region of the plurality of regions, which has a refractive power, and the light beam deflected on the deflection surface is entered on another region of the plurality of regions, which has another refractive power.

Abstract: An input device with an optical scanner for use in capturing biometric images such as fingerprints. The user places the biometric image on the platen window. Movement of the platen window causes a scan head to move and allows the scan head to scan the biometric image and capture a series of scan lines. The series of scan lines are combined together to form an image representative of the biometric image.

Abstract: An image partitioner is configured to find a partition point that divides a received image into four sub-images each having a pre-selected activated pixel count. A recursion processor is configured to (i) apply the image partitioner to an input image to generate a first partition point and four sub-images and to (ii) recursively apply the image partitioner to at least one of the four sub-images for at least one recursion iteration to generate at least one additional partition point. A formatter is configured to generate a features representation of the input image in a selected format. The features representation is based at least in part on the partition points. The features representation can be used in various ways, such as by a classifier configured to classify the input image based on the features representation.

Abstract: An image shifting module for shifting imaging positions of sub-images projected on a screen in each frame, and an optical projection device using the same are provided. The image shifting module includes a first vibration mechanism and a second vibration mechanism. The first vibration mechanism is disposed on the transmission path of the sub-images and shifts the sub-images projected on the screen by a first distance along a horizontal direction in each frame time. Moreover, the second vibration mechanism is disposed on the transmission path of the sub-images and shifts the sub-images projected on the screen by a second distance along a vertical direction in each frame time. Through this image shifting module, the image resolution can be increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a composite biometric image. The method comprises sensing first and second successive partial images of a biometric object with a sensor during relative movement of the biometric object and the sensor. The sensor comprises an array of sensing elements defining an area smaller than an area of the biometric object to be formed as the composite biometric image and thus the first and second successive partial images overlap each other along a direction of the relative movement. The method also comprises acquiring at least a first image portion and a second image portion from each of the first and second sensed partial images, the first image portion and the second image portion of each comprising different sensed image data along a direction orthogonal to a direction of relative movement of the biometric object and the sensor, the first image portions overlapping with each other, and the second image portions overlapping with each other.

Abstract: Configuration pages for imaging devices and methods are provided. A configuration page for an imaging device has a media sheet having hardcopy images printed thereon by the imaging device. The hardcopy images include one or more dormant options imbedded in the imaging device.

Abstract: A system having a sensor array adapted to provide image data. A process node is connected to the sensor array, and analyzes portions of the image data. A job manager is connected to the process node, and instructs the process node to send the portions of the image data to a storage node. The storage node receives and stores the sent portions of the image data. In this manner, image data can be stored and run multiple times in order to tune a recipe for the analysis system. Because the same image data can be used over and over again, the recipe creating process can be more finely tuned to detect both the types of defects and at a level that is desired.

Abstract: New information can be added to an information medium, and the information is certainly managed such that the information is not leaked when the information is outputted. An image reading section 2 reads the information medium and inputs images including a unique image and a code image. A detecting section 64 of a code processing section 63 determines the code image and the unique image from inputted images to detect the code image. An extracting section 65 restores the code image to obtain confidential information. Alternatively, the extracting section 65 restores the code image and obtains access information. A control section 7 accesses a management apparatus 8 based on the access information and requests confidential information related to the information medium. The management apparatus 8 transmits the specified confidential information to an image processing apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises an operation unit configured to set an input resolution, an image input unit configured to input image information at the input resolution, and an appropriate resolution determination unit configured to determine whether the input resolution is appropriate or not on the basis of the input image information inputted by the image input unit.

Abstract: Smart printing/copying techniques for controlling the printing/copying and editing of a document based on document-descriptive and control information embedded in the printed output. These “smart” printing/copying techniques and controls allow a document user to control printing/copying costs by making tradeoffs with respect to quality and speed based on the embedded data. Such costs may be controlled, for example, by initially printing low cost (low quality, high speed) pages for distribution, while giving subsequent recipients of the document the option of making high quality (higher cost, possibly slower) copies of any or all of the pages in the document, if desired. With these features, a user is able to obtain high quality copies from low quality originals. The techniques of the present invention also allow a recipient to edit page content prior to reprinting, without loss of print output quality.

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: A document processing system includes a feeder stage and a transport stage. The document track assembly includes at least one feedback section forming a document return path that extends from an exit point at one part of the document track to a reentry point at another part of the document track further back, upstream. The document track assembly is configured to allow the selective rerouting of a document through the document return path to make a repeat pass through a processing station located between the document track reentry point and the document track exit point. This provides increased reliability in document processing, particularly when processing involves checks, obtaining electronic images of checks, and check truncation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for identifying intended response marks in an optically scanned image of a response sheet having key marks and response targets printed in the same color. Pixel darkness values assigned by a digital imaging scanner are used to locate key marks and response targets and to identify response marks. Areas of the sheet may be selectively filtered to mask the response targets. Alternatively, a color imaging scanner may be used to produce a set of color values, such as RBG values, for each pixel. Software can act as a virtual filter by using the RBG values to detect or to mask a color in the image.

Abstract: An input device with an optical scanner for use in capturing biometric images such as fingerprints. The user places the biometric image on the platen window. Movement of the platen window allows a scan head to scan the biometric image and capture a series of scan lines. The series of scan lines are combined together to form an image representative of the biometric image.

Abstract: A method for assisting a visually impaired person with a document job. The method includes scanning a document that includes at least one sheet, detecting at least one characteristic of the scanned document, and providing a signal identifying the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A document image scanner; a camera having a field of view, for sensing differentiated information areas on each physical document as the physical document is transported; an image processing system associated with the camera, for producing a virtual image data file from the differentiated information areas sensed by the camera; sensors for determining the position of the physical document relative to the camera field of view; of electro-mechanical devices for actuating the transporter; and a data interface controller for receiving data from the sensors and controlling the electro-mechanical devices. A communications link is provided between the data interface controller and the image processing system for synchronization by the data interface controller, of the physical document as conveyed and the virtual document image captured by the image processing system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging apparatus including: imaging means for imaging a scene that is in a direction in which a user sees to obtain image data of the scene; biological sensor means for detecting biological information concerning the user; and control means for generating metadata based on at least the biological information obtained by the biological sensor means, and performing a storage process of storing the image data obtained by the imaging means so as to be associated with the metadata.

Abstract: A document-security system, methodology, resulting secured documents, and related matters, regarding establishing flexible and versatile control over the acts of scanning, copying, faxing, e-mailing, or otherwise reproducing or converting into another data format, such as an electronic data-stream, and enabling the transmission of, printed-document information-content. The invention, in a manner of speaking, rests, at least in part, upon the concept of “regional” and “manner-specific” marking of print media, in generally a technically easy and conventional implementation fashion, employing standardly available office business supplies and equipment. The proposed document marking is readable by appropriately “trained” machines, such as a scanner, and permission control, as contemplated by practice of the invention, allows and confirms to differently authorized/authenticate persons the ability to “execute” the mentioned kinds of data-conversion and transmission activities.

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: 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: One example embodiment may include an image sensor including a substrate, and a plurality of microlenses formed on the substrate. Each of the microlenses may include a base lens and a crosslinked overcoating film on a surface of the base lens.

Abstract: An image reading optical system having an automatic text feeding device for automatically reading a front face and a back face of a text includes a first optical system for reading one face of the text and a second optical system for reading the other face of the text, each of the first optical system and the second optical system including an illumination system for illuminating a text, an imaging system for imaging reflection light of the text illuminated by the illumination system, and a line-sensor for photoelectrically converting an image of the text imaged by the imaging system, and the first optical system has an imaging magnification different from an imaging magnification of the second optical system.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for composing documents using a digital pointing instrument. In further configurations, a user utilizes a pen to trace a form serial number that is utilized to identify a form template that is used to process input data from a digital pen.

Abstract: A scannable form with a numeric value block, a plurality of response control marks, response receiving rows, and a zone for a bar code, optical character recognition (OCR) spaces and/or intelligence character recognition (ICR) spaces. The scannable form may be scanned by two different devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting digital data. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving data input by scanning a sheet of paper using a scanner on a machine, identifying the sheet of paper as a form having one or more fields of user entered data to validate, validating the user entered data using a user interface on the machine, and sending the user entered data to a backend system.

Abstract: For each paper type, a plurality of two-dimensional excitation characteristics tables Ti are provided in one to one correspondence with a plurality of colors i. The excitation characteristics table Ti for each color i contains a plurality of sets of excitation-reflectance data Bi (?0, ?) in a two-dimensional matrix form, for a plurality of combinations of incident light wavelengths ? and reflected light wavelengths ?0. The excitation-reflectance data Bi (?0, ?) indicates the ratio of the amount of the reflected light wavelength ?0 generated in response to incidence of the incident light wavelength ?, with respect to the amount of the incident light wavelength ?. Using the two-dimensional excitation characteristics table Ti corresponding to the user's selected paper type and using the spectral radiation characteristics S(?) of the user's selected light source type, Equations (9)-(11) are calculated to create an output profile, and color conversion is performed by using the output profile.