Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing documents which automatically identifies, separates and processes different document types from a single business entity or multiple business entities is disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination section illuminates a code on a recording medium, on which data about audio information is recorded as an optically readable code, by repeatedly emitting light at predetermined intervals. An image sensing section receives each of light beams reflected by the recording medium including the code illuminated by the illumination section in a read/scan operation for the code, and outputs a corresponding image sensing signal. A signal processing section decodes the data about the audio information by processing the image sensing signal output from the image sensing section. A reproduction output section reproduces the audio information on the basis of the data decoded by the signal processing section and outputs the information. A supply voltage detection section detects a supply voltage to a power supply circuit system including a battery used as a power supply of the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved system and method is provided for automatically tracking check transactions and generating an expenditure statement thereof using printed bank checks having a plurality of graphic icons disposed thereon. The customer marks the icon which describes the particular expense for which the check payment is being made. The payor bank or a check processing center scans each check to determine which icon(s) have been marked for each particular check transaction. Recorded expenditures are then automatically recorded in a cumulative transaction record. Periodically, this information is organized into a detailed expenditure statement that can be provided to the bank customer.

Abstract: A method for detecting copy restrictive documents is disclosed. At least one photograph (101) is placed on a scanner platen (10) and a low resolution scan is performed (20) to produce a low resolution image. A skew angle and a location of the photograph is determined (30). The photograph is rescanned at a high resolution (40) to produce a high resolution image, the high resolution image is deskewed (45), and the high resolution image is checked (50) for the presence of one or more microdots. Use of the high resolution image is inhibited if microdots are detected (55). In one embodiment, a plurality of photographs are placed on the scanner platen and a portion of each the high resolution images is checked by a software program for the presence of microdots.

Abstract: In a system for printing and recording multimedia information on an information recording medium in the form of an optically readable code pattern, reading the code pattern and restoring the original multimedia information, the code pattern of the information recording medium includes processing information necessary for editing and processing data according to the restoration processing procedure for restoring the multimedia information. Further, the restoration processing procedure includes a hierarchical structure of layers 1 to 5 and an application process. In the layer 5 and application process, a set specification identifier determining section selects the decoding section, selects the reproducing output section and sets parameters according to the set specification name identifier and SDCH supplied as header information prior to user data of the subset from the layer 4.

Abstract: A hand-written character recognition apparatus includes a CIS, and image data of each character of addressing information hand-written on a transmission original, which is read by the CIS, is stored in a bit-mapped line buffer. A histogram of one direction, e.g. an X direction (main scanning direction) is produced on the basis of the image data, and the histogram is stored in the histogram buffer. A rough position of each of the characters is evaluated on the basis of the histogram, and a character width of each of the characters, preferably an average character width is evaluated with referring to the line buffer. Then, a blank portion having a size of 1.5 times or less the average character width is detected as a space between characters.

Abstract: A form including user modifiable fields and an encoded description of the location, size, type, etc. of the fields allows direct programming of a form interpreter. Other information including the processing of the form, encoded data, etc., may be included in the encoded information. A system for creating forms carrying an encoded description of selected attributes of the fields includes means for selecting or creating fields and locating the fields on a form while generating, substantially simultaneously, the encoded description of the selected attributes. A form composer then allows merging of the form and its encoded description for printing or electronic transmission. A system for reading such forms includes a scanner, decoding device, and processor. By reading such forms, data may be entered into or recalled from a data processing system, or a form interpreter may be programmed, locally or remotely, for subsequent handling of forms.

Abstract: An image filing apparatus includes a reading unit for reading an image of a mark sheet. The mark sheet has a plurality of index areas on each of which an index image representing index information for retrieving an image stored in a storage medium is to be printed, a plurality of check areas on each of which a check for assigning the corresponding one of the plurality of index areas is to be entered, and a drawing area for drawing an index image to be newly registered, and for outputting an image signal. The apparatus also includes a detector for detecting which check area has been checked based on the image signal from the reading unit, a registration unit for registering, in the index area corresponding to the check area detected by the detector the index image drawn in the drawing area, and a provision unit for providing the index image drawn in the drawing area as index information of an original to be read by the reading unit after the mark sheet.

Abstract: Document distribution system 10 receives user record documents 10R containing record data 10D for distribution and storage throughout a user network 10N. Controller 10C controls the operation of the document distribution system. A transmittal sheet 10T carrying transmittal symbol accompanies each record document for directing the distribution. Document scanner 10S has a document port 10P for receiving the user documents and transmittal sheets. The document scanner is responsive to the controller for scanning the transmittal symbols on the transmittal sheet and the record data on the documents. The scanner provides an electronic pixel image of the record data for distribution and storage throughout the user network. The scanner also provides a pixel image of the transmittal symbols for directing the distribution and storage. Controller display 12 is responsive to the controller for displaying operational information about the document distribution system to the user.

Abstract: An alignment pattern of the present invention includes a resolution analysis pattern that is formed on the central portion of the alignment pattern for the resolution analysis of a scanning system. A pair of horizontal alignment patterns that cosists of a black zone and a white zone are formed adjacent to the terminations of the resolution analysis pattern for horizontal and boundary alignments. The pattern arrangement of the pair horizontal alignment patterns is not only upside down but also a mirror image with each other. The black zone includes a shallow indented portion adjacent to the resolution analysis pattern in the black zone and on the border of the black zone, white zone. A white rectangular figure is exactly formed over or under the shallow indented portion in the black zone and parallel to the shallow indented portion. The area between the shallow indented portion and the white rectangular figure is used to serve as a horizontal fine alignment for the scanning system.

Abstract: An operator carrying out a copy request through facsimile communication sets originals with a mark sheet at the beginning in a facsimile apparatus. Items of functions included in the facsimile apparatus of a destination side (number of copies, sheet size and the like) are entered in advance in the mark sheet. The operator of the copy request can specify the number of copies, sheet size and the like to be reproduced at the facsimile apparatus of the reception side by marking appropriate items in the mark sheet.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus includes a transmission motor (90), and when an original to be transmitted is moved by the transmission motor in a sub-scanning direction, sequential lines in the sub-scanning direction are scanned by a contact image sensor (100) in a main scanning direction, and therefore, image data of a black dot or a white dot is outputted by the contact image sensor. A microcomputer (60) specifies a line in which a black dot outputted from the contact image sensor first exists as a start line, and specifies an area on the basis of the start line and an end line which is determined by a fact that three white lines in which no black dots are detected appear after the start line. Addressing information is recognized on the basis of the image data outputted from the contact image sensor which is scanning the area.

Abstract: Measurement of the optical transfer function of an optical system imaging a bar pattern. A one dimensional fast Fourier transform processes sampled image data from the bar pattern. A model of the system utilizes robust measurements of the period, duty cycle and center of each stripe in the pattern. A signal alias free optical transfer function is estimated from the plurality of one dimensional frequency representation of the signal. An idealized bar pattern synthesized from the measured parameters of period, duty cycle and the center of each stripe in the pattern generates an ideal optical transfer function. The noise reduced optical transfer function, OTF, is estimated from OTF of the signal and OTF of the synthesized bar pattern.

Abstract: An information recording medium (30) has a recorded system control file (SCF) (96) representing processing parameters necessary for reproduction processing for reading out a print-recorded code pattern and reproducing original multimedia information. With an SCF readout switch (88) operated, an initially determined SCF read-out parameter is input from a parameter memory (92) to a controller (66). The controller (66) controls each part in accordance with the input parameter and outputs read-out image data as a 1-SDU.sub.1 to an overlying layer and a state signal, that is, a signal showing that the SCF is being read out, as a 1-SDU.sub.2 to the overlying layer. The overlying layer decodes the contents of the SCF (96) and a parameter setting signal is input as the 1-SDU.sub.3 from the overlying layer and it is stored in the layer 1 parameter memory (92).

Abstract: There is disclosed an image reading apparatus comprising plural line sensors for converting light from an object into image signals, charge transfer unit for transferring the image signals, converted by the line sensors, mutually among the line sensors, correction unit for correcting signal levels of the image signals and control unit for effecting control so as to vary a manner of correction by the correction unit, according to a direction of transfer of the image signals by the charge transfer means among the line sensors.

Abstract: An input carrier sheet 12C for document distribution system 10 carries input symbols hand entered by the user into pre-existing constraint grids 12. The constraint grids may be printed in continuous tone or halftone. The print only partially covers the underlying carrier, permitting the exposed carrier to reflect light. The grids have sufficient pigment to be visible to the user, but insufficient pigment to form foreground pixels along with the hand-entered stroke when detected during the scanning. The signal (symbol)-to-noise (carrier) ratio is enhanced by reducing the pigment content of the constraint grids which increases the reflectivity of the grids. The S/N may be further enhanced by placing the strokes of the hand-entered symbols on top of the grid which occults some of the grid pigment. The S/N is further enhanced by highly reflective brightening agents in the grid print, and by aperture effect during scanning.

Abstract: An extracting step extracts text regions from an input document image. A classifying step classifies the text regions into in-order reading regions to be successively read in the predetermined order and different-attribute regions. A detecting step detects the construction of the in-order reading regions. A determining step determines the reading order, in which the in-order reading regions are to be read, using the construction. The detecting step detects the construction in a manner that is the same whether the input document image comprises a vertically typeset document or a horizontally typeset document. The detecting step further includes a tree graph formation step c-1) forming a tree graph representing the construction including nodes respectively representing the in-order reading regions.

Abstract: An object recognizer includes a computer system, a spatial division sensing device including a first sensor, a second sensor, and a first polarizer. An object feature generator is attached to an object and includes a plurality of object feature correspondents, and a plurality of second polarizers. By such an arrangement, the first sensor is able to detect a first signal from the second polarizers and the object feature correspondents to form a first polarized image. The second sensor co-operating with the first polarizer is able to detect a second signal from the second polarizers and the object feature correspondents to form a second polarized image. The computer system is able to execute an operation between the first image and the second image to obtain a third image, thereby determining the positions of the second polarizers on the third image so as to locate the object.

Abstract: A novel input device and for an information processing system for carrying out a process on the basis of input data, the input device is disclosed. In the input device, the output unit develops instructive-document form information and outputs an instructive document to which an entry is not yet made by a user. The extracting unit extracts analysis information for analyzing an instructive document to which an entry has been made by the user from the instructive-document form information. The storing unit stores the extracted analysis information. The analyzing unit analyzes the information on the received instructive document after a user makes an entry to thereto while referring to the analysis information. With such an arrangement, the input device receives the information on the instructive document having entries made thereto, and inputs information obtained by the process of analyzing the received information to the information processing system.

Abstract: An active pixel image sensing device that provides uniform integration periods and either independent pixel reset, row, pixel reset, or column pixel reset, having a plurality of photodetector elements arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, each of the photodetectors having a transfer gate operatively connecting the photodetectors to a floating diffusion and further including a reset and clamp and sample function. A reset transistor for each row of photodetectors having a gate that can have a predetermined voltage applied to reset each row, and a column reset transistor for each column of photodetectors having a gate that can have a predetermined voltage applied to reset each column. This allows for uniform integration periods and a signal sample and clamp circuit for the entire array of photodetectors.

Abstract: Original source verifying data defining a first source verifying image are stored in memory. The first source verifying image can be produced by a human making marks by hand in a field of a form, which can then be provided by a scanner or a facsimile transmission through image input circuitry. If a second source verifying image is received that is the same as the first source verifying image, an operation is performed that would not be performed if the images were not the same, such as an operation accessing a related item of data. For example, the first source verifying image can be received with a document image, and data defining the document image and the original source verifying data can be stored so that a source verifying image that is the same as the first source verifying image must be received before an operation can access the document data and provide it to image output circuitry for printing or facsimile transmission.

Abstract: An optional apparatus which can be connected to a printer or other optional apparatus includes a communication section for communicating with other apparatus and a control section which executes a command in response to the command received via the communication section; wherein the communication section has a first communication path for receiving a data string from an apparatus on the upstream side in communication and for transmitting the received data string to an apparatus on the downstream side of the communication and a second communication path for receiving a data string received from the apparatus on the downstream side of communication and for transmitting the received data string to the apparatus on the upstream side of the communication; and the control section executes a command in the command string received via the first communication path or the second communication path and loads the data indicating the execution result of the command in the command string.

Abstract: An electronic image processing system includes a scanner in which a light source is provided to illuminate an image captured on a film. A charge-coupled device produces digital data defining a multiplicity of picture elements which together represent the image. A look up table converts the data from the CCD into a format suitable for processing by a processor which data is stored in a framestore. The data in the framestore is read and processed by the processor and output for display of the image on a monitor. Characteristics or attributes of the displayed image are adjusted by the processor in response to user manipulation of a stylus and touch tablet device. Once the user is satisfied with the image as displayed the adjustment is used to alter the manner in which the scanner and look up table operate so that a further scanning of the image will provide data in the framestore representing the image with characteristics or attributes similar to those in the previously displayed image.

Abstract: An image scanner for reading an image data or an image scanning method using the same, wherein the image scanner includes a control circuit obtaining correction data to maintain normal continuity for the image data, by weighting or averaging a plurality of image data when a drive motor for a carrier including a reading head, is decelerating or accelerating, in the case when the reading restarts after the reading operation has been interrupted.

Abstract: A system for repeatedly processing, in a production run, a set of original images to form at least two disparate sets of copies of the originals in accordance with a job specification, the job specification including at least two disparate copy set specifications corresponding to the two disparate copy sets to be formed. The system produces the required disparate copy sets, each in accordance with its own copy set specification, independently of an operator's intervention.

Abstract: An extracting step extracts text regions from an input document image. A classifying step classifies the text regions into in-order reading regions to be successively read in the predetermined order and different-attribute regions. A detecting step detects the construction of the in-order reading regions. A determining step determines the reading order, in which the in-order reading regions are to be read, using the construction. The detecting step detects the construction in a manner that is the same whether the input document image comprises a vertically typeset document or a horizontally typeset document. The detecting step further includes a tree graph formation step c-1) forming a tree graph representing the construction including nodes respectively representing the in-order reading regions.

Abstract: Methods of recognizing rules, solid lines or rectangles, in a bit-mapped image and of using those rules to enable a suitable printer or other suitable device to receive the bit-mapped image quickly. In a preferred embodiment, the methods include the steps of recognizing rules, forming rule descriptors for the rules, and then transmitting the rule descriptors to the receiving device. Vertical rules are recognized by partitioning the bit-mapped image into a plurality of adjacent horizontal stripes of row data, dividing that horizontal stripe into data columns formed from vertically aligned row data bits, and ANDing the data bits in each vertically aligned column to identify, by a HIGH output from the AND function, vertical lines which span the horizontal stripe. Adjacent or continuous vertical lines are then identified. Horizontal rules are identified by dividing the row data into bytes, ANDing individual bits of each byte together, and recognizing a horizontal line by a HIGH output from the AND function.

Abstract: A user interface is disclosed that facilitates easy find and display operations that search through the memory of a pointer based computing system. The user interface includes searching methods that are particularly well suited for use in a computer system in which the contents of the memory are divided into a plurality of searchable application files that are each capable of containing a plurality of records. In one aspect of the invention an improved find dialog box is disclosed. In another aspect, a method of selecting local verses global searches together with a method of conducting the chosen search and processing user inputs in response to the search results is disclosed. Additionally, an improved interface for displaying the results of various searches is described.

Abstract: An inventive page encoding, printing, retrieval and archiving system and method wherein document information designators are encoded for pages. The designator includes information regarding the location of the digital representation of the page and optionally includes page generation and reproduction information. An enhanced copier or facsimile machine scans the printed designator and retrieves the stored digital representation of the page and outputs a "subsequent original" of the page. In the alternative, when the copier cannot directly access the digital representation of the page, the enhanced copier can decode the page generation and reproduction information found in the designator and apply the information to production of a high quality photocopy.

Abstract: A forms creation and processing system which identifies and locates the active areas of a form using forms landmarks. The present invention eliminates the need to place predefined registration marks onto a machine readable form. The active areas of a form are those which may contain a user created mark, such as a checkbox or a signature box. A form is preanalyzed at the same time that the active areas are being described. The aim of the preanalysis is to find a set of graphic shapes, i.e. landmarks, that can be found on the form independent of their location or orientation in the image. Examples of such landmarks include paragraphs of text, heavy black lines and gray scale areas. The analysis looks at the geometric distribution and regularities of the connected components to choose a set of landmarks. The landmarks and active areas on the form are stored in a forms control file.

Abstract: An image reading device of the type in which a display panel is laid over a document table and an image on an original document is input through the display panel. In the image reading device, the display panel is a liquid crystal panel of the transmission type in which liquid crystal/polymer composite material is sandwiched by electrodes, and at least one of the electrodes sandwiching the liquid crystal/polymer composite material consists of a plurality of divided electrodes. Further, a gap between the adjacent divided electrodes is shorter than a minimum resolution distance in a location of the display panel of the image reading device. Alternatively, an electrode layer may be provided covering the gap between the adjacent divided electrodes in a state that an insulating layer is layered between the electrode layer and the gap. The ends of the divided electrodes may overlap with each other, with an insulating layer being layered therebetween.

Abstract: An improved system and method is provided for automatically tracking check transactions and generating an expenditure statement thereof using printed bank checks having a plurality of graphic icons disposed thereon. The customer marks the icon which describes the particular expense for which the check payment is being made. The payor bank or a check processing center scans each check to determine which icon(s) have been marked for each particular check transaction. Recorded expenditures are then automatically recorded in a cumulative transaction record. Periodically, this information is organized into a detailed expenditure statement that can be provided to the bank customer.

Abstract: A pattern generating device includes a deciding unit, a registration control unit, and an output unit. The deciding unit decides either that form information in a code data format input externally is registered in a code data format, or that a form pattern which is created from the form information in the code data format is registered, based on form registration designation information. The registration control unit registers the form information into a memory unit when the deciding unit decides that the form information is instructed to register in the code data format, and creates a form pattern from the form information and then registers the same into the memory unit when the deciding unit decides that it is instructed to create the form pattern from the form information and to register the same.

Abstract: A method for searching the contents of a memory device for a pen-based computer system, where the contents of the memory device are organized as one or more files, where each file contains records, and where a file has an associated "button" proved on a surface of the housing of the computer system. The method includes the ,steps of: receiving a find-command from a user; receiving a selection search string from the user; searching the records of each file in the memory device for the search string; making a list of target files and the number of hits in each file; displaying indicators showing a summary of the list; and processing a user input with the summary. All of the records in all of the files are searched. The number of hits for each file are displayed.

Abstract: A processor is provided with first and second document images. The first image represents an instance of a reference document to which instance a mark has been added. The second image is selected from among a collection of document images and represents the reference document without the mark. The processor automatically extracts from the first document image a set of pixels representing the mark. This is done by performing a reference-based mark extraction technique in which the second document image serves as a reference image and in which substantially the entirety of the first document image is compared with substantially the entirety of the second document image. Also, the processor is provided with information about a set of active elements of the reference document. The reference document has at least one such active element and each active element is associated with at least one action.

Abstract: A method for varying a scanline rate of a digital scanner while maintaining a constant integration period. The scanner scans a scanline of an image, integrates an array of photosensors after a first predetermined period of time has elapsed and after a second predetermined period of time has elapsed. One of the predetermined periods is equal to an integration period of the array of photosensors, and the other period is equal to a difference between a time needed to process a scanline of image data and the integration period of the array of photosensors. The scanner produces a scanline of valid image data and a scanline of image data corresponding to the first scanned scanline. The scanner then scans the next scanline of the image.

Abstract: There is provided a document retrieval apparatus in which signatures can be easily extracted from document data, and false drop probability is reduced even for a long document so as to reduce a burden of eliminating the false drop. A processing unit converts the document data and the character string into character codes, respectively. The processing unit extracts signatures from each of the character codes, and calculates a record identifier of the document data to be stored based on a storing position of the document data in a record file. A data storing unit stores the document data to be registered in the record file, and stores the signature corresponding to the document data to be registered in a signature file. The signature is stored in a storing position in the signature file, the storing position being designated by the record identifier of corresponding document data stored in the record file.

Abstract: A communication system is composed of an OCR-FAX apparatus for reading contents of an order written in an optical character recognition (OCR) document sheet and performing an optical character recognition for the contents and an OCR center apparatus for receiving pieces of character recognized data obtained in the OCR-FAX apparatus and transmitting pieces of format information of the OCR document sheet to the OCR-FAX apparatus. A basic program of an OCR recognition program is stored in advance in a ROM region of an IC card. A subordinate program of the OCR recognition program and a piece of OCR document sheet identifying information are temporarily stored in a SRAM region of the IC card and are transferred to an EEPROM region of the IC card. The format information are temporarily stored in the SRAM region and are transferred to a format information storing unit.

Abstract: A reprographic method for making a output document having a desired image from an input document having an input image includes scanning an instruction page containing an image processing command. The image processing command contained on the instruction page is decoded, and subsequently at least a portion of the input image is scanned. The output document is then produced from the scanned at least a portion of the input image in accordance with the decoded image processing command. The image processing commands can be such as cut, paste, mask, crop, enlarge, reduce, reorient, lighten, darken or the like that change the form or appearance of the actual image. In addition, the image manipulation commands can be such as commands to control special operational modes for differing input image types, such as, for example, photographs or half-tone images, the number of output document copies to be produced, the output type, color, stock, or other command that controls the output form of the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a storing unit for storing a chromaticity measured in advance with respect to a blank printed in a dropout color on a sheet, or with respect to a visual information filled in the blank, and a unit for judging coincidence or non-coincidence of the chromaticity stored in the storing unit with each chromaticity of respective picture elements constituting an image information obtained by reading the sheet. Where the storing unit stores a chromaticity regarding the blank, the image processing apparatus further includes a unit for detecting an arrangement region of the blank on the sheet based on results of the judging, then extracting an image information corresponding to the arrangement region, and carrying out a dropout processing with respect to the extracted image information to thereby extract the visual information.

Abstract: A novel method and system enabling a computer to identify the beginning and end of a logical group of digitally scanned pages, most commonly a multipage document, through the use of cover pages or sheets containing machine-readable information about where the document should be routed over a computer network, how to set scanning parameters in the scanner, and additional operations to perform, greatly increasing the efficiency and simplicity of creating, routing and processing scanned image documents without operator or user intervention and thereby enabling increased use of scanners in offices and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for detecting and sorting a document containing an address change request from a group of documents. The apparatus includes a document transport for conveying the document along a selected path of movement. An image scanner positioned along the selected path is provided for reading an image of the document or of a selected area on the document. The image scanner provides density levels corresponding to discrete areas on the document. An image processor determines a set of density levels corresponding to a test line passing through the selected area on the document. Density level transitions are detected along the selected line when two adjacent areas on the document have substantially different density levels. If a sufficient number of density level transitions are detected along the selected line, the document is sorted from the group of documents.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a photoelectric conversion array of a number of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a first direction; and a scanner which scans photoelectric conversion elements in the first direction, the scanner having: a first scanning mode of scanning respective photoelectric conversion elements of two or more primary regions defined in the photoelectric conversion array in parallel; and a second scanning mode of scanning respective photoelectric conversion elements of two or more secondary regions defined in a particular primary region in parallel, and a switch which switches over the first and second scanning modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for compressing images of financial instruments and other documents. The method of the present invention includes the steps of scanning a plurality of documents to obtain an electronic image of each document; identifying a static portion in the electronic image of each of the documents, containing information which remains substantially unchanged for the plurality of documents, by locating and reading a document identifier in the image; storing the document identifier in a database; identifying a dynamic portion, typically containing distinct information for each of the documents, in each of the electronic images; isolating the dynamic portion from the static portion within the image to obtain a dynamic image containing only the dynamic portion; and storing the dynamic image in the database. The present invention provides efficient techniques for identifying and isolating dynamic information in a document, such as handwritten text on a check.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus outputs an operation setting paper sheet (Op-sheet) having printed thereon an operation setting image (template) stored in a data ROM upon operating an operation setting paper sheet output key (OPS key). The image forming apparatus reads the operation setting image on the operation setting paper sheet by a scanner, and sets an operational mode according to selection items in the read image, thereby performing an image forming operation according to the operational mode. By producing a print output of the operation setting image, the operation setting paper sheet in the original form without having a deterioration of the image quality or displacement can be provided with the unique image quality of this image forming apparatus which enables the image to be surely read by the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A system for making various kinds of examination papers and marking answers written in the papers is disclosed. The system has a data base at which data representing a number of questions are registered, and a paper making apparatus for producing an examination paper by using the question data of the data base. When a desired number of questions is entered on a number designating device, a question making device randomly selects, among the questions registered at the data base, the desired number of questions and writes them in a question storage to thereby make questions. A paper outputting device forms an image representing the questions on a sheet to thereby produce an examination paper. In addition, the system is capable of automatically marking such examination papers.

Abstract: Image retrieving and storing processes by a mark sheet are facilitated. It is determined whether or not a mark sheet is directed in a correct direction by determining the positional relation between a direction discriminating mark and mark sheet identifying marks. If the mark sheet is directed in a wrong direction, the direction of the mark sheet is corrected. If it is determined in a primary retrieval operation that there are a plurality of candidate images, a mark sheet for a second retrieving operation is output.

Abstract: A robust technique for determining whether a field (43, 45, 47a-d) on a form (40'), which has been converted to a binary input image, contains a mark utilizes an approach of making an initial determination of the approximate location of the field, and then refining such determination. The form is assumed to have registration marks (fiducials) with the field at a known location relative to the fiducials. The fiducials are identified (50), and the approximate location of the field is determined (55) from the fiducial positions and the known relation between the fiducials and the field. At this point, a portion of the image (referred to as the subimage) is extracted (57). The subimage is typically somewhat larger than the field so that it can be assumed that the field is within the subimage. The field has machine-printed lines along at least part of the field perimeter.

Abstract: A reading apparatus serving as an input means for simultaneously reading printed image information from both the front and back of a document, converting the read information into digital data, and storing the digital data on a data recording medium, such as an optical disk, comprises document carrier mechanisms, a front reading sensor, a back reading sensor, a front size determining sensor, a back size determining sensor, a document size comparator, and a reading control circuit. These components are incorporated in the reading apparatus. The document carrier mechanisms carry documents inserted through a slot through the apparatus and eject them through an outlet. The front data reading sensor and back data reading sensor read printed images from the front and back of a document. The front size determining sensor and back size determining sensor are located upstream of the front data reader in the document carrier path, and detect the sizes of the front and back of a document.

Abstract: The character reader device of the present invention is capable of reading as read data characters written in a portion corresponding to a given read field on a manuscript; detecting a reject character in the read data; generating a pattern image corresponding to the reject character; displaying the read data, the reject character, and the pattern image; computing the position of a display area for the read data; deciding whether or not the computed display area is overlapped with the display area for the pattern image; shifting the pattern image to the area which is the outside of the display area for the read data if overlapped; and displaying it on the latter area.