Abstract: An image captured by a camera can be processed by a scanning application to identify multiple regions within the image that are suitable for scanning. These regions can be detected and selected for scanning automatically. The captured regions for the single image can be stored as individual image content files.

Abstract: An image captured by a camera can be processed by a scanning application to identify one or more regions within the image that are suitable for scanning. One or more of these regions can be selected for scanning automatically based on user-input such as a fingertip touch to a particular portion of the display screen. Users may also select multiple regions and submit multiple quadrangular regions for scanning to PDF from a single image.

Abstract: A fingerprint image processing device includes a memory, and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor performs operations, including reading a tenprint card image which includes a plurality of fingerprint patterns and at least one ruled line to separate one fingerprint imprint area from another fingerprint imprint area, and extracting from the tenprint card image a fingerprint image which includes a part of a fingerprint imprint area and apart of a next fingerprint imprint area.

Abstract: A smartphone (106) with a processor (150) can execute program instructions to cause currency transfers transactions to be made to accounts associated with other smartphones and to interact with an application server (102) or merchant terminal (108). The smartphone can scan a quick response (QR) code and decode the QR code to recover encoded data. The smartphone can use the encoded data, alone or with other data, such as data from a user profile, to obtain promotional vouchers from the merchant server. The smart phone can initiate redemption of the promotional vouchers. The smartphone can display a validation form to prompt capturing images of items an application server can use to validate payment instruments and accounts. The validation form may prompt a user to capture images of a driver's license, a payment instrument, an invoice, or a passport. Smartphone communication with the application server can include device identifier such as MSISDN, IMEI, or IMSI.

Abstract: An image forming method, which includes pre-scanning a page to be scanned, displaying candidate colors that correspond to a preset condition through analysis of color components of the pre-scanned image, selecting a dropout color among the displayed candidate colors, and eliminating the selected dropout color from a main-scanned image if main scan of the page to be scanned is performed.

Abstract: Techniques for automated imaging of customizable products are disclosed. In one embodiment, survey photographic images of a customizable product having one or more markers affixed upon the customizable product are received. Camera positions relative to the customizable product are automatically determined based on the plurality of survey photographic images. Associations between the determined camera positions and customizable attributes of the customizable product are stored. Non-survey photographic images of the same customizable product without at least some of the one or more markers are obtained.

Abstract: Systems and methods of ensuring the erasure of transient documents are disclosed. The systems and methods include an imaging device that sends a transient document with a pre-printed image into an erase cycle to attempt to remove the image from the document. After the erase cycle, a scanner scans the transient document and converts the transient document into a digital image. A processor compares bit depths of individual bits of the digital image to a bit depth threshold. Depending on the comparison and a number of completed erase cycles, the transient document enters an additional erase cycle, completes as sufficiently erased, or is rejected as not sufficiently erased.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for determining a skew angle associated with a document image. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a rotation vector may be estimated for at least one layer in a vertical-edge buffer and a horizontal-edge buffer. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a rotation vector may be estimated directly from the vertical-edge buffer and the horizontal-edge buffer using a fixed-sized, progressively constrained histogram.

Abstract: A method of controlling a printing job of an image forming apparatus having an image forming unit. The method of controlling a printing job includes transforming scanned data into printable data, and determining a time to start driving the image forming unit according to the type of data scanned, starting driving the image forming unit at the determined start time, and printing the scanned data transformed into printable data. The time required to perform a printing job is thereby reduced, and scanned data can be output normally.

Abstract: Techniques for capturing images of business cards, uploading the images to a designated computing device for processing and recognition are disclosed. A mechanism is provided to update extracted data from the images when there are any changes. Depending on implementation, there are a number of ways to capture images of business cards (e.g., via a phone camera, a PC camera, or a scanning device). A transmission means is provided to transport the images to the designated computing device for centralized management of integrated contact information for individual users. As a result, a user may access his/her updatable integrated contact information database anywhere anytime from a chosen device.

Abstract: A method of processing a plurality of source documents into scanned images of the source documents includes evaluating the plurality of source documents to thereby assign one or more source document quality metrics indicative of source document image quality. The plurality of source documents are comprised by a project and the source documents of the project are from a common source document type. The source document types include, for example, book pages, paper documents, microfilm documents, machine-printed documents, handwritten documents, print media documents, public records, microfiche documents, and/or the like. The method also includes scanning each of the plurality of source documents to thereby create one or more electronic image files comprising the scanned images and coupling the source document quality metrics to the electronic image files such that the source document quality metrics are thereafter accessible for post-production activities.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a multi-cropping function that automatically crops the scanned images of a plurality of original sheets placed on a platen of an image reading apparatus all at one pass. The desired number of cropped images is input by the user, and the number of cropped images detected when cropping the image of the original sheets placed on the platen, are compared.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a light transmissive member extending in a direction orthogonal to a direction of conveying the document; a reference portion provided outside the conveying region where a document is conveyed with respect to the orthogonal direction and having a transmittance lower than a transmittance of in the conveying region of the light transmissive member; and a light source unit. The image sensor further includes: a lens unit converging the light transmitting through the document and the reference portion; a light receiving unit that receives the light transmitted through the lens unit and outputs an electric signal; an amplifying unit that amplifies the electric signal of the document corresponding to the conveying region and outputs an image signal of the document; and a controlling unit configured to control an amplification factor of the amplifying unit based on the electric signal corresponding to the reference portion.

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: A selection method, in an information processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image reading apparatuses, for making a selection from the plurality of image reading apparatuses, includes the steps of searching for the connected image reading apparatuses, performing a first displaying process to display the image reading apparatuses detected in the searching step, performing pre-scanning to acquire preview images from the respective image reading apparatuses detected in the searching step by controlling the image reading apparatuses, performing a second displaying process to display the preview images acquired in the pre-scanning step in such a manner that the preview images are correlated with the image reading apparatuses displayed in the first displaying process, and selecting an image reading apparatus based on the preview images displayed in the second displaying process.

Abstract: A captured image projection apparatus obtains projection parameters and image effect correction parameters from a moving image captured at a low resolution in a task different from a task in which capturing of a high-resolution still image is to be performed, when a change ceases to occur in the moving image and before the capturing of the high-resolution still image is started. The apparatus changes the scale of the obtained projection parameters from one for low-resolution image to one for high-resolution image. The apparatus applies an image conversion process and an image effect process to the captured high-resolution still image by using the projection parameters and image effect correction parameters obtained before the still image is captured. Thereby, the captured image projection apparatus shortens the time required from the capturing of the image to projection thereof.

Abstract: Any one of a plurality of modes such as a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function and the like can be set, and an operation mode of an image reading unit at the time of its image reading operation is judged. A return speed of the image reading unit for returning to a reference position after completion of the scanning is set at a speed corresponding to the operation mode. As a result, a machine sound generated when the image reading unit moves does not cause a user to feel uncomfortable, and the waiting time until the next document reading can be shortened.

Abstract: An image processing device is provided with a reference position determining system that determines a reference position based on image data of an original, an image scanning system that scans the original line by line, the line extending in a main scanning direction, an image storing system that stores a predetermined number of lines of image data scanned by the image scanning system, a compensation value determining system that determines a compensation value which is used to make at least a position of a point in the predetermined number of lines of image data stored in the image storing system coincide with the reference position, and a compensating system that compensates the position of the predetermined number of lines of image data in accordance with the compensation value determined by the compensation value determining system.

Abstract: An image scanning method includes pre-scanning a first document to generate a first original image according to the first document; adjusting parameter settings of the first original image to generate and store a plurality of pre-view images corresponding to different sets of parameters; pre-scanning a second document to generate a second original image according to the second document; and scanning the second document to generate a plurality of scanning images according to the different sets of parameters of the pre-view images. The parameter settings of the first original image include brightness, shadow, and contrast settings.

Abstract: A method of scanning a document to generate image data of the document, the method including performing a pre-scanning operation at a first predetermined resolution and speed according to a scan command until a current scanning area is located in a main-scan area; and performing a main-scanning operation at a second predetermined resolution and speed, until the current scanning area is beyond the main-scan area, after the current scanning area has been located in the main-scan area.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring information to and/or from flexible sheet media in a highly advantageous curved configuration is disclosed. The sheet material includes a length and a width defining first and second opposing surfaces. The assembly includes support means for supporting the sheet the curved configuration across its width, having the first surface inwardly oriented with respect to the curved configuration. Thereafter, moving means moves the flexible sheet material so supported in a direction along a read/write path generally parallel to the sheet material length and transverse to the direction of curvature. A read/write arrangement is provided which is configured for reading and/or writing information across the width of the first surface of the sheet as the sheet is moved along the path in the curved configuration.

Abstract: There are provided an image processing method and apparatus which can reduce the storage capacity required to form low-frequency components having a plurality of resolutions and can suppress any degradation in image quality which is caused by a positional error between image data obtained as a result of image processing. The first luminance component of low resolution is extracted from image data, thereby further extracting the first low-frequency component. The image data is input at the second resolution, the second luminance component is extracted from the image data at the second resolution, and the second low-frequency component is extracted, thereby further extracting the second low-frequency component. Image processing is performed for the image data at the second resolution using the first low-frequency component and second low-frequency component.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of processor elements including registers and configured to process respective data items, a global processor configured to control the plurality oaf processor elements; the global processor and the plurality of processor elements constituting an SIMD microprocessor, and a data control device coupled to a data transfer port for accessing the registers, the processor elements configured to perform a contiguity check and tentative labeling of pixels adjacent in a sub-scan direction as parallel processes with respect to binary image data, the data control device configured to perform a contiguity check and tentative labeling of pixels adjacent in a main scan direction as consecutive processes, and the parallel processes performed ahead of the consecutive processes with respect to a line of interest in the binary image data.

Abstract: A digital microform imaging apparatus which includes an approximately monochromatic illumination source transmitting an incident light through a diffuse window along a first optical axis of the apparatus. A microform media support is configured to support a microform media after the diffuse window and along the first optical axis. An approximately 45 degree fold mirror reflects the incident light transmitted through the microform media approximately 90 degrees along a second optical axis. An imaging subsystem includes a lens connected to a first carriage which is linearly adjustable approximately parallel with the second optical axis, and an area sensor connected to a second carriage which is linearly adjustable approximately parallel with the second optical axis.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, method and computer-readable data storage medium to identify and process a negotiable instrument comprising a pre-processing unit 20 to select a binarization method to be used in a main processing unit 30 based on image data from only a scanned image of specific parts of the negotiable instrument for converting a full image of the entire negotiable instrument to binary image data.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method and a system for promoting scanning speed are provided. The method comprises steps of determining a transmission rate of a transit interface, adjusting system clock responsive to the transmission rate of the transit interface to change a data generated rate, and scanning an original to generate data at the rate controlled by the system clock. The key aspect of the present invention is by adjusting system clock to change the data generated rate corresponding to the transmission rate of the transit interface. Therefore, in response to the transmission rate of the transit interface, the system clock is adjusted to produce the data at a rate that can reduce the possibility of memory buffer full leading to the reduction in the time wasting on start-stop processes and therefore promote the scanning speed without requiring the increase in size of a memory buffer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of processing scanned pages are described. In one aspect, the invention features a method of processing a sequence of scanned pages of a document in accordance with which, page number indicators are extracted from scanned pages of the document. A histogram of extracted page number indicators is computed. Scanned page sequence information is determined based at least in part on the computed histogram. A computer program and a system for implementing the scanned page processing method also are described.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of processor elements including registers and configured to process respective data items, a global processor configured to control the plurality of processor elements; the global processor and the plurality of processor elements constituting an SIMD microprocessor, and a data control device coupled to a data transfer port for accessing the registers, the processor elements configured to perform a contiguity check and tentative labeling of pixels adjacent in a sub-scan direction as parallel processes with respect to binary image data, the data control device configured to perform a contiguity check and tentative labeling of pixels adjacent in a main scan direction as consecutive processes, and the parallel processes performed ahead of the consecutive processes with respect to a line of interest in the binary image data.

Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for ensuring that a fingerprint sensor is started automatically when a finger is rested thereon such that a sufficiently contrasting image can be produced. A difference between a maximum and a minimum value of the sensor signals is generated wherein, if the difference is sufficiently large, indicating a sufficient contrast of an image to be produced, a normal scanning operation of the fingerprint sensor is initiated, thus ensuring that the complete fingerprint image is produced, a normal scanning operation of the fingerprint sensor is initiated, thus ensuring that the complete fingerprint images produced are of satisfactory quality.

Abstract: An image scanning method includes pre-scanning a first document to generate a first original image according to the first document; adjusting parameter settings of the first original image to generate and store a plurality of pre-view images corresponding to different sets of parameters; pre-scanning a second document to generate a second original image according to the second document; and scanning the second document to generate a plurality of scanning images according to the different sets of parameters of the pre-view images. The parameter settings of the first original image include brightness, shadow, and contrast settings.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an original resting glass sheet for resting allowing an original thereon, a support device for supporting an end portion of the original resting glass sheet, and a movable image reading unit for reading image information of the original, wherein the support device is provided with a cutout for preventing the support device from coming into contact with the image reading unit when the image reading unit moves outwardly beyond the end portion of the original resting glass sheet.

Abstract: A document capture arm connected to an imaging device and positionable over a platen for retaining a document on the platen for imaging. The document capture arm holds one or more documents against the platen in a selected position or arrangement. The document capture arm may be configured as an arm that may insert into a receiver. The document capture arm may be easily installed for use and may be easily removed for storage when not needed. Alternately, the document capture arm may include an actuator that is attached to and extends from the arm, projecting beyond the axis of rotation of the platen cover at the hinge. When the platen cover is lifted to an open position, the capture arm actuator is acted upon by the platen cover, lifting the document capture arm to an open position.

Abstract: By performing preliminary scanning, a document identification unit determines whether a document is a dark document, such as a negative film, that requires excess exposure, or an ordinary document that does not require excess exposure. When it is determined that the document does not require excess exposure, an exposure time setting unit sets an exposure time for a line sensor. Then, in consonance with the designated exposure time, the line sensor initiates the reading of a black reference. Thereafter, in accordance with an excess exposure time that is designated, a black reference data preparation unit prepares black reference data. Since the black reference is read during the same period as the excess exposure time and the black reference data is prepared, the detailed tones of the dark portion of the document can be expressed, and the quality of the image can be improved.

Abstract: A structure capable of reducing the amount of transferred digital image data of a digital display has a digital image and timing control unit for controlling the receiving and transfer of image data and providing timing control. The digital image and timing control unit includes at least one first and second registers, a data address flag unit, and a control logic. The first and second registers serves to buffer the image data of the n-th image data line and (n+1)-th image data line. The control logic compares the image data and enables the flags in the data address flag unit corresponding to the image position to be updated, so as to determine the image data to be transferred.

Abstract: An image can be read during main scanning under an optimized image reading condition even if dust is attached to a document such as a photographic film or the like, or if there are scratches. A scanner irradiates visible light and infrared light from a light source, and an image of the document is separated into infrared and visible components. These components are detected for pixels of the image by an image sensor. A controller, e.g., of the scanner recognizes defective pixels based on the infrared component. Furthermore, the controller corrects a visible component level in the defective pixel based on the infrared component level of the defective pixel and a reference level obtained where there is no defect, in order to create a histogram. The controller determines image reading conditions such as, for example, an exposure amount (exposure time) for use during main scanning and an LUT gradation conversion characteristic based on this histogram.

Abstract: A portable reading machine has a scanner for scanning an image comprising text. The scanner has a scanning area occupying a maximum width and an active width defined by a scanning width limiting mechanism adjustable to a preselected width. A photoreceptive element forms an electronic representation of a portion of the image within the active width. The electronic representation is converted to a digital character string corresponding to the active image text. A speech system outputs the digital character string as ordinary spoken language voiced through a speaker or headset.

Abstract: At a conventional image scanning method, it takes long time to transfer an image data of whole image, consequently it takes long time to display the whole image on a display. Therefore, an image scanning method and an apparatus thereof, with which a user can recognize mistakes at reading a document at earlier time, are provided. By one time scanning, an image data whose resolution is lower than fundamental resolution is read. The image data of lower resolution is obtained by that the image data are thinned out. And this image data having lower resolution is displayed on a display as a preview image. By rescanning, an image whose resolution is higher than the preview image is read and displayed. This preview image can be displayed in short time, therefore the user can recognize a mistake at earlier time.

Abstract: A carrier device for a contact image sense optical scanner. The carrier device incorporates a pair of magnets with identical poles facing each other or a fluid filled sealed chamber for exerting an equal pressure on a scanning module within the scanner and maintaining close contact with a document platform throughout a scanning operation.

Abstract: A device and method are described for capturing an image of a document using a digital camera. The invention includes a resolution analyzer for analyzing the resolution of text characters in the image, to assess whether the resolution is suitable for OCR. In one aspect, if the resolution is too small or too large, an indicator is generated to guide the user as to the corrective movement of the camera to improve the resolution for OCR. In a second aspect, an electronic zoom control is controlled to alter the magnification of the captured image, to correct the resolution. In a third aspect, a method is described for analyzing the image to determine the resolution according to the height of text characters in the image. The method includes analyzing the run lengths of pixels in the image to identify a predominant length corresponding to the average character height (in pixels).

Abstract: The image reading device has a reading operation control processor that automatically starts a reading operation. In the reading operation, first, it is determined whether a film is attached to the image reading device. When the film is not attached to the image reading device, the reading operation is not proceeded. Conversely, when the film is attached to the image reading device, a pre-scanning operation is performed in which an image recorded in a film is read with a relatively coarse pitch, after a waiting time has passed. Then, a regular scanning operation is performed in which the image is read with a pitch finer than that of the pre-scanning operation.

Abstract: An image reading device is provided in which processing of magnetic information and image reading can be carried out efficiently, and parts can be arranged highly efficiently in terms of space. By conveying an APS film in a pull-out direction, magnetic information is read by a magnetic head, and an image frame is prescanned by a line CCD. Next, the APS film is conveyed in a take-up direction, and fine scanning is carried out by the line CCD and magnetic information is written by a magnetic head. In this way, because writing of magnetic information can be carried out during conveying for fine scanning, processing time can be shortened. Moreover, because a distance between the magnetic head and the line CCD is not restricted, the magnetic head and the line CCD can be disposed at positions which are efficient in terms of space.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus comprises a digital medium reading device reading digital image data recorded on a digital medium, an image printer printing an image represented by the digital image data read by the digital medium reading device, and a charging information printer printing charging information necessary for print service charge, said charging information relating to image print processing executed in the image printer. The charging information printer issues an slip carrying thereon the charging information. The customer is correctly charged for the service performed by the image printing apparatus on the basis of the charging information appearing on the slip.

Abstract: A user interface method for launching an optimized final scan of a selected region of interest selected from a preview scan of a document. A user may drag the selected region of interest, presented in a preview scan of a document in a scanner window, and drop it on a software application, the desktop, or a writeable folder, which launches an optimized final scan of the selected region of interest. The image data resulting from the optimized final scan automatically resides in the software application, the desktop, or the writeable folder. In selecting a region of interest from the preview scan, scanner software parameters are updated with information about the region of interest which optimize the final scan. The image data from the optimized final scan is then formatted in the format requested and delivered to the software application, the desktop, or the writeable folder.

Abstract: A method of scanning a document to generate image data of the document, the method including performing a pre-scanning operation at a first predetermined resolution and speed according to a scan command until a current scanning area is located in a main-scan area; and performing a main-scanning operation at a second predetermined resolution and speed, until the current scanning area is beyond the main-scan area, after the current scanning area has been located in the main-scan area.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for deriving a digital watermark embedded in an image is provided which has a recognizing unit for recognizing a predetermined characteristic area in the image and a deriving unit for extracting the digital watermark from the image data in the recognized characteristic area.

Abstract: A method and system for image scanning presents a user with a suggested parameter adjustment to a scanned image upon system analysis of corresponding scanned image data. A scanner generates initial preview image data of the scanned image. A display displays the image to the user from the initial preview image data. A processor detects a selected portion of the preview image data as having a likelihood of being a standard parameter and for determining a suggested adjustment to the initial preview image data for displaying the selected portion as the standard parameter within the displayed image. The suggested adjustment is communicated to the user and the user implements or overrides the suggested adjustment in a subsequent scan of the image, whereby the user may obtain desired image data for the subsequent scan and the suggested adjustment.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises: a light source for irradiating light to a photographic photosensitive material; an image forming optical system for forming reflected or transmitted light emitted from a photosensitive film into an image; a film carrier having a shape correspomding to various types of photographic films to be loaded from the outside and supporting the photosensitive film; and an optical waveguide being replaceably attached to a predetermined reference attachment position and having a shape corresponding to the type of photographic film. Furthermore, there are provided a withdrawing mechanism for moving the optical waveguide from the reference attachment position in the case of an incorrect combination of the shape of the film carrier and the shape of the optical waveguide, and a detecting mechanism therefor.

Abstract: An image scanning method, applied to a document, performs a preliminary scanning operation to distinguish the document into areas uniformly containing a same color level and scanned areas containing different color levels. An image scanning sequence is subsequently performed, during which an area of the document to be scanned is skipped if it has been determined as an area uniformly having a same color level. A color code value corresponding to the uniform color level of this area is consequently stored in a corresponding memory zone. The above image scanning sequence is executed until the scanning of the document is completed.

Abstract: The invention, a method for correcting negative film image with negative film interval is mainly to place negative film data in a scanner for making a correction for the image data of negative film with aid of an appropriate software, wherein the software in the interior of computer will move the correction zone to the interval zone for reading and correcting data, such that an accurate and clear image can be obtained when the scanner is scanning.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a plurality of reading sections (CCD elements) and reads a photographic photosensitive material by pre-set plural reading sections of the plurality of reading sections. In the image reading apparatus, on the basis of a value indicating an amount of deviation between an actual reading position and a predetermined proper reading position, the plural reading sections which read the photographic photosensitive material are suitably shifted from pre-set plural reading sections. Accordingly, even if a reading device deviates from its proper position, an entire range to be read of the photographic photosensitive material can be read. Specifically, first, a position H1, at which a reference position of the photographic photosensitive material is actually imaged on the reading device (a line CCD sensor), is fetched. Next, a proper imaging position H0, at which the reference position of the photographic photosensitive material should be imaged on the reading device, is fetched.