Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of building an electronic file, using an electronic camera such as a digital camera, that captures 3-dimensional objects. A number of image data tiles that represent the images are generated by the camera. A number of text data tiles each containing text recognized in a corresponding one of the image data tiles is generated. The method includes searching for overlapping text in the text tiles, and pasting the text tiles in proper alignment into an electronic file.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an electronic camera having a predetermined field of view for capturing images of image bearing media and a handling mechanism for supporting the image bearing media. The handling mechanism includes a framed region for revealing an image bearing area of the media to the electronic camera and means for supporting the electronic camera in a position that images the framed region while capturing a field of view larger than the image bearing area of the media. A processor associated with the electronic camera provides field of view correction of images captured from the image bearing media by initiating capture of an image of the framed region and determining the coordinates of the image bearing area from the image of the framed region. The coordinates of the image bearing area are then used for field of view correction of subsequently captured images.

Abstract: An arrangement in a vehicle for determining vehicle occupant position relative to a fixed structure within the vehicle including an array which receives an image of a portion of the passenger compartment in which the occupant is likely to be situated and a lens arranged between the array and the portion of the passenger compartment. The image may be changed by adjusting the lens, e.g., adjusting the focal length of the lens and/or the position of the lens relative to the array, by adjusting the array, e.g., the position of the array relative to the lens, and/or by using software to perform a focusing process. By changing the image to obtain the clearest image, i.e., focusing the image, a distance between the occupant and the fixed structure can be obtained based on the parameters of the change of the image.

Abstract: An image sensor can easily adjust the focus by the use of an inexpensive focus adjusting means even if the dimensional accuracy in the image sensor frame is very low. In the image sensor or an optical character reader incorporating such an image sensor, an original document W, which is being conveyed onto a transparent covering by a platen roller, is irradiated by light from a light emitting element. The light reflected by the original document W is received and condensed by a rod lens array which is positioned perpendicular to the surface of the transparent covering. The condensed light is received by a light receiving element which is located directly below the rod lens array. At the light receiving element, the light is converted into an electrical signal. The image sensor includes a frame having an opened top which includes inner tapered sidewalls opposed to each other.

Abstract: An image sensor (10) includes an array having an image sensing portion (12) and a control portion (14). Pixels (18) of the image sensing portion and devices (20) of the control circuitry portion each have a diode stack (34) of a back-to-back switching diode (36, 38, 40) and a photodiode (42, 44, 46). The photodiodes of the devices (20) are constantly illuminated in use so that they act as current sources in series with the switching diode. This provides a circuit device which has characteristics enabling its use in control circuitry.

Abstract: A method and system provides computerized high-rate image processing. Each detecting element receives electromagnetic radiation and produces an electrical detection signal according to an amount of electromagnetic radiation received on the respective detecting element. The electrical detection signals of each detection element corresponding to an assigned region of interest in the field of view. The electrical detection signals of all detecting elements assigned to the same region of interest are summed to produce an output signal.

Abstract: A picture frame scanner has a frame defining a display area. The frame is disposed generally upright. A transparent retention pane is mounted within the frame, spanning the display area. A support back spanning the display area is spaced apart from the retention pane. An image scanning bar is operatively mounted in the frame for moving across the display area and scanning an electronic image of media disposed between the support back and the retention pane into memory storage.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for discriminating between currency bills of different denominations uses an optical sensing and correlation technique based on the sensing of bill reflectance characteristics obtained by illuminating and scanning a bill along one of its dimensions. A series of detected reflectance signals are obtained by sampling and digitally processing, under microprocessor control, the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points as a currency bill is moved across an illuminated strip with a preselected dimension parallel to the direction of transport of the bill. The sample data is subjected to digital processing, including a normalizing process, whereby the reflectance data represents a characteristic pattern that is unique for a given bill denomination and incorporates sufficient distinguishing features between characteristic patterns for discriminating between different currency denominations.

Abstract: A device and method for reading optical marks are disclosed. The device, an optical mark reader (OMR) has an array of photo sensors with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are driven by digital-to-analog converters (DACs), which are in turn controlled by a microcontroller. When calibrating the OMR, the sensors read a white card, and the microcontroller adjust the DACs so that the outputs of all sensors are at a voltage close to the saturation points of the photo-transistors in the sensors so that the maximum useable ranges of the sensors are utilized. The sensors then read one or more patterns of known grayscales and their response voltages are recorded. The microcontroller generates an array of voltage values as a function of grayscale for each sensor and store the values in a memory device. When reading an optical marks, the sensor output voltage in response to a mark is looked up in the table of voltages values stored in the memory device to determine the grayscale of the mark.

Abstract: Today, increased efforts are made to provide users with people-machine data-processing interfaces which are as simple and comfortable as possible. Inputting is currently carried out in data-processing systems via host terminals and personal computers as well as via other peripherals, such as network computers. However, the real evolutionary leap has been the achievement of input by means of writing and speech recognition. Handwriting in particular is a form of expression with which people are familiar from childhood onwards and which, unlike speech, also produces documented proof of expression.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a digital scanner for scanning images and is directed to a method and apparatus for accurately scanning documents and for processing digital data to generate digital images as accurately as possible. The scanning system described in this application provides recommended settings for image mode and image parameters to assist the user in adjusting the settings to match the original document. The image data is analyzed to determine the optimum settings.

Abstract: An image scanning device having an image data correction function and a method for correcting image data of a scanned object are shown. The image scanning device for realizing image data of a scanned object includes a light source for providing a source light for the scanned object in order to obtain an optical image signal, a photo-detector for detecting and recording a scanning light intensity of the source light, and optical signal processing device for receiving and converting the optical image signal into an electronic image signal, the optical signal processing device being electrically connected to the photo-detector for reading the scanning light intensity of the source light, and adjusting the electronic image signal according to the scanning light intensity of the source light so as to realize the image data of the scanned object. The scanning operation of the image scanning device can be performed without warming up the light source.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a movable image-capturing printed circuit board including an image device, and a controlling printed circuit board which is fixed to the image reading apparatus and which controls the driving of the image device. Both printed circuit boards include connectors. When electric connection is established between the connectors, signal transmission and reception is performed. The connectors are connected only in a predetermined position. This can eliminate the need for using cable wires. Thus, a simplified structure can reduce emission generated by using cable wires to transmit a driving signal for the image device and a read image signal.

Abstract: A method for compressing a digitized image of a document using optical character recognition (OCR). The method includes performing optical character recognition (OCR) on the digitized image, identifying, based, at least in part, on a result of the performing step, a plurality of classes of characters comprised in the image, each the class of characters having an associated character value and comprising at least one character, pruning each class of characters, thereby producing information describing the plurality of classes of characters and a residual image, and utilizing the information describing the plurality of classes of characters and the residual image as a compressed digitized image in further processing. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an optical system having a detector means and processor means in which imaging data is obtained comprising noisy blurred scene data containing an object to be reconstructed, and noisy blurred background data of the same scene, a method for increasing the spatial resolution of the imaging data produced by the optical system, comprising the steps of converting the imaging data into a first matrix, regularizing the first matrix by performing nth order Tikhonov regularization to the first matrix to provide a regularized pseudo-inverse (RPI) matrix and applying the RPI matrix to the first matrix to provide a reconstructed image of the object.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a visible light source for emitting visible light, an invisible light source for emitting invisible light, an imaging optical system for irradiating a document by these light sources to form optical images of the document, and a CCD for photoelectrically converting the optical images Of the document turns on the visible light source to acquire a visible light image signal by the CCD. Then, the apparatus turns on the invisible light source to acquire an invisible light image signal by the CCD. After the invisible light image signal is acquired, the apparatus turns off the invisible light source, and turns on the visible light source regardless of whether to read the document.

Abstract: An iterative application of an optical object recognition method, such as an OCR method, with enhancements and modifications yields improved speed and accuracy. In the exemplary embodiment, after an initial pass of the OCR method on a document image, unrecognized blobs are grouped into unknown regions to which the OCR method is applied via an analysis window. If the contents of the analysis window remain unrecognized at a starting position in a given unknown region, the window can be moved within the unknown region to provide more opportunities to recognize the unknown region's contents. Recognized characters are recorded, and the portions of the unknown regions in which they appeared are removed. This pass of the OCR method recognizes characters in blobs containing multiple characters.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer implemented instructions for processing checks in a data processing system. A customer check issued by a customer is received at the automatic teller machine. An amount for the customer check is identified. A new check for the amount is created in which the funds for the amount are guaranteed by a financial institution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a check in an automatic teller machine in a data processing system. A check is received in the automatic teller machine. The check is scanned within the automatic teller machine to generate an image. Optical character recognition is performed on the image to generate data. A markup language is created, which is a representation of the check using the data.

Abstract: In an image processing device which carries out processing for detecting and correcting defective portions of an image, it is possible to pre-emptively prevent the defective portion detecting and correcting processing from causing a deterioration in image quality or an excessive processing requiring time requirement. In cases in which a film type of a photographic film on which the image is recorded is a film type known to have a characteristic that an IR image is also formed at a time of image exposure and recording, and in cases in which a density distribution width of IR data is a predetermined value or more, defect detection-correction processing is cancelled. Further, in cases in which a non-image region is included in the image, either defect detection-correction is carried out only on regions other than the non-image region, or defective portion detection-correction is cancelled.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing visible image information and invisible image information obtained from visible light and invisible light directed onto an original and from the original onto an image pick-up element via a focusing optical system. The image processing apparatus includes an infrared light source, a visible light source, a focus correction unit that corrects the focus of the images when the images are formed on the image pick-up element and acquired, and a signal processor that corrects a partial magnification difference between the visible image and the infrared image.

Abstract: An image capture device has an image sensor, a cone, a support arm, a base and an indicator. The image sensor, assembled within the cone, is utilized to capture an image of an object and generate an image signal thereof, while the support arm connects the cone and the base. The indicator comprises at least one lamp assembled within the rim of the cone for emitting light to demarcating an image capture area of the image capture device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of simply and reliably handling two different forms of information, audio and image, as linked together in order to record the information on the same recording medium. This image processing apparatus has an image input unit (10) for inputting image information, an audio input unit (60) for inputting audio information, a link processing unit (130a) for setting link information to link the image information and audio information, a code converter (242) for converting the audio information into an optically readable audio code image, and a printing device (30) operable based on the link information for recording a visual image corresponding to the image information and the audio code image on a predetermined recording medium. One can not only visually enjoy the image recorded on the recording medium, but hear a sound from the audio code image recorded on the recording medium with an appropriate reproduction device.

Abstract: By scanning both sides of a photographic print, data from the back of the print may be associated with the image. If the backside data includes text, optical character recognition (OCR) techniques optionally may be used to convert the image of the back of the photo into text that may be included in a database or other data structure allowing the text to be associated with the photographic image. This allows the user to quickly and easily search a large database of images for either a specific image or a group of images according to some set of search criteria.

Abstract: A method of grading an essay using an automated essay scoring system is provided. The method comprises the automated steps of (a) parsing the essay to produce parsed text, wherein the parsed text is a syntactic representation of the essay, (b) using the parsed text to create a vector of syntactic features derived from the essay, (c) using the parsed text to create a vector of rhetorical features derived from the essay, (d) creating a first score feature derived from the essay, (e) creating a second score feature derived from the essay, and (f) processing the vector of syntactic features, the vector of rhetorical features, the first score feature, and the second score feature to generate a score for the essay.

Abstract: An imaging system includes two sets of cameras: a first set for capturing optical mark or optical character recognition data and a second set for capturing visual images. Full visual images of pages containing answers to open-ended questions are retained and are retrievable by a reader such that an area of interest wherein the answer is expected is displayed, but the remaining area is also available for viewing. The system permits the alignment of a page based upon edge detection if the page contains only an open-ended answer, obviating the need for timing tracks. Hardware and software elements cooperate to store the image temporarily in a server having a response time commensurate with the scanner. The image is then processed with the use of high-performance index imaging for optical storage and retrieval, and then routed to a long-term storage device.

Abstract: This invention discloses a key-in method including a manual keying in phase, and an automatic accuracy enhancement phase, wherein at least one of the manual phase, the automatic phase and the interaction therebetween is dependent, at least one dataflow point, on data generated previous to said dataflow point.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a program locate an objective on a form without a black background function or specific marks irrespective of whether or not there are ruled lines on the form. The apparatus, method, and program select a predetermined number of small reference areas in an image of a learning sheet, store data about the small reference areas in a memory, retrieve equivalent small areas corresponding to the small reference areas from an image of an input sheet, and locate a position in the image of the input sheet corresponding to a given position on the learning sheet, according to relationships between the small reference areas and the equivalent small areas. The program is stored in a recording medium that is readable by computer.

Abstract: An image reader apparatus includes: an image pickup device which is controllably exposed to an object to produce an image signal of the object; a mover which moves the object and the image pickup device relative to each other; a storage operable to store an image signal; a writing device which is operable to write an image signal in the storage; a reading device which is operable to read an image signal from the storage; a discriminator which discriminates whether one of the writing device and the reading device is in operation; and a controller which controls the exposure of the image pickup device in accordance with a result of the discriminator.

Abstract: An integrated system generates a model of a three-dimensional object. A scanning laser device scans the three-dimensional object and generates a point cloud. The points of the point cloud each indicate a location of a corresponding point on a surface of the object. A first model is generated, responsive to the point cloud, that generates a first model representing constituent geometric shapes of the object. A data file is generated, responsive to the first model, that can be inputted to a computer-aided design system.

Abstract: A digital camera which performs accurate document reading, and is used in a document processing system. In the document processing system, a document is divided into blocks and each block is sensed by a CCD, and perspective correction is performed on the image data of each of a plurality of images obtained by divisionally sensing the document. An OCR process is performed on the corrected image data to convert the corrected image data to text data. The converted text data, corresponding to the image data of each of the plurality of images, is combined into one text data, and the combined text data is output for printing.

Abstract: The invention introduces applications of the use of coherent and non-coherent light in the high wavelengths of the visible spectrum and in the near wavelengths of the infrared spectrum. The applications include a system for the identification of objects under varying light conditions, a system to determine the distance to and size of objects under observation, and a movement sensor system to detect a significant change of position of objects under observation.

Abstract: A system for automatically routing data captured by devices, such as digital cameras, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, or portable document scanners, through voice command annotation is disclosed. After capturing an image or document with the device, a voice disposition command is made by a user speaking into a voice pickup component in the device to control the disposition of the captured image or document. Commands such as “fax”, “e-mail”, “print and save” are typical. The voice input is stored in the device in a voice command annotation file and is associated with the image or document data file. Upon copying the image or document data file to a host computer system, the voice command annotation file is automatically copied with it. The host computer system processes the voice command annotation file and executes one or more instructions associated with the command or commands contained in the file.

Abstract: There is disclosed in an optical system having a predetermined Numerical aperture which provides a corresponding level of spatial resolution and having detector means and processor means in which image data is obtained comprising noisy blurred scene data containing an object to be reconstructed, and noisy blurred background data of the same scene, an improved method for increasing the spatial resolution of the imaging data produced by the diffraction limited optical system.

Abstract: A document handling system is configured for processing a variety of different documents. The system includes an input receptacle for receiving a stack of documents, a standard sensor for scanning at least one non-color characteristic of the bills in the stack, a color sensor for scanning the color characteristics of the bills, and an output receptacle for receiving the bills after they have been processed. A transport mechanism is included for transporting bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle past the sensors to the output receptacle. An operator interface is provided for displaying information to an operator and inputting information to the system. A processor is also included for processing the data gathered from the sensors to evaluate the bills.

Abstract: An optical sensor is disclosed of the type typically including an optical system for focusing light onto a focal plane. The optical system having a predetermined Numerical aperture which provides a corresponding level of spatial resolution. The optical sensor also including detectors for converting the light focused onto the focal plane into electrical signals including imaging data. The optical sensor further including a processor which processes the imaging data in order to provide a desired level of spatial resolution which is substantially higher than the corresponding level of spatial resolution.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading device capable of preventing disorder of an aspect ratio of an image even when a reading magnification ratio deviates from a set value due to a mechanical error and easily obtaining an accurate image. In this image reading device, a reference mark and a center mark of a line pattern of a reference pattern are projected on a CCD by a zoom lens, and an actual projection magnification ratio of the zoom lens is detected by use of addresses of pixels corresponding to a projection image. Then, a sub-scanning speed calculating section calculates a sub-scanning speed corresponding to the detected actual projection magnification ratio and drives a sub-scanning motor. Therefore, the sub-scanning speed corresponding to the actual projection magnification ratio is set regardless of the presence or absence of a magnification ratio error attributed to a mechanical error in a zooming stage on the lens side, thereby allowing an image accuracy to be guaranteed.

Abstract: A system for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient test scoring for the answers. The system monitors test resolver performance in order to provide feedback.

Abstract: A method for automatically aligning a charge coupled device of a scanner by using a software contained in the scanner instead of physically aligning the charge coupled device is disclosed. The scanner comprises a charge coupled device (CCD) having an array of optic sensors for converting a reflected line image into an analog signal array, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for converting the analog signal array into an image data array, and a test region having a positioning mark in it. The method comprises the following steps of: (1) generating an image data array which comprises the image of the test region in it by using the CCD and the A/D converter; (2) identifying the positioning mark from the image data array; and (3) setting an effective scanning range which defines the start and stop positions of valid image data within the image data array according to the identified positioning mark.

Abstract: A method and system for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient scoring of test answers. The method and system routes test answers to resolvers based on classifications of resolvers and persons who generated the rest answers. Monitoring and selecting resolvers based on classifications promotes fair and consistent scoring of test answers.

Abstract: A method and system for managing resolvers of test answers to maintain consistent and efficient scoring of test answers. Collaborative scoring allows two test resolvers to score the same test answer and resolves potential discrepancies in the scores provided by the resolvers. Quality items monitor a test resolver's scoring performance against a known standard. A quality-control test item, having a known score, is transmitted to a test resolver. After receiving a score from the resolver, the known score is compared with the resolver's score and a quality profile is generated for the resolver.

Abstract: A method of grading an essay using an automated essay scoring system is provided. The method comprises the automated steps of (a) parsing the essay to produce parsed text, wherein the parsed text is a syntactic representation of the essay, (b) using the parsed text to create a vector of syntactic features derived from the essay, (c) using the parsed text to create a vector of rhetorical features derived from the essay, (d) creating a first score feature derived from the essay, (e) creating a second score feature derived from the essay, and (f) processing the vector of syntactic features, the vector of rhetorical features, the first score feature, and the second score feature to generate a score for the essay.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the speed at which test answers are processed. The method and system receives electronic representations of test answers and organizes the test answers into separate groupings. Next a particular grouping of test answers are displayed to a test resolver so that the resolver can score the test answers. In displaying the answers, the method and system uses a matrix of cells and displays one test answer in each of the cells. The test resolver can thus simultaneously view multiple test answers, which facilitates efficient scoring of the answers.

Abstract: A method and system for reporting groupings of answers to test questions. Answers to test questions are received in electronic form, after which the answers are divided according to predefined categories and organized into separate groupings. The answers in the groupings are reported.

Abstract: A capturing and viewing appliance and method are provided for capturing and communicating images to other appliances and devices with communication capabilities. The capturing and viewing appliance includes a processor for manipulating and viewing the images on a built-in display. Program code stored in internal memory includes a menu navigation interface application program which allows the user to use navigation buttons and operational buttons to operate the menu navigation interface in operating the appliance. According to another aspect of the invention, the menu navigation interface provides a user-friendly interface for operating an appliance or other device through reuse of the navigation buttons and operational buttons in menu activation and deactivation as well as menu item selection.

Abstract: A method and system for on-line scoring is described that dynamically provides resolvers with rules for scoring answers to particular questions. Rules are stored which relate to procedures for scoring the test questions. When test questions and answers are displayed to a test resolver for scoring, the corresponding rules are displayed for scoring the displayed answer.

Abstract: To generate a high-contrast image of powder particles located on the surface of a print product, a measurement apparatus has an illumination unit which generates a measurement light beam which strikes the surface of the print product at glancing incidence. A measurement optics has an axis vertical to the surface of the print product and a diaphragm body is arranged in its focal point on the image side. The measurement optics forms an image of a surface region of the dusted print product on an image converter. An electronic evaluation unit determines the number and size of the powder particles from the image obtained on the image converter.

Abstract: A computer program which causes a computer to correct a uniform resource identifier (URI) in a noisy source document. The program finds and corrects potential errors within a URI before turning the URI into a hyperlink. Testing the corrected URI is done by seeking the resource described by the corrected URI. Testing the URI also includes parsing the URI, identifying potential syntax errors within each portion of the URI, creating alternative URI combinations, and prioritizing the alternative URI combinations. Syntax errors corrected include incorrect protocol, incorrect or missing component separator characters, incorrect spacing, incorrect or missing dot character, and alphanumeric character replacement.

Abstract: The terminal device with built-in image sensor allows to use a conventional writing tool as the handwritten input means, and facilitates reading of printed document, and incorporates a scanning image sensor composed of a lens member having the optical path disposed parallel to a transparent panel, a prism member for bending the optical path at right angle to match one focal position of the lens member with the surface of the transparent panel, a light source for illuminating the surface of the transparent panel, and a light sensor disposed at other focal position of the lens member, and reads a document placed on the transparent panel, and conventional writing device is provided in the lid unit, and by closing the lid unit after writing character or picture by the writing device, the character or picture is read by the image sensor.

Abstract: A currency identification system has at least two laterally displaced scanheads, one or more laterally moveable scanheads, or at least two laterally displaced sensors of a linear scanhead, the scanheads or sensors being positioned so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a first side of a bill. The scanheads or sensors are capable of detecting characteristic information from the bill along the segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated. At least one scanned pattern is generated from the output signals, the at least one scanned pattern representing analog variations in the characteristic information along a segment of the bill.