Abstract: A scanning mirror includes a reflective surface having a preset width dimension measured orthogonally to its axis of rotation. The preset width dimension accommodates a maximum angle of incidence of a beam being scanned by the reflective surface. A length dimension of the reflective surface, as measured along the axis of rotation, is at least equal to a diameter of the beam being scanned. A bottom portion of the reflective surface has an effective width dimension greater than the preset width dimension, and a top portion of the reflective surface has an effective width dimension less than the preset width dimension, such that a greater inertia is provided to the bottom portion of the scanning mirror that to the top portion. One shape for the reflective surface comprises a trapezoid.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, it is provided that an image compressor includes an image data controller, first to third encoders and an encoded data generator. The image data controller extracts first to third pixels. The first encoder encodes a target first pixel and generates a first encoded pixel. The second encoder encodes a target second pixel and generates a second encoded pixel. The third encoder encodes a target third pixel and generates a third encoded pixel. The encoded data generator combines the first to third encoded pixels and generates encoded data.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for optoelectronic detection and location of moving objects. The disclosed methods and systems capture one-dimensional images of a field of view through which objects may be moving, make measurements in those images, select from among those measurements those that are likely to correspond to objects in the field of view, make decisions responsive to various characteristics of the objects, and produce signals that indicate those decisions. The disclosed methods and systems provide excellent object discrimination, electronic setting of a reference point, no latency, high repeatability, and other advantages that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for lossless compression of color data. Color data for a packet including multiple sub-pixel samples is compressed using a predictor map that is selected based on the sampling format specified for the graphics surface storing the color data. The predictor map defines one of the samples as an anchor that is represented exactly and a transform indicating which neighboring samples are used to compute difference samples for the other samples in the packet. The difference samples are truncated and tested to determine if the difference samples can fit into one or more compressed data formats, i.e., if the color data can be compressed without loss. When compression can be performed without loss, the transformed packet is output. Otherwise, the original packet is output.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for determining the compression noise present in an image or frame in a video sequence and for enhancing an image or frame in a video sequence.

Abstract: Information that includes first information identifying integer quotients obtained by divisions using prediction residuals or integers not smaller than 0 that increase monotonically with increases in the amplitude of the prediction residuals, as dividends, and a separation parameter decided for a time segment corresponding to the prediction residuals or a mapped integer value of the separation parameter, as a modulus, and second information identifying the remainders obtained when the dividends are divided by the modulus is generated as a code corresponding to the prediction residuals, and each piece of side information that includes the separation parameter is subjected to variable length coding.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for character string recognition may be provided that enables prevention of a decrease in recognition accuracy for a character string even when distortion of an image appears in a direction perpendicular to a medium transfer direction.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing the scheduling of a plurality of print jobs for a print shop. The method includes obtaining a print job input stream including the plurality of print jobs. Each of the plurality of print jobs is scheduled for processing unless at least one of the plurality of print jobs is determined to be a disturbance job, the disturbance job causing delays in processing of other print jobs in the plurality of print jobs that would not occur but for the existence of the disturbance job in the print job input stream. The disturbance job is then assigned a processing related value that decreases over time, and scheduling of the disturbance job is delayed until the processing related value is less than a selected threshold value.

Abstract: A document OCR implementing device, includes a reading part configured to read a document and form a recognition image; an obtaining part configured to perform image processing of the recognition image and obtain a state of the recognition image; a plurality of OCR engines configured to perform a character recognition process of the recognition image; and a designating part configured to designate the OCR engine by combining the recognition image and the OCR engine; wherein the character recognition process is implemented by using the OCR engine designated by the designating part.

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

Abstract: An image sensor including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a main scanning direction, a plurality of switching elements connected to respective ones of the photoelectric conversion elements, individually, and a controller for generating a clock signal to control the switching elements. The photoelectric conversion elements are divided into plural groups, each including a predetermined number (N) of the photoelectric conversion elements. The outputs from the photoelectric conversion elements in one group are read out simultaneously in response to the clock signal generated from the controller, thereby attaining a high speed reading of a document.

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

Abstract: A method for operating an optical sensor which has a light receptor that receives line-by-line reflected or returned light for a complete picture. At least some of the received pictures are compressed with a picture compression algorithm. To process the picture and more quickly store it in a memory-saving manner, the optoelectronic sensors compress the picture simultaneously with its receipt by the receptor. Optoelectronic sensors for use in this manner can be a code laser or a laser scanner for determining distance or generating separation pictures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the measuring of structures in a fingerprint or the like, comprising the measuring of chosen characteristics of the surface of the fingerprint, e.g. by measuring capacitance or resistivity, using a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors, being positioned in contact with, or close to, a portion of the surface. The characteristics are measured in at least one line of measuring points along an elongated portion of the surface at given intervals of time, the sensor array being an essentially one-dimensional array, moving the surface in relation to the sensor array in a direction perpendicular to the sensor array, so that the measurements are performed at different, or partially overlapping, portions of the surface, combining the measurements of the measured portions of the surface to provide a segmented, two-dimensional representation of said characteristics of the surface.

Abstract: A plurality of images of portions of a fingerprint surface is generated by measuring structural features the portions of the surface with a sensor array as the surface is moved relative to the array. A two-dimensional image of the fingerprint surface is constructed from a portion of the plurality of images. In one embodiment, a varying voltage is applied to a finger positioned over an exciting electrode and a capacitive sensor array, and the capacitance or impedance through the finger is measured between the electrode and the array to detect variations in capacitance or impedance caused by variations in the structural features of the fingerprint surface.

Abstract: An artificial vision system includes means (12, 14) for generating an image percept vector, means (16) for transforming this image percept vector into a feature vector, and means (16) for generating a response vector by multiplying the feature vector by a corresponding trained linkage matrix modeling a percept-response system.

Abstract: The processing apparatus for discriminating bank notes has an insert sensor for detecting the insertion of a bank note, line sensors for sampling the pattern and so forth of the bank note, and a sensor memory in which sampling data collected by means of the line sensors is stored for each line. The insert sensor is provided only at the entrance side of the apparatus. If a bank note is conveyed on one side of the line sensor, the data sampling is started when the insert sensor detects the passage of the bank note; if a bank note is conveyed on the other side of the line sensor, the data sampling is started before the bank note is moved. The pattern image data is generated from the sampling data read out from the sensor memory and a bank note is discriminated by comparing the pattern image with a reference pattern.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scanner is provided having inter alia an optical zoom system, which includes a movable lens assembly and a rotatable mirror. The image to be scanned, the optical zoom system and the scanning head are located along an optical axis. The optical resolution of the image is variable by selectively displacing the lens assembly along the optical axis while simultaneously rotating the rotatable mirror about its center. In a further embodiment, a scanner is provided having inter alia a variable aperture for controlling the infiltration of stray light in a scanner having a plurality of optical resolutions.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a plurality of line sensors for converting pickup light into image signals, the line sensors being arranged adjacently in a line; a first signal line for inputting driving signals for driving the plurality of line sensors; and second signal lines for outputting the image signals from the plurality of line sensors. The second signal lines are independently connected respectively to the plurality of line sensors. Switching means simultaneously drive the plurality of line sensors by the driving signals and output the image signals from the line sensors in parallel.

Abstract: The invention resolves the drawback, in a light beam deflecting device for displaying an image by reciprocating light beam scannings, of image variation by variations for example in amplitude, phase and offset.

Abstract: An image reading device reads an image of an electronic part as an image pickup object with camera 8 having a line sensor. The line sensor comprises a plurality of pixels having a photoelectric transfer element arranged in series. The image reading device selects pixels periodically one by one and outputs image signals. The pixels for outputting image signals are set based on width data of an image pickup area stored on image pickup area storage 10. The image reading device monitors a relative positional relation between the image pickup object and the line sensor using a pulse of encoder 4A, and controls writing of the image signal into an image storage 15 with a storage controller 12 based on length data of the image pickup area. This process can remove uselessness of outputting the image signal from an unnecessary range and storing it, and improve efficient image reading.

Abstract: A variable sample rate converter, adaptable to rational ratios, converts a plurality of data having a first sample rate to a plurality of data having a second sample rate. The variable sample rate converter is employed in data processing devices including, for example, color photo-copy machines, color facsimiles, color printers, black and white printers, digital cameras, and digital printers. A finite impulse response filter is employed to perform processing of the plurality of data. Any processing hardware capable of performing floating point processing may employ the variable sample rate converter. A ping-pong style buffer is employed to assist in transferring the plurality of data. The variable sample rate converter combines the two steps of up-sampling and down-sampling into a single step, thereby maximizing available processing resources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning a fingerprint using a linear optical sensor. A finger or palm is rolled over a transparent roller. A light source directs light through the roller to illuminate or detect the finger. Light directed through the roller is focused onto a linear imaging device. A full 2D recreation of the fingerprint is assembled from the discrete line-image data collected by the linear array imaging sensor. The apparatus contains a rotation detector to detect rotational movement of the roller.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising means for processing exposed photographic film and means for digitizing the processed photographic film is disclosed. According to a preferred mode, the apparatus for processing exposed radiographic film and for digitizing the processed film on-line is characterized in that the digitizing section of the apparatus is connected directly to the dryer section and that the length of the digitizing section is not more than 10% of the total length of the processing section of the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly dedicated for the rapid processing and digitizing of medical radiographic film.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to provide an image reading apparatus which can prevent color mixing even when a linear image sensor in which charge transfer units are arranged to sandwich light-receiving units of different colors therebetween is used.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for distortion detection of a scanned image. The method for distortion detection of a scanned image comprises: a) obtaining a first value representative of a first scanning position for the image; b) obtaining a second value representative of a second scanning position for the image; and c) comparing the first and second values to determine there is a line-drop situation when the first and second values obtained in a sequential order are not predeterminedly sequential values. The apparatus for distortion detection of a scanned image comprises a value generator generating two values respectively representative of two scanning positions for the image, and a comparing unit for comparing the two values to determine there is a line-drop situation when the two values obtained in a sequential order are not predeterminedly sequential values.

Abstract: An image is optically scanned by projecting the image onto an optical sensor through an optical shutter. In an exemplary embodiment, the image is projected through the optical shutter while the shutter is made substantially opaque except for a selected substantially transparent group of contiguous pixels. Then, the contents of the document are scanned by advancing this group of pixels across the shutter in a predetermined pattern. The shutter, for example, may comprise an LCD screen. To scan a document, the document is first placed against the shutter. As a light source directs light through the document and the shutter, the shutter is made substantially opaque except for a selected substantially transparent group of contiguous pixels. Then, the contents of the document are scanned by advancing this group of pixels across the shutter in a predetermined pattern. The document may be placed against either side of the shutter--near the light source or near the optical sensor.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a line sensor for reading an image of a document sheet, an A/D converter for converting image data from the line sensor to multi-level image data, a binarization comparator for converting the multi-level image data from the A/D converter to bi-level image data and an image processing IC for selectively outputting the multi-level image data from the A/D converter and the bi-level image data from the binarization comparator. The number of read pixels in the multi-level image data output mode is set to be smaller than the number of read pixels in the bi-level image data output mode.

Abstract: An image processing device is provided with a scanning means which performs subscanning by a pitch corresponding to a width covering a number of pixels less than the number of detectable pixels by a one dimensional image sensor by two or more pixels so as to overlap two or more line pixels. An edge emphasizing means performs an edge emphasis processing for the pixels from the second pixel to the second last pixel according to the image data obtained in response to the scanning by the scanning means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for predicting a subjective quality rating associated with a reference image compressed at a given level. My apparatus includes components for, and my method includes steps of, storing a digitized color image representing a reference image in memory and compressing at a given level and decompressing the reference image to produce a processed image. My apparatus and method also entail converting the reference image and the processed image each to a grayscale image and dividing each grayscale image into an array of blocks. My apparatus and method further entail generating a first intensity variance array corresponding to the array of blocks of the grayscale reference image and a second intensity variance array corresponding to the array of blocks of the grayscale processed image.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which has a reader for optically reading image data of an object and for converting the image data to an electrical signal, an extractor for extracting a useful part, corresponding to actual image data, from the electrical signal, a controller for changing the useful part to be extracted by the extractor, and a shifting member for shifting the relative position of the reader with respect to the object.

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 its narrow dimension. 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 its narrow 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.