Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080205765 | Light compression for color images using error diffusion - A light compression method that error diffuses image data provided with luminance and chrominance channels. During error diffusion, a higher number of bits are allocated to the luminance channel. A decompression method for the image data based on sigma filtering is also provided. By manipulating the bits in the luminance and chrominance color spaces, the image output quality may be increased in reconstructed images. | 08-28-2008 |
20080217416 | MAGNETIC WATERMARK FOR TEXT DOCUMENTS - The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for applying magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) technology to enable the embedding of coded information within text characters of a document. | 09-11-2008 |
20080252931 | Image output color management system and method - Disclosed is an image color management system and method for controlling an image output device. The method for controlling the image output device comprises generating an image output device profile LUT (look-up-table) characterizing the color profile of the image output device for a plurality of drift states associated with the image output device; generating a set of basis vectors representing the LUT; storing the set of basis vectors in an image output device controller; and generating an image output device active profile associated with a current drift state of the image output device to convert image color data for display or printing by the image output device, wherein the image output device active profile is generated from the set of basis vectors. | 10-16-2008 |
20080253649 | Image output color management system and method - Disclosed is an image color management system and method for controlling an image output device. The method for controlling the image output device comprises generating an image output device profile LUT (look-up-table) characterizing the color profile of the image output device for a plurality of drift states associated with the image output device; generating a set of augmented basis vectors representing the LUT, L*a*b* values and multiple GCR/UCRs; storing the set of basis vectors in an image output device controller; and generating an image output device active profile associated with a current drift state of the image output device to convert image color data for display or printing by the image output device, wherein the image output device active profile is generated from the set of basis vectors. | 10-16-2008 |
20080279474 | Punched hole detection and removal - A method for removal of punched hole artifacts in digital images includes, for a scanned document page, deriving an original digital image that defines the page in terms of a plurality of input pixels. A reduced resolution bitonal image is generated from the original image. The method further includes providing for identifying of candidate punched hole artifacts in the reduced resolution bitonal image and providing for testing the candidate punched hole artifacts for at least one of shape, size, and location. Where a candidate punched hole artifact meets the at least one test, the method includes generating a modified image. This includes erasing the candidate punched hole artifact from the original digital image. | 11-13-2008 |
20080292129 | EMBEDDING INFORMATION IN DOCUMENT BLANK SPACE - A method for embedding information in a document includes encoding information as a plurality of data carrying dot patterns. For each of a plurality of blocks of a document page to be rendered, the method includes determining whether the block is blank. Each of the plurality of data carrying dot patterns is embedded in a respective one of the blank blocks. The document with the embedded data carrying dot patterns is rendered. | 11-27-2008 |
20080296885 | FONT PRINTING SYSTEM HAVING EMBEDDED SECURITY INFORMATION COMPRISING VARIABLE DATA PERIODIC LINE PATTERNS - A method and system is provided for providing a variable data guilloché shaped pattern comprised of variable data differential line pattern fonts comprising decodable template symbols which are capable of being selectively assembled into a predetermined variable data code. The code representations are embedded in the guilloché pattern amongst a plurality of unvaried standard base patterns. The representation can be decoded with a digital scan capable of identifying the embedded patterns and communicated it to a user for verifying a document containing the code. | 12-04-2008 |
20080297852 | VARIABLE DATA PERIODIC LINE PATTERNS FOR COMPOSING A FONT SYSTEM - A method and system is provided for generating a variable data differential line pattern font comprising forming a periodic line pattern suitable for tessellation disposition within a printed document and selectively distorting a portion of the periodic line pattern in a predetermined manner wherein the distorting comprises generating a distinguishable font corresponding to the distorting. A plurality of different distinguishable fonts are formed by a corresponding plurality of distorted line patterns, respectively. | 12-04-2008 |
20090080041 | MULTIPLE DIMENSIONAL COLOR CONVERSION TO MINIMIZE INTERPOLATION ERROR - Linear transformations of L*a*b* color space are provided to minimize interpolation errors when performing multi-dimensional color space conversions involving lookup tables. Methods are provided for linear transformations (e.g., rotation and shear) to substantially fir the sampling grid to a given printer gamut. | 03-26-2009 |
20090148042 | TEXT REPRESENTATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A text-like data representation technique and a text-like data representation apparatus are disclosed that my acquire image data from a scanned image; segment text regions from the image data; further extract each connected component in the text regions; form clusters based on the connected components; group each connected component in the text regions into one of the clusters with similar or identical characters; generate a high-resolution representative for each cluster; generate a vector representation for each high-resolution representative; and code the text as text data by associating each connected component with its vectorized high-resolution representative, and location in the document. | 06-11-2009 |
20090161183 | OPTIMAL NODE PLACEMENT FOR MULTI-DIMENSIONAL PROFILE LUTS FOR ARBITRARY MEDIA AND HALFTONES USING PARAMETERIZED MINIMIZATION - A method and system for optimal node placement of a color correction table first generate a high resolution color correction table. A low resolution color correction table is generated. Each node of the low resolution color correction table has a corresponding color correction value generated by interpolating the color correction values of the high resolution color correction table. A reconstructed color correction table is generated, and each of the nodes of the reconstructed color correction table has a corresponding color correction value generated by interpolating the color correction values of the low resolution color correction table using an interpolation method identical to an output device interpolation method. Differences between the color correction values of the reconstructed and the high resolution color correction table are quantified into a measure of error, and the node locations of the low resolution color correction table are adjusted, and the procedure is repeated. | 06-25-2009 |
20090214113 | Removing Ringing and Blocking Artifacts from JPEG Compressed Document Images - A method of removing ringing and blocking artifacts from a decompressed digital image. In one method, a background value of the digital image a background region and foreground regions is determined, and a threshold value is computed. A mapping of the digital image is then generated by thresholding the digital image based on the threshold value to produce a thresholded image, and enlarging the foreground regions of the thresholded image to form a map image. The mapping includes the background pixels of the map image. The background region of the decompressed digital image is then cleansed based on the mapping. In an alternate method, ringing artifacts are removed from a decompressed digital image based on a signal-to-noise ratio of the image. In yet another alternate embodiment, ringing artifacts are from a decompressed digital color image that includes a chrominance channel and a luminance channel. An alternate embodiment removes ringing and blocking artifacts. | 08-27-2009 |
20090262402 | SHOW-THROUGH REDUCTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A show-through reduction method is disclosed. The method is designed to deal with both light and severe show-through. The method focuses mostly on text documents, with characters possibly appearing in multiple gray levels, although the method can also be extended to color documents. As in the prior art, the front and back pages are processed in pairs. However, no perfect page alignment is assumed here, since we are dealing with real images. Instead, a front and back registration is performed as the first step before the pages are further analyzed. In this method, we are aligning the front page content with its show-through appearing in the back side, and the back page content with its show-through appearing in the front side. Once the two sides are aligned, masks are generated for both sides to differentiate severe show-through and light color content regions. Finally, different TRCs are applied to different regions. The show-through is reduced and the page contents are retained. | 10-22-2009 |
20090274392 | PAGE ORIENTATION DETECTION BASED ON SELECTIVE CHARACTER RECOGNITION - A system and method for character recognition with document orientation determination is shown. The method is a detection of simple page orientation based on a limited version of character recognition. The method includes binairizing an input image which has a plurality of alphanumeric characters with a first orientation. The method continues with extracting the connected components and determining a second orientation where the second orientation is based on a 90° turn clockwise or counterclockwise or, in the alternative, no turn from the first orientation. The second orientation will result in a 180° variance from the proper orientation or it will be the proper orientation. The method continues with implementing a limited version of optical character recognition for an analysis of a character and determining if that second orientation is upside down, based at least in part on the analysis. This method generally uses the character “i” for analysis. However, for documents that have a limited number of “i”s, e.g. such as Russian documents or documents with all capital letters, the “T” may also be used. | 11-05-2009 |
20090296107 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS TO RETRIEVE GCRS FROM HISTORICAL DATABASE - This disclosure provides methods, apparatus and systems for generating a profile for a printing device. Specifically, the profile is generated by selecting a GCR profile from a plurality of GCR profiles and mapping a plurality of nodes to a device dependent color space as a function of the selected GCR profiles. | 12-03-2009 |
20100021069 | PDF DE-CHUNKING AND OBJECT CLASSIFICATION - Systems and methods are described that facilitate identifying objects in a document (e.g., a PDF document) for automatic image enhancement (AIE). A PDF document is “chunked” or segmented into chunks, and boundaries between chunks are identified as real or imaginary. Chunks sharing imaginary boundaries are combined, while real boundaries are retained, to generate “de-chunked” objects. These objects are then classified, and an AIE application is executed on objects meeting pre-specified classification criteria. In this manner, objects of r which AIE is not desired are not subjected to the AIE application, thereby saving time and processing resources associated with enhancing the document. | 01-28-2010 |
20100033765 | DOCUMENT TYPE CLASSIFICATION FOR SCANNED BITMAPS - Systems and methods are described that facilitate determining an original document format for a scanned document by analyzing a bitmap thereof. Text objects are extracted from the document, binarized, and segmented to identify text. Page orientation and text size are used to distinguish between a slideshow-type document, and a word processing or spreadsheet-type document. To further distinguish between the word processing and spreadsheet types, text column structure and count is analyzed. | 02-11-2010 |
20100103465 | COLOR PIXEL ERROR DIFFUSION IN A CMYK INPUT COLOR SPACE - What is disclosed is a system and method for diffusing pixel error in a halftoning process in a color management system. The present method divides a modified CMYK input into a real and imaginary portions. The real portion is the coverage achieved by a physically realizable positive dot. The imaginary portion comprises a an imaginary negative dot and an imaginary excess dot. Each of these dots are processed separately, on a per-pixel basis, in a novel CMYK to CMYKKpRGB conversion discussed in detail herein. Hierarchical thresholding is preformed on the conversion output to produce a high-quality halftone result. A cumulative pixel error sum is derived therefrom and combined with the input CMYK coverages of a next pixel. All pixels are processed. The halftone output generated hereby has the pixel error compensated. Other embodiments are provided. | 04-29-2010 |
20100123912 | PANTOGRAPH METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS BASED ON UCR/GCR - The disclosure provides pantograph methods, apparatus and systems. Specifically disclosed is a method of rendering a pantograph including defining a foreground region associated with a pantograph, defining a background region associated with the pantograph, and applying a first UCR/GCR strategy to the background region and a second UCR/GCR strategy to the foreground region, whereby the foreground region is less discernable after the pantograph is rendered with a printing device relative to a reproduction of the rendered pantograph. | 05-20-2010 |
20100128290 | EMBEDDING INFORMATION IN DOCUMENT BLANK BORDER SPACE - A method for embedding coded information in a document border includes encoding information as a plurality of data carrying dot pair patterns where each dot is too small to be visually noticeable. For each page of a document to be rendered, the method includes determining whether the border area is blank. If found not blank the border area is cleared. Each of the plurality of data carrying dot patterns is embedded in the blank border area of the document page. The document page with the embedded data carrying dot patterns is then rendered, where each data carrying dot is too small to be visually noticeable. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128299 | PREVENTION OF UNAUTHORIZED COPYING OR SCANNING - A method for embedding “no-scan” or “no-copy” information in a document border includes encoding information as a plurality of data carrying dot pair patterns. For each page of a document to be rendered, the method includes determining whether the border area is blank. If found not blank the border area is cleared. Each of the plurality of data carrying dot patterns is embedded in the blank border area of the document page. The document page with the embedded data carrying dot patterns is then rendered, where each data carrying dot is too small to be visually noticeable. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128320 | PROTECTING PRINTED ITEMS INTENDED FOR PUBLIC EXCHANGE WITH INFORMATION EMBEDDED IN BLANK DOCUMENT BORDERS - A method for embedding coded information in a coupon with a face value denomination includes encoding that face value denomination value as a plurality of data carrying dot pair patterns where each dot is too small to be visually noticeable. For each page of a document to be rendered, the method includes determining whether the border area is blank. If found not blank the border area is cleared. Each of the plurality of data carrying dot patterns is embedded in the blank border area of the document page. The document page with the embedded data carrying dot patterns is then rendered, where each data carrying dot is too small to be visually noticeable. | 05-27-2010 |
20100150445 | TEXT VECTORIZATION USING OCR AND STROKE STRUCTURE MODELING - Systems and methods are described that facilitate dominant point detection for text in a scanned document. The dominant points are classified as “major” (e.g., structural) and “minor” (e.g., serif). A set of rules or parameters for each character is determined off-line. During the text vectorization, OCR is performed and the rules (parameters) associated with the recognized character are selected. Both major and minor dominant points are detected as a maximization process with the parameter set. For minor dominant points, additional processes are optionally employed. | 06-17-2010 |
20100150460 | OCR-GUIDED TEXT TOKENIZATION OF DIGITAL IMAGES - An image processing method in which OCR is used to guide the text tokenization. More particularly, OCR is first performed on each symbol in the scanned image. For example, a symbol may be a number, letter, or other character. During the tokenization process, the OCR results are used to select appropriate matching criteria for each symbol. The symbols that are recognized as different characters are not allowed to be clustered into the same group. The symbols with the same OCR results are clustered according to the recognition confidence levels. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153581 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING NETWORK TRANSMISSION OF RENDERED DOCUMENTS - A method and system for optimizing network transmission of print documents to a rendering device. A document for rendering (e.g., print job) can be received and metadata related to the document analyzed simultaneously. The metadata can then be compared to a number of locally saved files and the document containing matching metadata can be rendered directly from a local storage device, thereby reducing network traffic. Otherwise, the document can be transferred over a network to the rendering device. A record of a number of times the document is being requested for rendering can be tracked by the rendering device in order to retain the document for an extended period of time. | 06-17-2010 |
20100156919 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TEXT-BASED PERSONALIZATION OF IMAGES - As set forth herein, a computer-implemented method is employed to place personalized text into an image. A location and region within the image is determined where the text is to be placed. The 3D geometry of the surface is estimated proximate to the location where the text is to be placed. A personalized text string is received. The personalized text string is incorporated into the image to appear as if it is rendered onto the surface or object according to the estimated 3D geometry. | 06-24-2010 |
20100156940 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING TRANSFORMATION MATRICES TO PROCESS RASTERIZED IMAGE DATA - A method and system render rasterized data by receiving non-rasterized page description language data and a corresponding transformation matrix representing transformation operations to be performed. The non-rasterized page description language data is rasterizing to create rasterized data. The corresponding transformation matrix is decomposed into a plurality of individual transformation operation matrices and a discrete transformation operation value, from a corresponding individual transformation operation matrix, is generated for each transformation operation to be performed upon the rasterized data. The transformation operations are performed upon the rasterized data based upon the generated discrete transformation operation values. | 06-24-2010 |
20100188710 | FONT-INPUT BASED RECOGNITION ENGINE FOR PATTERN FONTS - As set forth herein, a computer implemented method is used to encode and decode a user-individualized font. A variable alphabet is created and a document is created using this variable alphabet to encode machine readable information. The variable alphabet is communicated to a generalized recognition engine via a predefined font mechanism. The alphabet representation is used to modify the recognition engine, by at least changing one or more template definitions. | 07-29-2010 |
20100195141 | PRINT JOB SCHEDULING - A printing system capable of concurrently processing and scheduling a plurality of job streams and including at least one marking engine and multiple print media destination is controlled by a controller that includes a jobs scheduler for determining a schedule for processing queued print jobs using the plurality of concurrent job streams. The job scheduler determines the schedule using a method including: determining a utility function dependent at least upon user preference delay criteria, and the schedule of the queued print jobs; and optimizing the utility function respective to the schedule of queued print jobs. | 08-05-2010 |
20100201711 | RESIZING A DIGITAL DOCUMENT IMAGE VIA BACKGROUND CONTENT REMOVAL - What is disclosed is a system and method for performing a background deletion that exploits both local and global context to remove background and other white space between objects with the aim of retaining structural relationships between objects in the document. A document image is received and seams are carved through the image. Seams composed of uniform background pixels are identified. Adjacent seams containing background pixels are collected into groups of seams. The background seam groups are classified according to their widths. A target number of seams to be removed for each background seam group is then determined based on the classification. Seam groups which are wider will have at least the same or a greater target number of seams to be deleted therefrom than will seam groups of narrower widths. The document image is then resized by deleting seams from the seam groups based on the assigned target number. | 08-12-2010 |
20100208290 | DELETION OF UNWANTED REPLY MESSAGES IN E-MAIL PRINTING - Methods and systems receive an instruction to print an accumulation e-mail message through a graphic user interface of a computerized device. The accumulation e-mail comprises an original e-mail message and one or more reply e-mail messages made to the original e-mail message. The methods and systems automatically identify boundaries between the e-mail messages within the accumulation e-mail using the computerized device; automatically truncate the original e-mail message and one or more of the reply e-mail messages from the accumulation e-mail message to create a modified accumulation e-mail message using the computerized device; and automatically print the modified accumulation e-mail message using a printing device. | 08-19-2010 |
20100214616 | UNDERCOLOR REMOVAL GRAY COLOR REPLACEMENT WITH IMPROVED DEVICE COLOR LINEARITY - A system and methods for performing UCR/GCR (Undercolor Removal/Gray Color Replacement) in a digital printer is provided. The system and method includes maximizing the linearity of a color mapping function mapping a device independent color to a device dependent color through linear filtering and performing color projection to ensure color accuracy. The system and methods reduces graininess of printed color images having flesh-tones by also including a K reduction step. | 08-26-2010 |
20100298971 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING SHEETS OF MEDIA FROM A MEDIA STACK IN AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for feeding sheets of media from a media stack in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include fluffing a stack of media with a predetermined amount of air flow, sensing a number of fluffed media sheets in the media stack, determining if the number of fluffed media sheets equals or exceeds a predetermined value, wherein if it is determined that the number of fluffed media sheets equals or exceeds the predetermined value, feeding the fluffed media sheets to an image production section of the image production device. | 11-25-2010 |
20110007334 | BETWEEN-SEGMENT DISCONTINUITY REDUCTION FOR TEXT VECTORIZATION USING DOMINANT POINT CLASSIFICATION - What is disclosed is a novel system and method for text vectorization for bitmap images with reduced artificial discontinuities. Dominant points are identified in a bitmap character image. An initial curve is fitted to edge points of the character image in a vicinity of a selected dominant point. A set of boundary parameters in a vicinity of the selected dominant point are estimated based upon the initial curve. The selected dominant point is then classified as one of a sharp dominant point and a smooth dominant point based upon the boundary parameters or alternatively upon predefined classifications produced by an optical character recognition process. Curves are fitted between the selected dominant point and adjacent dominant points. The fitted curves maintain the estimated boundary parameters in the vicinity of smooth dominant points. A vectorized representation of the text character image based upon the fitted curves is produced as output. | 01-13-2011 |
20110026059 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING MEDIA THICKNESS IN A FEEDER SECTION OF AN IMAGE PRODUCTION DEVICE - A method and apparatus for determining media thickness in a feeder section of an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving one or more multi-dimensional images of a media stack from an imaging device, the media stack including one or more media clips that each contain a plurality of media sheets, deriving a multi-dimensional feature signal from the received one or more multi-dimensional images, converting the derived multi-dimensional feature signal to a one-dimensional feature signal, estimating media clip thickness using the one-dimensional signal, estimating media sheet thickness using the estimated media clip thickness, and adjusting at least one image production device parameter based on the estimated media sheet thickness. | 02-03-2011 |
20110047505 | OBJECT BASED ADAPTIVE DOCUMENT RESIZING - What is disclosed is a resizing method that utilizes segmentation information to classify objects found within a document and then selects the most appropriate resizing technique for each identified object. The present method employs readily available document parsers to reliably extract objects. e.g. text, background, images, graphics, etc., which compose the document. Information obtained from a document parser is utilized to identify the document components for classification. The extracted objects are then classified according to their object type. Each of classified objects are then resized using a resizing technique having been pre-selected for the object type based on their respective abilities to resize certain types of document content over other resizing techniques. The present method advantageously extends smart or content-based scaling and is especially useful for N-up or variable-information printing. The present method finds its intended uses in enhancing N-up and handout options currently provided in a variety of print-drivers. | 02-24-2011 |
20110102848 | MEMORY EFFICIENT HIERARCHICAL ERROR DIFFUSION WITH COLOR CONSISTENCY CONSTRAINTS - A halftoning process for printing digital images includes: receiving CMYK input pixel data that define an input pixel of an input digital image in terms of continuous tone input data values for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors, wherein I(C), I(M), I(Y), I(K) respectively correspond to the continuous tone input data value for the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors; converting the CMYK input pixel data to modified CMYKRGB* pixel data that define the input pixel in terms of error-adjusted continuous tone data values for the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors, and also in terms of red, green and blue colors, wherein I*(C), I*(M), I*(Y), I*(K), I*(R), I*(G), I*(B) respectively correspond to the error-adjusted converted continuous tone input data values for the cyan, magenta, yellow, black, red, green, blue colors; quantizing the modified CMYKRGB* pixel data to derive intermediate output CMYKRGB pixel data in which the cyan, magenta, yellow, black, red, green, and blue colors are each defined by either a first quantized value that represents no color or a second quantized pixel value that represents full color, wherein O′(C), O′(M), O′(Y), O′(K), O′(R), O′(G), O′(B) respectively define said intermediate output pixel data for the cyan, magenta, yellow, black, red, green, and blue colors, and wherein the intermediate output CMYKRGB pixel data define an output pixel that corresponds to the input pixel; converting the intermediate output CMYKRGB pixel data to CMYK output data in which the output pixel is defined in terms of CMYK output values O(C), O(M), O(Y), O(K) respectively for the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors, wherein each of the CMYK output values is defined by either a first output value representing no color or a second output value representing full color. | 05-05-2011 |
20110109918 | CONTROLLING PLACEMENT AND MINIMIZING DISTORTION OF IMAGES IN AN IMAGING DEVICE - What is disclosed is a novel system and method to control an imaging device. A first collection of a plurality of two-dimensional image points in a first vector space for a source image and a second collection of a plurality of two-dimensional image points in a second vector space for a target image are received. The first collection of two-dimensional image points and the second collection of two-dimensional image points are converted into a homogenous form to apply affine matrix transformations. A matrix transformation is solved to map the first collection of the plurality of two-dimensional image points to the second collection of the plurality of two-dimensional image points. The matrix transformation is used to adjust distortion of the target image in an imaging device. | 05-12-2011 |
20110113323 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO RESIZE DOCUMENT CONTENT - A system resizes content within a document that includes a document segmenter that receives a document that contains content. The document segmenter analyzes the content within the document and segments the content into a plurality of object types. An object priority applicator determines a class value associated with each object type. A location scaler identifies a datum point for each object type within the document, wherein each datum point maintains a relative location to one another regardless of document resizing. An object sizing component resizes each object based at least in part upon the class value. | 05-12-2011 |
20110141530 | Embedding information using modulated periodic line patterns - A method and system is provided providing a variable data guilloché pattern comprised of variable data differential line pattern fonts comprising decodable template symbols which are capable of being selectively assembled into a predetermined variable data code. The differential line pattern fonts are further spatially modulated for imposition of a second data channel on a printed document. The representation can be decoded with a digital scanner capable of identifying the embedded patterns and spatially modulated transform function and communicate it to a user for verifying a document containing the code. | 06-16-2011 |
20110205569 | GLYPH-LOOKING ALPHABET FOR VIPP / SPECIALTY IMAGING FONTS - A method of defining a glyph font character representing an input binary code includes defining a first portion of a matrix using an input binary code including a plurality of input bits. A second portion of the matrix is defined by performing a transformation on the input binary code so that the second portion of the matrix includes a plurality of transformed bits. A glyph character is derived that corresponds to the matrix. The glyph character is defined by a plurality of components corresponding in location to said bits of said matrix, wherein the components of the glyph character comprise a first component (e.g. a forward slash /) that corresponds to and represents a “1” bit of the matrix and second component (e.g., a backslash \) that corresponds to and represents a “0” bit of the matrix. The transformation operation includes a NOT operation or other logic operation, and includes a shift operation. The transformation can be repeated to derive additional portions of the matrix by transforming the group of bits of the preceding matrix portion. The glyph characters corresponding to alphabet characters are each defined as a bitmap and are saved as Postscript Type 3 font. | 08-25-2011 |
20110242610 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH ELECTRONIC BOOK READER MODE - An image processing system such as a multi-function device (MFD) with an “e-reader” mode is disclosed. The e-reader mode can be activated by a user from the MFD user interface, or automatically detected by the system if the mode is set to “auto.” Once in e-reader mode, the system automatically locates the area corresponding to the e-reader screen, crops it, de-skews it when necessary, and enhances the image. In addition, N-Up (printing several pages of content on one physical page) may be applied if users desire. The enhancement adjusts background color, boosts the contrast, and de-blurs the image when necessary. Two embodiments of enhancement are presented. The first one performs Tone Reproduction Curve (TRC) adjustment and possible de-blurring on the entire screen area. The second one segments the screen area into three kinds of objects (text/picture/background). Different TRCs are applied to enhance the objects. | 10-06-2011 |
20110267629 | COLOR LOOKUP TABLE GENERATION WHICH MINIMIZES INTERPOLATION ERRORS OVER THE ENTIRE COLOR SPACE OF A COLOR GAMUT - What is disclosed is a novel system and method for generating a color lookup table (LUT) that minimizes interpolation errors over the entire color space, including the off-grid colors. The present method for LUT optimization considers off-grid point errors in assigning entries to the LUT. As described herein further, grid point values are computed that provide a least mean square error solution for the entire printer gamut volume. The present method dramatically reduces errors near the gamut boundary and can be used for populating nodes of any LUT that will be linearly interpolated, not only a table mapping from L*a*b* to CMYK. | 11-03-2011 |
20110298203 | DOCUMENT AUTHENTICATION ENHANCEMENT PROCESSES - Disclosed are anti-counterfeiting methods which use a fiduciary marker encoded with the location of a hidden security feature. Documents produced by the methods, and methods for verifying authenticity of documents produced by the methods, are also disclosed. | 12-08-2011 |
20120024953 | DETECTION OF SECURITY MARKS SIMULATING NATURAL DEFECTS FOR EMBEDDING INFORMATION IN DOCUMENTS - A system for generating a security mark includes a data reception component that receives information. A security mark generation component in communication with the data reception component generates at least one security mark configuration based at least in part upon the received information. The at least one security mark configuration includes at least one simulation mark which resembles a natural feature. An application component applies one configuration of the at least one security mark configurations to a recipient. The applied security mark configuration obeys at least one rule whereby the security mark is distinguishable from the natural feature which it resembles by a system for detection of security marks. | 02-02-2012 |
20120032968 | COMPONENT SPECIFIC IMAGE MODIFICATION USING NATURAL LANGUAGE COLOR - Embodiments described herein include a component specific natural language color unit for modifying colors of image components in an image using component specific natural language commands. The CSNLC unit can receive a component specific natural language color command for a color modification of an input image. The component specific natural language color command can include a component identifier and a color modifier. The natural language command can be parsed to attribute the component identifier to an image component in the input image and to attribute the color modifier to a predefined color space associated with the image component. The color modifier can indicate the color modification to be performed. The color modification can be applied to the image component to adjust the color of the image component. | 02-09-2012 |
20120105918 | AUGMENTING PAGE ORIENTATION DIRECTION DETECTION IN A DIGITAL DOCUMENT PROCESSING ENVIRONMENT - What is disclosed is a novel system and method for augmenting present methods used for determining the orientation direction automatically being detected of digital pages of a plurality of scanned documents in a digital document processing environment. The present method takes advantage of the observation that pages scanned in data processing centers are often highly correlated. The present method contains five primary steps. 1) Page orientation (i.e., up/down) is detected using a traditional method. 2) Each page is classified as either directional or non-directional. 3) The pages classified as directional are clustered into groups. 4) The direction for each group is determined. 5) The directional group's direction is used to revise the orientation for pages contained in the group. Through the implementation of the teachings hereof, performance, in terms of both speed and accuracy, are very high relative to current methods and detection error rates can be reduced significantly. | 05-03-2012 |
20120106781 | SIGNATURE BASED DRIVE-THROUGH ORDER TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for providing signature-based drive-through order tracking. An image with respect to a vehicle at a POS unit can be captured at an order point and a delivery point (e.g., a payment point and a pick-up point) utilizing an image capturing unit by detecting the presence of the vehicle at each point utilizing a vehicle presence sensor. The captured image can be processed in order to extract a small region of interest and can be reduced to a unique signature. The extracted signature of the vehicle at the order point can be stored into a database together with the corresponding order and the vehicle image. The signature extracted at the delivery point can be matched with the signature stored in the database. If a match is found, the order associated with the vehicle together with the images captured at the delivery point and the order point can be displayed in a user interface at the delivery point to ensure that the right order is delivered to a customer. | 05-03-2012 |
20120140252 | Guilloche mark generation - A method and system for creating guilloché base pattern with two-dimensional periodicity in a plurality of replicate patterns is shown wherein the creating can be assessed in real-time for pattern acceptability by a user. A base pattern is set on an imaging device in vector space relative to a set of predetermined pattern nodes. The base pattern is modulated via a user interface by adjusting positions of the pattern known for selectively controlling curve shapes of the pattern. A guilloché mark is illustrated by display on the imaging device of the adjusted base pattern and a compilation of associated replicate patterns for user assessment of the mark. | 06-07-2012 |
20120146991 | RENDERING PERSONALIZED TEXT ON CURVED IMAGE SURFACES - As set forth herein, a computer-implemented method facilitates replacing text on cylindrical or curved surfaces in images. For instance, the user is first asked to perform a multi-click selection of a polygon to bound the text. A triangulation scheme is carried out to identify the pixels. Segmentation and erasing algorithms are then applied. The ellipses are estimated accurately through constrained least squares fitting. A 3D framework for rendering the text, including the central projection pinhole camera model and specification of the cylindrical object, is generated. These parameters are jointly estimated from the fitted ellipses as well as the two vertical edges of the cylinder. The personalized text is wrapped around the cylinder and subsequently rendered. | 06-14-2012 |
20120147194 | DETERMINING A TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN AN IR IMAGE OBTAINED VIA AN IR IMAGING SYSTEM - What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining the number of persons in an IR image obtained using an IR imaging system. The present method separates a human from the surrounding background via a set of particularly formed intensity ratios. Quantities derived from these ratios and threshold values are used to selectively classify whether a pixel in the IR image is from a human or from a non-human. Based upon the classification of the various pixels in the IR image, the number of persons is determined. Various embodiments are disclosed. | 06-14-2012 |
20120189190 | AUTOMATIC DETECTION AND GROUPING OF STRAIGHT LINES IN IMAGES FOR PERSONALIZATION - As set forth herein, a computer-implemented method is employed to place personalized text into an image. A location within the image is selected where the text is to be placed, and region is grown around the selected location. The 3D geometry of the surface is estimated proximate to the location and sets of parallel straight lines in the image are identified and selected to define a bounding polygon into which text may be inserted. Optionally, a user is permitted to adjust the bounding polygon once it has been automatically generated. | 07-26-2012 |
20120262577 | DETERMINING A NUMBER OF OBJECTS IN AN IR IMAGE - What is disclosed is a novel system and method for determining the number of objects in an IR image obtained using an IR imaging system. In one embodiment, a total of N intensity values are collected for each pixel in an IR image using a IR imaging system comprising an IR detection device and an IR Illuminator. Intensity values are retrieved from a database which have been estimated for a plurality of known materials, such as skin and hair. A classification is determined for each pixel in the IR image using either a best fitting method of a reflectance, or a correlation method. Upon classification, a total number of objects in the IR image can be determined. The present system and method finds its intended uses in of real world applications such as, determining the number of occupants in a vehicle traveling in a HOV/HOT lane. | 10-18-2012 |
20120263352 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VERIFYING AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION RESULTS - Methods and systems for verifying automatic license plate recognition results providing an input image of a license plate to a processing system that extracts bitmap data from the provided input image and determines a particular license template image associated with the license plate input image. The processing system segments the input image bitmap data into text region bitmap data and outer region bitmap data and then matches the input image text region bitmap data and input image outer region bitmap data against text region bitmap data and outer region bitmap data, respectively, of the license plate image template to determine if there is a match between the license plate of the input image and the template license plate. | 10-18-2012 |
20120269398 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING A LICENSE PLATE - A license plate localization method and system based on a combination of a top-down texture analysis and a bottom-up connected component. An image with respect to a vehicle captured by an image capturing unit can be processed in order to locate and binarize a busy area. A black run with respect to the binarized image can be analyzed and classified and one or more objects (connected components) can be generated based on the black run classification. The objects can be further classified in accordance with their size utilizing a run-length based filter to filter out a non-text object. The leftover objects can then be spatially clustered and the uniformity and linearity of the clustered objects can be examined based on a linearity test. The clustered objects can be rejected if they fail the linearity test and the detected objects can further be matched with a plate edge characteristic in order to locate a license plate. | 10-25-2012 |
20120269433 | UNAUTHORIZED TEXT ALTERATION PREVENTION WITH CONTOUR FOLLOWING BACKGROUND PATTERNS - Described herein is a level I (overt) feature for security printing intended to deter unauthorized modification of text documents. The exemplary method includes generating a textured background that follows the contour of the text it surrounds and is difficult to modify. The background patterns may be generated with a two-step procedure that first creates a smooth function and then modulates it to produce patterns with sharp contrast. Tampering will be deterred as visible artifacts will be created when text is altered. Compared to the levels II and III features, the exemplary method relies on human vision for detection and does not require any special tools and instruments. It can be used in applications where fast, simple and inexpensive inspection is essential, or combined with other technologies for enhancing overall effectiveness. | 10-25-2012 |
20120293842 | DIRECTIONAL HALFTONE METHOD WITH ENHANCED EDGE AND DETAIL RENDITION - As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate halftoning by adapting 2 | 11-22-2012 |
20130010336 | VERSATILE MOIRE-FREE HALFTONE GEOMETRY THAT USES FREQUENCY VECTOR SHEARING - As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate the generation of halftone screens for moiré-free color halftoning. A first fundamental frequency vector and a second fundamental frequency vector of a halftone cell are sheared using a selected shearing value. The shearing value is selected as an offset in a fast scanning or slow scanning direction. The selected shearing value satisfies various moiré-free conditions associated with the identified frequency vectors and is capable of being selected for multiple halftone screens. The halftone screens generated using the sheared frequency vectors are used for moiré-free halftoning. | 01-10-2013 |
20130044219 | AUTOMATED PROCESSING METHOD FOR BUS CROSSING ENFORCEMENT - As set forth herein, systems and methods are described that facilitate to analyze a video stream from a camera mounted on the side of a school bus, wherein a sub-set of video sequences showing cars illegally passing the stopped school bus are automatically identified through image and/or video processing. The described systems and methods provide a significant savings in terms of the amount of manual review that is required to identify such violations. The video sequences also can be analyzed further to additionally produce images of the license plate (for identification of the violator), thereby providing further reduction in required human processing and review time. In one embodiment, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) is employed to identify text on the violator's license plate, as well as the state by which the license plate was issued, without requiring human review of the license plate image. | 02-21-2013 |
20130051625 | FRONT SEAT VEHICLE OCCUPANCY DETECTION VIA SEAT PATTERN RECOGNITION - What is disclosed is a system and method for determining whether a front seat in a motor vehicle is occupied based on seat pattern recognition. The present invention takes advantage of the observation that an unoccupied seat of a motor vehicle exhibits features which are distinguishable from an occupied seat. An unoccupied motor vehicle seat typically features long contiguous horizontal line segments and curve segments, and substantially uniform areas encompassed by these segments which are not present in an occupied seat. The present method provides a long horizontal edge test which uses location information within a defined window of the image, edge linking, softness of the edge, number of lines, line/curve fitting, and other techniques to locate horizontal edges in the image which define a seat, and a uniformity step which determines whether the area bounded by the horizontal edges is relatively uniform indicating an unoccupied seat. | 02-28-2013 |
20130114092 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGING DEVICE CHARACTERIZATION INCLUDING LOOK-UP TABLE CONSTRUCTION VIA TENSOR DECOMPOSITION - A method and apparatus for characterizing the performance of a printing device comprising printing a target set of patches with the device and measuring the printing device response with the printed target set; compiling a LUT from the printed target set and measured response; and representing the LUT as a tensor. According to one exemplary embodiment, tensor decomposition/parallel factor analysis is employed for compacting the tensor representation of the LUT. | 05-09-2013 |
20130140354 | DUAL RESOLUTION TWO-DIMENSIONAL BARCODE - A grayscale two-dimensional barcode may be converted to a two-dimensional color barcode. The color barcode includes a set of sub-regions, and the cells in each sub-region exhibits a color pattern that corresponds to pattern of binary, grayscale cells. The two-dimensional color barcode may be decoded by comparing the pattern for each sub-region to a known grayscale pattern. The two-dimensional color barcode may be used for error correction by first decoding the barcode in grayscale form based on the luminance without reference to color, then decoding the barcode based on its color and comparing the results. | 06-06-2013 |
20130140356 | CAMERA POSITIONING TOOL FOR SYMBOLOGY READING - A method and device for receiving an image of a symbology captured by an imaging device, displaying an image of the symbology, displaying a boundary indicator around the symbology, adjusting the image size to correspond with the boundary indicator, decoding the symbology, and initiating an action by device. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141586 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSOCIATING AN ORDER WITH AN OBJECT IN A MULTIPLE LANE ENVIRONMENT - Images with respect to an object at an ordering, payment, and delivery locations can be captured utilizing an image capturing system. Capture can be after detecting the presence of the object at each location utilizing an object presence sensor. The captured image can be processed to associate it with a signature and can also be processed in order to extract a small region of interest (e.g., license plate) and can be reduced to a unique signature. Signature can be stored into a database together with the corresponding order and images. Signatures can be matched. The order associated with the object matched by the system together with at least one of the images captured at the delivery point and the order point can be displayed at a user interface located at the payment/delivery point to ensure that the right order is delivered to the right customer asscoiated with the object. | 06-06-2013 |
20130148168 | VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE WATERMARKING OF PRINTED IMAGES VIA 2ND GENERATION STOCHASTIC SEED FREQUENCY MODULATION - As set forth herein, computer-implemented methods and systems facilitate watermarking documents and/or images using 2 | 06-13-2013 |
20130182946 | METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING AND RATING IMAGES FOR PERSONALIZATION - As set forth herein, a computer-implemented method facilitates pre-analyzing an image and automatically suggesting to the user the most suitable regions within an image for text-based personalization. Image regions that are spatially smooth and regions with existing text (e.g. signage, banners, etc.) are primary candidates for personalization. This gives rise to two sets of corresponding algorithms: one for identifying smooth areas, and one for locating text regions. Smooth regions are found by dividing the image into blocks and applying an iterative combining strategy, and those regions satisfying certain spatial properties (e.g. size, position, shape of the boundary) are retained as promising candidates. In one embodiment, connected component analysis is performed on the image for locating text regions. Finally, based on the smooth and text regions found in the image, several alternative approaches are described herein to derive an overall metric for “suitability for personalization.” | 07-18-2013 |
20130215473 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING MACHINE-READABLE CODES IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER IMAGES SUCH AS LOGOS - A process for creating a barcode with an embedded logo considers a printer gamut and divides the printer gamut into multiple regions. A virtual printer gamut is then generated with the colors in bright and dark regions. A target logo image is generated by mapping the virtual gamut to the original logo image. A logo with embedded barcode is produced using the colors specified in the target logo image. | 08-22-2013 |
20130228629 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMBEDDING MACHINE-READABLE CODES IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER IMAGES SUCH AS LOGOS - A process for embedding a barcode into an image generates an extended barcode that includes a number of copies of the barcode. The extended barcode is embedded into the original image and a textured image is generated. A barcode region is selected that includes a machine-readable copy of the barcode. A transition region is selected that includes a set of pixels that are within a predetermined distance from the barcode region. The textured image is combined with the original image to produce the output image based on the barcode and transition regions. | 09-05-2013 |
20130228630 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMBEDDING MACHINE-READABLE CODES IN A DOCUMENT BACKGROUND - A method and apparatus are disclosed for embedding a two-dimensional machine-readable code into the background of a document in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The objects (picture, graphics, text, etc.) in a document image are first segmented from the background. A location for embedding the barcode is determined. A texture image is created by replicating the barcode to a size that covers the entire image. A modulation index map is generated from the segmentation results. The original image is modulated to produce the output image based on the texture image and the modulation index map. | 09-05-2013 |
20130265419 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AVAILABLE PARKING SPACE ESTIMATION FOR MULTISPACE ON-STREET PARKING - A method for determining parking availability includes receiving video data from a sequence of frames taken from an image capture device that is monitoring a parking area. The method includes determining background and foreground images in an initial frame of the sequence of frames. The method further includes updating the background and foreground images in each of the sequence of frames following the initial frame. The method also includes determining a length of a parking space using the determined background and foreground images. The determining includes computing a pixel distance between a foreground image and one of an adjacent foreground image and an end of the parking area. The determining further includes mapping the pixel distance to an actual distance for estimating the length of the parking space. | 10-10-2013 |
20130265423 | VIDEO-BASED DETECTOR AND NOTIFIER FOR SHORT-TERM PARKING VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT - A method for determining the occurrence of a short-term parking violation includes receiving video data in a sequence of frames provided by an image capture device monitoring a parking area over a duration of time. The method includes determining the presence of a vehicle captured in at least one of the sequence of frames. The method tracks the location of the vehicle across the sequence of frames. The method further determines a spatial location of the vehicle in each frame. The method includes determining spatio-temporal information describing the location of the vehicle as a function of time by associating the spatial location of the vehicle at each frame with the time instant at which the frame was captured. In response to the spatio-temporal information indicating that the vehicle becomes stationary, the method determines a duration that the vehicle is stationary using the determined spatio-temporal information of the vehicle. | 10-10-2013 |
20130265426 | SMARTPHONE AUGMENTED VIDEO-BASED ON-STREET PARKING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method and a system for automating parking payment includes receiving video data in a sequence of frames provided by a video capture device observing a parking area. The method includes detecting a vehicle in the parking area using the video data. The method further includes receiving information of a vehicle in the parking area provided by a user device. The method includes comparing the characteristics of the detected vehicle with the information from the user device. In response to the characteristics of the detected vehicle being a match to the information sent from the user device, the method includes tracking the detected vehicle across the sequence of frames. The method includes computing a duration that the detected vehicle remains stationary using the tracking. The method includes computing an amount for charging the associated user device based on the duration. | 10-10-2013 |
20130266185 | VIDEO-BASED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING EXCLUSION ZONE INFRACTIONS - A method for determining a parking violation includes receiving video data as a sequence of frames provided by a camera. The method includes defining a location of an exclusion zone in the video data. The method includes detecting a vehicle located in the defined exclusion zone. The detecting includes determining a background in an initial frame of the video data and determining a background in a select frame by applying a predetermined updating process. The detecting includes subtracting the background of the select frame from the initial frame to obtain an image difference. The detecting includes classifying the pixels in the image difference as foreground or background pixels and classifying the pixels in the foreground image as vehicle or non-vehicle pixels. The method includes determining a duration that the detected vehicle is in the exclusion zone based on a number of the sequence of frames including the detected vehicle. | 10-10-2013 |
20130266188 | VIDEO-BASED METHOD FOR DETECTING PARKING BOUNDARY VIOLATIONS - A method and a system for determining a parking boundary violation includes receiving video data from a sequence of frames taken from an image capture device monitoring a parking area including at least a single parking space. A boundary is determined for defining at least one parking space in the parking area. A vehicle is detected in the parking area. A determination is made whether the detected vehicle is violating a parking regulation based on a position and size of the vehicle within the boundary. | 10-10-2013 |
20130266190 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STREET-PARKING-VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION THROUGH LICENSE PLATE CAPTURING - A method and a system for identifying a vehicle in a parking area includes receiving video data from a video camera observing a parking area from a first field of view over duration of time and receiving image data from a still camera observing a second field of view overlapping the first field of view. The method includes tracking a location of a vehicle across a sequence of frames. The tracking includes determining a time instant at which each frame was captured. The method includes comparing a select frame captured by the video camera with an image captured by the still camera. Based on the comparing, the method includes matching the vehicle in the image with the vehicle in the frame. The method includes determining a license plate number of the vehicle by locating a license plate on the vehicle in the image. | 10-10-2013 |
20130272579 | ROBUST CROPPING OF LICENSE PLATE IMAGES - A method, system, and computer-usable tangible storage device for robustly cropping and accurately recognizing license plates to account for noise sources and interfering artifacts are disclosed. License plate images and sub-images can be tightly cropped utilizing an image-based classifier and gradient-based cropping. An image-based classifier can identify the location of valid characters within the image. Because of a number of noise sources, such as, for example, residual plate rotation and shear in the characters within the image, the image-based classifier performs a “rough” identification of the image boundaries. An additional processing step utilizing gradient-based cropping is performed to fine-tune the license plate image boundaries. Gradient-based cropping eliminates unwanted border artifacts that could substantially impact the segmentation and license plate character recognition results. | 10-17-2013 |
20130279758 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROBUST TILT ADJUSTMENT AND CROPPING OF LICENSE PLATE IMAGES - Methods, systems and processor-readable media for robust tilt adjustment and cropping of a license plate image. A vehicle image can be captured by an image-capturing unit and converted to a binary image utilizing a binarization approach. A long run within the binary image can then be removed and a morphological filtering can be applied to break an unwanted connection between characters due to a license plate frame and an image noise. A connected component (CC) within the image can be identified and screened based on a number of key metrics to remove a most likely candidate character connected component. A line-fit based iterative search process can then be performed for robust tilt removal and vertical cropping of the license plate image to obtain a tight bounding box on the license plate characters if sufficient candidate characters remain after the search process. Otherwise, the region of interest can be rejected. | 10-24-2013 |
20130286198 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY DETECTING ANOMALIES AT A TRAFFIC INTERSECTION - A method, system and processor-readable medium for automatically detecting anomalies at a traffic intersection. A set of clusters of nominal vehicle paths and a set of clusters of nominal trajectories within the nominal vehicle paths can be derived in an offline process. A set of features within each nominal trajectory among the set of clusters of nominal trajectories can be selected. A probability distribution for features indicative of nominal vehicle behavior within the nominal trajectories can be derived. An input video sequence can be received and presence of the anomaly in the vehicle path, trajectories and features within the input video sequence can be detected utilizing the derived path clusters, trajectory clusters, and feature distributions. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286208 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY DETECTING MULTI-OBJECT ANOMALIES UTILIZING JOINT SPARSE RECONSTRUCTION MODEL - Methods and systems for automatically detecting multi-object anomalies at a traffic intersection utilizing a joint sparse reconstruction model. A first input video sequence at a first traffic location can be received and at least one normal event involving P moving objects (where P is greater than or equal to 1) can be identified in an offline training phase. The normal event in the first input video sequence can be assigned to at least one normal event class and a training dictionary suitable for joint sparse reconstruction can be built in the offline training phase. A second input video sequence captured at a second traffic location similar to the first traffic location can be received and at least one event involving P moving objects can be identified in an online detection phase. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293734 | PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION USING MOBILE DEVICE - A method and apparatus for obtaining an image and providing one or more document files to a user. The method may include capturing an image of a target object using an imaging device of an electronic device, analyzing the image to identify a plurality of features and feature locations on the target object with a processor using an image recognition application, accessing a model database to identify an appliance model having features and feature locations that match the identified features and feature locations from the image, retrieving one or more document files that correspond to the identified model from a file database, and providing the one or more document files to a user. | 11-07-2013 |
20130294643 | TIRE DETECTION FOR ACCURATE VEHICLE SPEED ESTIMATION - In some aspects of the present application, a computer-implemented method for determining the speed of a motor vehicle in a vehicle speed detection system is disclosed. The method can include receiving a plurality of images of a motor vehicle traveling on a road, each of the images being separated in time by a known interval; determining, for each of at least two of the images, a point of contact where a same tire of the vehicle contacts a surface of the road based, in part, on one or more identified features of the vehicle in one or more of the plurality of images; and using the points of contact and the time interval separations to calculate a speed at which the vehicle is traveling on the road. | 11-07-2013 |
20130294652 | License plate character segmentation using likelihood maximization - A method determines a license plate layout configuration. The method includes generating at least one model representing a license plate layout configuration. The generating includes segmenting training images each defining a license plate to extract characters and logos from the training images. The segmenting includes calculating values corresponding to parameters of the license plate and features of the characters and logos. The segmenting includes estimating a likelihood function specified by the features using the values. The likelihood function measures deviations between an observed plate and the model. The method includes storing a layout structure and the distributions for each of the at least one model. The method includes receiving as input an observed image including a plate region. The method includes segmenting the plate region and determining a license plate layout configuration of the observed plate by comparing the segmented plate region to the at least one model. | 11-07-2013 |
20130329961 | Geometric pre-correction for automatic license plate recognition - A method for adjusting a license plate that is detected in a captured image includes automatically determining at least one set of correction parameters corresponding to a slant-oriented license plate. The method further includes receiving an input image representing a detected license plate. In response to receiving the input image, the method includes automatically adjusting the input image to obtain a corrected image using the at least one set of correction parameters. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330004 | FINDING TEXT IN NATURAL SCENES - As set forth herein, systems and methods facilitate providing an efficient edge-detection and closed-contour based approach for finding text in natural scenes such as photographic images, digital, and/or electronic images, and the like. Edge information (e.g., edges of structures or objects in the images) is obtained via an edge detection technique. Edges from text characters form closed contours even in the presence of reasonable levels of noise. Closed contour linking and candidate text line formation are two additional features of the described approach. A candidate text line classifier is applied to further screen out false-positive text identifications. Candidate text regions for placement of text in the natural scene of the electronic image are highlighted and presented to a user. | 12-12-2013 |
20140022603 | VARIABLE DATA IMAGE WATERMARKING USING INFRARED SEQUENCE STRUCTURES IN BLACK SEPARATION - An image watermarking method includes a color transform on RGB image data to derive CMYK image data that define a constant K image. Variable infrared (IR) mark data defining an IR mark are received and a sparse two-dimensional pattern of black pixels is defined that corresponds to the variable IR data, e.g., using Gold codes or pseudorandom binary sequences. A watermarked black separation K″ is defined by embedding the sparse two-dimensional pattern into the constant K black separation K′ while maintaining local average levels. A watermarked image includes the watermarked black separation K″ in combination with the CMY separations of the constant K image. A decoding process includes using an IR microscope fitted with IR LEDs and an IR pass filter to capture an IR image, which is subjected to exposure correction, thresholding, and dilation operations to extract the two-dimensional pattern for subsequent correlation processing. | 01-23-2014 |
20140056478 | PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION USING MOBILE DEVICE - A method and apparatus for obtaining an image and providing one or more document files to a user is disclosed. The method may include receiving an image of a target object using an imaging device, analyzing the image to identify one or more features, and accessing a model database to identify an object model having features that match the identified features from the image. When the system determines that more than one model may be a match, the method looks for distinguishing features of the target object and selects a model that includes the distinguishing features. The method then includes, retrieving a document file that corresponds to the identified model from a file database, and providing the document file to a user. | 02-27-2014 |
20140093131 | VISIBILITY IMPROVEMENT IN BAD WEATHER USING ENCHANCED REALITY - Methods and systems for improving driver visibility during bad weather and/or poor lighting for objects such as road signs, road lines, road markings, etc. The disclosed approach can enhance the captured images by exploiting priori knowledge about the scene and the objects that are stored in a database. In general, the orientation and location of a vehicle can be determined, and data can be retrieved which is indicative of stationary objects that are anticipated to be detectable at a current orientation and location of the vehicle. A captured scene is compared to data retrieved from the database using the information regarding the orientation and the location of the vehicle such that a matching scene indicates where objects are expected to appear in the captured scene and improve driver visibility with respect to the vehicle during poor driving conditions. | 04-03-2014 |
20140145862 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATION OF AVAILABLE PARKING SPACE THROUGH INTERSECTION TRAFFIC COUNTING - A method and structure for estimating parking occupancy within an area of interest can include the use of at least two image capture devices and a processor (e.g., a computer) which form at least part of a network. A method for estimating the parking occupancy within the area of interest can include the use of vehicle entry and exit data from the area of interest, as well as an estimated transit time for vehicles transiting through the area of interest without parking. | 05-29-2014 |
20140164891 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NAVIGATING A HARD COPY OF A WEB PAGE - This disclosure provides a method and system for navigating hard copies of web pages. According to one exemplary method, a hard copy of a web page is navigated by capturing with a mobile device an image of the hard copy, performing OCR on the captured image to identify the captured web page, accessing a database to retrieve a copy of the identified web page and displaying the retrieved copy of the identified web page along with active web page links on the mobile device. | 06-12-2014 |
20140211023 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING AN OBJECT BORDERLINE - Methods and systems for detecting an object borderline. A first image with respect to the object can be captured by an image-capturing unit without a flash light and borderlines of the object can be detected. If the detection is successful, the detected borderlines can be outputted. Otherwise, a second image with respect to the object can be captured by the image-capturing unit by applying a flash light and the borderlines can be detected in the image. A geometric transformation between the two images can then be estimated. Finally, the border lines in the first image can be determined by transforming the borderlines detected in the second image. Such an approach effectively detects the appliance borderlines and avoids artifacts caused by applying flash. | 07-31-2014 |
20140232862 | ANOMALY DETECTION USING A KERNEL-BASED SPARSE RECONSTRUCTION MODEL - A method and system for detecting anomalies in video footage. A training dictionary can be configured to include a number of event classes, wherein events among the event classes can be defined with respect to n-diminensional feature vectors. One or more nonlinear kernel function can be defined, which transform the n-dimensional feature vectors into a higher dimensional feature space. One or more test events can then be received within an input video sequence of the video footage. Thereafter, a determination can be made if the test event(s) is anomalous by applying a sparse reconstruction with respect to the training dictionary in the higher dimensional feature space induced by the nonlinear kernel function. | 08-21-2014 |
20140270353 | DICTIONARY DESIGN FOR COMPUTATIONALLY EFFICIENT VIDEO ANOMALY DETECTION VIA SPARSE RECONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES - Methods, systems, and processor-readable media for pruning a training dictionary for use in detecting anomalous events from surveillance video. Training samples can be received, which correspond to normal events. A dictionary can then be constructed, which includes two or more classes of normal events from the training samples. Sparse codes are then generated for selected training samples with respect to the dictionary derived from the two or more classes of normal events. The size of the dictionary can then be reduced by removing redundant dictionary columns from the dictionary via analysis of the sparse codes. The dictionary is then optimized to yield a low reconstruction error and a high-interclass discriminability. | 09-18-2014 |
20140310073 | WIRELESS PARKING REGISTER/PAYMENT AND VIOLATION NOTIFICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM - Methods and systems for automatically managing parking payment and enforcement. In general, real-time data regarding vehicles located in a parking zone can be acquired. The number of vehicles in the parking zone can be determined from the acquired real-time data. From such data, the number of vehicles in the parking zone that are paid can be calculated. Then, an operation can be implemented to compare the number of the vehicles in the parking zone with the number of vehicles in the parking zone that are paid with respect to the current time to determine unpaid violations if the number of vehicles in the parking zone exceeds the number of vehicles that are paid. | 10-16-2014 |
20140313364 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE OF PATCH PANEL - A method for processing an image of a patch panel includes: a) receiving an initial image; b) determining multiple ports of the patch panel are aligned in a desired orientation in the initial image; c) processing the initial image to identify edge lines perpendicular to the desired orientation; d) processing the edge lines to identify a port hypothesis that includes an estimated port gap between the multiple ports along the desired orientation and an estimated port size for the multiple ports along the desired orientation; e) processing the port hypothesis to determine an estimated port quantity for the multiple ports; and f) processing the port hypothesis to identify an estimation error between expected and detected edge line positions in relation to a reference axis perpendicular to the edge lines. An apparatus associated therewith includes an input/output and pre-processing modules and detection, hypothesis, estimating, and scoring processors. | 10-23-2014 |
20150043039 | SYSTEM FOR CREATING CERTIFIED DOCUMENT COPIES - To print a certified document, a user may select or a system may receive a selection of a document to be certified. The system identifies a security template to be used based on the document and/or capabilities of the print device on which the document will be printed. The system may display the document with a non-secure overlay of the selected security template, add a unique security element to the document according to the template, and cause the document to be printed at the selected print device with the added security element without permitting the added security element to be fully displayed or printed on any other device. | 02-12-2015 |
20150049903 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PATCH PANEL PORTS FROM AN IMAGE IN WHICH SOME PORTS ARE OBSCURED - A method of estimating one or more dimensions of a patch panel may include receiving an image of a patch panel that comprises a plurality of ports and one or more gaps, extracting, by a computing device, a region of interest from the received image, detecting, by the computing device, one or more line segments from the region of interest, determining whether one or more candidate ports can be identified based on at least a portion of the line segments, and in response to determining that one or more candidate ports can be identified, identifying one or more candidate ports, and determining, by the computing device, a gap length associated with the identified candidate ports. | 02-19-2015 |
20150049918 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PATCH PANEL PORTS FROM AN IMAGE HAVING PERSPECTIVE DISTORTION - A method of estimating one or more dimensions of a patch panel may include receiving an image of a patch panel that comprises a plurality of ports and one or more gaps, extracting, by a computing device, a region of interest from the received image, detecting, by the computing device, one or more possible port edges from the region of interest, fitting the detected possible port edges to a cross-ratio constancy model to determine a port-to-gap-length ratio associated with the patch panel, using the port-length-to-gap-length ratio to determine a location of one or more final port edges, and determining a location of one or more final ports based on the location of the final port edges. | 02-19-2015 |
20150063646 | ON-STREET PARKING MANAGEMENT METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IDENTIFYING A VEHICLE VIA A CAMERA AND MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES - Methods, systems and processor-readable media for identifying a vehicle for street parking management. An initial identification of one or more vehicles detected parked along a street can be generated based on one or more of a group of factors. The initial identification can be communicated to a user of the vehicle by transmitting an image indicative of the vehicle parked along the street (e.g., via a mobile communications device). An operation can then be implemented for requesting a confirmation or a non-confirmation as to whether the vehicle detected and displayed on the image is associated with the user. Upon confirmation, an operation can be implemented for identifying the at least one vehicle as the initial identification. Upon non-confirmation, an operation can be implemented to query to identify the vehicle associated with the user from among a group of vehicles displayed via the image. | 03-05-2015 |