Patent US5231663A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5231663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image processing system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-03-18
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Granted: 1993-07-27
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Expires: 2011-03-18
Abstract
Abstract An image processing system receives a series of pixel elements representative of a scanned image. The system converts the pixel elements into a vector representation of the scanned image. The vector representation of the scanned image is compared with known vector representations. Based upon this comparison, the image processing system performs various functions such as providing an output or controlling the system. The image processing system may be used for mark sense recognition in which mark information is decoded from learned forms based upon a key. An output is provided based upon a comparison between the marks and the key.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph G. Earl
- 👤 Michael D. Moffitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:37
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/085; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/20; G06V10/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
An image processing system for recognizing and interpreting scanned images, comprising: a facsimile scanner for receiving an optically scanned image and providing an image output representative of a bit map of the image, the facsimile scanner including a connection for connecting to an image source and an optical scanner for optically scanning images; a memory for storing image related information; learn form means coupled to the facsimile scanner and the memory for producing a learned form by receiving the image output, learning positional information relating to acceptable mark positions and storing the learned form in the memory; build key means coupled to the facsimile scanner and the memory for building a key by receiving the image output, correlating mark information in the image output with the learned form and storing the key in the memory; score marks means coupled to the facsimile scanner and the memory for interpreting marked images in the image output by comparing marked images with the key and the learned form and providing a score output related to the comparison; and output means for outputting the score output.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
An image processing system for recognizing and interpreting scanned images, comprising: a facsimile scanner for receiving an optically scanned image and providing an image output representative of a bit map of the image, the facsimile scanner including a connection for connecting to an image source and an optical scanner for optically scanning images; a memory for storing image related information; learn form means coupled to the facsimile scanner and the memory for producing a learned form by receiving the image output, learning positional information relating to acceptable mark positions and storing the learned form in the memory; build key means coupled to the facsimile scanner and the memory for building a key by receiving the image output, correlating mark information in the image output with the learned form and storing the key in the memory; score marks means coupled to the facsimile scanner and the memory for interpreting marked images in the image output by comparing marked images with the key and the learned form and providing a score output related to the comparison; and output means for outputting the score output.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image processing system of claim 1 including means for receiving the image output representative of a bit map of the image and converting the image output into a vector representation of the image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image processing system of claim 2 wherein the means for converting converts the image output into vectors represented by lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The image processing system of claim 2 wherein the means for converting converts the image output into vectors represented by rectangles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image processing system of claim 2 wherein the means for converting converts the image output into vectors represented by conic sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The image processing system of claim 1 including means coupled to the learn form means, the build key means and the score means, for accounting for services rendered and generating a customer bill based upon system activity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The image processing system of claim 1 wherein the output means transmits the score output over the telephone connection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The image processing system of claim 1 including means coupled to the facsimile scanner, for receiving header information representative of a user identification and command instructions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The image processing system of claim 1 including means coupled to the facsimile scanner, for encrypting and decrypting information.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for processing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and said means for comparing provides an interpreted output representative of a comparison between a marked form and an interpretation key.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for processing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and said means for comparing provides an interpreted output representative of a comparison between a marked form and an interpretation key.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for converting converts the pixel elements to a vector representation which comprises lines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for converting converts the pixel elements to a vector representation which comprises rectangles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for converting converts the pixel elements to a vector representation which comprises conic sections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for receiving discrete pixel elements comprises a facsimile scanner.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 10 including means coupled to the means for receiving, for decrypting information.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for analyzing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and said means for providing an output comprises a facsimile scanner for providing an output over a telephone connection.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for analyzing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and said means for providing an output comprises a facsimile scanner for providing an output over a telephone connection.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for analyzing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and said means for providing an output comprises a printer.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for analyzing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and said means for providing an output comprises a printer.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for analyzing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and means coupled to the means for receiving, for processing a header which contains user identification information.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for analyzing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and means coupled to the means for receiving, for processing a header which contains user identification information.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for analyzing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and said means for converting is responsive to image density whereby gray scale and color image information is included in the vector representation.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for analyzing images comprising: means for receiving discrete pixel elements representative of a scanned image; means for converting the plurality of pixel elements into a vector representation which is representative of the scanned image; means for comparing the vector representation with known vector representations; means for providing an output based upon the comparison of the vector representation with known vector representations; and said means for converting is responsive to image density whereby gray scale and color image information is included in the vector representation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-01-25 | 1997-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-26 | 2001-01-25 | 2001-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-26 | 2005-01-25 | 2005-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |