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Character reading system

  • US 4,180,800 A
  • Filed: 07/06/1978
  • Issued: 12/25/1979
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1977
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of reading characters of the type including the steps of scanning a character with a sensor having an array of photosensitive elements so that the illuminated or nonilluminated elements in said array correspond to segments of said character which collectively form an image of said character and processing the output signals from said elements to thereby identify the scanned character, wherein the improvement is characterized by said processing step comprising:

  • determining the character area of said array in which said image is formed;

    analyzing the output signals from each row or column of the elements within said character area and assigning a true classification value to each row or column representative of the pattern of illuminated and non-illuminated elements therein;

    analyzing the sequence of at least some of said true classification values in order to identify said character; and

    detecting the presence or absence of a character segment in a column of elements near one side of said character area to thereby determine the direction of movement of said scanner relative to said character.

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