OCR Matrix extractor
First Claim
1. In the processing of scanned images for character recognition, a method for isolating areas of the scanned medium for recognition processing comprising the steps of:
- storing representations of said scanned images in a memory;
scanning said memory in a first direction so as to detect the end of a packet of data in said memory;
sensing the location of said end of said packet in said memory;
back-scanning said memory through said packet in a second direction, opposite to said first direction so as to detect the end of said packet in said second direction;
recording the extent of said packet in memory in the direction perpendicular to said first and second directions during said back-scanning;
sensing the location of the end of said packet in said second direction;
whereby data in memory is isolated which can be removed to recognition processing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A matrix extractor is described which is particularly useful for extracting data from a memory which contains representations of optically scanned characters. The method and apparatus of the present invention permits the isolation of packets of data in the memory and the determination of the location of these packets. Data representing the packets is then extracted from the memory for character recognition. The isolation of packets in memory greatly reduces the amount of data which must be processed by the recognition processor and provides much more reliable recognition.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. In the processing of scanned images for character recognition, a method for isolating areas of the scanned medium for recognition processing comprising the steps of:
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storing representations of said scanned images in a memory; scanning said memory in a first direction so as to detect the end of a packet of data in said memory; sensing the location of said end of said packet in said memory; back-scanning said memory through said packet in a second direction, opposite to said first direction so as to detect the end of said packet in said second direction; recording the extent of said packet in memory in the direction perpendicular to said first and second directions during said back-scanning; sensing the location of the end of said packet in said second direction; whereby data in memory is isolated which can be removed to recognition processing.
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2. In an optical character recognition system an improvement comprising:
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a memory for storing scanned data; a first, second and third register; first control means for scanning said memory in a first direction and for writing and removing data from said first register, so as to enable the detection of the beginning and end of a packet of data in said memory in said first direction, said first control means coupled to said memory and said first register; second control means for scanning said memory in a second direction, opposite to said first direction and for writing and removing data from said second and third registers, so as to enable detection of the end of said packet of data in said second direction and the extent of said packet of data in the direction perpendicular to said second direction, said second control means coupled to said memory and said second and third registers; whereby data in said memory is isolated for recognition processing. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification