Performing document image management tasks using an iconic image having embedded encoded information
First Claim
1. A method for operating a processor-controlled machine to perform a document image management operation using an iconic version of a text image, referred to as an iconic image, having encoded binary data embedded therein;
- the machine including an image signal source for receiving image data;
memory for storing data; and
a processor connected for accessing instruction data stored in the memory for operating the machine;
the processor being further connected for receiving image data from the image signal source; and
connected for storing data in the memory;
the method comprising;
receiving image definition data defining an input iconic image from the image signal source;
the input iconic image having an appearance to a human viewer of a reduced-size version of an original text image;
the input iconic image including at least one image region including image definition data defining a plurality of rectangular blocks each having a foreground color and arranged in horizontal lines separated vertically by image regions of a background color;
the rectangular blocks having the appearance of representing text in the original text image;
the image definition data defining each rectangular block, referred to as an encoded data block, having a characteristic property that represents a portion of the binary data;
performing a decoding operation using the image definition data defining the plurality of rectangular blocks to produce the binary data encoded therein; and
performing a document image management operation using the binary data produced by the decoding operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Encoded data embedded in an iconic, or reduced size, version of an original text image is decoded and used in a variety of document image management applications to provide input to, or to control the functionality of, an application. The iconic image may be printed in a suitable place (e.g., the margin or other background region) in the original text image so that a text image so annotated will then always carry the embedded data in subsequent copies made from the annotated original. The iconic image may also be used as part of a graphical user interface as a surrogate for the original text image. An encoding operation encodes the data unobtrusively in the form of rectangular blocks that have a foreground color and size dimensions proportional to the iconic image so that when placed in the iconic image in horizontal lines, the blocks appear to a viewer to be representative of the text portion of the original image that they replace. Several embodiments are illustrated, including using the iconic image as a document surrogate for the original text image for data base retrieval operations. The iconic image may also be used in conjunction with the original text image for purposes of authenticating the original document using a digital signature encoded in the iconic image, or for purposes of controlling the authorized distribution of the document. The iconic image may also carry data about the original image that may be used to enhance the performance and accuracy of a subsequent character recognition operation.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for operating a processor-controlled machine to perform a document image management operation using an iconic version of a text image, referred to as an iconic image, having encoded binary data embedded therein;
- the machine including an image signal source for receiving image data;
memory for storing data; and
a processor connected for accessing instruction data stored in the memory for operating the machine;
the processor being further connected for receiving image data from the image signal source; and
connected for storing data in the memory;
the method comprising;receiving image definition data defining an input iconic image from the image signal source;
the input iconic image having an appearance to a human viewer of a reduced-size version of an original text image;
the input iconic image including at least one image region including image definition data defining a plurality of rectangular blocks each having a foreground color and arranged in horizontal lines separated vertically by image regions of a background color;
the rectangular blocks having the appearance of representing text in the original text image;
the image definition data defining each rectangular block, referred to as an encoded data block, having a characteristic property that represents a portion of the binary data;performing a decoding operation using the image definition data defining the plurality of rectangular blocks to produce the binary data encoded therein; and performing a document image management operation using the binary data produced by the decoding operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- the machine including an image signal source for receiving image data;
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12. An article of manufacture for use in a machine that includes a memory device for storing data;
- a storage medium access device for accessing a medium that stores data; and
a processor connected for accessing the data stored in the memory device and for receiving data from the storage medium access device;
the article comprising;a data storage medium that can be accessed by the storage medium access device when the article is used in the machine; and data stored in the data storage medium so that the storage medium access device can provide the stored data to the processor when the article is used in the machine;
the stored data comprising instruction data indicating instructions the processor can execute;the processor, in executing the instructions, receiving image definition data defining an input iconic image from the image signal source;
the input iconic image having an appearance to a human viewer of a reduced-size version of an original text image;
the input iconic image including at least one image region including image definition data defining a plurality of rectangular blocks each having a foreground color and arranged in horizontal lines separated vertically by image regions of a background color such that the rectangular blocks have the appearance of representing text in the original text image;
the image definition data defining each rectangular block, referred to as an encoded data block, having a characteristic property that represents a portion of the binary data;the processor, further in executing the instructions, performing a decoding operation using the image definition data defining the plurality of rectangular blocks to produce the binary data encoded therein; the processor, still further in executing the instructions, performing a document image management operation using the binary data produced by the decoding operation.
- a storage medium access device for accessing a medium that stores data; and
Specification