Image finder method and apparatus for pixography and other photo-related reproduction applications
First Claim
1. A method for identifying a source image data file from which a printed image has been generated, said method comprising:
- (a) subsampling input image data to derive input correlation data values related to a printed input image;
(b) receiving source image data that represent a source image data file stored in a source image database;
(c) subsampling said source image data to obtain source correlation data values;
(d) performing a correlation operation between the input correlation values and the source correlation values to obtain a correlation result value (t);
(e) identifying the source image data file of said source image database as a match data file if a correlation result value (t) associated with said source image data file is greater than or equal to a select threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image finder method and apparatus are provided for identifying a source image data file in a database based upon a printed image actually generated from a source image data file in the database. Input image data that represent a printed input image are received from a scanner. Source image data are received from the database that is defined by a plurality of different source image data files stored on a CD-ROM or other storage medium. Correlation operations are carried out to identify any source image data files that are highly correlated with the input image data. The results of the correlation operations are used to identify the source image data file from which the input printed image was actually generated or, if this is not possible, to identify more than one source image data file that could be the source image data file from which the printed input image was actually generated. Both the input image data and source image data are severely subsampled to obtain no more than about 1000 (and most preferably no more than 200) data values from each set of data for use in the correlation operation to provide for extremely fast processing without loss of accuracy.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for identifying a source image data file from which a printed image has been generated, said method comprising:
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(a) subsampling input image data to derive input correlation data values related to a printed input image; (b) receiving source image data that represent a source image data file stored in a source image database; (c) subsampling said source image data to obtain source correlation data values; (d) performing a correlation operation between the input correlation values and the source correlation values to obtain a correlation result value (t); (e) identifying the source image data file of said source image database as a match data file if a correlation result value (t) associated with said source image data file is greater than or equal to a select threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electrophotographic document reproduction apparatus comprising:
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means for identifying a source image data file from which a printed image has been generated, said means for identifying a source image data file comprising; (a) means for receiving input image data that represent a printed input image; (b) means for subsampling said input image data to derive input correlation data values; (c) means for receiving source image data that represent a source image data file stored in a source image database; (d) means for subsampling said source image data to obtain source correlation data values; (e) means for performing a correlation operation between the input correlation values and the source correlation values to obtain a correlation result value (t); (f) means for identifying the source image data file of said source image database as a match data file if a correlation result value (t) associated with said source image data file is greater than or equal to a select threshold.
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15. A digital image processing apparatus comprising:
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(a) means for receiving input image data that represent a printed input image; (b) means for subsampling said input image data to derive input correlation data values; (c) means for receiving source image data that represent a source image data file stored in a source image database; (d) means for subsampling said source image data to obtain source correlation data values; (e) means for performing a correlation operation between the input correlation values and the source correlation values to obtain a correlation result value (t); and
,(f) means for identifying the source image data file of said source image database as a match data file if a correlation result value (t) associated with said source image data file is greater than or equal to a select threshold. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification