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Method and apparatus for data capture from imaged documents

  • US 7,911,660 B2
  • Filed: 06/18/2008
  • Issued: 03/22/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method of normalizing darkness values of pixels captured from a form by an optical scanning device, to enable subsequent processing of the contents of the form based on a relative darkness of the pixels, said method comprising the steps of:

  • a) scanning the form with an optical scanning device capable of producing pixel darkness values related to a relative amount of light reflected from the form;

    b) recording on computer-readable media a darkness value of individual pixels from the scanned form;

    c) defining an area of the form to examine for determining pixel normalization parameters;

    d) identifying the pixel darkness value corresponding to a least amount of light reflected within the area;

    e) determining a normalization scale such that the pixel darkness value corresponding to the least amount of light reflected corresponds to a darkness value corresponding approximately to pure black; and

    f) applying the normalization scale to the recorded darkness values to create normalized darkness values.

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