US3571797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Area-format control in a character-recogniton system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-02
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Granted: 1971-03-23
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Expires: 1989-06-02
Abstract
Abstract Scan-control apparatus responsive to a format word specifying an outline of a document field to be scanned generates a series of search patterns for characters within the field. A ''''read'''' command causes a scanning beam to move in a line-search scan downwardly from one corner of the field. When black video is detected by this scan, a character-search scan moves the beam horizontally to establish the beginning of a character line. The first character found is normalized and a recognition scan is initiated. Reaching a selected format end-of-line boundary terminates the ''''read'''' command. Further ''''load-format'''' and ''''read'''' commands cause the beam to continue to search for and read character lines within the boundary. The field is terminated when the scanning beam attains a selected vertical boundary of the format word. A single field may contain a number of rectangular sections.
Inventors
- 👤 William W Hardin
- 👤 Patrick J Traglia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/14; G06V30/146
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a recognition system, a scan-control apparatus responsive to a variable format word from a data processor for causing a beam control to move a scanning beam in a sequence of scans relative to a plurality of boundaries defined by said format word, said apparatus comprising: a position-detection unit responsive to said format word for producing a plurality of representations of said boundaries; a margin-control unit responsive to said position-detection unit for producing a plurality of signals indicative of the location of said scanning beam relative to selected ones of said boundaries; and a scan-selection unit responsive to said margin-control unit and to said data processor for producing signals representing said scans and for transmitting selected ones of said signals to said beam control, said scan-selection unit including a seek generator responsive to a first command from said data processor for positioning said beam relative to at least one of said boundaries, a line-search generator responsive to said seek generator for producing a scan for black video, and a strike generator responsive to said line-search generator for positioning said beam relative to said black video.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a recognition system, a scan-control apparatus responsive to a variable format word from a data processor for causing a beam control to move a scanning beam in a sequence of scans relative to a plurality of boundaries defined by said format word, said apparatus comprising: a position-detection unit responsive to said format word for producing a plurality of representations of said boundaries; a margin-control unit responsive to said position-detection unit for producing a plurality of signals indicative of the location of said scanning beam relative to selected ones of said boundaries; and a scan-selection unit responsive to said margin-control unit and to said data processor for producing signals representing said scans and for transmitting selected ones of said signals to said beam control, said scan-selection unit including a seek generator responsive to a first command from said data processor for positioning said beam relative to at least one of said boundaries, a line-search generator responsive to said seek generator for producing a scan for black video, and a strike generator responsive to said line-search generator for positioning said beam relative to said black video.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said representations define a predetermined area having first and second vertical boundaries and having first and second horizontal boundaries.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said position-detection unit includes a plurality of registers each adapted to store a byte of said format word, a plurality of converters responsive to said registers for converting said format-word bytes into corresponding analogue signals, and a plurality of comparators responsive to said converters and to said beam control for comparing the position of said beam to the values of said analogue signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said position-detection unit further includes a sequencer responsive to said data processor for producing a plurality of signals indicative of respective ones of said format-word bytes, and gating means responsive to said gating signals for entering said bytes into predetermined ones of said registers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein said position-detection unit further includes a decoder responsive to one of said registers for causing said beam control to alter the directions of said scans.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said margin-control unit includes a first margin switch responsive to at least one of said horizontal-boundary representations for producing a first of said margin-control signals, a second margin switch responsive to at least one other of said horizontal-boundary representations for producing a second of said margin-control signals, means responsive to one of said vertical-boundary representations for producing a field-termination signal, and means for communicating said termination signal to said data processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said means responsive to said vertical-boundary representation is further responsive to said line-search generator in producing said termination signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein said boundary representations further define a third vertical and a third horizontal boundary of said predetermined area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination according to claim 8 wherein said margin-control unit further includes means responsive to at least one of said vertical-boundary representations for producing a plurality of subarea signals; and wherein at least one of said margin switches is responsive to said subarea signals and to a plurality of said horizontal-boundary representations in producing its associated margin-control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination according to claim 9 wherein said position-detection unit includes a decoder responsive to a byte of said format word to produce a plurality of margin-status signals; and wherein at least one of said margin switches is responsive to said status signals in producing its associated margin-control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said scan-selection unit includes a latch having a set state responsive to a second command from said data processor and having a reset state responsive to said strike generator, means responsive to said seek generator and to said set state for activating said line-search generator, and means responsive to said seek generator and to said reset state for producing a recognition scan in said area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein said scan-selection unit includes a generator responsive to said strike generator for producing a character-search scan within said area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination according to claim 12 wherein said scan-selection unit includes a generator responsive to said character-search generator for producing a normalizing scan over said black video, and for producing a signal denoting that said black video has a valid height and a valid width.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 13 wherein said scan-selection unit includes an initialization generator responsive to said valid-height and valid-width signal for positioning said beam relative to said black video.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 14 wherein said scan-selection unit includes a generator responsive to said initialization generator for producing a recognition scan over said black video.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |