US3611267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for optical character recognition
Assignee: TRANSDUCER SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-16
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1989-10-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for optical character recognition including a video camera for scanning a page of printed matter along a scanning pattern which progresses across the page from side-to-side along a plurality of lines which are spaced apart from top to bottom of the page. Means is provided for creating a count which indicates the position of the camera along the scanning pattern. A discrimination means is provided for the recognition of color reversals sensed by the camera during the scan. A data output section provides an output signal which is the count of the counter each time that the camera senses a color reversal. The count of the output signal is in binary digital form which can be easily transmitted to a receiver device.
Inventors
- 👤 Ellsworth A Edling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/41; H04N1/411; H04N1/413; G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/20; G06V10/40; G06V10/42; G06V10/421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for optical character recognition comprising means for scanning along a pattern which extends from side-to-side along a plurality of spaced lines, means for sensing color reversals along the scanning pattern, means for providing a count which indicates the position along the scanning pattern at any time during the scan, and means for providing a readout of the counting means each time that a color reversal is sensed, the scanning means having a horizontal deflection means and a vertical deflection means which provide the scanning pattern, and the means for providing a count including a high-frequency pulse source for providing a plurality of pulses during each horizontal pass of the scanning means, a horizontal binary counter for counting the pulses during each horizontal pass, said horizontal counter being connected to the horizontal deflection means of the scanning means, and a vertical binary counter connected to the vertical deflection means of the scanning means, said horizontal counter being connected to the vertical counter so as to advance said vertical counter at the end of each horizontal pass of the scanning means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for optical character recognition comprising means for scanning along a pattern which extends from side-to-side along a plurality of spaced lines, means for sensing color reversals along the scanning pattern, means for providing a count which indicates the position along the scanning pattern at any time during the scan, and means for providing a readout of the counting means each time that a color reversal is sensed, the scanning means having a horizontal deflection means and a vertical deflection means which provide the scanning pattern, and the means for providing a count including a high-frequency pulse source for providing a plurality of pulses during each horizontal pass of the scanning means, a horizontal binary counter for counting the pulses during each horizontal pass, said horizontal counter being connected to the horizontal deflection means of the scanning means, and a vertical binary counter connected to the vertical deflection means of the scanning means, said horizontal counter being connected to the vertical counter so as to advance said vertical counter at the end of each horizontal pass of the scanning means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for optical character recognition comprising means for scanning along a pattern which extends from side-to-side along a plurality of spaced lines, means for sensing color reversals along the scanning pattern, means for providing a count which indicates the position along the scanning pattern at any time during the scan, and means for providing a readout of the counting means each time that a color reversal is sensed, the scanning means comprising a video camera having a horizontal deflection means and a vertical deflection means which provide the scanning pattern, and the means for providing a count including a high-frequency pulse source for providing a plurality of pulses during each horizontal pass of the camera, a horizontal binary counter for counting the pulses during each horizontal pass, said horizontal counter being connected to the horizontal deflection means of the camera, and a vertical binary counter connected to the vertical deflection means on the camera, said horizontal counter being connected to the vertical counter so as to advance said vertical counter at the end of each horizontal pass of the camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for optical character recognition comprising means for scanning along a pattern which extends from side-to-side along a plurality of spaced lines, means for sensing color reversals along the scanning pattern, means for providing a count which indicates the position along the scanning pattern at any time during the scan, and means for providing a readout of the counting means each time that a color reversal is sensed, the scanning means comprising a video camera having a horizontal deflection means and a vertical deflection means which provide the scanning pattern, and the means for providing a count including a high-frequency pulse source for providing a plurality of pulses during each horizontal pass of the camera, a horizontal binary counter for counting the pulses during each horizontal pass, said horizontal counter being connected to the horizontal deflection means of the camera, and a vertical binary counter connected to the vertical deflection means on the camera, said horizontal counter being connected to the vertical counter so as to advance said vertical counter at the end of each horizontal pass of the camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the means for sensing color reversals includes means for receiving a video signal from the camera and for discriminating changes in the video signal resulting from color reversals sensed by the camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which the means for discriminating changes in the video signal include means for differentiating the video signal so as to provide output pulses upon the changes in the video signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which the means for providing a readout of the counter means is triggered by the output pulses of the discriminating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which the readout means includes a relative address counter connected to the high-frequency pulse source so as to provide a count corresponding to the increase in count of the horizontal binary counter between readouts, and the output signal of the readout means is the count of the relative address counter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 in which the readout means includes means for providing the count of the relative address counter as an output signal in binary digital form.
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) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |