US3618016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Character recognition using mask integrating recognition logic
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-20
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1989-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A graphic character is scanned and entered in a shift register. Combinatorial-logic masks detect respective video features from the shift register. Pulses from each mask advance separate counters. In a later decision cycle, a number of artificial pulses advance all counters simultaneously. When the first counter overflows, a number of further artificial pulses advance all counters. If one and only one counter overflows, the character is recognized; otherwise, the character is rejected. Either set of artificial pulses may be made variable.
Inventors
- 👤 Hein Van Steenis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K6/00; B60K6/20; B60K6/22; B60K6/40; B60K6/405; G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/70; G06V10/74; G06V10/75; G06V10/751; B60K6/42; B60K6/48; B60Y; B60Y2200/00; B60Y2200/10; B60Y2200/11; B60Y2200/90; B60Y2200/92; B60Y2410/00; B60Y2410/10; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus for recognizing an input pattern as belonging to one of a plurality of classes, said apparatus comprising: receiving means for accepting said pattern; a plurality of masks, each coupled to said receiving means for producing hit pulses when said pattern contains specified combinations of information characteristic of at least one of said classes; a plurality of counters coupled to said masks for accumulating said hit pulses from respective ones of said masks; first generator means for transmitting a first set of artificial hit pulses to all of said counters; sensing means coupled to said counters for producing a first output signal if a counter associated with one of said classes has attained a predetermined total, and for producing a second output signal if a plurality of counters, associated with a plurality of different ones of said classes, have attained said predetermined total; second generator means responsive to said first output signal for transmitting a second set of artificial hit pulses to said counters; and classifying means responsive to said first output signal for producing a recognition signal indicative of the identity of said input pattern, and responsive to said second output signal for inhibiting said recognition signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
199 words
An apparatus for recognizing an input pattern as belonging to one of a plurality of classes, said apparatus comprising: receiving means for accepting said pattern; a plurality of masks, each coupled to said receiving means for producing hit pulses when said pattern contains specified combinations of information characteristic of at least one of said classes; a plurality of counters coupled to said masks for accumulating said hit pulses from respective ones of said masks; first generator means for transmitting a first set of artificial hit pulses to all of said counters; sensing means coupled to said counters for producing a first output signal if a counter associated with one of said classes has attained a predetermined total, and for producing a second output signal if a plurality of counters, associated with a plurality of different ones of said classes, have attained said predetermined total; second generator means responsive to said first output signal for transmitting a second set of artificial hit pulses to said counters; and classifying means responsive to said first output signal for producing a recognition signal indicative of the identity of said input pattern, and responsive to said second output signal for inhibiting said recognition signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first generator means comprises: first gating means for transmitting a series of spaced pulses to said plurality of counters as said first set of artificial hit pulses; a threshold counter coupled to said first gating means for accumulating said first set of pulses; means coupled to said threshold counter for disabling said first gating means when said threshold counter has accumulated a predetermined number of said pulses; and means coupled to said sensing means for disabling said first gating meanS upon the occurrence of said first output signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first generator means further comprises means for resetting said threshold counter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each said mask comprises a plurality of digital logic circuits coupled to said receiving means, each said logic circuit being adapted to produce one of said hit pulses when said input pattern satisfies a logical statement defined by said circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said receiving means comprises a plurality of interconnected digital shift-register stages for accepting a digitized form of said input pattern from a scanner; and wherein each said logic circuit has a plurality of inputs each coupled to one of said stages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said sensing means comprises: a plurality of latches, each said latch being coupled to one of said plurality of counters and adapted to assume a ''''set'''' state upon the occurrence of an overflow condition in said one counter; register-set means coupled to said latches for producing said first output signal when at least one of said latches in said ''''set'''' state; and conflict means coupled to said latches for producing said second output signal when at least two of said latches are in said ''''set'''' state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said sensing means further comprises means coupled to said register-set means for producing a third output signal when none of said latches is in said ''''set'''' state, said third signal being indicative of a failure to recognize said input pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said second generator means comprises: second gating means enabled by said first output signal for transmitting a series of spaced pulses to said plurality of counters as said second set of artificial hit pulses; a minimum-distance counter coupled to said second gating means for accumulating said second set of pulses; and means coupled to said threshold counter for disabling said second gating means when said minimum-distance counter has accumulated a predetermined number of said spaced pulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second generator means further comprises means for resetting said minimum-distance counter to a predetermined ''''reset'''' state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said resetting means includes a switch for varying said ''''reset'''' state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second generator means further comprises selective means coupled to said minimum-distance counter for varying said number of pulses in said second set of artificial pulses.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said selective means includes a switch coupled between said minimum-distance counter and said means for disabling said second gating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said selective means includes coupling means connected to said threshold counter for varying said number of pulses in said second set of artificial pulses in accordance with said number of pulses in said first set of artificial pulses.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said selective means includes coupling means connected to said threshold counter for varying said number of pulses in said second set of artificial pulses in accordance with the number of pulses accumulated in said threshold counter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said minimum-distance counter has a plurality of stages; and wherein said means for disabling said second gating means includes a logic circuit having inputs connected to at least one of said stages for said second gating means upon the occurrence of a specified ones of said stage states.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said threshold counter has a plurality of stages; and wherein said coupling means comprises means connEcted to at least one of said last-named stages for modifying said logic circuit so as to specify different ones of said minimum-distance-counter stage states.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for classifying a first serial train of hit pulses, each said hit pulse being indicative of a specified combination of information contained in a scanned input pattern, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of counters, each responsive to specified ones of said combinations for totalizing respective ones of said hit pulses; means for transmitting a second serial train of pulses for incrementing all of said counters, the number of pulses in said second train being the lesser of a predetermined threshold number sufficient to cause one of said counters to assume a predetermined state; means for transmitting a third serial train of pulses for incrementing all of said counters by a minimum-distance number, unless none of said counters has assumed said predetermined state; and means for detecting the number of said counters which have assumed said predetermined state, for producing a recognition signal if at least one of said counters has assumed said state, and for producing a conflict signal if a plurality of said counters have assumed said state.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for classifying a first serial train of hit pulses, each said hit pulse being indicative of a specified combination of information contained in a scanned input pattern, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of counters, each responsive to specified ones of said combinations for totalizing respective ones of said hit pulses; means for transmitting a second serial train of pulses for incrementing all of said counters, the number of pulses in said second train being the lesser of a predetermined threshold number sufficient to cause one of said counters to assume a predetermined state; means for transmitting a third serial train of pulses for incrementing all of said counters by a minimum-distance number, unless none of said counters has assumed said predetermined state; and means for detecting the number of said counters which have assumed said predetermined state, for producing a recognition signal if at least one of said counters has assumed said state, and for producing a conflict signal if a plurality of said counters have assumed said state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising means for modifying said minimum distance number as a function of the number of pulses is said second serial train.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said detecting means is adapted to produce a reject signal if none of said counters has assumed said predetermined state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said means for transmitting said third train of pulses is adapted to be disabled by said reject signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3417372A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |