US3860909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for recognising graphic symbols
Assignee: Olivetti SpA
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Filing: 1971-04-15
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1991-04-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for recognizing graphic symbols is disclosed, wherein a character is scanned by a cathode ray tube along a plurality of parallel scan lines (sections) and a photodetector supplies an analog electric signal proportional to the intensity of the light signal output from each scanned point. Each analog signal is preprocessed in order to obtain a digital signal. Each portion of this digital signal which corresponds to a white segment of a section is switched to one of a plurality of motif registers, according to the relationship of the white segment with the black segments of the same sections and with the shadow of the black segments of the sections already scanned. Each motif register is emptied if the motif is not separated, i.e., if the corresponding motif register does not receive at least a prefixed number of contributions. At the end of the scanning of the character, it is categorized according to the type of motifs present therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Filippo Demonte
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:39
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/18; G06V30/1801; G06V30/18076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for recognizing graphic symbols, comprising means for exploring each symbol along a succession of substantially parallel sections to generate a signal representing for each section a succession of contrasting segments of first and second kinds, and logical circuit means for examining in each section, the relationship of each segment of the first kind to the segments of the second kind and to a shadow of the segments of the second kind encountered in the sections already examined, said shadow comprising a projection of said segments encountered in said previously examined sections of said character on a line parallel to the scanning direction, said logical circuit means comprising first register means for storing a signal indicating the duration of each such segment of the first kind and second register means for storing a signal defining the length of the projection defining said shadow of the segments of the second kind, means for assigning the signals representing the segments of the first kind to one of a plurality of register means for storing motifs of different types on the basis of the signals stored in said first and second registers, and categorizing means responsive to the combination of motifs present in the explored symbol and stored in said motif storage register means to categorize explored symbols as one of the symbols to be recognized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
Apparatus for recognizing graphic symbols, comprising means for exploring each symbol along a succession of substantially parallel sections to generate a signal representing for each section a succession of contrasting segments of first and second kinds, and logical circuit means for examining in each section, the relationship of each segment of the first kind to the segments of the second kind and to a shadow of the segments of the second kind encountered in the sections already examined, said shadow comprising a projection of said segments encountered in said previously examined sections of said character on a line parallel to the scanning direction, said logical circuit means comprising first register means for storing a signal indicating the duration of each such segment of the first kind and second register means for storing a signal defining the length of the projection defining said shadow of the segments of the second kind, means for assigning the signals representing the segments of the first kind to one of a plurality of register means for storing motifs of different types on the basis of the signals stored in said first and second registers, and categorizing means responsive to the combination of motifs present in the explored symbol and stored in said motif storage register means to categorize explored symbols as one of the symbols to be recognized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for filling in short interruptions in the shadow of the segments of the second kind.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the segments of the first and second kind are white and black respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising means for detecting the last segment of the first kind in the section explored.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said assigning means comprise, with respect to each motif, a plurality of registers, each of said registers storing the signals representing the segments of a particular motif of the corresponding type.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means for associating with each one of said registers a code signifying the order of separation of the motif therein contained within a family of motifs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wheRein the logical circuits include means for verifying the presence of segments of the motif in a number of adjacent sections greater than a prefixed minimum, said segments being such that each pair of adjacent segments belong to each other for a number of points greater than a second prefixed minimum whereby the motif is determined to be separated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the logical circuits treat a motif as finished upon determination that it is closed, or that a successor to it exists, or that the character finishes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for recognizing graphic symbols, comprising means for exploring each symbol along a succession of substantially parallel sections to generate signals representing for each section a succession of contrasting segments of first and second kinds, a plurality of registers adapted to store the signals representing the segments of one of said first and second kinds as portions of principles of motifs encountered in each section, and a plurality of control means for storing the signals representing different ones of said principles in different ones of said plurality of registers unti the stored portion representing signals indicate that the corresponding principles have existed for a predetermined minimum number of sections said control means including means for associating with each of said registers a code signifying the order of separation of the motif contained therein within a family of motifs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for recognizing graphic symbols, comprising means for exploring each symbol along a succession of substantially parallel sections to generate signals representing for each section a succession of contrasting segments of first and second kinds, a plurality of registers adapted to store the signals representing the segments of one of said first and second kinds as portions of principles of motifs encountered in each section, and a plurality of control means for storing the signals representing different ones of said principles in different ones of said plurality of registers unti the stored portion representing signals indicate that the corresponding principles have existed for a predetermined minimum number of sections said control means including means for associating with each of said registers a code signifying the order of separation of the motif contained therein within a family of motifs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said control means includes means for transferring from said different principle storing registers to another register of said plurality of registers the signal representing ones of said principles stored over the predetermined minimum number of sections.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control means include means for emptying any of said different principle storing registers of its contents if no segments are stored in said any register for a number of sections greater than the predetermined minimum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said control means includes means for transferring from said different principle storing registers to another register of said plurality of registers the signals representing ones of said principles stored over the predetermined minimum number of sections.
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) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |