US5058189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for area designation on a document
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-02-13
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Granted: 1991-10-15
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Expires: 2009-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A method for designating a rectangular area on a document includes the following procedure. During a first step, data of a pixel of concern and data of pixels adjacent thereto are read out from a first memory by scanning the memory in accordance with each of four combinations of main and sub scanning directions. Next, a first logic operation is carried out with respect to the pixel data. During a third step, a result of the first logic operation is stored in the first memory. Then, a second logic operation is performed on the result of the first logic operation which is obtained in each combination of the scanning directions. A group of results of the second logic operation with respect to each pixel represents the rectangular area which has the drawn figure as an inscribed figure and is filled with pixel data having a value identical to that of pixel data forming a contour image of the drawn figure. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Kanno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/387; H04N1/3872; G; G06; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/14; G06V30/1444
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for forming a rectangular area having a pre-existing figure inscribed therein, the rectangular area having exactly four sides regardless of the shape of the pre-existing figure, the method comprising the steps of: a) scanning a sheet on which is inscribed the pre-existing figure, and outputting pixel data representing the figure, each pixel datum of the pixel data being one binary digit; b) storing the pixel data in a first memory; c) scanning the pixel data in the first memory in accordance with each of four combinations of directions defined by main and sub scanning directions and, for each of the four combinations, reading out a pixel datum relating to a pixel of concern and pixel data relating to at least two pixels adjacent thereto; d) performing, for each of the combinations, a first logic operation on the pixel datum relating to the pixel of concern and the pixel data relating to at least the two pixels adjacent thereto, and outputting results of the first logic operation obtained for the four combinations; e) storing the results of the first logic operation in a second memory; and f) performing a second logic operation on the results of the first logic operation obtained for the four combinations, and outputting a result of the second logic operation which forms the rectangular area in which the figure is inscribed, wherein the rectangular area may have pixels other than the pixels of the pre-existing figure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
241 words
A method for forming a rectangular area having a pre-existing figure inscribed therein, the rectangular area having exactly four sides regardless of the shape of the pre-existing figure, the method comprising the steps of: a) scanning a sheet on which is inscribed the pre-existing figure, and outputting pixel data representing the figure, each pixel datum of the pixel data being one binary digit; b) storing the pixel data in a first memory; c) scanning the pixel data in the first memory in accordance with each of four combinations of directions defined by main and sub scanning directions and, for each of the four combinations, reading out a pixel datum relating to a pixel of concern and pixel data relating to at least two pixels adjacent thereto; d) performing, for each of the combinations, a first logic operation on the pixel datum relating to the pixel of concern and the pixel data relating to at least the two pixels adjacent thereto, and outputting results of the first logic operation obtained for the four combinations; e) storing the results of the first logic operation in a second memory; and f) performing a second logic operation on the results of the first logic operation obtained for the four combinations, and outputting a result of the second logic operation which forms the rectangular area in which the figure is inscribed, wherein the rectangular area may have pixels other than the pixels of the pre-existing figure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
164 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the first memory includes a bit map memory having n rows and m columns (where n and m are integers) which stores the pixel data, including the pixel datum relating to the pixel of concern and the pixel data relating to at least the two pixels adjacent thereto; the pixel data relating to at the least the two pixels has a first pixel datum and a second pixel datum; the first pixel datum relates to a pixel located at a position of the bit map memory which precedes the pixel of concern by one column in the main scanning direction and which is located in the same row as the pixel of concern; and the second pixel datum relates to a pixel located at a position of the bit map memory which precedes the pixel of concern by one row in the sub scanning direction and which is located in the same column as the pixel of concern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2, wherein step (d) includes: calculating a formula; wherein B is the pixel datum relating to the second pixel; C is the pixel datum relating to the first pixel; and D is the pixel datum relating to the pixel of concern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the pre-existing figure drawn on the sheet is a closed-loop figure which is inscribed in the rectangular area to be formed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the pre-existing figure drawn on the sheet is a diagonal line which is inscribed in the rectangular area to be formed and which connects two corners of the rectangular area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) includes: logically adding the results of the first operation obtained for the four combinations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the four combinations defined by the main and sub scanning directions comprise: a first combination composed of a rightward direction of the first memory corresponding to the main scanning direction, and a downward direction corresponding to the sub scanning direction; a second combination composed of a leftward direction opposite to the rightward direction, and the downward direction; a third combination composed of the rightward direction, and an upward direction opposite to the sub scanning direction; and a fourth combination composed of the leftward direction, and the upward direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the sheet comprises a transparent or semitransparent sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the rectangular area formed by the result of the second operation is filled with identical data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9, wherein: the identical pixel data are binary ones.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
272 words
An apparatus for forming a rectangular area having a pre-existing figure inscribed therein, the rectangular area having exactly four sides regardless of the shape of the pre-existing figure, the apparatus comprising: a) scanning means for scanning a sheet on which is inscribed the figure, and for outputting pixel data representing the figure, each pixel datum of the pixel data being one binary digit; b) first memory means for storing the pixel data output by the scanning means; c) means for scanning the pixel data in the first memory means in accordance with each of four combinations of directions defined by main and sub scanning directions, and, for each of the four combinations, reading out a pixel datum relating to a pixel of concern and pixel data relating to at least two pixels adjacent thereto; d) first operation means, for each of the combinations, for performing a first logic operation on the pixel datum relating to the pixel of concern and the pixel data relating to at least the two pixels adjacent thereto, and for outputting results of the first logic operation obtained for the four combinations; e) second memory means for storing the results of the first logic operation output by the first operation means; and f) second operation means for performing a second logic operation on the results of the first logic operation obtained for the four combinations and stored in the second memory means, and for outputting a result of the second logic operation which forms the rectangular area in which the figure is inscribed, wherein the rectangular area may have pixels other than the pixels of the pre-existing figure.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
272 words
An apparatus for forming a rectangular area having a pre-existing figure inscribed therein, the rectangular area having exactly four sides regardless of the shape of the pre-existing figure, the apparatus comprising: a) scanning means for scanning a sheet on which is inscribed the figure, and for outputting pixel data representing the figure, each pixel datum of the pixel data being one binary digit; b) first memory means for storing the pixel data output by the scanning means; c) means for scanning the pixel data in the first memory means in accordance with each of four combinations of directions defined by main and sub scanning directions, and, for each of the four combinations, reading out a pixel datum relating to a pixel of concern and pixel data relating to at least two pixels adjacent thereto; d) first operation means, for each of the combinations, for performing a first logic operation on the pixel datum relating to the pixel of concern and the pixel data relating to at least the two pixels adjacent thereto, and for outputting results of the first logic operation obtained for the four combinations; e) second memory means for storing the results of the first logic operation output by the first operation means; and f) second operation means for performing a second logic operation on the results of the first logic operation obtained for the four combinations and stored in the second memory means, and for outputting a result of the second logic operation which forms the rectangular area in which the figure is inscribed, wherein the rectangular area may have pixels other than the pixels of the pre-existing figure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
163 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the first memory means comprises a bit map memory having n rows and m columns (where n and m are integers) which stores the pixel data including the pixel datum relating to the pixel of concern and the pixel data relating to at least two pixels adjacent thereto; the pixel data relating to the at least two pixels has a first pixel datum and a second pixel datum; the first pixel datum relates to a pixel located at a position of the bit map memory which precedes the pixel of concern by one column in the main scanning direction and which is located in the same row as the pixel of concern; and the second pixel datum relates to a pixel located at a position of the bit map memory which precedes the pixel of concern by one row in the sub scanning direction and which is located in the same column as the pixel of concern.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first operation means includes: means for calculating a formula; wherein B is the pixel datum relating to the second pixel; C is the pixel datum relating to the first pixel; and D is the pixel datum relating to the pixel of concern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the pre-existing figure drawn on the sheet is a closed-loop figure which is inscribed in the rectangular area to be formed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the pre-existing figure drawn on the sheet is a diagonal line which is inscribed in the rectangular area to be formed and which connects two corners of the rectangular area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second operation means includes: means for logically adding the results of the first operation obtained for the four combinations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the four combinations defined by the main and sub scanning directions comprise: a first combination composed of a rightward direction of the first memory corresponding to the main scanning direction, and a downward direction corresponding to the sub scanning direction; a second combination composed of a leftward direction opposite to the rightward direction, and the downward direction; a third combination composed of the rightward direction, and an upward direction opposite to the sub scanning direction; and a fourth combination composed of the leftward direction, and the upward direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the sheet comprises a transparent or semitransparent sheet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the rectangular area formed by the result of the second operation is filled with identical data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: the identical pixel data are binary ones.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: third memory means for storing image data showing an image to be printed; background image data generating means for generating background image data showing a background image; and edit means, coupled to the third memory means, the background image data generating means and the second operation means, for generating a print signal showing the image represented by the image data in the rectangular area having the background image represented by the background image data.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: print means for receiving the print signal and for recording an image formed by the print signal on a recording media.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-14 | 1995-04-15 | 1995-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-14 | 1999-04-15 | 1999-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-14 | 2003-04-15 | 2003-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |