US5719969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Data input apparatus and data processing apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-20
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Granted: 1998-02-17
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Expires: 2015-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A data input apparatus includes an image pickup with a zooming function, for converting an original image into an electrical signal, an area judger for judging at least a character area from the image taken by the image pickup and a character recognizer for converting the character image, in the character area judged by the area judger, into a character code. A detector detects errors in the character recognition and a controller controls the zooming function of the image pickup according to an output of the detector thereby effecting the character recognition with an enlarged image when errors increase.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomishige Taguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/98
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A data input apparatus comprising: optical zooming means for providing an image, said optical zooming means having a focusing lens and a zooming lens; image pickup means for converting the image into an electrical signal; area judgment means responsive to the electrical signal for judging at least a character area in the image; character recognition means for performing a character recognition operation to convert a character image, in the character area judged by said area judgment means, into a character code; detecting means for detecting failure of the character recognition operation and generating a detection signal; and control means for enlarging the image with said optical zooming means in response to the detection signal and controlling said character recognition means to perform the character recognition operation again.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A data input apparatus comprising: optical zooming means for providing an image, said optical zooming means having a focusing lens and a zooming lens; image pickup means for converting the image into an electrical signal; area judgment means responsive to the electrical signal for judging at least a character area in the image; character recognition means for performing a character recognition operation to convert a character image, in the character area judged by said area judgment means, into a character code; detecting means for detecting failure of the character recognition operation and generating a detection signal; and control means for enlarging the image with said optical zooming means in response to the detection signal and controlling said character recognition means to perform the character recognition operation again.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said area judgment means further judges a graphic pattern area in the image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising graphic pattern encoding means for encoding a graphic pattern in the graphic pattern area, judged by said area judgment means, according to a predetermined method.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said area judgment means further judges a gradation image area in the image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising image compression means for compressing a gradation image in the gradation image area judged by said area judgment means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
A data input apparatus comprising: optical zooming means for providing an image, said optical zooming means having a focusing lens and a zooming lens; image pickup means for converting the image into an electrical signal; character recognition means responsive to the electrical signal for performing a character recognition operation to convert a character image of the image from said optical zooming means into a character code; detecting means for detecting failure of the character recognition operation and generating a detection signal; and control means for enlarging the image with said optical zooming means in response to the detection signal and controlling said character recognition means to perform the character recognition operation again.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
A data input apparatus comprising: optical zooming means for providing an image, said optical zooming means having a focusing lens and a zooming lens; image pickup means for converting the image into an electrical signal; character recognition means responsive to the electrical signal for performing a character recognition operation to convert a character image of the image from said optical zooming means into a character code; detecting means for detecting failure of the character recognition operation and generating a detection signal; and control means for enlarging the image with said optical zooming means in response to the detection signal and controlling said character recognition means to perform the character recognition operation again.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising warning means for warning when said character recognition means cannot convert the character image into the character code even if the original image is enlarged by said optical zooming means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising recording means for recording the character code converted by said character recognition means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising voice process means for converting the character code, converted by said character recognition means, into a voice signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising warning means for warning when said character recognition means cannot convert the character image into the character code even if the original image is enlarged by said optical zooming means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising recording means for recording the character code converted by said character recognition means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising data reduction means for reducing data other than the character code converted by said character recognition means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising voice process means for converting the character code, converted by said character recognition means, into a voice signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising voice output means for outputting the voice signal converted by said voice process means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
A data input apparatus comprising: optical zooming means for providing an image, said optical zooming means having a focusing lens and a zooming lens; image pickup means for converting the image into an electrical signal; area judgment means responsive to the electrical signal for performing an area judgment operation to judge at least a character area from the image; detecting means for detecting failure of the area judgment operation and generating a detection signal; and control means for enlarging the original image with said optical zooming means in response to the detection signal and controlling said area judgement means to perform the area judgement operation again.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
A data input apparatus comprising: optical zooming means for providing an image, said optical zooming means having a focusing lens and a zooming lens; image pickup means for converting the image into an electrical signal; area judgment means responsive to the electrical signal for performing an area judgment operation to judge at least a character area from the image; detecting means for detecting failure of the area judgment operation and generating a detection signal; and control means for enlarging the original image with said optical zooming means in response to the detection signal and controlling said area judgement means to perform the area judgement operation again.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said area judgment means further judges a graphic pattern area in the image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising graphic pattern encoding means for encoding a graphic pattern in the graphic pattern area, judged by said area judgment means, according to a predetermined method.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said area judgment means further judges a gradation image area in the image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising image compression means for compressing a gradation image in the gradation image area judged by said area judgment means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising warning means for warning when said area judgment means cannot judge at least the character area even if the image is enlarged by said optical zooming means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means detects generation of a predetermined amount of error.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said detecting means detects generation of a predetermined amount of error.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said detecting means generation of a predetermined amount of error.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image encoding means for encoding a graphic pattern image in said binary level image area judged by said area judgment means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising voice output means for outputting the voice signal converted by said voice process means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising magnification detection means for detecting a magnification of said optical zooming means, wherein said control means controls said character recognition means to perform the character recognition operation again if it is detected by said magnification detection means that the magnification of said optical zooming means is not a maximum magnification.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising magnification detection means for detecting a magnification of said optical zooming means, wherein said control means controls said character recognition means to perform the character recognition operation again if it is detected by said magnification detection means that the magnification of said optical zooming means is not a maximum magnification.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising magnification detection means for detecting a magnification of said optical zooming means, wherein said control means controls said area judgement means to perform the area judgement operation again if it is detected by said magnification detection means that the magnification of said optical zooming means is not a maximum magnification.
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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) | 2001-02-16 | 2001-08-18 | 2002-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-16 | 2005-08-18 | 2006-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-16 | 2009-08-18 | 2010-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |