Image analysis – Image transformation or preprocessing – Image storage or retrieval
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-20
2001-07-10
Patel, Jay (Department: 2723)
Image analysis
Image transformation or preprocessing
Image storage or retrieval
C358S410000, C382S168000, C382S232000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259829
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to automatic high-speed document imaging/processing; and especially to means for identifying document images.
BACKGROUND, FEATURES
Workers are familiar with document processing (e.g., check processors for automatic sort) that involve creating an electronic digital image of each document as it passes an imaging station (e.g., as simplistically illustrated in FIG.
1
A). In
FIG. 1A
there is shown a financial document sorting system having a typical document sorter
12
, which in the preferred embodiment of this invention, comprises a model DP1800 sorter which is manufactured by the UNISYS Corporation of Blue Bell, Pa.
Sorter
12
contains a track
14
along which a plurality of financial documents
16
(e.g., checks) passes. Sorter
12
includes a magnetic character reader
18
and magnetic strip character controller
20
, as well as a document holder
22
and a pipelined image processor (imaging station)
24
.
Controller
20
is coupled to reader
18
via signals on a bus
26
, to a host computer
28
by signals on a bus
30
, and to the pipelined image processor
24
by signals on a bus
32
. A computer
28
is coupled to an image storage module
34
by signals on a bus
36
, while image storage module
34
is also coupled to the pipelined image processor
24
and to a plurality of workstations
38
via signals on a-buses
40
and
42
, respectively.
In operation, documents
16
sequentially pass reader
18
which reads a typical code appearing upon the usual MICR codeline strip which is normally placed upon each of the documents
16
. The code read-out is then sent to computer
28
by signals on bus
30
for storage therein, and also to processor
24
by signals on bus
32
. As each document
16
further proceeds, it passes imaging station
24
which creates a digital electronic image of the document, and sends this processed image data, via signals on bus
40
, to image storage module
34
for storage therein. After passing station
24
, each document is then sorted, by sorter
12
, in the usual way (based on the contents of the MICR codeline) and is held at document holder
22
.
After a typical prescribed block of such documents
16
has been sorted as aforedescribed, workstations
38
, via signals on bus
42
, may sequentially request document image data from storage module
34
. This image data is then downloaded to a workstation
38
, via signals on bus
42
, along with associated magnetic code data obtained from host computer
28
.
After such image data is so captured at a workstation
38
, an operator may electronically enter the dollar amount (e.g., courtesy amount) on each document and electronically resolve any associated inconsistencies. Each image's dollar amount and associated corrections then form a single record which is sent to computer
28
, via signals on bus
42
, where it may later be accessed for use in automatically inscribing the dollar amount and corrections upon the document. Therefore, the aforementioned document sort system
10
substantially eliminates manual handling of an individual document
16
, once its associated dollar amount is so verified and inscribed, to thereby increase the efficiency, speed and timeliness of the overall document sorting system
10
.
Compression Stages:
Within Image Processor
24
in
FIG. 1A
is placed one of “n” JPEG Processing/Compression stages (
24
-A). Two of these JPEG Processing/Compression paths are implemented on a Histogram/Compressor printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) shown in FIG.
1
C.
According to a feature hereof, Image Processor
24
of
FIG. 1
is characterized by an Image Digitizer unit (D of
FIG. 2
) for analog to digital conversion of the captured image, a Normalizer/Scaler (N/S Set,
FIG. 2
) for normalization, delineation and scaling of the video image, a set of “n”, parallel JPEG Processing/Compression units (J
1
of FIG.
2
and
24
-A of
FIG. 1
) for image processing/JPEG compression and a JPEG Compressed Data Buffer unit (JCDB in
FIG. 2
) for collection and temporary storage of compressed images from the JPEG Processing/Compression units. [Note “JPEG” refers to a compression standard by the “Joint Photographic Experts Group”.]
These functions are implemented especially to meet the performance requirements of a high speed check imaging system and to minimize the cost of the system by reducing the amount of “parallel hardware” needed to compress images. A preferred Processing/Compression Stage (for JPEG) is indicated in FIG.
1
C.
The JPEG compression hardware performs image processing on a 128 grey level, scaled image before executing a two-pass JPEG compression. Scaling can range from 137.5 dpi to 50 dpi in steps of 12.5 dpi. This two-pass compression is designed—according to this feature—to reduce images to a predictable “packet size” apt for use in the entire high speed check imaging system. These functions of the JPEG “P/C” (Processing/Compression) hardware, (detailed below) must be performed, here, in real time on check images as they move down a high speed check sorter track at an approximate rate of 1800 checks per minute.
It is not possible, within the environment of present high speed check-imaging systems (detailed below), for a single JPEG “P/C” (Processing/Compression) path to process every check in real time. Therefore, one needs multiple JPEG “P/C” paths, operating in parallel, are needed. To reduce the time required for each Processing/Compression path to operate on an image (and therefore reduce the number of parallel paths needed to maintain system performance), many of the required functions of the JPEG “P/C” path have been implemented in hardware. A detailed explanation of such functions is described below.
System Environment:
A JPEG “P/C” (process/compression) path as here contemplated, will perform image processing and real time JPEG compression of normalized and scaled images of documents (e.g. checks) captured in a check sorter at an average rate of 1800 checks per minute. The diagram in
FIG. 2
indicates conditions under which the JPEG “P/C” path operates and the performance required of this unit to maintain overall system performance.
FIG. 2
shows the processing of a sample of check images as they move left to right across the page, similar to the way the checks would move through the check sorter. Here, track speed of the sorter assumed to be 300 inches per second. This means that a check that is 6 inches long will take 20 ms to pass a fixed point on the sorter track; here, checks can range in length from 5.75 inches to 9 inches (19 ms to 30 ms), with gaps between checks ranging from 1.5 inches (5 ms) to several inches).
The check images are captured by a camera preferably comprised of a vertical, 1024-element CCPD array which samples 256 grey levels per pixel (8 bits) with a resolution of 200 pixels per inch. In the vertical direction, the camera can capture images up to 5.12 inches high. The 1024 element array takes a snapshot of the check every 16.66 us as it moves down the sorter track, yielding a horizontal capture resolution of 200 pixels per inch. These 1024 pixel scans (captured every 16.66 us by the CCPD array) are divided into eight 128 pixel channels (shown as CHO through CH
7
in
FIG. 2
, each composed of 128 pixel scans). Hardware in the Camera/Digitizer D converts each 128 pixel scan into eight serial streams of pixels, with one pixel being output approximately every 130 ns.
The N/S (Normalizer/Scaler) hardware next normalizes the pixel values from the 1024 CCPD elements and then scales the image down. The maximum resolution after scaling is 137.5 ({fraction (11/16)}this scaling of 200 dpi captured image) pixels per inch in both dimensions (e.g., see example shown in FIG.
2
). In this example the 128 pixel scans in each channel are reduced to 88 pixels per scan. The N/S hardware “time-multiplexes” four channels' worth of data onto two, 8-bit serial outputs to the JPEG “P/C” hardware. The 88 pixels from all four “even-numbered” (total of 352 pixels per scan at 137.5 dpi) channels (
0
,
2
,
4
,
6
)
Bleecker, III John A.
Edwards Daniel R.
Reasoner, Jr. George E.
Smith Gerald R.
Patel Jay
Rasmussen David G.
Starr Mark T.
Unisys Corporation
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