Image analysis – Applications – Reading bank checks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-07
2001-08-28
Johns, Andrew W. (Department: 2621)
Image analysis
Applications
Reading bank checks
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282308
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to image-based document processing systems, and is particularly directed to a method of processing a document in an image-based document processing system, such as an electronic image-based bank check processing system, and an apparatus therefor.
A typical electronic image-based bank check processing system includes an electronic imaging camera having a scan rate which is controlled to capture images of documents, such as bank checks, moving past the imaging camera along a document feed path. In an image-based bank check processing system, it is often desirable to establish quality and/or validity of each captured document image before processing the captured document image further downstream along the document feed path or archiving the captured document image. A known way to establish quality and/or validity of each captured document image is to visually inspect each image. However, since the number of documents is most often relatively large, visual inspection is usually impractical. Another known way to establish quality and/or validity of each captured document image is to apply real-time techniques in which general illumination parameters or pixel characteristics, for examples, are analyzed. However, since these real-time techniques are typically based upon statistical methods, many forms of system failure may not be immediately identifiable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for processing a document transported along a document transport path. The apparatus comprises illumination means for generating selective illumination data. The apparatus further comprises an imaging camera for (i) capturing an image of a document while the document is being transported along the document transport path, and (ii) capturing an image of selective illumination data. The imaging camera may capture the image of the selective illumination data either after the image of the document is captured or before the image of the document is captured. Alternatively, the imaging camera may capture the image of the illumination data while the image of the document is being captured to provide a composite image of the document and selective illumination data.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of processing a document transported along a document transport path in an image-based document processing system including an imaging camera having an acquisition rate comprises the steps of (a) capturing an image of a document while the document is being transported along the document transport path, and (b) capturing an image of selective illumination data which is synchronized to the acquisition rate of the camera.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for processing a document transported along a document transport path. The apparatus comprises an imaging camera having an acquisition rate and disposed along the document transport path. Illumination means is disposed along the document transport path and is provided for generating selective illumination data which is synchronized to the acquisition rate of the imaging camera. Control means is provided for controlling the illumination means to generate selective illumination data while the document is being transported along the document transport path so that the imaging camera can capture a composite image of the document and the selective illumination data as the document is being transported along the document transport path past the imaging camera. The illumination means may provide light which is transmitted directly towards the imaging camera. Alternatively, the illumination means may provide light which is reflected and then transmitted towards the imaging camera.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of processing a document transported along a document transport path in an image-based document processing system including an imaging camera having an acquisition rate comprises the steps of (a) generating selective illumination data which is synchronized to the acquisition rate of the imaging camera, and (b) capturing a composite image of the document and the selective illumination data generated in step (a) while the document is being transported along the document transport path.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, an image-based document processing system comprises means defining a document transport path along which a document can be transported. An imaging camera is disposed along one side of the document transport path and has an acquisition rate associated therewith. Illumination means is disposed along the document transport path and is provided for generating selective illumination data which is synchronized to the acquisition rate of the imaging camera. Control means is provided for (i) controlling the imaging camera to capture an image of the document as the document is being transported past the imaging camera, and (ii) controlling the imaging camera to capture an image of selective illumination data. The imaging camera may capture the image of selective illumination data either after the image of the document is captured or before the image of the document is captured. Alternatively, the imaging camera may capture the image of selective illumination data while the image of the document is being captured to provide a composite image of the document and selective illumination data.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, an image-based document processing system comprises means defining a document transport path along which a document can be transported. An imaging camera is disposed along one side of the document transport path and has an acquisition rate associated therewith. A selective illumination array is disposed along the document transport path and is provided for generating selective illumination data which is synchronized to the acquisition rate of the imaging camera. A controller is provided for controlling the selective illumination array to generate selective illumination data such that the imaging camera can capture a composite image of the document and the selective illumination data as the document is being transported past the imaging camera along the document transport path. The imaging camera may be disposed on one side of the document transport path and the selective illumination array may be disposed along the opposite side of the document transport path facing the imaging camera.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4344683 (1982-08-01), Stemme
patent: 4740818 (1988-04-01), Tsilibes et al.
patent: 4821332 (1989-04-01), Durham
patent: 4825246 (1989-04-01), Fukuchi et al.
patent: 4881269 (1989-11-01), Billiotte et al.
patent: 4882498 (1989-11-01), Cochran et al.
patent: 5021978 (1991-06-01), Stone et al.
patent: 5078666 (1992-01-01), Porret et al.
patent: 5163012 (1992-11-01), Wuhrl et al.
patent: 5317654 (1994-05-01), Perry et al.
patent: 5323473 (1994-06-01), Lau
patent: 5333052 (1994-07-01), Finarov
patent: 5530759 (1996-06-01), Braudaway et al.
patent: 5567934 (1996-10-01), Zheng et al.
patent: 5602939 (1997-02-01), Hasiguchi et al.
patent: 5712921 (1998-01-01), Zabele
patent: 5719948 (1998-02-01), Liang
patent: 5822053 (1998-10-01), Thraikill
patent: 5990468 (1999-11-01), Cornuiejols
patent: 6005965 (1999-12-01), Tsuda et al.
patent: 6088133 (2000-07-01), Francis et al.
patent: 6155604 (2000-12-01), Greene et al.
Chan Michael
Johns Andrew W.
Nakhjavan Shervin
NCR Corporation
LandOfFree
Method of processing a document in an image-based document... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of processing a document in an image-based document..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of processing a document in an image-based document... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2448411