US PATENT CLASS 382
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
Click HD for Main Headings
Click for All Classes
DEFINITION
Classification: 382/
GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER
This is the generic class for apparatus and corresponding methods for the automated analysis of an image or recognition of a pattern*. Included herein are systems that transform an image for the purpose of (a) enhancing its visual quality prior to recognition, (b) locating and registering the image relative to a sensor or stored prototype, or reducing the amount of image data by discarding irrelevant data, and (c) measuring significant characteristics of the image.
(1) Note. Automated document pattern* analysis or verification, which includes detection of alphanumerics, is classified in this class.
(2) Note. To be classified herein, no actual recognition or identification need be performed. It is sufficient that substantial digital image processing, such as a coding, enhancement, or transformation process, be performed on the image data for classification herein.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
Pattern* analysis or verification limited to the intrinsic properties of a document is classified elsewhere. Documents that are analyzed or verified by information content, such as pattern*s or alphanumeric characters, are classified in this class (382). Document verification limited to a photocell system is classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below.
Alphanumeric characters and other pattern*s are to be distinguished from coded indicia. Coded indicia are designed
specifically to facilitate reading by machine and are not intended to be read by humans (e.g., the Universal Product Code on grocery items). Reading or sensing of coded indicia which does not include the recognition of any alphanumeric character or pattern* is classified elsewhere.. However, reading or sensing of pattern*s or alphanumeric characters in combination with coded indicia is classified in this class (382). Example: Reading a credit card that contains a printed name plus a magnetic code is classified in Class 235 if only the magnetic code is read. Otherwise, if both the printed name and the magnetic code are read, classification is herein.
The images analyzed and processed herein are images that are representative of a "real" scene (such as images obtained by a camera, scanner, or image detector), including obtained images of people, places, and things, wherein the image represents the actual scene. The presentation or generation of images that are (a) computer generated or otherwise artificial, or (b) a combination of computer-generated images and real images is properly classified elsewhere, including for computer s:graphics and control of data presentation with creation or manipulation of s:graphic objects or text performed by a computer or processor, and operator interfaces. See References to Other Classes, below. The specific processing of television pictures and signals, where a television system is an integral part of the system, is properly classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. When images generated by a television camera are processed, and the television system is not an integral part of the overall system, and the system is either disclosed or claimed in an environment with substantial digital image processing or in a pattern* recognition* environment, proper classification is herein.
For systems directed to the processing of a displayed image, where the processing is directed to the altering of the display image or of the display system itself, proper classification is elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below.
The testing or measuring of distances, areas, volumes, thicknesses, or defects in objects is excluded from this class. However, where the measurements of these parameters are either disclosed or claimed in an environment with substantial digital image processing or in a pattern* recognition* environment, classification is in this class.
Image analysis* having specific and significantly claimed utility in art environments external to this class is classified in the appropriate external classes unless it is specifically excluded therefrom. For example: radar, facsimile, color facsimile, coded record sensor; and purely optical systems for image processing are all excluded from this class. See references to Other Classes, below.
Subcombinations specific to image analysis* or pattern* recognition are classified herein.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
73, Measuring and Testing,
488+, for mechanically determining speed and acceleration; subclass 865.4 for mechanical signature verification instruments.
178, Telegraphy,
18.01+, for writing elements and detectors. 209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids,
509+, for sorting paper money, mail pieces, bottles, and other objects.
235, Registers,
435+, for coded record sensors; subclasses 487+ for coded records.
250, Radiant Energy,
201.2+, for autofocus control of photocell circuits; subclass 223 for optical inspection of bottles using radiant energy; subclass 271 for subject matter that includes infrared of ultraviolet light for pattern analysis or verification; subclasses 455+ for tomography; subclasses 548, 559+, and 571+ for web and sheet inspection using a photocell system; and subclass 556 for document verification that is limited to a photocell system.
340, Communications: Electrical,
825.3+, for intelligence comparison and authorization or identification of personnel using communications system; subclasses 907+ and 933+ for specific vehicle detection and traffic control.
342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation),
104+, 115+, or 147+, for radar.
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems,
112+, for visual display of images; subclass 126 for rotation of a displayed image; subclasses 127+ for control of the size of a displayed image; subclasses 419+ for three-dimensional presentation; 430 for determining and using texture in computer s:graphics and display; and 433+ for transformation of computer-generated images.
348, Television, for specific processing of television pictures and signals, where a television system is an integral part of the system,
62+, for aids for the blind; subclasses 86+ for manufacturing where a television system is an integral part of the system; subclasses 125+ for flaw detection where a television system is an integral part of the system; subclasses 135+ for object and scene measurements where a television system is an integral part of the system; subclass 161 for object comparison where a television system is an integral part of the system; subclass 384 for bandwidth compression of television signals where a television system is an integral part of the system; subclasses 571+ for image processing specific to television where a television system is an integral part of the system.
351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,
200+, for optical measurements of the eye.
356, Optics: Measuring and Testing,
3+, for range finding and stereoscopic optical measuring; subclasses 27+ for optically determining velocity; subclass 71 for document pattern* analysis or verification if visible light is used (otherwise, classification is elsewhere); subclasses 372+ for optical measuring of the physical properties of an object; subclasses 388+ for optical configuration comparison; subclasses 429+ for inspection of webs and threads; subclasses 237.1+ for optical inspection for flaws and imperfections; subclasses 39+ for visible-light blood analyzing instruments.
358, Facsimile,
500+, for natural color facsimile; and subclasses 400+ for facsimile systems.
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communications) and Elements,
1+, for holos:graphic systems; and subclasses 559+ for optical Fourier transforms, convolution, and correlation.
364, Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems, 131, for the use of plural processors in a computer system; subclasses 274.9, 276.6, and 972.4 for neural networks used in a computer system; subclasses 413.07+ for computer applications in blood analysis; subclasses 413.13+ for computer applications in medical imaging; subclasses 468+ for use of computers in manufacturing; subclass 470 for computer controlled manufacturing of textiles.
367, Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices, appropriate subclasses for extraction and processing of seismic samples and borehole samples.
369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval,
103, for storage of holos:graphic images.
377, Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems,
10+, for blood cell counters.
378, X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices,
21+, for tomography; subclass 37 for mammography; and subclasses 62+ for imaging.
380, Cryptography,
9+, for encryption of data, including character data.
395, Information Processing System Organization, 80+, for data processing of robot control systems; subclasses 101+ for computer s:graphics and control of data presentation with creation or manipulation of s:graphic objects or text performed by a computer or processor, and subclasses 326+ for operator interfaces.
396, Photography,
89+, for automatic focus control or rangefinding in a camera environment.
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,
224+, for the processing of textiles.
434, Education and Demonstration,
112+, for reading aids for the handicapped.
600, Surgery,
300+, for various diagnostic devices.
702, Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,
37, for flow or defect detection by video imaging, subclasses 66+ for electrical waveform analysis, and subclass 192 for noise removal or suppression in a measured video or image signal.
704, Data Processing: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation and Audio Compression/Decompression,
200+, for artificial intelligence systems that process speech signals.
705, Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/price Determination,
401+, for a postage meter.
706, Data Processing: Intelligent Processing Systems and Methods,
15+, for artificial intelligence applications of neural networks.
707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data Structures, or Document Processing,
500, 542 for document processing performed by a computer for presentation.
708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating,
200+, for computer implemented conversion of data; subclasses 300+ and 819 for computer-implemented filters; subclasses 400+, 813+, and 820+ for transforms (Fourier, correlation, convolution) implemented by computer.
714, Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery, appropriate subclasses for digital data error in general.
901, Robots, appropriate subclasses for the details of a robot. 902, Electronic Funds Transfer,
3, 7 and 25+ for identification of individuals, such as with biometrics and bank cards, in a funds transfer system.
GLOSSARY:
IMAGE ANALYSIS*
For the purpose of this class, image analysis* is defined as a systematic operation or series of operations performed on data representative of an observed image with the aim of measuring a characteristic of the image, detecting variations and structure in the image, or transforming the image in a way that facilitates its interpretation.
IMAGING SYSTEM*
For the purpose of this class, an imaging system is any means which acquires an image. For example, it includes video cameras, CCD arrays, scanners, etc.
PATTERN*
For the purpose of this class, a pattern* is any form in an image having discernable characteristics that provide a distinctive identity when contrasted with other forms. For example, the character "A" has a distinctive identity when contrasted with all other letters of the alphabet.
PATTERN* RECOGNITION*
For the purpose of this class, pattern* recognition* is defined as any procedure for ascertaining differences, as well as similarities, between pattern*s under observation and partitioning the pattern*s into appropriate categories based on these perceived differences and similarities; or any procedure for correctly identifying a discrete pattern*, such as an alphanumeric character, as a member of a predefined pattern* category. PIXEL*
The smallest distinguishable and resolvable area in an image.