Eric B Randall

US Patent:

48114073, Mar 7, 1989

Filed:

Jan 22, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/821283

Inventors:

Johan F. Blokker - Fairfield IA
Eric B. Randall - Fairfield IA

Assignee:

CableSoft, Inc. - Fairfield IA

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382 1

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for converting a conventional analog video signal carrying alphanumeric video characters into computer recognizable data is disclosed. A signal containing composite video information is received and is decoded into component signals comprising the analog video signal, the horizontal sync component and the vertical sync component. The analog video component signal is converted into binary matrix data representing the received signal carrying alphanumeric video characters. The binary matrix data is compared with binary data representing a known character reference set to determine the character data code for the particular unknown character and uniquely identifying the same and retrieving its unique data code. The character once identified may be sent to a host computer for further processing if desired.