Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1979-1983
Title: The Innovations of William R. Smith
Introduction
William R. Smith is a notable inventor based in Mountain View, CA, who has made significant contributions to the field of optical character recognition and video signal processing. With a total of 6 patents to his name, Smith has developed innovative technologies that enhance data extraction and processing capabilities.
Latest Patents
One of his latest patents is the "OCR Matrix Extractor." This invention describes a matrix extractor that is particularly useful for extracting data from memory containing representations of optically scanned characters. The method and apparatus allow for the isolation of packets of data in memory, determining their locations, and extracting the data for character recognition. This approach significantly reduces the amount of data that must be processed by the recognition processor, leading to more reliable recognition outcomes.
Another significant patent is the "Apparatus for Processing Video Signals Received from an Optical Scanner." This invention utilizes a comparator to compare video signals with a dynamic threshold voltage generated by a peak detector circuit. The peak detector includes decay means for decaying signals representative of detected peaks at a predetermined rate. This thresholding technique effectively compensates for a wide dynamic range of video signals received from a photodiode array.
Career Highlights
William R. Smith has been associated with Caere Corporation, where he has contributed to various projects and innovations. His work has focused on improving technologies related to optical scanning and data processing.
Collaborations
Some of his notable coworkers include Serge L. Blanc and Richard E. Kumpf, with whom he has collaborated on various projects within the company.
Conclusion
William R. Smith's contributions to the fields of optical character recognition and video signal processing have paved the way for advancements in data extraction technologies. His innovative patents reflect a commitment to enhancing the reliability and efficiency of data processing systems.