System and method for data capture within a predefined area

Abstract

Described is a method for identifying a signature line. A first line having at least a predetermined length is identified. End points of the first line are identified. It is determined whether a second line intersects one of the end points of the first line at an angle within a predetermined range. If no line is determined to intersect one of the end points, a first predetermined area adjacent to each end of the line is scanned for a predetermined character. When the predetermined character is found, the line is determined to be the signature line.

1 . A method for identifying a signature line, comprising: 
 identifying a first line having at least a predetermined length;    identifying end points of the first line;    determining whether a second line intersects one of the end points of the first line at an angle within a predetermined range;    when no line is determined to intersect one of the end points, scanning a first predetermined area adjacent to each end of the line for a predetermined character; and    when the predetermined character is found, determining the line is the signature line.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 digitally imaging a second predetermined area surrounding the line.    
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second predetermined area includes a signature.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 digitizing the signature.    
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 obtaining an image including the first line and a signature.    
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined length is one of (i) about 1.5 inches to about 4 inches and (ii) a predetermined number of pixels long.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined number of pixels is in a range of about 100 to 150 pixels long.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first line is straight along the predetermined length.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined range is about 1 degree to about 179 degrees relative to the first line.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined area is a range of a 12 o'clock position to a 6 o'clock position relative to the first line  60 .  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined character is “X”.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the scanning step further comprises the substeps of: 
 identifying at least two straight lines having substantially equal lengths;    determining whether the straight lines intersect at their respective midpoints; and    when the straight lines intersect at their respective midpoints, identifying the straight lines as the predetermined character.    
   
   
       13 . A device, comprising: 
 a memory storing a set of instructions;    an image capture arrangement for capturing an image; and    a processor which identifies a first line having at least a predetermined length in the image, the processor identifies end points of the first line, the processor determines whether a second line intersects one of the end points of the first line at an angle within a predetermined range,    wherein, when no line is determined to intersect one of the end points, the processor scans a first predetermined area adjacent to each end of the line for a predetermined character; and    wherein, when the predetermined character is found, the processor determines the line is the signature line.    
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the processor digitally images a second predetermined area surrounding the line.  
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the second predetermined area includes a signature.  
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the processor digitizes the signature.  
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined length is one of (i) about 1.5 inches to about 4 inches and (ii) between about 100 and 150 pixels.  
   
   
       18 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined range is about 1 degree to about 179 degrees relative to the first line.  
   
   
       19 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first predetermined area is a range of a 12 o'clock position to a 6 o'clock position relative to the first line.  
   
   
       20 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined character is “X”.  
   
   
       21 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the device is a portable image scanner.