Synchronized Barcode and Color Camera for Article Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing logistics systems face difficulties in accurately tracking and identifying articles using image-based barcode recognition due to the inability of monochrome sensors to distinguish between colors, making it challenging to monitor article status and location.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with integrated barcode and image information obtaining modules, utilizing a monochrome sensor for barcode recognition and a color sensor for image capture, synchronized through a system-on-chip to provide synchronized photographing time points, enabling simultaneous capture and analysis of barcode and image information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a monochrome sensor is used for barcode recognition, then barcode recognition accuracy is improved, but the ability to distinguish colors of articles is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a monochrome sensor for barcode recognition and a color sensor for article imaging into a single integrated camera system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously perform both functions - accurate barcode reading and color-based article identification - resolving the contradiction between barcode recognition accuracy and color distinction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated camera system performs multiple functions: barcode recognition via the monochrome sensor, color imaging via the color sensor, and synchronized capture of both data types. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices and enables comprehensive article tracking with both barcode and visual information
2Ease of operation
If separate barcode readers and image cameras are used, then barcode recognition and image capture can be performed independently, but synchronization between barcode data and image data becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both the barcode information obtaining module and image information obtaining module into a single camera system with a unified controller, the patent ensures that barcode recognition and image capture are inherently synchronized. The shared hardware platform and centralized control eliminate timing mismatches between barcode data and image data
3Productivity
If barcode information and image information are captured at different time points, then each module can operate independently, but the correlation between barcode data and image data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by triggering both the barcode information obtaining module and image information obtaining module simultaneously through a unified control signal. This preliminary action ensures that both data types are captured at the exact same moment, preserving the spatial-temporal correlation between barcode location and article appearance
Solution Approach 2:
The unified controller monitors and coordinates the operation of both modules, ensuring synchronized capture. The system uses feedback from the triggering mechanism to maintain precise timing alignment between barcode recognition and image capture, preventing loss of correlation
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a camera included in a logistics control system, the camera including a barcode information obtaining module configured to capture an image of a barcode of an article, which is attached to the article, and obtain barcode information of the barcode, an image information obtaining module configured as one housing with the barcode information obtaining module and configured to obtain image information of the article by capturing an image of the article and be simultaneously triggered by one signal to have a synchronized photographing time point with the barcode information obtaining module, and a processor configured to monitor the article based on the barcode information and the image information.