Barcode Detection Using Preliminary Low-Quality Image Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current barcode reading systems face challenges in achieving user-friendly and robust information retrieval due to issues with image quality, requiring either user-assisted methods that can cause motion blur or automatic methods that compromise on image quality and features like flash and auto-focus.
Innovation Solution
A method that detects barcodes in low-quality images and captures higher-quality images using auto-focus and illumination, allowing for robust decoding without user interaction, utilizing algorithms like support vector machines and gradient filters to enhance detection and decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user-assisted image acquisition is used to capture barcode images, then the user can control the capturing process, but motion blur occurs when pressing the snapshot button and the system is cumbersome to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of barcode presence in a first image before capturing the second high-quality image. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare and trigger the snapshot automatically when a barcode is detected, eliminating the need for user button pressing and avoiding motion blur from manual operation.
2Ease of operation
If automatic image acquisition is used to continually capture images, then user-friendliness is improved, but image quality deteriorates because advanced features like flash and auto-focus cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors images for barcode presence (preliminary detection) and only triggers the high-quality snapshot capture when a barcode is actually detected. This allows automatic operation to maintain user-friendliness while ensuring that the flash and auto-focus features are activated only when needed for actual barcode reading, preserving image quality.
3Extent of automation
If continuous monitoring for barcode detection is performed, then automatic operation is achieved, but the system cannot utilize advanced image capturing features
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary barcode detection in a continuous stream of lower-quality images, then uses this detection information to trigger a second high-quality image capture with advanced features enabled. This two-stage approach maintains automatic operation while restoring access to flash and auto-focus features when actually needed for decoding.
Solution Approach 2:
The image acquisition process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, continuous monitoring of lower-quality images for barcode presence; second, triggered capture of high-quality images with advanced features when barcode is detected. This segmentation allows the system to maintain automatic operation during monitoring while enabling advanced features during the critical capture phase.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
A method of retrieving information comprised in a barcode is disclosed. The method comprises detecting that the barcode is present in a first image having a first image quality and capturing a first region, acquiring, when it is detected that the barcode is present, a second image having a second image quality and capturing a second region, wherein the second image quality is higher than the first image quality, and wherein the second region at least partly overlaps the first region, and decoding the barcode based on the second image to retrieve the information. A corresponding program product and a corresponding arrangement are also disclosed along with a communication device comprising the arrangement.