Barcode Image Modulation via Iterative Grayscale Cluster Quality Scoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Barcode readers face challenges in illuminating direct part marks (DPMs) to create sufficient contrast for recognition, leading to inefficiencies in automatically determining optimal imaging parameters.

Innovation Solution

The system automatically determines operation conditions for an imaging system by applying a sequence of imaging parameters, including camera settings, image filters, lighting conditions, and barcode locations, to enhance image quality and facilitate barcode recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automatic imaging parameter adjustment is implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because code read accuracy is not monitored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic imaging parameter adjustmentVSAvoidcode read accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring code read accuracy and using this information to adjust imaging parameters. The system evaluates whether barcodes were successfully read and uses this feedback to determine if image processing parameters need modification, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains both productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual trial-and-error adjustment with an automated computational system that systematically varies imaging parameters and evaluates code readability. This substitution of manual mechanical adjustment with automated computational control enables simultaneous optimization of productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If trial and error method is used for imaging parameter adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to manual adjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual adjustment processVSAvoidbarcode recognition efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the imaging system to automatically adjust its own parameters without manual intervention. The system autonomously varies imaging parameters, evaluates code readability, and modifies settings based on feedback, freeing operators from manual adjustment tasks and significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically varies multiple imaging parameters including illumination intensity, exposure time, and image processing filters to automatically optimize barcode recognition. This automated parameter variation replaces manual adjustment processes, maintaining simplicity while dramatically improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If contrast level adjustment is applied, then image brightness is improved, but grayscale value separation between foreground and background deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidgrayscale value separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively adjusting image processing parameters for different regions or features within the image. Rather than uniformly increasing contrast throughout the entire image, the system optimizes processing parameters specifically for barcode regions to maintain grayscale separation while improving overall image brightness where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making image processing parameters adjustable and adaptable rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies contrast and brightness parameters based on the specific barcode characteristics and image content, allowing optimization of both illumination intensity and grayscale value separation through iterative parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12314813B2Image modulation methods and devices using image filters, image parameters, quality scores, and grayscale clusters

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 OMRON CORP

AI summary

An electronic device obtains a first image, including an image area enclosing a barcode, selects an image filter having a filter parameter, and iteratively processes the first image until a quality score satisfies an image modulation condition. A set of filters and associated filter parameters are determined for processing additional barcode images based on at least the image filter and the filter parameter corresponding to the quality score that satisfies the image modulation condition. During each iterative cycle, the image area is processed by the image filter having the filter parameter to generate a plurality of grayscale values, determine the quality score that measures the quality of two grayscale clusters grouping the grayscale values of the image area, determine whether the quality score satisfies the image modulation condition, and adjust the filter parameter of the image filter when the quality score does not satisfy the image modulation condition.