Camera Barcode Decoding with Rotation and Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional barcode decoding systems require specialized hardware and are inconvenient for users due to alignment requirements, and image-based decoding systems often produce inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A barcode decoding system that uses a camera to capture images, applies a rotation and segmentation process, and employs a barcode classifier model to generate a binary sequence representation of the item identifier, eliminating the need for specialized hardware and improving decoding accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized barcode scanner hardware is used, then decoding accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces specialized barcode scanner hardware with a camera that captures images of barcodes. The camera creates a visual copy of the barcode, which is then processed through image recognition algorithms to extract the encoded information. This substitution of a general-purpose imaging device for specialized scanning hardware reduces device complexity while maintaining decoding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical scanning system with an image-based computational system. Instead of using dedicated barcode scanner hardware with specific optical components and scanning mechanisms, the system uses a camera to capture the barcode image and employs computer vision algorithms to decode the information, substituting mechanical scanning with digital image processing.
2Measurement precision
If barcode alignment is required, then decoding precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image processing actions including rotation and segmentation of the captured barcode image. By automatically rotating the image to proper orientation and segmenting the barcode from the background before decoding, the system eliminates the need for users to manually align the barcode, making the operation more convenient while maintaining decoding precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-alignment through automatic image rotation and segmentation. The barcode decoding system automatically adjusts the captured image to the correct orientation and extracts the barcode region without requiring user intervention for alignment, enabling the system to serve itself in the alignment task that previously required user action.
3Ease of operation
If image manipulation is applied to correct barcode orientation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary rotation and segmentation actions to the captured barcode image before decoding. By automatically rotating the image to the correct orientation and segmenting the barcode from surrounding elements in advance, the system prepares the image for accurate decoding without requiring manual user intervention, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A barcode decoding system decodes item identifiers from images of barcodes. The barcode decoding system receives an image of a barcode and rotates the image to a pre-determined orientation. The barcode decoding system also may segment the barcode image to emphasize the portions of the image that correspond to the barcode. The barcode decoding system generates a binary sequence representation of the item identifier encoded in the barcode by applying a barcode classifier model to the barcode image, and decodes the item identifier from the barcode based on the binary sequence representation.