Cart POS Image Capture Exposure Control for Faster Item Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cart POS systems face issues with exposure differences between multiple image pickup devices capturing a merchandise item, leading to delayed recognition and potential failure in identifying items due to brightness variations and time-consuming exposure adjustments.
Innovation Solution
An article registration device adjusts exposure timing for each camera based on the position of the merchandise item within the basket, using illumination units to ensure uniform brightness and facilitate accurate image capture and recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple image pickup devices capture images simultaneously, then the system can cover a wider area and improve recognition coverage, but exposure differences occur between images captured by different devices leading to recognition delays and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting exposure settings individually for each image pickup device based on its specific position and lighting conditions. Each camera receives customized exposure parameters (such as exposure time, gain, or illumination intensity) to compensate for location-specific variations, ensuring uniform image brightness across all devices without requiring global exposure adjustment.
2Measurement precision
If automatic exposure adjustment is performed for each image pickup device, then image brightness can be optimized, but the process is time-consuming and delays merchandise recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing optimal exposure settings for each image pickup device based on its position and environmental lighting conditions. When image capture is needed, the system directly applies these pre-determined settings without performing real-time exposure adjustment, thereby achieving both optimized image brightness and fast recognition speed.
3Illumination intensity
If exposure time is extended to prevent underexposure in darker areas, then image brightness is improved, but overexposure occurs in brighter areas causing blown-out highlights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by applying local quality through position-based exposure control. Each image pickup device uses exposure parameters tailored to its specific lighting environment, allowing darker areas to receive sufficient exposure while brighter areas maintain appropriate brightness levels. This prevents both underexposure and overexposure simultaneously by customizing settings locally rather than using a single global exposure time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures consistent image brightness across multiple cameras, enabling efficient and timely recognition of merchandise items without blown-out highlights, thus improving the accuracy and speed of registration.
Implementation Method 1
at least one illumination unit configured to illuminate the image capture area for a lighting period based on a set amount of exposure
Data Source
AI summary
An article registration device detects an area where a merchandise item is put, performs image capture corresponding to the brightness of the area, and registers the article within the captured image, a cart POS system equipped with an article registration device, and an article registration method. The article registration device includes an image pickup device, an illumination unit, a position detection unit, and an information terminal. The position detection unit divides an image capture area into a plurality of areas and detects an area where the article is put under the illumination of the illumination unit. The information terminal sets an exposure time under the illumination of the illumination unit on a per image pickup device basis in such a way that the set amount of exposure is achieved, and causes the capture an image, recognize the article within the captured image, and register the article.