Character Recognition Using Adaptive Color Masks for Complex Backgrounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Optical Character Recognition (OCR) systems are ineffective in recognizing characters in complex backgrounds, as they struggle to differentiate characters from backgrounds with similar colors or intricate patterns.
Innovation Solution
A character recognition method and device that locates character regions within images, determines if the background is complex, constructs a mask based on character and background colors, and extracts character stroke pixels using this mask for accurate recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current OCR systems are used for character recognition, then recognition can be performed in simple backgrounds, but recognition accuracy deteriorates in complex backgrounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by constructing a mask specifically for the character region based on color characteristics. The mask is generated locally around the character using color distance calculations, allowing the recognition system to adapt to the specific background conditions of each character region while maintaining high recognition accuracy in both simple and complex backgrounds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by calculating color distance between character and background pixels to generate adaptive masks. The color distance metric and threshold parameters are adjusted based on local color characteristics, enabling the system to handle varying background complexities dynamically rather than using fixed parameters
2Measurement precision
If a mask construction method based on color analysis is used, then character extraction accuracy improves in complex backgrounds, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the character region from the background by generating a binary mask that separates character pixels from background pixels based on color distance. This segmentation approach simplifies the complex task of character extraction by creating a clear distinction between foreground and background, improving precision without requiring overly complex processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a color distance calculation as an intermediary step between the original image and the final character extraction. This intermediary mask generation process based on color analysis serves as a mediator that simplifies the overall processing by creating an intermediate representation that highlights character regions while suppressing complex background variations
Data Source
AI summary
A character recognition method may include at least the following steps. A location step may include acquiring an image and locating a character region of the image. The character region may include a character and a local background. The method may further include a background judgment step for determining whether the local background is a complex background; a determination step for determining a color of the character if the local background is a complex background; a construction step for constructing a mask for the character by combining the color of the character and a character region; and a first recognition step for extracting the character from the character region by using the mask, recognizing the character, and outputting the recognition result. A character recognition device is further provided.