Color Barcode Decoding via Chrominance Edge Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current barcode scanners designed for greyscale images struggle to accurately decode color barcodes, especially when the features and background have similar brightness, due to their reliance on brightness differences, leading to errors and increased computational complexity in developing algorithms for color image processing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a color image sensor to capture images, determine chrominance values using a function like U−rV, where r is the slope of a line perpendicular to a color temperature isotherm, to emphasize chromacity deviation between features and background, and then provide an edge-detected image to a greyscale barcode decoder for decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional greyscale-based barcode decoders are used to decode color barcodes with similar brightness, then the decoding process becomes computationally intensive and expensive to develop, but the accuracy of decoding is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary color space conversion process that transforms color barcode images into a specialized color space where features with similar luminosity are separated by chromacity differences. This intermediary representation allows standard greyscale decoders to work effectively on color barcodes without requiring complex color-specific decoding algorithms, thus resolving the contradiction between decoding accuracy and computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space by converting from standard RGB color space to a customized color space defined by luminosity and chromacity components. This parameter transformation enables the extraction of chromacity differences that are imperceptible to human vision but detectable by sensors, allowing accurate decoding of color barcodes using simpler algorithms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If color barcodes are used to increase aesthetic appeal, then the visual appeal is improved, but the robustness of barcode reading is worsened due to errors introduced by multiple colors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the color barcode serve different functions: the luminosity component provides the structural information for robust decoding, while the chromacity component provides the aesthetic differentiation. This allows color barcodes to maintain both visual appeal and reading reliability by separating these functions into different parameter domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes in a controlled manner by encoding information in chromacity differences that are imperceptible to human vision. This allows the barcode to maintain aesthetic appeal through visible color variations while ensuring robust reading through invisible chromacity encodings that follow strict technical specifications.
3Reliability
If monochrome barcodes are used to ensure robustness in uncontrolled environments, then the decoding reliability is improved, but the design aesthetics of packaging is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to traditional monochrome barcodes by incorporating chromacity as a separate encoding dimension. Instead of relying solely on luminosity variations, the system uses chromacity differences (imperceptible to human vision) as an additional layer of information encoding. This allows the barcode to maintain monochrome appearance for aesthetic purposes while embedding robust decoding information in the chromacity dimension.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device and method for reading a barcode captured with a color image sensor is disclosed. The barcode can have features and background that have equal brightness and a substantially low chromacity deviation such that the barcode could not be easily perceptible and decoded with known greyscale decoding techniques. The method for reading the barcode includes receiving color image values for each pixel of a captured image of a target barcode from a color image sensor, determining chrominance values for each pixel from the color image values, detecting edges based on the chrominance values to generate an edge-detected image that is provided to a greyscale barcode decoder to decode the information in the target barcode. The chrominance values can be based on the blue and red difference components from the YUV image format, and the U and V values can be combined using color temperature information.