Code Image Position Correction for Height-Accurate Object Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies struggle to accurately recognize the plane position of code images due to variations in height, leading to incorrect positioning of objects in work processes.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that utilizes a method to calculate the spatial position of color code images by comparing the size of the code image in a captured image to a reference plane, adjusting for variations in height, and correcting the plane positioning of the camera, using the spatial coordinates to determine the accuracy of the camera.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a camera captures code images at different heights, then the captured image includes spatial information, but the plane position recognition becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to capture code images at various heightsVSAvoidplane position recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D plane coordinate recognition to 3D spatial coordinate recognition by incorporating height information. The camera captures spatial coordinates (x, y, z) of code images, and the system corrects plane positions by compensating for height variations using the captured spatial information and camera parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation from 2D plane coordinates to 3D spatial coordinates. By capturing and utilizing the z-axis (height) parameter, the system can correct plane position recognition errors caused by height variations, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability to different heights and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If spatial coordinate information is generated and used to correct plane coordinates, then position management accuracy improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition management accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a computational approach. Instead of using precise mechanical positioning equipment, the system uses image capture devices and computational algorithms to generate spatial coordinate information and correct plane coordinates, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces spatial coordinate information as an intermediary element between image capture and plane position recognition. This intermediary contains height information that enables correction of plane position errors, allowing the system to achieve high accuracy without complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4071726B1Information processing system, position management method, information processing apparatus, and carrier medium
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4071726B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4071726B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4071726B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing system (12) includes an image capturing device (18), an information processing apparatus (14), a position information generation unit (60), and a management unit (36). The image capturing device captures an image of a range in which a position of an object is managed. The information processing apparatus recognizes a code image corresponding to the object from a captured image captured by the image capturing device and manage the position of the object. The position information generation unit generates spatial coordinate information of the code image based on a position of the code image recognized from the captured image, a size of the code image recognized from the captured image, and a size of a reference code image. The management unit manages the position of the object corresponding to the code image, with plane coordinate information of the code image corrected using the spatial coordinate information.