Optical Code Reader Cap Detection Across Variable Container Heights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting caps on specimen containers are limited by fixed retroreflective targets, require high-performance sensors, and fail to account for various container heights and cap colors, leading to inaccurate and complex cap detection.
Innovation Solution
An optical information reading apparatus that uses an imager to capture images of containers with attached codes and background patterns, decoding the code to detect the presence or absence of caps based on the pattern state, facilitating accurate cap detection through image recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed retroreflective target region is used for cap detection, then the detection method is simple, but it limits the position of the cap that can be discriminated and cannot detect various heights of specimen containers
Solution Approach 1:
The background is divided into multiple retroreflective target regions arranged in a pattern, allowing the system to detect caps at various positions and heights by analyzing which regions are reflected. This segmentation enables the detection of different container heights while maintaining relatively simple detection logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system transitions from a single fixed target region to a two-dimensional array of retroreflective target regions. This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture cap positions at different heights and locations by analyzing the pattern of reflected light across multiple regions.
2Measurement precision
If multi-wavelength light sources are used for cap detection, then cap and label discrimination is improved, but a high-performance sensor is required and identification processing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the background have different retroreflective properties. By analyzing which specific retroreflective target regions are visible in the captured image, the system can distinguish between caps and labels without requiring multi-wavelength light sources or high-performance sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex multi-wavelength lighting systems, the patent creates a simplified detection model by using a patterned background with retroreflective target regions. The image processing analyzes the pattern copy rather than relying on spectral characteristics, reducing hardware requirements.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used for cap detection, then the device is simple, but it cannot reliably detect caps of various colors including bright colors to dark colors
Solution Approach 1:
The background pattern uses retroreflective target regions that create distinct visual patterns when reflected from caps of different colors. By analyzing the pattern distortion and reflection characteristics rather than direct color measurement, the system can detect cap colors including bright and dark colors using a single sensor.
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
Prevents probe damage by reliably detecting cap removal failures, improving detection accuracy and ease of use, and can be implemented in existing barcode readers without hardware modifications.
Implementation Method 1
an imager that acquires an image by imaging a container to which a code is attached and a pattern arranged in a background of the container
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus that detects a cap attached to a container containing a specimen or a reagent, and includes: an imager that acquires an image of the container together with a pattern arranged in a background of the container; and a controller that decodes from the image a code attached to the container. The controller recognizes specific classified results including the pattern from the image, and detects the cap based on presence or absence of the specific classified results.