Code Reading Device with Conditional Image Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing code reading devices require algorithm changes when label formats change, and relying on an image recognition server to recognize price change information leads to excessive data communication, especially when labels are not present, wasting network resources.
Innovation Solution
A code reading device with an acquisition, reading, determination, transmission, reception, and output unit that acquires product images, reads codes, determines if price change labels are affixed, and only transmits images to the server if labels are present, allowing the server to recognize and return price change information, reducing unnecessary data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the code reading device connects to an image recognition server to recognize price change information on labels, then the device can recognize various label formats without changing its own algorithm, but the data communication amount on the network becomes enormous because images are transmitted regardless of whether labels are present
Solution Approach 1:
The code reading device performs preliminary detection to determine whether a label is present on the product before transmitting the image to the server. This preliminary action filters out unnecessary transmissions, reducing network data communication amount while maintaining the capability to recognize various label formats when they are actually present.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and transmits only the necessary image data to the server - specifically, images only when labels are detected. This selective extraction approach removes the harmful element (excessive data transmission) while preserving the useful function (label recognition capability).
2Reliability
If the code reading device transmits all product images to the image recognition server, then the server can recognize price change information on any label format, but most data communication becomes wasted since only a small portion of products have price change labels
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting all images (excessive action), the device transmits only partial images - specifically those products that have been determined to have price change labels. This partial action approach maintains reliable recognition of price change information while significantly reducing the quantity of data communicated.
3Productivity
If the code reading device uses its own image recognition algorithm, then it can process images quickly, but it requires algorithm changes when label formats change
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary image recognition server that handles the complex task of recognizing various label formats. The code reading device itself performs only simple, fast operations (capturing images and detecting label presence), while delegating the adaptable recognition task to the server. This mediator approach separates the speed-critical functions from the adaptability-critical functions.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a code reading device reads a code from an image of a product. The code reading device determines whether or not a label displaying price change information is affixed to the product. If the label is not affixed to the product, the code reading device outputs the code to a processing device. If the label is affixed to the product, the code reading device transmits an image of the product to an image recognition server. The code reading device outputs the price change information recognized by the image recognition server to the processing device together with the code.