Optically Readable Code Readout on Curved Product Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optically readable codes on plant and animal products, particularly those applied via laser to curved or non-uniform surfaces, suffer from low contrast, distortion, and reflections, making them difficult to read using consumer devices like smartphones.
Innovation Solution
A method involving image transformation parameters is applied to enhance the contrast and reduce distortions and reflections of optically readable codes on product surfaces, using machine learning models to identify the product and determine specific transformations to optimize code readability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optically readable codes are introduced into the surface of plant and animal products by laser, then the codes can be applied directly to the product surface, but the contrast with surrounding tissue is lower making them more difficult to read out
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images of the code from different angles and positions before decoding. This allows the system to pre-process and evaluate multiple perspectives of the low-contrast code, selecting or combining images that provide the best readability despite the inherent low contrast of laser-introduced codes on product surfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If optically readable codes are applied to curved surfaces, then the codes can be marked on various product shapes, but distortion of the codes occurs hampering readout
Solution Approach 1:
The system addresses code distortion on curved surfaces by transitioning from a single 2D image perspective to capturing images from multiple 3D angles and positions. By acquiring images from different spatial dimensions, the system can select or reconstruct images where the code appears least distorted, effectively compensating for the curvature-induced distortion through multi-dimensional imaging.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optically readable codes are applied to smooth surfaces, then the codes can be marked on various product surfaces, but reflections from ambient light occur during readout hampering readout
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of multiple captured images from different angles to identify images where reflection interference is minimized. By pre-assessing the quality of each captured image and selecting those with least reflection impact, the system compensates for the harmful reflective effects on smooth surfaces before the actual decoding process.
4Reliability
If optically readable codes are introduced into surfaces, then individual tracking is enabled, but the codes become difficult to read with simple consumer devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer between the laser-introduced code and the consumer device readout. This intermediary system captures multiple images, processes them through angle-based selection and transformation algorithms, and provides enhanced image data to the decoding function, thereby bridging the gap between the difficult-to-read laser codes and the simple consumer device cameras.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the technical field of the marking of articles by means of optically readable codes and of reading out the codes. The invention relates to a method, a system and a computer program product for detecting and interpreting optically readable codes that are introduced into the surfaces of articles.