Coin Discrimination via Reflected Light Subtraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coin discriminating apparatuses face reduced discrimination accuracy due to reflected light from transparent member surfaces, leading to blurred images and difficulty in visual recognition.
Innovation Solution
A subject discriminating apparatus that includes a transparent unit with an antireflective film, a light irradiation unit, and an imaging unit, which generates image data and uses correction image data to subtract reflected light from the transparent unit, resulting in improved discrimination accuracy by isolating the reflected light from the subject's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a transparent member is used to support the coin during imaging, then the coin can be stably positioned and imaged, but reflected light from the transparent member surfaces degrades image quality and discrimination accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the reflected light from the transparent member surface (which was previously harmful noise) as useful correction image data. By imaging the transparent member without a coin to obtain the reflection pattern, and then subtracting this from the coin images, the system converts the harmful reflected light into a beneficial correction factor that eliminates the blur and improves discrimination accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the reflected light component from the total image data. By obtaining an image of the transparent member alone (without coin) and subtracting it from the coin images, the system extracts only the coin's reflected light information, removing the contaminating transparent member reflections
2Device complexity
If reflected light from transparent member surfaces is captured along with coin reflected light, then the imaging system can be simple, but the resulting images are blurred and visual recognition becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary imaging action by capturing an image of the transparent member surface without a coin present. This correction image data is obtained in advance and stored, then used to subtract the reflected light pattern from subsequent coin images, thereby preliminarily eliminating the source of blur before coin discrimination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces correction image data as an intermediary element between the raw coin image and the final discrimination result. This correction data acts as a mediator that, when subtracted from the coin image, removes the harmful reflected light component while preserving the coin's features
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
The solution enhances discrimination accuracy by isolating the subject's reflected light, reducing blurriness, and improving visual recognition, leading to more precise coin identification.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent unit (6) that includes a supporting surface (6a) supporting the coin (M)
Implementation Method 2
an imaging unit (20) that receives, among the illumination light, mainly the reflected light reflected from the coin surface
Data Source
AI summary
A subject discriminating apparatus discriminates a subject having an unevenness pattern on a surface of the subject. The subject discriminating apparatus includes: a transparent unit including a supporting surface supporting the subject; a light irradiation unit irradiating illumination light onto the surface of the subject through the transparent unit; an imaging unit imaging an imaging region including at least a part of the transparent unit, and generating image data; and a discrimination processing unit discriminating the subject, using the image data generated by the imaging unit. The discrimination processing unit discriminates the subject based on discrimination image data generated by correcting subject image data using correction image data. The subject image data is generated by imaging the imaging region in a state of the subject presenting in the imaging region. The correction image data is generated by imaging the imaging region free from the subject in the imaging region.