Color Image Sensor Barcode Scanning via Greyscale Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current barcode scanners are limited by the high cost and complexity of designing color barcode decoders for use with color image sensors, making them commercially unfeasible, and existing decoders are typically only available in executable formats that cannot be easily modified for color image processing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that convert color images captured by color image sensors into greyscale images suitable for processing with conventional greyscale barcode decoders, eliminating the need for computationally expensive color barcode decoders and allowing existing greyscale decoders to decode color images by converting RGB or YUV values to greyscale using an image converter and luminosity value extractor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If colour barcode decoders are designed for use with colour image sensors, then colour barcode decoding capability is achieved, but computational complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image converter as an intermediary component that transforms colour images from colour image sensors into greyscale images. This converter acts as a mediator between the colour image sensor and the existing greyscale barcode decoder, enabling colour barcode decoding without requiring a complex colour-specific decoder. The converter applies colour to greyscale transformation algorithms to produce greyscale representations that preserve barcode information while eliminating the need for computationally intensive colour processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a greyscale copy or representation of the colour barcode image that can be processed by existing greyscale decoders. By generating a greyscale version of the colour image that retains the essential barcode pattern information, the system leverages existing decoder infrastructure without requiring new colour-specific decoding algorithms, thus reducing computational complexity while maintaining decoding capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If colour barcode decoders are designed for use with colour image sensors, then colour barcode decoding is enabled, but development cost and time increase due to inability to modify existing executable decoders
Solution Approach 1:
The image converter serves as a preprocessing intermediary that prepares colour images for existing greyscale decoders. This approach allows the system to utilise existing executable decoder binaries without modification, avoiding the high costs and time requirements of rewriting colour decoders from scratch. The converter handles all colour-to-greyscale transformation logic, leaving the existing decoder infrastructure unchanged and readily deployable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the barcode decoding system into two distinct functional components: an image converter that handles colour-to-greyscale transformation, and an existing greyscale decoder that performs the actual decoding. This segmentation allows independent optimization and development of each component, enabling the use of mature, low-cost greyscale decoder implementations while adding colour support through the separate converter module.
3Adaptability or versatility
If greyscale imagers are used for barcode scanning, then compatibility with existing decoders is maintained, but imaging sensor technology development lags behind colour sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes colour image sensors universally compatible with existing greyscale barcode decoders by introducing the image converter. This allows a single colour sensor to serve multiple functions: capturing colour images for general applications and simultaneously providing greyscale-compatible output for barcode decoding. The converter enables existing decoders to work with colour sensor input without requiring separate greyscale sensor hardware, thus achieving universality across sensor types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the output parameter format of the colour image sensor from colour (RGB or other colour spaces) to greyscale through the image converter. By transforming the colour image data into greyscale representation, the system maintains compatibility with existing decoders that expect greyscale input. This parameter transformation allows colour sensors to interface with legacy greyscale decoder infrastructure without hardware changes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method are provided for barcode scanning for a target barcode comprising: receiving colour image values for a captured image of the target barcode from at least one colour image sensor; and extracting luminosity values for each pixel of the captured image from the colour image values to define greyscale image values corresponding to the colour image values. Once the luminosity values are defined, they are provided as greyscale image values to a greyscale barcode decoder for subsequent processing thereof.