Method for the computer-aided recognition of a transport container being empty and device for the computer-aided recognition of a transport container being empty
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer-aided methods for recognizing the contents of transport containers are complex, costly, and prone to errors, especially when dealing with large databases, flat, unaccentuated, or transparent objects, and require significant computational resources and maintenance, limiting their accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method that captures image data of a transport container, determines a contour pattern, and calculates a deviation variable from a reference pattern of an empty container, allowing for simplified recognition without the need for extensive databases, using depth information and reduced computational complexity to determine if the container is empty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional computer-aided pattern recognition methods are used to identify objects in transport containers, then object recognition capability is achieved, but computational complexity and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential contour pattern information from objects, comparing solely the outlines or contours of objects against reference patterns. This extraction of critical features (contour shapes) eliminates the need to process and store complete object images, thereby significantly reducing computational complexity and storage requirements while maintaining recognition accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent focuses recognition efforts on the local contour characteristics of objects rather than analyzing entire object images. By concentrating computational resources on comparing specific local features (the contour patterns at container exits or critical regions), the system achieves effective recognition with reduced overall computational burden
2Adaptability or versatility
If the database capacity is increased to store more objects and multiple views, then recognition coverage is improved, but storage requirements and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores only contour pattern data rather than complete object images. This extraction reduces the data volume stored in the database from full-color, high-resolution images to simplified contour representations, dramatically decreasing storage requirements while preserving the essential recognition information needed for identifying diverse objects
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing multiple views of each object and attempting to match the current view against all stored views, the patent inverts the approach by storing reference contour patterns and comparing only the essential contour shape. This inversion eliminates the need for multiple object orientations and views in the database, reducing storage needs while maintaining versatile recognition capability
3Measurement precision
If conventional pattern recognition is used for flat or transparent objects, then some objects can be recognized, but recognition accuracy is limited for objects with low information content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs depth information as an additional dimension for object recognition, effectively adding a new 'channel' of information similar to how color provides additional discrimination. By utilizing depth data alongside contour patterns, the system can distinguish flat, transparent, or low-contrast objects that would otherwise be difficult to detect, overcoming the limitations of conventional two-dimensional pattern recognition
Data Source
AI summary
A method for computer-aided recognition of a transport container being empty is provided. The method includes capturing image data of a region of the transport container; determining a contour pattern, which represents the transport container, using the image data; determining a deviation variable, which represents a deviation of the contour pattern from at least one reference pattern, wherein the at least one reference pattern represents an empty transport container; and outputting a signal if the deviation variable satisfies a predefined criterion.