Document Capture Using Background Pattern Boundary Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging-based barcode readers face challenges in accurately capturing and segmenting documents with irregular patterns or shapes, especially when the documents have undefined or irregular borders, making it difficult to distinguish them from the background, leading to capture imperfections and errors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves placing documents on a background with specifically designed patterns, such as grids or bull's eyes, to facilitate easy differentiation and recognition of the document boundary, using an imaging scanner with a controller to capture and process images, and automatically detecting the background pattern to improve precision and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If documents with irregular patterns or shapes are captured using conventional imaging-based barcode readers, then the reading capability is maintained, but the document boundary detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A background pattern serves as an intermediary element between the document and the imaging system. The pattern provides reference information that mediates the detection process, enabling the system to distinguish document boundaries from irregular patterns by comparing against the known background structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of the background environment by introducing a specifically designed pattern with distinct visual characteristics. This parameter change creates a detectable contrast that helps the imaging system identify document boundaries even when the documents have irregular shapes or patterns that would normally confuse boundary detection.
2Measurement precision
If a background pattern is introduced to improve document boundary detection, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging task into two parts: capturing the background pattern first, then using that captured pattern as a reference for subsequent document boundary detection. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex detection tasks by breaking them into manageable steps, reducing the overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by capturing its own background pattern and using that self-captured information as a reference for detection. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external reference materials or complex pre-programmed background knowledge, simplifying the system while maintaining high detection accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional imaging methods are used for documents with irregular borders, then the operation simplicity is maintained, but the capture accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary action by capturing the background pattern before attempting to detect document boundaries. This preliminary capture of reference information prepares the system in advance, enabling more accurate boundary detection without requiring complex real-time processing during the actual document capture phase.
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
This approach enhances the accuracy of document capture by clearly defining the document boundary, allowing for precise measurement and correction of capture imperfections, such as skew, resulting in improved image decoding performance.
Implementation Method 1
A barcode is a coded pattern of graphical indicia comprised of a series of bars and spaces of varying widths. In a barcode, the bars and spaces having differing light reflecting characteristics.
Implementation Method 2
an imaging sensor 62 positioned behind an imaging lens assembly 60
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes (1) obtaining a captured image of a document physically placed on a background having specifically designed patterns; (2) storing into a memory the captured image that includes an image of the document and an image of the background surrounding the document; and (3) analyzing the captured image to search for a boundary of the document in the captured image, where step of analyzing includes distinguishing the image of the background from the image of the document.