Drug Engraved Mark Extraction via Directional Edge Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drug identification devices struggle to accurately extract engraved marks on drugs due to interference from patterns and scars smaller than the mark's groove width, leading to poor collation with master images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that obtains multiple images of a drug with light emitted from different directions, applies edge extracting filters aligned with these directions, and composes edge images to generate a composite image, reducing noise and enhancing the visibility of the engraved mark.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple images are obtained with light emitted from different directions and edge extracting filters are applied, then the engraved mark can be accurately extracted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing is segmented into distinct stages: obtaining multiple images from different lighting directions, applying edge extracting filters to generate edge images, and composing edge images to create a composite image. This segmentation allows each processing stage to focus on specific features while filtering out unwanted information like patterns and scars.
Solution Approach 2:
Edge extracting filters are applied with directional sensitivity to enhance edges in specific orientations while suppressing others. The filter direction is adapted to match the expected orientation of the engraved mark, allowing selective enhancement of relevant features while filtering out noise from patterns and scars that have different spatial characteristics.
2Reliability
If edge extracting filters with size conforming to groove width are applied, then small patterns and scars are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The size parameter of the edge extracting filter is specifically set to conform to the width of the engraved mark groove. This parameter matching allows the filter to selectively respond to features of the target size (engraved marks) while ignoring smaller features (patterns and scars). The filter size is tuned to the characteristic dimension of the engraved mark rather than requiring high precision in manufacturing the filter itself.
3Measurement precision
If multiple illumination directions are used, then the S/N ratio of the engraved mark is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple images are acquired with light emitted from different directions in a systematic sequence. Each illumination direction provides complementary information that enhances the engraved mark visibility while suppressing different types of noise. The periodic switching between different lighting angles allows the system to accumulate signal information while averaging out random noise, improving the overall S/N ratio.
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
Effectively reduces information from patterns and scars smaller than the engraved mark's width, allowing for accurate extraction and collation of the engraved mark, improving the drug identification process.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source configured to emit light in a first direction, a second light source configured to emit light in a second direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A drug inspection assistance device, a drug identification device, an image processing device, an image processing method, and a program are provided in which information such as a pattern, a scar and the like on a surface of a drug which are other than an engraved mark and are smaller than a width of a groove of the engraved mark, are reduced to accurately extract the engraved mark. The problem is solved by an image processing device, including: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a plurality of images of a drug having an engraved mark on a surface of the drug, with emitting directions of light to the surface different from each other; an edge image generating unit configured to apply respectively to the plurality of images, edge extracting filters in directions in conformity with the emitting directions, the edge extracting filters having a size in conformity with a width of a groove of the engraved mark, and generate a plurality of edge images; and an image composing unit configured to compose the plurality of edge images and generate a composite image.