Glare Reduction Optical Recognition System Using Dual Light Emitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image capture devices face challenges in reducing glare from ambient light, leading to the need for additional processing and time, especially in varying lighting conditions, which affects the accuracy of optical character recognition in alphanumeric text and barcode scanning.
Innovation Solution
A glare reducing optical recognition system that uses two light emitters positioned at different angles to capture images of alphanumeric text, comparing sections of the images to select the least luminous pixels and construct a glare reduced image, while also incorporating an image processor for automatic optical character recognition and optional association with identification information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional processing is performed to remove ambient light glare, then image quality improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images with different lighting conditions before the final processing stage. The first image is captured with ambient light blocked, and the second image is captured with ambient light allowed, preparing the data in advance for efficient glare removal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing is segmented into distinct steps: capturing a first image with blocked ambient light, capturing a second image with unblocked ambient light, and then processing these segmented images to remove glare. This segmentation allows for more efficient processing compared to attempting to remove glare from a single complex image.
2Reliability
If multiple images are captured to remove specular reflection, then recognition accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control of the hood mechanism to switch between blocking and unblocking ambient light. The hood can be positioned in different states (blocked vs. unblocked) to create the necessary lighting conditions for capturing multiple images, providing a simple mechanical solution rather than complex optical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hood acts as an intermediary element that controls the presence or absence of ambient light during image capture. By introducing this simple mechanical intermediary, the system can easily switch between different lighting conditions without requiring complex optical filters or multiple light sources.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If images are captured in low ambient light levels, then glare is reduced, but additional processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing the first image with the hood in the blocked position before any processing occurs. This pre-capture of a glare-free reference image eliminates the need for time-consuming glare removal processing later, as the reference image is already prepared in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the target object under controlled lighting conditions (first image with blocked ambient light). This copied image serves as a reference that already has glare removed, allowing for quick comparison and processing rather than having to remove glare from the original ambient-lit image.
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 solution effectively reduces glare and enhances the accuracy of optical character recognition, improving the efficiency of image capture and processing in diverse lighting conditions, thereby streamlining the image recognition process.
Implementation Method 1
remove specular reflection caused by each light source
Data Source
AI summary
A glare reducing optical recognition system that recognizes alphanumeric text wherein the system includes a first light emitter that emits light in a first direction and a second light emitter that emits light in a second direction different from the first direction. The system includes an image capturing device that captures a first image of alphanumeric text illuminated by the first light emitter emitting light in the first direction, and a second image of the alphanumeric text illuminated by the second light emitter emitting light in the second direction. The system includes an image processor that constructs a glare reduced image by comparing sections of the first image with corresponding sections of the second image and selecting the section with the least luminosity to populate the corresponding section of the glare reduced image. The system may include a character recognition processor, a label producing apparatus, and/or a conveyance system.