Illumination Adjuster for Self-Checkout Product Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Variations in illumination around self-checkout terminals can significantly affect product recognition accuracy, leading to issues like blown-out highlights and shadows that existing technologies struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
An illumination adjustment apparatus and method that recognizes abnormal regions in captured images and adjusts the intensity of illuminating light based on the shape and type of these regions, using a projector to emit light with adjusted intensity to stabilize product recognition accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If uniform illumination is applied to the entire predetermined area, then shadow of the imaged object is reduced, but blown-out highlight and unexpected shadow of user occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the illumination into multiple regions with different intensity characteristics. Specifically, the predetermined area is divided into a first region (where the object is located) and a second region, with the first region illuminated at a first intensity and the second region illuminated at a second intensity. This allows the system to provide appropriate illumination to each region, preventing blown-out highlights in the object area while avoiding unexpected shadows from users in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the illumination system into multiple independent illumination units that can control light intensity separately for different regions. The illumination is divided into a first illumination for the first region and a second illumination for the second region, allowing independent control of each region's lighting characteristics to optimize product recognition while minimizing harmful effects.
2Measurement precision
If illumination intensity is increased to eliminate shadow, then product recognition accuracy improves, but blown-out highlight occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different illumination intensities to different regions. The first region containing the product receives illumination at a first intensity optimized for product recognition, while the second region receives illumination at a second intensity that prevents blown-out highlights. This localized approach allows the system to maximize product recognition accuracy without causing unwanted highlights.
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 reduces the impact of abnormal regions on product recognition accuracy, improving image quality and reducing erroneous checkouts by dynamically adjusting light intensity to address shadows and blown-out highlights.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminator that emits illuminating light to a predetermined region on which a product is placed
Implementation Method 2
an acquirer that captures and acquires an image of the predetermined region to which the illuminating light is emitted
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination adjustment apparatus comprises: a recognizer that recognizes an abnormal region in a captured image; and an adjuster that adjusts an intensity of illuminating light in accordance with a shape and a type of the abnormal region.