Image Processing Device for Fast Code Search via Tonal Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems struggle to efficiently search and analyze information codes, such as two-dimensional codes, when their position and size are unknown in advance.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device and method that reduces image data to identify intermediate tonal regions with specific pixel values, searches for information codes within these regions, and analyzes them, using arithmetic circuitry to enhance speed and accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire image data is searched for information codes, then the search coverage is complete, but the processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch coverageVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image data into multiple blocks and processes each block independently to identify intermediate tonal regions. This segmentation allows parallel processing and reduces the time required to search the entire image while maintaining complete coverage for information code detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary processing by reducing image data and identifying intermediate tonal regions before conducting the actual information code search. This preliminary action narrows down the search areas to only those regions containing potential information codes, significantly reducing processing time while ensuring no codes are missed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If image data is reduced to speed up processing, then the processing speed increases, but the precision of code detection may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidcode detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of image resolution by reducing image data to a lower resolution for initial processing. This parameter change enables faster processing while the subsequent identification of intermediate tonal regions and detailed search in those specific areas maintains detection precision, effectively resolving the trade-off between speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the search area is limited to specific tonal regions, then the search efficiency improves, but the ability to detect codes in other regions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch efficiencyVSAvoiddetection coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by identifying and processing different regions of the image according to their specific tonal characteristics. Intermediate tonal regions are specifically targeted as they are more likely to contain information codes, while other regions are processed differently or excluded. This local differentiation improves search efficiency without compromising overall detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250240379A1Image processing device, information code search method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 GLORY LTD

AI summary

An image processing device according to the present disclosure includes arithmetic circuitry. The arithmetic circuitry reduces image data to obtain reduced image data. The arithmetic circuitry recognizes at least one first intermediate tonal region with a predetermined intermediate tonal pixel value from the reduced image data. The arithmetic circuitry searches for an information code in a region of the image data corresponding to the at least one first intermediate tonal region. The arithmetic circuitry analyzes the information code.