Image Gradient Analysis for Efficient Barcode Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile electronic devices with limited computational resources face challenges in efficiently detecting predetermined objects like barcodes, QR codes, and text in images due to poor image quality and high processing demands of conventional systems.
Innovation Solution
The method involves analyzing image gradients to identify candidate regions, connecting adjacent regions with similar dominant gradient directions, and applying geometric properties to determine the presence of predetermined objects, allowing for efficient decoding and localization regardless of image size or computational resource limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional object detection systems using multiple filters are used, then object detection capability is improved, but processing power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and analyzes only the gradient information from images, separating this key feature from the rest of the image data. By focusing computation only on calculating and analyzing gradients rather than processing entire images through multiple filters, the system achieves effective object detection with significantly reduced processing power requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image analysis process into distinct steps: gradient calculation, gradient direction analysis, and object identification. This segmentation allows the system to process images in stages, performing only necessary computations at each stage, thereby reducing overall processing power requirements while maintaining detection capability
2Reliability
If conventional object detection systems are used, then object detection capability is improved, but computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the gradient information from images, which contains the essential features needed for object detection. By working with this extracted gradient data rather than processing complete images through multiple filters, the system achieves fast computation while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary gradient calculation and analysis before final object identification. This preliminary action filters and prepares the data in advance, allowing the subsequent object detection process to operate more efficiently and complete faster
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to methods, systems and computer program products for detecting objects in images captured by a camera of a mobile device. The detection of objects (such as barcodes, QR codes, and text) in images can be based at least in part on image gradients of the image. The image can be divided into a plurality of regions, each having a dominant gradient direction. Based at least in part on the dominant gradient directions of the regions satisfying orientation thresholds, the regions can be identified as candidate or non-candidate regions for corresponding to a predetermined object. The candidate regions can be merged if they satisfy a connecting criterion. The merged regions can then be analyzed to determine if the merged regions satisfy a geometric property of the predetermined object, such as having a rectangular shape substantially similar to that of a barcode.