Image Recognition with Area Attribute Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image recognition technologies face challenges in accurately recognizing similar product groups with identical or similar appearance designs and different sizes, leading to increased time and labor burdens in scanning operations.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus and method that utilizes an image processing unit for object recognition, an attribute-for-area specifying unit to identify areas and attribute information, and a decision unit to improve recognition accuracy by calibrating results based on image recognition processes and user-input attribute information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If image recognition technology is used to recognize products, then scanning efficiency is improved, but recognition accuracy deteriorates for similar product groups

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidrecognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the product recognition process into multiple stages: initial image recognition to identify candidate products, followed by attribute-based filtering and verification. This multi-stage segmentation allows the system to efficiently process multiple products while maintaining accuracy by progressively eliminating false positives through additional verification steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces attribute information (such as product specifications, pricing, and category data) as an intermediary verification layer between image recognition and final product identification. This intermediary step resolves ambiguities for similar products by cross-referencing recognized images with stored attribute databases, thereby maintaining high accuracy without sacrificing scanning speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual scanning operation is performed for each product, then recognition accuracy is maintained, but time and labor burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidtime and labor burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary organization of product data by pre-storing detailed attribute information (specifications, pricing, categories) in a database before the scanning operation. During actual scanning, the system quickly retrieves and compares this pre-prepared data with captured images, enabling rapid accurate identification without requiring manual verification for each product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service product identification by automatically performing image recognition, attribute matching, and verification without requiring manual scanning or intervention. The automated process identifies products by capturing images and comparing them against the pre-organized database, eliminating time-consuming manual operations while maintaining accuracy through systematic verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If image recognition is used for similar product groups, then scanning speed is improved, but identification reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning speedVSAvoididentification reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously verifies recognition results by comparing identified products against stored attribute information and pricing data. When similar products are detected, the system provides feedback loops that cross-validate identification accuracy through multiple attribute checks, ensuring reliable differentiation between similar items while maintaining high scanning speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in product attributes (such as pricing, specifications, and category classifications) as additional identification dimensions beyond visual appearance. By incorporating these varying parameters into the recognition process, the system can reliably distinguish between similar products that may appear identical in images, thereby maintaining identification reliability while preserving scanning efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10943363B2Image processing apparatus, and image processing method
Publication Date: 2021.03.09 NEC CORP
  • US10943363B2 patent drawing
  • US10943363B2 patent drawing
  • US10943363B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention provides an image processing apparatus (10) including: an image processing unit (12) that recognizes one or a plurality of objects to be recognized which are included in an image to be processed, by an image recognition process using registration data including an image and/or a feature value of each of a plurality of types of objects to be recognized; an attribute-for-area specifying unit (11) that specifies one or a plurality of areas in the image to be processed and specifies attribute information in association with the area; and a decision unit (13) that decides the one or the plurality of objects to be recognized which are included in the image to be processed, on the basis of a result of the image recognition process by the image processing unit (12) and the area and the attribute information specified by the attribute-for-area specifying unit (11).