Image Recognition Device Mark Distance and Mirror-Image Discrimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image recognition devices mistakenly determine the presence of specific marks due to mirror-image relationships between marks, leading to inaccurate illegal copy prevention in documents like banknotes and classified materials.

Innovation Solution

The image recognition device includes a discrimination means that calculates distances between marks and checks for a mirror-image relationship, ensuring that the specific mark is only identified when the distances match and no mirror-image relationship exists, thereby reducing mistaken determinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the image recognition device merely calculates distances between extracted marks and determines presence based on distance correspondence, then the determination process is simple and fast, but the determination accuracy deteriorates due to mirror-image relationships causing false positives

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination accuracyVSAvoiddiscrimination process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by introducing directional vector relationships between marks. Instead of using symmetric distance measurements alone, the system calculates vectors from each mark to its corresponding mark in the specific mark pattern, then determines whether these vectors are parallel and point in the same direction. This asymmetric directional comparison eliminates mirror-image false positives while maintaining computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional distance comparison to two-dimensional vector comparison. By adding the directional component (angle and orientation) to the distance measurement, the system gains an additional dimension of discrimination that effectively distinguishes between correct matches and mirror-image relationships without significantly increasing computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the image recognition device checks for mirror-image relationships by calculating distances from center points, then the determination accuracy improves, but the calculation time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the positional relationships and vector directions of marks in the specific mark pattern during an initialization phase. During actual recognition, the system only needs to compare pre-computed vector characteristics rather than performing complex real-time calculations, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes complex geometric calculations involving center points and mirror-image checks with simpler vector parallelism and directionality comparisons. By replacing mechanical geometric reasoning with algebraic vector operations, the system achieves both improved accuracy and reduced computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8305597B2Image recognition device, copy apparatus and image recognition method
Publication Date: 2012.11.06 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • US8305597B2 patent drawing
  • US8305597B2 patent drawing
  • US8305597B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image recognition device of the invention includes an image reading means for reading image information from a manuscript, discriminating a specific mark in which plural marks are arranged from image information. The image recognition device includes an extraction means for extracting marks included in the image information, a distance calculating means for calculating distances between marks, and a discrimination means for determining that there is a specific mark in image information when distance between the marks correspond to distances between marks of the specific mark as well as there is not a mirror-image relationship between positions of marks and the specific mark.