Metric-Based Object Recognition for Monochrome Fidelity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing object recognition technologies struggle to efficiently recognize objects with little color variation, known as monochrome objects, especially under different lighting environments, as they lose recognizable features when converted to grayscale, leading to reduced recognition fidelity with image processing algorithms.

Innovation Solution

The use of object-specific metric maps that map RGB values from each pixel of a digital representation to a single metric channel, allowing unmodified image analysis algorithms to enhance descriptor detection and recognition of monochrome objects by converting color data into tailored metric values, independent of lighting conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If image data is converted to grayscale for object recognition, then processing compatibility with standard algorithms is improved, but recognition fidelity for monochrome objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with standard image processing algorithmsVSAvoidrecognition fidelity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary color space transformation process that converts RGB image data through a custom color space with enhanced chroma channels before feeding to standard grayscale-based algorithms. This intermediary transformation preserves color information that would otherwise be lost, acting as a mediator between color-rich input and grayscale-processing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the color space parameters by defining a custom color space with enhanced chroma channels (Cb and Cr) that preserve color variation information. This parameter change allows standard algorithms to operate while maintaining the ability to distinguish monochrome objects through preserved chroma data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If color data is preserved in RGB format, then object resolution power for monochrome objects is improved, but processing efficiency deteriorates due to lack of algorithm optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject resolution powerVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary color space transformation before the main recognition process, converting RGB data to a custom color space with enhanced chroma preservation. This preliminary action ensures that color information is preserved upfront, allowing subsequent standard algorithms to process the data efficiently without requiring modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The custom color space transformation serves multiple functions simultaneously: it preserves chroma information for monochrome object detection, maintains compatibility with standard grayscale algorithms, and enables efficient processing through existing optimized image processing pipelines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If standard image processing algorithms are used without modification, then system complexity is reduced, but recognition accuracy for monochrome objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidrecognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing pipeline into two distinct stages: (1) color space transformation with enhanced chroma preservation, and (2) standard algorithm processing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system simplicity and leveraging existing well-tested algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11062169B2Metric-based recognition, systems and methods
Publication Date: 2021.07.13 NANT HOLDINGS IP LLC
  • US11062169B2 patent drawing
  • US11062169B2 patent drawing
  • US11062169B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Apparatus, methods and systems of object recognition are disclosed. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter generates map-altered image data according to an object-specific metric map, derives a metric-based descriptor set by executing an image analysis algorithm on the map-altered image data, and retrieves digital content associated with a target object as a function of the metric-based descriptor set.