Monochrome Scanner Watermark Detection via Optical Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monochrome POS scanners struggle to read watermarked product information, particularly Digimarc ® watermarks, due to their reliance on specific color illumination, which is costly to upgrade and requires multiple cameras for bioptic scanning, making them less efficient and expensive compared to color scanners.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a filter, such as a long pass filter, to capture specific wavelengths of light associated with watermarks, enabling monochrome scanners to identify and process watermarked information, allowing them to read watermarks integrated into product packaging without the need for color illumination or multiple cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are used for bioptic scanning to read watermarked information, then the ability to read 2D symbols and watermarks is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of light wavelength by using a bandpass filter to isolate specific wavelengths (e.g., 500-600nm) that correspond to the watermark color. This allows a single monochrome camera to detect watermarks by filtering the spectral content of reflected light, eliminating the need for multiple cameras while maintaining watermark reading capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bandpass filter as an intermediary component between the light source and the camera sensor. This filter mediates the interaction by selectively transmitting only the wavelengths associated with the watermark, enabling the monochrome camera to distinguish watermark patterns from the product packaging without requiring multiple cameras
2Adaptability or versatility
If color illumination is used to enhance watermark detection, then the ability to read watermarked information is improved, but the cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific wavelength range associated with the watermark from the full spectrum of reflected light using a bandpass filter. This extraction process isolates the watermark-carrying information from the rest of the product packaging colors, allowing detection with a monochrome camera and eliminating the need for expensive color illumination systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical complexity of color illumination systems with a simpler monochrome camera system combined with a bandpass filter. This substitution achieves the same watermark detection function using less complex and lower-cost components
3Ease of manufacture
If a monochrome camera is used without wavelength filtering, then the cost is reduced, but the ability to detect watermarked information deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameter of the detected light by introducing a bandpass filter that transmits only specific wavelength ranges. This parameter change enables the inexpensive monochrome camera to detect watermarks by filtering out other wavelengths, maintaining low cost while improving functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables existing monochrome POS scanners to effectively read and process watermarked information, reducing the need for costly upgrades and multiple cameras, improving scanning efficiency and reducing costs by using a filter to capture specific wavelengths of light, thereby enhancing the capability of monochrome scanners to recognize patterns like Digimarc ® watermarks.
Implementation Method 1
receiving an image of a product through a filter... receiving the image through the filter that captures reflected light from the product above about 500 nanometers in wavelength
Implementation Method 2
reflected light from the product associated with a wavelength of the watermark on the product
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Method for watermarked enabled scanning wherein, an image of a product is received through a filter; next, a watermark is identified from the image based on the filtered image, and the watermark is associated with product information for the product and corresponding scanner comprising a filter, a lens and a camera, wherein the camera is configured to image at least one side of a product based on reflected light filtered by the filter and passed through the lens, wherein the reflected light represents a wavelength associated with reflected light from a watermark integrated into packaging associated with the product. .