Multi-Camera Image Sorting for POS Processing Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals face significant demands for processing capability due to the increasing use of imaging devices for various purposes, including barcode reading, security monitoring, and fraud detection, which requires efficient handling of images captured at different illumination and exposure levels.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for multi-camera simultaneous imaging that sorts and processes images based on illumination and exposure levels, optimizing data processing by distributing images to appropriate services and reducing unnecessary processing, implemented in a dedicated appliance, chip, product scanner, or software, allowing images to be used for multiple purposes such as barcode scanning and security monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras capture images for various purposes (barcode reading, security monitoring, fraud detection), then the versatility and functionality of the POS terminal is improved, but the processing capability demand and system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing workload by creating multiple specialized image processing services, each dedicated to a specific task (barcode reading, security monitoring, fraud detection). Each service processes only the images relevant to its function, dividing the complex processing burden into manageable, specialized components rather than requiring a single system to handle all processing needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal image processing platform that can serve multiple purposes simultaneously. The system captures images with multi-purpose cameras and distributes them to various processing services, allowing the same imaging hardware to support diverse functions (barcode scanning, security monitoring, fraud detection) through a single unified architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If images are processed for multiple purposes, then the utility and value of captured images is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting of images based on their characteristics (illumination levels, exposure levels) before distribution to processing services. This pre-processing step categorizes images into appropriate groups, ensuring that each image is routed to the most suitable processing service without requiring exhaustive analysis by all services, thereby reducing overall processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality processing by matching specific image characteristics to specific processing needs. Images with certain illumination and exposure properties are directed to services best suited for those conditions, ensuring optimal processing efficiency for each image type rather than applying uniform processing to all images.
3Reliability
If all captured images are processed by all services, then comprehensive analysis is achieved, but unnecessary processing and resource waste occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the relevant portions of images for each specific service. Instead of having all services process all images, the system extracts subsets of images that are most suitable for each processing task based on illumination and exposure characteristics, eliminating unnecessary processing of irrelevant images by each service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where image characteristics (illumination levels, exposure levels) are analyzed and used to determine appropriate service routing. This feedback loop ensures that images are directed to the most appropriate processing services, improving detection accuracy while avoiding the energy waste of processing images through inappropriate services.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments each include at least one of systems, devices, methods, and software for multi-camera simultaneous imaging for multiple processes. Some such embodiments may be embodied in a dedicated appliance or chip while other embodiments may be embodied in a product scanner, in software, or in a combination of hardware and software. One method embodiment includes receiving images from a plurality of cameras, the images from each device captured at various illumination and exposure levels. This method then sorts the images based on illumination and exposure levels for distribution to a plurality of image processing services that each perform at least one task with regard to a received image and then presents the images to respective services for which they are sorted.