Optical Code Reading with Catalog-Based Message Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing code reading systems face challenges in reliability and robustness due to the need for manual creation of schemas, which is error-prone and incomplete, leading to potential reading errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method using pre-defined schemes from a catalog, selected and tested by experts, to compare and correct optical codes, ensuring high accuracy and adaptability to specific applications without requiring specialized knowledge or time-consuming commissioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If schemas are manually created and configured by system administrators, then the code reading system can be adapted to specific applications, but the process becomes error-prone, time-consuming, and requires specialized knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically learns and generates schemas by analyzing historical code reading data and patterns, eliminating the need for manual configuration by system administrators. The schema learning module autonomously identifies code structures, patterns, and validation rules from actual reading operations, making the system self-configuring and removing the burden of specialized knowledge requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of schema creation and configuration with an automated learning system that uses algorithms to analyze data patterns and generate schemas automatically. This substitution transforms the manual, error-prone configuration process into an automated, intelligent system that learns from operational data.
2Reliability
If a comprehensive list of schemas is created to cover all frequently occurring optical codes, then reading accuracy improves, but the creation process becomes increasingly error-prone and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The schema list is transformed from a static, manually maintained structure into a dynamic, self-updating system. The learning module continuously analyzes new code reading data and automatically updates schemas to reflect current code patterns, ensuring the system adapts to changing code formats without manual intervention and maintaining accuracy while reducing management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where reading results are continuously analyzed to improve schema accuracy. The learning module uses feedback from actual code reading operations to refine and update schemas, creating a self-improving system that automatically becomes more accurate over time without increasing management complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple code readers are installed on a single reading tunnel to capture objects from multiple sides, then the reading coverage and orientation flexibility improve, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the code reading system universal by enabling a single code reader to handle codes from various orientations and positions through automated schema-based recognition and correction. The learning module identifies code patterns regardless of orientation, allowing one reader to perform the function previously requiring multiple readers, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining orientation flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for reading an optical code (20) encoding a message containing a string with a multitude of characters is described, comprising the steps of acquiring image data using the optical code (20), evaluating the image data by reading the message, comparing the read characters of the message with at least one scheme that includes a character for at least one position in the message that is expected at that position in the codes (20) to be read, and checking or correcting the read message against a scheme that matches the message after comparison. A predefined catalog of schemes is provided, and a subset of the schemes in the catalog is activated for comparison with the read characters of the message.