Optical Marker Recognition Flood Filling Convex Hull
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical recognition methods for markers are not robust enough to function effectively in outdoor environments with uncontrolled illumination or partial occlusion, limiting their application in industrial and construction sites.
Innovation Solution
A method involving image acquisition, identification of contiguous color regions through flood filling, and detection of optical markers using a convex hull algorithm and prediction of square positions, which enhances robustness in outdoor conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional optical recognition methods are used, then the system works well in controlled indoor environments, but it fails to provide reliable marker detection in outdoor environments with uncontrolled illumination and partial occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the marker detection process into multiple independent stages: edge detection to identify boundary lines, polygon extraction to form geometric shapes, homography calculation to establish coordinate transformations, and binary data extraction to decode information. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently and provides multiple opportunities for error correction, thereby improving reliability in challenging outdoor conditions while maintaining adaptability across different environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by detecting edges and extracting polygon features before attempting full marker recognition. By pre-identifying line segments and grouping them into polygons with salient points, the system prepares structured data that is more robust to illumination variations and partial occlusions. This preliminary processing creates a foundation that enables reliable detection even when the complete marker is not fully visible or evenly illuminated.
2Reliability
If robust methods for outdoor marker recognition are implemented, then reliability in outdoor environments improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based solutions with computational methods. Instead of using specialized cameras or controlled lighting systems to ensure reliable outdoor detection, the invention uses image processing algorithms including edge detection operators, polygon extraction algorithms, and homography calculations. This substitution of mechanical approaches with computational ones achieves robust outdoor recognition while keeping the device structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies or representations of the marker through polygon approximation and homography transformation. Rather than requiring perfect detection of the complete marker pattern, the system creates simplified geometric representations (polygons with salient points) that capture the essential features needed for recognition. This copying approach reduces computational complexity while maintaining detection reliability in outdoor conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a robust method for optical recognition of markers in an outdoor environment. In this context, the present invention provides a method for optical recognition of optical markers comprising the steps of: acquiring an image; identifying regions of contiguous colours in the image by flood filling; extracting data and parameters of the contiguous regions; and detecting an optical marker by means of a convex hull algorithm and prediction of position of squares based on the data and parameters extracted from the contiguous Thus, the method of the present invention allows identification of markers, such as chequerboards and targets, unequivocally and with enough robustness as regards partial occlusions and variations of illumination.