PTZ Camera Code Grouping for Arrival Inspection Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems for arrival inspection require repeated panning, tilting, and zooming (PTZ) operations to detect bar codes across a wide area, increasing the overall operation time due to the need to photograph and process each bar code individually.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that communicates with a PTZ-enabled camera to detect code areas, group them based on the camera's angle of view, and perform sequential PTZ operations to photograph and read codes in grouped areas, reducing the number of PTZ operations required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If repeated PTZ photographing is performed to detect all bar codes individually, then code detection completeness is improved, but overall operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wide area into multiple smaller regions called 'grouped areas' based on the camera's angle of view at a predetermined zoom magnification. Instead of photographing each bar code individually across the entire wide area, the system divides the detection task into manageable segments that can be processed more efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual bar code detection operations into a unified grouped area approach. By grouping multiple code areas together and photographing them as a single unit at predetermined zoom magnification, the system reduces the total number of separate PTZ operations while maintaining detection completeness.
2Area of stationary object
If the number of photographing operations is increased to cover wide area, then code detection coverage is improved, but the number of PTZ operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the grouped areas and their corresponding photographing positions before actual detection begins. The image processing apparatus determines in advance which areas need to be photographed and at what positions, so that during execution, the system only needs to perform the predetermined number of PTZ operations rather than dynamically calculating each step.
3Measurement precision
If individual bar code photographing is performed, then code reading accuracy is improved, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by photographing grouped areas at a predetermined zoom magnification that is optimized for capturing multiple codes simultaneously. This local quality setting allows the system to maintain sufficient code reading accuracy while capturing multiple codes in a single photograph, thereby improving processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus communicates an image capture device having panning, tilting, and zooming function. A code area is detected by performing a matching process on a whole object image area acquired by photographing an area including a whole predetermined object on which codes are attached, by an image capture device. Grouped areas are generated by grouping detected code areas, based on an angle of view to be set when performing photographing with zooming. The image capture device performs panning, tilting, and zooming operations, such that the generated grouped areas are sequentially photographed at a zoom magnification setting value. An image processing area set with respect to a group image obtained by performing the panning, tilting, and zooming operations and photographing each of the generated grouped area. Information on each code area included in the set image processing area is read.