Robotic Arm Optical Scanner for Label Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image processing systems face limitations in accurately extracting information from items, such as mail or parcels, due to the variability in capturing positions and environments, which affects the recognition of labels like hazardous or service class indicators.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an optical scanner, a robotic arm, and a database that captures items from multiple positions and environments, using a controller to align the scanner and arm for comprehensive image capture, and a machine learning or deep learning model to recognize labels regardless of position or environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If items are captured at multiple positions and environments to improve recognition accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a robotic arm with multiple degrees of freedom to dynamically position items at various orientations and distances relative to the optical scanner. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to capture images from multiple positions and environments, improving label recognition accuracy while maintaining a relatively compact device structure through coordinated motion rather than multiple fixed scanners.
Solution Approach 2:
A single optical scanner is used to perform multiple functions by capturing images of items at different positions, angles, and lighting conditions. The scanner serves as a universal imaging device that can acquire diverse training data without requiring multiple specialized sensors, thereby improving measurement precision while limiting the increase in device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic arm is used to rotate items for comprehensive image capture, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm provides dynamic adaptability by programmatically rotating and repositioning items to various orientations. This mechanical dynamic system allows the same hardware to adapt to different capture requirements without physical reconfiguration, achieving high versatility while controlling complexity through automated control rather than multiple fixed mechanical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm system automatically positions and repositions items without human intervention, enabling comprehensive image capture from multiple angles. This self-service capability allows the system to adapt to different capture needs autonomously, improving versatility while the automated nature reduces the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If multiple images are captured at different positions, then information completeness is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm continuously rotates and repositions items while the optical scanner continuously captures images, creating a continuous data collection process. This continuous action ensures that label information is captured from all necessary angles and positions without interruption, improving information completeness while minimizing idle time between captures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-positions items and pre-configures capture parameters before actual image acquisition begins. By preparing the robotic arm trajectories and scanner settings in advance, the system ensures that when data collection starts, images are captured efficiently from multiple positions without delays for setup or adjustment, thus improving information completeness while reducing overall collection time.
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to a method and a system for building machine learning or deep learning data sets for automatically recognizing labels on items. The system may include an optical scanner configured to capture an item including one or more labels provided thereon, the item captured a plurality of times at different positions with respect to the optical scanner. The system may further include a robotic arm on which the item is disposed, the robotic arm configured to rotate the item horizontally and/or vertically such that the one or more labels of the item are captured by the optical scanner at different positions with respect to the optical scanner. The system may include a database configured to store the captured images.