Segment Display Reading System Using Mask-Based Match Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reading systems face challenges in accurately distinguishing segment displays from similar displays, leading to potential erroneous detections when reading numerical values, especially when other segment displays or similar displayers are present in the input image.
Innovation Solution
The proposed reading system employs an extractor to identify candidate images of segment displays, a determiner to calculate a match ratio using a preset mask, and a reader to accurately read numerical values only when the match ratio exceeds a threshold, thereby reducing erroneous detections by using a mask corresponding to the segment display to be read.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reading system processes all candidate displays in the input image, then the reading speed is improved, but the accuracy of reading numerical values deteriorates due to erroneous detections from non-target displays
Solution Approach 1:
A mask image is introduced as an intermediary element to facilitate the comparison process. The mask serves as a reference pattern that mediates between the candidate display images and the reading system, enabling accurate identification of segment displays while filtering out non-target displays through pattern matching
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual or simple detection methods with automated image processing and pattern matching algorithms. By using computational methods to compare candidate displays against the mask pattern, the system achieves both high-speed processing and high accuracy in identifying segment displays
2Measurement precision
If the system uses a mask and match ratio calculation to verify segment displays, then the reading accuracy is improved, but the processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mask image is prepared in advance as a reference pattern before the actual reading process. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly compare candidate displays against the pre-defined segment display pattern without performing complex analysis during real-time operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the recognition problem into a parameter comparison task by calculating the match ratio between candidate displays and the mask pattern. This parameter-based approach simplifies the complexity by reducing the recognition problem to a quantitative comparison of similarity metrics
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a reading system includes an extractor, a determiner, and a reader. The extractor extracts a candidate image from an input image. The candidate image is a candidate of a portion of the input image in which a segment display is imaged. The determiner uses the candidate image and a mask to calculate a match ratio indicating a certainty of a segment display being included in the candidate image, and determines that the candidate image is an image of a segment display when the match ratio is not less than a threshold. The mask and the threshold are preset. The reader reads a numerical value displayed in a segment display from the candidate image determined to be an image of a segment display.