WO2021002527A1

WO2021002527A1 - Optical noseprint image acquisition device and method for registering noseprint

Info

Publication number: WO2021002527A1
Application number: PCT/KR2019/009401
Authority: WO
Inventors: 백영현; 신요식
Original assignee: 주식회사 유니온커뮤니티
Priority date: 2019-07-03
Filing date: 2019-07-29
Publication date: 2021-01-07
Also published as: KR102233244B1; KR20210004213A

Abstract

Disclosed are: a noseprint image acquisition device; and a method for registering a noseprint. A noseprint image acquisition device according to the present invention can acquire a noseprint image optically using a light refractor, and has a camera unit, and thus is able to generate an animal face image or animal nose image to be registered along with the noseprint, and extract features of shapes from the animal face or animal nose images and register same together. Through such registration information, the efficiency of noseprint authentication in a noseprint authentication process can be increased.

Description

Optical inscription image acquisition device and inscription registration method

The present invention relates to a device for acquiring an inscription image used for authentication of an inscription of an animal, which can process an inscription registration by optically acquiring an animal's face image and an inscription image.

Similar to human authentication, which verifies that they are the same person, animal authentication is to authenticate whether they are the same animal. The need for animal certification is also increasing for various purposes. For example, it is very difficult to identify your dog among several dogs of the same kind in the case of a loss of a dog. It is even more necessary when providing membership services for dogs. It is necessary to verify that the cattle raised in livestock farms are the same cattle whose management number has not changed during the breeding and distribution process, but it is difficult to simply identify them in form.

In order to solve this problem, an authentication means for animal authentication is required. The initial authentication method is also the most easily applied by hanging the identification tag in the form of a necklace. Identification codes marked with numbers or letters are recorded on the identification tag, and identification tags with two-dimensional barcodes such as a one-dimensional bar code or a'QR code' with black bars arranged side by side are also present.

A more advanced method in the identification tag is the method of using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method of attaching RFID tags to cow's ears has been used for a long time. In dogs and cats raised for pets, a method of inserting an RFID tag called a microchip into the skin or recording genetic information is used. From 2013, the companion animal registration system has been implemented, and the government supports the registration of microchips and genetic information.

However, there are many cases in which RFID tags that are exposed to the outside cannot be checked even if they are replaced without permission. The method of using a microchip that is inserted under the skin may cause side effects and pain to the animal, but above all, it has the disadvantage that it can be easily removed. On the other hand, the method of registering genetic information has a disadvantage that there is no possibility of modification, but it cannot be identified immediately.

Recently, a method of authenticating an animal using an inscription, that is, the wrinkle shape of an animal's nose, has been proposed. There are wrinkles on the nose of animals, because these wrinkles, like human fingerprints, have individuality. Inscription authentication is a method of acquiring an image of an inscription and registering the features in the shape of the wrinkles, etc.

Conventionally, a method of acquiring an inscription image for inscription authentication was a method of directly photographing an inscription using a camera (refer to Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2019-0066323). However, since the method of simply photographing an inscription with a camera is very much affected by the surrounding lighting conditions as well as direct sunlight, it is not easy to obtain an inscription image with a resolution sufficient to recognize the wrinkled shape of the inscription.

On the other hand, Korean Patent Registration No. 1706345 proposed an optical inscription authentication device using a prism. This method applies the optical fingerprint acquisition method used for fingerprint recognition as it is. Inscription patterns can be divided into ridges and valleys like fingerprints. Optical inscription image acquisition takes advantage of the fact that the light shining on the inscriptions performs different optical processing on the ridges and valleys.

This patent suggests the degree to which a prism is used. However, it is not easy to obtain an inscription image capable of recognizing wrinkles and the like even by the optical inscription image acquisition method proposed by the corresponding patent. This is because the animal's nose is moist, and as the bones of the inscriptions are filled with water or oil, optical processing similar to the ridges takes place in the bones of the inscriptions, making the ridges and valleys indistinguishable, resulting in an overall black or bright image.

[Related advanced technology]

1. Korean Patent Registration No. 1706345 (Inscription recognition processing device for dog management)

2. Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2019-0066323 (Inscription Shooting System)

It is an object of the present invention to provide an inscription image acquisition device and inscription registration method capable of processing inscription registration by optically acquiring an animal's face image and inscription image as an inscription image acquisition device used for animal inscription authentication. Is in.

In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus for acquiring an inscription image according to the present invention includes an inscription sensor unit, a camera unit, a control unit, and a body provided with a handle that accommodates them and can be carried by hand. The inscription sensor unit generates an inscription image for the inscription in contact with the inscription contact surface, and the camera unit photographs the animal in front to generate at least one selected from an animal-face image and an animal-nose image. Here, the animal-face image is taken of the entire face of the animal, and the animal-nose image is taken near the nose of the animal. The controller extracts feature point data from the inscription image and registers the inscription of the animal, but also registers the image captured by the camera unit.

According to an embodiment, the apparatus for obtaining an inscription image may further include a manipulation unit that a user can manipulate with a finger. In this case, the controller may operate the inscription sensor unit and the camera unit as the user manipulates the manipulation unit.

Display of scales for shooting animal-face images or animal-nose images

In addition, the inscription image acquisition device may further include a display unit that displays a preset scale on the screen when the camera unit takes a picture. Here, the scale is displayed when capturing the animal-face image and guides at least one of the eyes and nose of the animal to match, or is displayed when capturing the animal-nose image to match the weight of the animal. It is a guided nose-scale. Whenever the manipulation unit is operated, one of the display of the face-scale, the display of the nose-scale, and the generation of the inscription image of the inscription sensor unit is performed.

Alternatively, the inscription image acquisition device may further include a network interface unit connected to an external user terminal through a wired or wireless network, and a preset scale is displayed on the screen when the camera unit takes a picture on the user terminal instead of the display unit.

According to another embodiment, the control unit includes an arrangement ratio between two eyes and nose extracted from an animal-face image captured by the camera unit when registering the animal's inscription, Nostril shape, nostril shape, size, nose size information You can register together.

Inscription sensor part

According to an embodiment, the inscription sensor unit may include an optical refractor having an exit surface in contact with the inscription contact surface at a predetermined angle; An internal light source that illuminates light toward the inscription contact surface of the optical refractor; A lens disposed on the exit surface to image the inscription image incident on the inscription contact surface by an image sensor; And the image sensor disposed on the same optical axis as the lens to convert the inscription image into a digital inscription image. The lens is installed outside the angular range in which the light reflected from the liquid formed in the valley of the inscription and incident on the optical refractor is refracted from the exit surface of the optical refractor to be emitted, thereby obtaining an image of the ridge and valley of the inscription. It is desirable.

According to another embodiment, the inscription image acquisition device controls to acquire the inscription image by turning on the internal light source while the inscription does not contact the inscription contact surface, and an error state when a pattern is recognized in the inscription image. It may further include an error monitoring unit determined to be.

Inscription registration method of inscription image acquisition device

The present invention also extends to a method of registering an inscription in an inscription image acquisition device. The inscription registration method of the present invention comprises the steps of: generating at least one selected from an animal-face image and an animal-nose image by photographing an animal in front of the camera unit of the inscription image acquisition device; Generating an inscription image for the inscription in contact with the inscription contact surface of the inscription sensor unit; And registering the inscription of the animal by extracting feature point data from the inscription image by the control unit of the inscription image acquisition device, but registering the image captured by the camera unit together.

The inscription image acquisition apparatus of the present invention can acquire an inscription image by optical method using a light refractor, and at this time, it is possible to easily obtain an inscription image in which the ridges and valleys of the inscription are expressed despite the liquid on the inscription.

In addition, the inscription image acquisition device of the present invention is equipped with a camera unit to generate an animal-face image and an animal-nose image to be registered with the inscription, and extracts the shape features from the animal-face image or the animal-nose image. You can register. Through such registration information, registered information can be classified into several stages, and inscription authentication efficiency can be improved in the inscription authentication process. Since the number of animals, including companion animals, that require inscription authentication can range from millions to tens of millions of animals, it solves an inefficient problem when performing inscription authentication simply with feature point data extracted from inscription images. For example, when a stray dog is found, the number of data to be compared may be significantly reduced by performing the first classification based on the shape feature and then performing the inscription authentication among the first classified list.

1 is a view showing an inscription image acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the inscription image acquisition device of the present invention,

3 is a diagram optically explaining an inscription image in the inscription bone;

4 is a block diagram of an inscription image acquisition apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flow chart for explaining the inscription registration procedure of the inscription image acquisition device of the present invention, and

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scale displayed on a screen.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2, the inscription image acquisition device 110 of the present invention includes a camera unit 113, an inscription sensor unit 115, an operation unit 117, a network interface unit 201, and a control unit 210. Including, inscription image acquisition, inscription registration process and inscription authentication. Meanwhile, the inscription image acquisition device 110 may be directly connected to the external terminal 130 by wire or may be connected through a wireless network.

The inscription image acquisition device 110 includes a body 111 for accommodating the inscription sensor unit 115, the camera unit 113, the operation unit 117, the network interface unit 201 and the control unit 210. The main body 111 is preferably provided with a handle 111a that the user can hold and carry. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the main body 111 may be in the form of a rod, or may be in the shape of a so-called'gun' in which a handle is provided at the bottom bent in a'b' shape.

The camera unit 113 and the inscription sensor unit 115 are preferably disposed on the outer surface of the main body 119 because they must face an animal subject to authentication or registration of authentication information (hereinafter, simply referred to as “target animal”). In the case of the inscription sensor unit 115, the inscription contact surface 115a is exposed on the outer surface of the main body 119 as shown in FIG. 1. The operation part 117 is also exposed on one side of the main body 119.

The camera unit 113 generates a digital image by photographing the face of the target animal under the control of the controller 210 and provides it to the controller 210. The animal image is an image required in the process of creating and registering authentication information for the target animal. For authentication information, the image generated by the camera unit 113 may include a'animal-face image' photographing the entire face of the target animal, and/or a'animal-nose image' photographing the vicinity of the nose of the target animal. have. As described below, the controller 210 controls the camera unit 113 to capture an image of a subject in front as the user manipulates the manipulation unit 117. Like the inscription sensor unit 115, the camera unit 113 may include a lens (not shown) and an image sensor (not shown), and a camera widely used in a conventional portable terminal may be used. The user can take a picture while watching the image displayed on the screen 131 of the external terminal 130 or the display unit 401 of FIG. 4 and check the photographing result.

The inscription sensor unit 115 is a means for acquiring an inscription image by an optical method, and referring to FIG. 3, a photorefractor 301 to which the inscription directly contacts and the photorefractive device 301 emits light for acquiring an inscription image. It includes an internal light source 303, a lens 305 for forming an inscription image emitted from the light refractor 301 on the image sensor 307, and an image sensor 307 for finally generating a digital inscription image. The inscription, that is, the animal's nose, contacts the inscription contact surface 115a of the optical refractor 301. Since the inscription must contact the inscription contact surface 115a, the inscription contact surface 115a in the rod-shaped main body 111 is preferably protruded forward rather than the other portions as shown in FIG. 1.

The inscription sensor unit 115 illuminates light from the internal light source 303 toward the inscription contact surface 115a of the optical refractor 301 in a state in which the animal's nose is in contact with the inscription contact surface 115a. The light irradiated by the light refractor 301 is converted into an inscription image by the inscription on the inscription contact surface 115a, and then is incident on the lens 305. In the scattering type inscription sensor unit 115 as shown in FIG. 3, light emitted from the internal light source 303 is incident on the inscription contact surface 115a at a right angle or at an angle smaller than the critical angle for total reflection, and the ridge AN2 of the inscription is Another optical process takes place in the contact area and the area where the bone (AN3) is in contact, turning into an inscription image. The inscription image is imaged on the image sensor 307 by the lens 305. The image sensor 307 acquires the inscription image of the inscription in contact with the inscription contact surface 115a by converting the inscription image into a digital inscription image and outputting it. The inscription sensor unit 115 will be described again below.

The operation unit 117 is a means for receiving a control command from a user to take a picture of the camera unit 113 or to start an operation of the inscription sensor unit 115, and may correspond to an operation unit such as a button or a trigger. The control unit 210 executes a preset command in response to an operation of the operation unit 117.

The network interface unit 201 is a network means for connecting to the external terminal 130, and a wired interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) is also possible, and a wireless interface such as Bluetooth or Wireless LAN is also possible. For example, when the network interface unit 201 is implemented with USB, and the inscription image acquisition device 110 and the external terminal 130 are connected through a wired cable 150, the battery in the portable inscription image acquisition device 110 Although it is not necessary, when the network interface unit 201 is implemented as a wireless interface, a battery may be included in the portable inscription image acquisition device 110.

The control unit 210 controls the overall operation of the inscription image acquisition device 110 of the present invention. The control unit 210 of the present invention includes an inscription acquisition unit 211, a feature point extraction unit 213, a shape feature extraction unit 215, a registration procedure progress unit 217, and an error monitoring unit 219, and registers inscriptions. Control the procedure.

The inscription acquisition unit 211 and the feature point extraction unit 213 perform an inscription authentication process by acquiring an inscription image and extracting a feature point, and acquires feature point data according to the request of the registration process unit 217. The inscription acquisition unit 211 controls the inscription sensor unit 115 to generate an inscription image of the inscription in contact with the inscription contact surface 115a, and the feature point extraction unit 213 is the inscription generated by the inscription sensor unit 115 Feature point data is extracted from the image. The characteristic points in the inscription image include the morphological characteristics of the philtrum between the nostrils, the morphological characteristics of the inscription, and the characteristic points in the inscription pattern.

The shape feature extraction unit 215 extracts shape features from an animal-face image or an animal-nose image. The shape features include the ratio of the arrangement between the two eyes and nose extracted from the animal-face image, the color of the nose extracted from the animal-nose image, the external shape of the nose, the shape and size of the nostril, and the size of the nose.

The placement ratio between the two eyes and nose is determined by determining the position of the eyes and nose in the animal-face image, and then calculating the pixel-to-pixel distance between the eyes and nose to determine the distance between the two eyes (a1) and the two eyes and nose. It is obtained as the ratio of the distance (a2) between. For the external shape of the nose and nostrils, the outline of the nose or nostril is extracted from the animal-nose image, and features of the shape are extracted. Since the placement between an animal's eye and nose can vary from animal to animal, you can classify animals by the ratio between the animal's eye and nose. The primary classification by such external characteristics simplifies and makes the inscription authentication process more effective.

The registration procedure processing unit 217 performs a registration procedure of generating and registering registration information necessary for authenticating a target animal. Registration information is generated for each animal subject to registration, and includes ① feature point data obtained from inscription images and ② basic information about animals (variety, birth year, name, sex, guardian information, etc.). A new identification code can be assigned to the registration information.

According to an embodiment, the registration procedure processing unit 217 controls the camera unit 113 to generate an animal-nose image and/or an animal-face image, and registers an animal-nose image and/or an animal-face image. Can be included in the information. The registration procedure processing unit 217 may include, in the registration information, a shape feature extracted from the animal-nose image and/or the animal-face image by the shape feature extraction unit 215.

On the other hand, the registration procedure progress unit 217 provides the operation information to the external terminal 130 when there is an operation of the operation unit 117, thereby causing the external terminal 130, as shown in FIG. 6, to face-scale (G1). The nose-scale G2 may be displayed on the screen 131.

The error monitoring unit 219 performs an error monitoring processor that checks whether there is dirt or the like on the inscription contact surface 115a. Since the animal's nose is wet with the liquid w, dirt on the inscription contact surface 115a may remain as it was during the previous inscription image acquisition process. The error monitoring unit 219 controls the image sensor 307 to acquire the inscription image by turning on the internal light source 303 while the inscription does not contact the inscription contact surface 115a. It is determined whether an unexpected pattern is recognized in the inscription image. When a pattern is recognized in the inscription image, it is determined as an error state in which liquid or other dirt is adhered to the inscription contact surface 115a, and the error state is displayed through the display unit 150.

Example: Display (Fig. 4)

Depending on the embodiment, the inscription image acquisition device 400 may further include a display unit. Referring to FIG. 4, the display unit 401 is disposed on the rear side of the inscription image acquisition device 400 to view information provided when a user manipulates the camera unit 113 or the inscription sensor unit 115.

The display unit 401 may display information necessary in the process of generating an animal-face image or an animal-nose image and obtaining an inscription image, and in addition, may display various guides or status information for the user's device operation. . A simple lamp can be used as the display unit 401.

When various display devices capable of displaying images are used as the display unit 401, an animal-face image, an animal-nose image captured by the camera unit 113, or an inscription image acquired by the inscription sensor unit 115 is displayed. In addition, the inscription acquisition unit 211 or the registration procedure progress unit 217 may display a face-scale or a nose-scale on the display unit 401. In this case, it may not be necessary for the inscription image acquisition device 400 to be connected to the external terminal 130.

Meanwhile, the inscription image acquisition device 400 of FIG. 4 includes an operation unit 117, but the display unit 401 and the operation unit 117 may be integrated to be implemented as a touch panel.

How to create and register animal registration information

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a method of generating and registering animal registration information according to the present invention will be described, focusing on the operation of the registration procedure processing unit 217.

When the registration procedure is started, the registration procedure processing unit 217 controls the camera unit 113 to photograph the target animal, and the camera unit 113 provides the image photographed in front to the external terminal 130 or the display unit Mark at 401. At this time, the registration procedure processing unit 217 displays a face-scale G1 for capturing an animal-face image on the screen 131 or the display unit 401 of the external terminal 130 as shown in FIG. 6A.

Here, the face-scale (G1) is a scale displayed on the screen 131 when an animal-face image is captured, and the basic resolution of the animal-face image is secured by guiding at least one of the eyes and nose of the target animal to match. Use it to do. 6A and 6B, when photographing an animal's face (x1), a face-scale (G1) is displayed on the screen 131, and the eyes and nose of the animal are approximately matched to the face-scale (G1). If you do, you can secure an animal-face image of a certain size and resolution to some extent.

If there is a manipulation of the operation unit 117 afterwards, the camera unit 113 captures and generates an animal-face image. Depending on the embodiment, the registration procedure unit 217 may acquire a preset number of animal-face images to prevent photographing errors or mistakes, and a preset number of times until a preset number of animal-face images are generated. Face-scale (G1) can be displayed repeatedly as many times as possible.

When the animal-face image is generated in step S501, the registration procedure processing unit 217 displays a nose-scale G2 for capturing an animal-nose image on the screen 131 or the display unit 401 of the external terminal 130. do. The nose-scale (G2) is a scale that is displayed when taking an animal-nose image, and is used to secure the basic resolution of the animal-nose image by guiding to match the gravitational weight of the animal's nose. As shown in (c) of FIG. 6, when photographing an animal's nose (x2) part, the nose-scale G2 is displayed on the screen 131 and the gravitational weight between the nostrils of the animal approximately matches the nose-scale G2. , Animal-nose images of a certain size and resolution can be obtained.

If there is an operation of the operation unit 117 after that, the camera unit 113 generates an animal-nose image. Likewise, the registration procedure progress unit 217 may acquire a preset number of animal-nose images to prevent photographing errors or mistakes, and repeat a preset number of times until a preset number of animal-nose images are generated. The nose-scale (G2) can be displayed.

When the camera unit 113 generates an animal-nose image and/or an animal-face image, the shape feature extraction unit 215 extracts shape features from the animal-nose image and/or the animal-face image. Shape features include the ratio of placement between the two eyes and nose extracted from the animal-face image, the color of the nose extracted from the animal-nose image, the appearance shape of the nose, the shape and size of the nostrils, the size of the nose, or nose to nose. Calculate the hole size ratio, etc.

The placement ratio between the two eyes and the nose is determined by determining the position of the eyes and nose in the animal-face image, and then calculating the pixel-to-pixel distance between the eyes and the nose to determine the distance between the two eyes (a1) and the two eyes and nose. It is obtained as the ratio of the distance (a2) between. For the external shape of the nose and nostrils, the outline of the nose or nostril is extracted from the animal-nose image, and features of the shape are extracted. The ratio of the size of the nostrils in the nose can be calculated as the ratio of the number of pixels in the image.

When the animal-nose image is generated in step S503, the inscription acquisition unit 211 controls the inscription sensor unit 115 to generate an inscription image of the inscription in contact with the inscription contact surface 115a, and the feature point extraction unit 213 Extracts feature point data from the inscription image generated by the inscription sensor unit 115. Under the control of the inscription acquisition unit 211, the inscription sensor unit 115 turns on the internal lighting 303, and the image sensor 307 generates an inscription image.

In order to register an inscription image, it is good to obtain a plurality of inscription images, extract the feature point data, and compare them with each other to minimize errors in the feature point data.

The registration procedure processing unit 217 provides the information of the animal-nose image and/or animal-face image, the inscription image, the feature point data, and the shape obtained as a series of procedures is performed to the external terminal 130 to provide registration information. To create. The external terminal 130 generates and registers registration information by receiving basic information of a corresponding animal directly from an administrator or a user along with information provided by the inscription image acquisition device 110 of the present invention.

Through the above method, the inscription registration process of the target animal is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, since the order of steps S501, S503, and S507 does not have a significant meaning, it is safe to proceed according to a different sequence of animal-face image capture, animal-nose image capture, and inscription image/feature point data generation. .

Meanwhile, various registration information other than the feature point data extracted from the inscription image may be used in the inscription authentication step. For example, if all companion animals were all registered, millions to more than 10 million would be registered, and even dogs alone would be millions. If a stray dog occurs and authentication is required, the feature point data of the inscription extracted from the stray dog should be compared with the data of millions of people. At this time, since various other registration information is classified in various ways, classification is performed in the authentication step so that the inscription authentication process can be efficiently performed.

Authentication mode

As described above, the inscription acquisition unit 211 and the feature point extraction unit 213 perform an inscription authentication process by acquiring the inscription image and extracting the feature point. Animal authentication by the inscription can naturally be performed after registering the inscription according to the procedure of FIG. 5.

To authenticate the target animal, the inscription acquisition unit 211 performs an authentication mode. Authentication of the subject animal can be carried out using only inscriptions. However, when the number of registered animals is large, it may take some time to compare the feature point data of the inscription. As mentioned above, if a stray dog occurs and authentication is required, the feature point data of the inscription extracted from the stray dog must be compared with the data of millions of people.

Therefore, it is important to first classify using basic information such as shape characteristics or varieties included in the basic information among registration information. Classification is performed in the authentication mode, so that the inscription authentication process can be carried out efficiently.

In the authentication mode, the shape feature extraction unit 215 extracts the shape features from the animal-nose image and/or the animal-face image newly photographed for the target animal and provides it to the external terminal 130, and then the feature point extraction unit (213) and the inscription acquisition unit 211 obtain an inscription image, extract a feature point, and provide it to the external terminal 130 to request authentication.

The external terminal 130 may simplify the authentication process by first classifying the feature of a shape or basic information provided by a user or an administrator, and then comparing the feature point data requested for recognition with the first classified registration information.

Example: Acquiring an image of an inscription in a wet state (Fig. 3)

Referring to FIG. 3, the inscription sensor unit 115 includes an optical refractor 301, an internal light source 303, a lens 305, and an image sensor 307 to which the inscription directly contacts.

The optical refractor 301 is generally a prism having a triangular cross-sectional shape, and may have a four-sided cross-sectional shape (trapezoid, isosceles triangle). The optical refractor 301 exemplarily shown in FIG. 3 includes an inscription contact surface 115a to which the inscription is in contact, and an exit surface 301a from which light (inscription image) reflected or scattered from the inscription contact surface 115a is emitted. , It has a trapezoidal cross section provided to face the inscription contact surface 115a and having an incidence surface 301b into which light emitted from the internal light source 303 is incident. The inscription contact surface 115a is exposed to the outside of the main body 111 so that the animal can contact it. The area of the inscription contact surface 115a may vary depending on the target animal. For example, the one used to acquire the inscription image of a cow or horse should be larger than the one used to acquire the inscription image of a dog or cat.

First, the process of obtaining the inscription image by the optical inscription sensor unit 115 of FIG. 3 will be described as follows. With the nose (AN) of the target animal in contact with the inscription contact surface 115a, light is illuminated from the internal light source 303 toward the inscription contact surface 115a of the optical refractor 301. The light irradiated by the optical refractor 301 is converted into an inscription image by the inscription on the inscription contact surface 115a, and then is emitted to the exit surface 301a. In the scattering type inscription sensor unit 115 as shown in FIG. 3, light emitted from the internal light source 303 is incident on the inscription contact surface 115a at a right angle or at an angle smaller than the critical angle for total reflection, and the ridge AN2 of the inscription is Another optical process takes place in the contact area and the area where the bone (AN3) comes into contact, turning into an inscription image. The inscription image emitted from the exit surface 301a is imaged on the image sensor 307 by the lens 305. The image sensor 307 converts the inscription image into a digital inscription image and outputs it, thereby creating an inscription image of the inscription in contact with the inscription contact surface 115a.

The optical inscription image acquisition method is ridge (AN2) because there is no other medium between the ridge of the inscription (AN2) and the inscription contact surface (115a), and there is an air layer or liquid (w) between the valley (AN3) and the inscription contact surface (115a). It is to use the point where different optical processing occurs in the and bone (AN3). As is known, the animal's nose (AN) is usually slightly wetted by a liquid (w) mixed with oil or water. Since the area of the ridge line AN2 of the inscription not only contacts with a slight pressure, but also protrudes, no other medium intervenes between the ridge line AN2 and the inscription contact surface 115a. However, liquid (w) or air is filled between the inscription valley (AN3) and the inscription contact surface (115a).

In the case of the scattering type, the light emitted from the internal light source 303 is incident on the inscription contact surface 115a at a right angle or at an angle smaller than the critical angle for total reflection. In the valley of the inscription, it is refracted toward liquid (w) or air without total reflection, and scattering occurs in the ridge of the inscription. Therefore, in the scattering method, an image with bright ridges and dark valleys of the inscription must be obtained. In fact, when air is filled between the valley AN3 and the inscription contact surface 115a, the light re-incident to the optical refractor 301 becomes negligible. However, when the liquid w is filled between the valley AN3 and the inscription contact surface 115a, light that cannot be ignored is re-incident to the optical refractor 301. Therefore, in the case of processing in the same manner as in the state filled with air, the ridges AN2 and the valleys AN3 are not distinguished, and an overall black or bright image is obtained without distinction between the ridges and valleys.

Therefore, since the transmission angle (θ1) of the inscription image incident from the liquid (w) to the optical refractor 301 is determined by the refractive index of the liquid (w) and the optical refractor 301, the optical refractor 301 When the incident image passes through the exit surface 301a of the optical refractor 301 again, it is refracted within a certain angular range θ2 to be emitted. Therefore, when the lens 305 and the image sensor 307 are disposed, the angle range θ2 must be disposed outside so that the image on the valley AN3 is not incident.

3, in the image of the bone (AN3) part of the inscription image, the light emitted from the internal light source 303 is refracted from the inscription contact surface 115a to the liquid (w), and then back to the optical refractor 301. It was created while entering. When an inscription image enters a light refractor as a liquid (w), it is refracted by Snell's Law. If the liquid is oil type, the refractive index (n ₂ ) is approximately 1.4, and if the liquid is water, the refractive index (n ₂ ) is approximately 1.3. Since the refractive index n ₁ of the optical refractor 301 is greater than 1.5, it is greater than the refractive index n ₂ of the liquid w filling the valley AN3 of the inscription.

Assuming that the refractive index (n ₁ ) of the optical refractor 301 is 1.5, the transmission angle (θ1) of the inscription image incident on the optical refractor 301 exceeds 68.96° for oil (60.07° for water). Can't. In other words, if the light that passes through the inscription contact surface 115a of the light refractor 301 and enters and has a transmission angle θ1 of 69° or less does not proceed toward the lens 305, the liquid filled in the inscription bone AN3 ( You can create an inscription image that is not affected by w). The inscription image incident on the optical refractor 301 is emitted through the exit surface 301a of the optical refractor 301, and reflection or refraction occurs at this time as well. This is because light proceeds from a medium having a high refractive index (prism) to a medium having a small refractive index (air). If the incident angle incident on the exit surface 301a is less than or equal to the critical angle, it is refracted, and if it is greater than or equal to the critical angle, the light is totally reflected. Since the range of the transmission angle (θ1) of the inscription image about the bone (AN3) is limited to a maximum of 69°, the angle range (θ2) that is refracted at the exit surface 301a and finally transmitted through the optical refractor 301 is also Snell. It is limited to a certain range by the law of The angle range θ2 at this time is also related to the angle formed by the inscription contact surface 115a and the exit surface 301a, and can be obtained by a mathematical method. Therefore, the lens 305 must be disposed outside the angular range θ2, so that the inscription image for the bone AN3 is not received.

On the other hand, in the ridge of the inscription (AN2), light is scattered or reflected, and the scattered or reflected inscription image is emitted through the exit surface 301a, and is also emitted within the angular range (θ2), but out of the angular range (θ2). It is also displayed in places. Accordingly, the inscription image of the ridge can be received from the lens 305 disposed outside the angular range θ2.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and is generally used in the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications are possible by those skilled in the art of course, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical idea or perspective of the present invention.

Claims

In the inscription image acquisition device capable of obtaining an animal inscription image,

Inscription sensor unit for generating an inscription image for the inscription in contact with the inscription contact surface;

A camera unit that photographs a target animal and generates at least one selected from an animal-face image and an animal-nose image. The animal-face image is taken of the entire face of the animal and the animal-nose image is taken of the vicinity of the animal's nose;

A control unit which extracts feature point data from the inscription image and registers the inscription of the target animal, but also registers the image captured by the camera unit; And

A device for acquiring an inscription image, comprising: a main body having a handle that accommodates the inscription sensor unit, the camera unit, and the control unit and is portable by hand.
The method of claim 1,

Further comprising a manipulation unit that the user can operate with a finger,

The control unit operates the inscription sensor unit and the camera unit as a user manipulates the manipulation unit.
The method of claim 2,

Further comprising a display unit for displaying a preset scale on the screen when the camera unit photographs,

The scale is displayed when capturing the animal-face image and guides to match at least one of the eyes and nose of the animal, or is displayed when capturing the animal-nose image and guides to match the weight of the animal. Nose-scale,

The control unit performs one of display of the face-scale, display of the nose-scale, and generation of an inscription image of the inscription sensor unit whenever the manipulation unit is operated.
The method of claim 1,

Further comprising a network interface unit connected to the external user terminal and a wired or wireless network,

The user terminal displays a preset scale on the screen when the camera unit is photographing,

The scale is displayed when capturing the animal-face image and guides to match at least one of the eyes and nose of the animal, or is displayed when capturing the animal-nose image and guides to match the weight of the animal. Nose-scale,

Whenever the manipulation unit is operated, one of display of the face-scale, display of the nose-scale, and generation of an inscription image of the inscription sensor unit is performed.
The method of claim 1,

When registering the animal's inscription, the control unit includes an arrangement ratio between the two eyes and nose extracted from the animal-face image captured by the camera unit, the color of the nose extracted from the animal-nose image, the appearance shape of the nose, and nostrils. Shape, size, and nose size information Inscription image acquisition device, characterized in that registered together.
The method of claim 1,

The inscription sensor unit,

An optical refractor having an exit surface in contact with the inscription contact surface at a predetermined angle;

An internal light source that illuminates light toward the inscription contact surface of the optical refractor;

A lens disposed on the exit surface to image an inscription image incident on the inscription contact surface with an image sensor; And

And the image sensor disposed on the same optical axis as the lens to convert the inscription image into a digital inscription image,

The lens is installed outside the angular range in which the light reflected from the liquid formed on the valley of the inscription and incident on the optical refractor is refracted from the exit surface of the optical refractor to be emitted, thereby obtaining images of the ridge and valley of the inscription Inscription image acquisition device, characterized in that.
The method of claim 6,

In a state in which the inscription is not in contact with the inscription contact surface, the internal light source is turned on to control the acquisition of the inscription image, and further comprising an error monitoring unit that determines as an error state when a pattern is recognized in the inscription image. Inscription image acquisition device.
In the inscription registration method of an inscription image acquisition device capable of acquiring an inscription image of an animal by having an optical inscription sensor unit,

Generating at least one selected from an animal-face image and an animal-nose image by photographing an animal in front of the camera unit of the inscription image acquisition device. The animal-face image is taken of the entire face of the animal and the animal-nose image is taken of the vicinity of the animal's nose;

Generating an inscription image for the inscription in contact with the inscription contact surface of the inscription sensor unit; And

And registering the inscription of the animal by extracting feature point data from the inscription image by the control unit of the inscription image acquisition device, but registering the image captured by the camera unit together.
The method of claim 8,

In the step of registering,

The control unit includes an arrangement ratio between the two eyes and nose extracted from the animal-face image captured by the camera, the color of the nose extracted from the animal-nose image, the appearance shape of the nose, the shape of the nostril, the size of the nose. Inscription registration method of an inscription image acquisition device, characterized in that the size information is registered together.
The method of claim 8,

Further comprising the step of displaying a preset scale on the screen of the display unit when the camera unit is photographing,

The scale is displayed when capturing the animal-face image and guides to match at least one of the eyes and nose of the animal, or is displayed when capturing the animal-nose image and guides to match the weight of the animal. Inscription registration method of the inscription image acquisition device, characterized in that the nose-scale.
The method of claim 8,

Connecting a network interface unit of the inscription image acquisition device to an external user terminal through a wired or wireless network; And

Further comprising the step of displaying a preset scale on the screen of the user terminal when the camera unit is photographing,

The scale is displayed when capturing the animal-face image and guides to match at least one of the eyes and nose of the animal, or is displayed when capturing the animal-nose image and guides to match the weight of the animal. Inscription registration method of the inscription image acquisition device, characterized in that the nose-scale.
The method of claim 8,

Controlling an error monitoring unit of the inscription image acquisition device to acquire the inscription image in a state in which the inscription does not contact the inscription contact surface, and determining as an error state when a pattern is recognized in the inscription image. Inscription registration method of an inscription image acquisition device, characterized in that.