KR20110042557A - Apparatus and method for recognizing barcord - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A barcode recognizing device and method are provided to guarantee high image improvement performance. CONSTITUTION: A binarization unit(120) binarizes an image. A searcher pattern detecting section(130) successively searches the image. The searcher pattern detecting section detects a searcher pattern. By using the relative position relation of the detected searcher pattern, an alignment pixel detecting unit(140) detects a queue pixel. A decoding unit(150) decodes data of a data area.

Description

Barcode Recognition Apparatus and Method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING BARCORD}

The following embodiments are related to a barcode recognition device and method.

Barcode technology is a technology that reads the ID value by analyzing the image reflected in the normal or special lighting (for example, infrared, laser) the visual barcode output in black and white. Two-dimensional barcode technology uses a two-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode designed in the form of a matrix stacked with the one-dimensional barcode to overcome the capacities of the one-dimensional barcode. Since the visible bar code uses a bar code that is output in a given space, it is inevitable to modify the design of the target object to which the bar code is output as a space of a certain area is required for the bar code output. In addition, since these visible barcodes are recognized by humans as well as machines, cultural and religious taboos may exist, and the appearance of the barcodes may be aesthetically deteriorated, thereby reducing the completeness of the product design and providing a sense of heterogeneity.

On the other hand, invisible bar code technology is proposed to solve the problem of visible bar code. The bar code is printed by using a paint or film that reacts to the band of ultraviolet or infrared rays on both ends of visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum. It is a technology to recognize. UV-based invisible barcodes reduce the energy level by reflecting the photons irradiated onto the paint. The components of the paint absorb the energy of the photons, and down-conversion of light is reflected by only the low energy photons. By using this method, the reflected light is reflected in the visible light region, which is invisible in one-sided situation, but becomes visible at the point of recognition. Infrared-based invisible barcode is a form that recognizes the barcode output by the paint in response to infrared rays using an infrared camera. Since the infrared-based invisible barcode is implemented using a limited performance infrared paint and a camera, there are limitations such as low data volume and inaccurate marker area detection.

The barcode recognition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a binarization unit for binarizing an image by sequentially substituting one of a preset number of binarization boundary values, and sequentially searching the image using one of the binarization boundary values. A searcher pattern detector for detecting a finder pattern, an alignment pixel detector for detecting an alignment pixel using a relative positional relationship of the detected searcher pattern, and the searcher pattern and the alignment pixel And a decoding unit for decoding the data of the identified data area.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the searcher detector may detect a searcher pattern having a ratio of a marker area and an internal space.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the alignment pixel detector may detect an alignment pixel for measuring a direction of a data area using the searcher pattern. Here, the alignment pixel may be an independent pixel positioned at an extension line of an internal line in the searcher pattern.

According to an aspect of the invention, the binarization unit may binarize the image by setting a next binarization value when the detection of the searcher pattern or the alignment pattern fails.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the barcode may include a boundary dividing area for dividing a boundary between the searcher pattern and the data area.

In addition, the barcode recognition method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of binarizing the image by sequentially substituting one of a preset number of binarization boundary value, and sequentially using the one of the binarization boundary value Detecting a searcher pattern by searching, detecting an alignment pixel by using the relative positional relationship of the detected searcher pattern, and decoding data of a data region determined by using the searcher pattern and the alignment pixel. Include.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the detecting of the searcher may detect a searcher pattern having a ratio of a marker area and an internal space.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the detecting of the alignment pixel may detect the alignment pixel for measuring the direction of the data area using the searcher pattern.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the method may further include determining whether the detection of the searcher pattern is successful or not, and determining whether the detection of the alignment pattern is successful. When the detection of the searcher pattern or the alignment pattern fails, the next binarization value may be set to binarize the image.

An embodiment of the present invention can provide a barcode recognition apparatus and method for ensuring a high image enhancement performance by determining whether a detection is detected at each detection step and automatically determining a binarization boundary value by setting a next binarization value when detection fails. .

Hereinafter, with reference to the contents described in the accompanying drawings will be described in detail an embodiment according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to or limited by the embodiments. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a bar code recognition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 includes an image acquisition unit 110, a binarization unit 120, a searcher detector 130, an alignment pixel detector 140, and a decoder 150.

The image acquisition unit 100 obtains an image including a barcode to be recognized. That is, the image acquisition unit 100 acquires an image including a barcode having a structure including a finder pattern, an alignment pixel, a data area, and a boundary division area.

The binarization unit 120 binarizes the obtained image by sequentially assigning one of a preset number of binarization boundary values. That is, the binarization unit 120 presets a binarization boundary value, and binarizes the obtained image by substituting any one of a preset number of binarization boundary values for the obtained image.

The searcher pattern detector 130 detects the searcher pattern by sequentially searching the acquired image using one of the binarization boundary values. That is, the searcher detector 130 sequentially searches the obtained image using one of the binarization boundary values to detect a searcher pattern having a ratio of a marker area and an internal space. For example, the searcher detector 130 sequentially searches for the acquired image using any one of the binarization boundary values. The searcher pattern 130 may include a searcher pattern having a rectangular cube having a constant ratio. Can be detected.

When the searcher pattern detector 130 fails to detect the searcher pattern, the binarization unit 120 sets a next binarization value to binarize the obtained image.

The alignment pixel detector 140 detects the alignment pixel by using the relative positional relationship of the detected searcher pattern. That is, when the detection of the searcher pattern is successful, the alignment pixel detection unit 140 may detect the alignment pixel for measuring the direction of the data area using the detected searcher pattern. The alignment pixel may be an independent pixel positioned on an extension line of an internal segment in the searcher pattern.

When the alignment pixel detector 140 fails to detect the alignment pixel, the binarization unit 120 sets a next binarization value to binarize the obtained image.

The decoding unit 150 decodes data of the data area determined using the searcher pattern and the alignment pixel. That is, when the detection unit 150 and the alignment pattern are successfully detected, the decoding unit 150 identifies the data area using the relative positional relationship between the detected searcher pattern and the alignment pixel and includes the data area in the identified data area. The decoded data.

As such, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may improve the barcode recognition rate by using a predefined image pattern.

2 is a view showing the structure of an infrared based barcode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, an infrared based barcode according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a searcher pattern 211 and 212, data regions 221 and 222, alignment pixels 231 and 232, and a boundary dividing region 240. It is a structure.

For example, the searcher detector 130 may detect the searcher patterns 211 and 212 having a rectangular cube shape having a marker area: internal space: marker area ratio of 1: 2: 1.

For example, the data regions 221 and 222 may include 32 cells in black and white, and may include 32 bits (4 bytes) of data.

Alignment pixels 231 and 232 are independent pixels located in the extension lines of the inner line segments in the searcher patterns 211 and 212 and used to measure the direction of the data regions 221 and 222. For example, the first alignment pixel 231 may be used to measure the direction of the first data area 221 as an independent pixel located at an extension line of the inner line segment in the first searcher pattern 211. As another example, the second alignment pixel 232 may be used to measure the direction of the second data area 222 as an independent pixel located at an extension line of the inner line segment in the second searcher pattern 212.

The boundary dividing area 240 is an area for dividing the boundary between the searcher patterns 211 and 212 and the data areas 221 and 222. For example, the boundary dividing area 240 may distinguish the boundary of each structure such as the first searcher pattern 211, the second searcher pattern 212, the first data area 221, and the second data area 222. It may consist of white areas.

For example, the alignment pixel detector 140 detects the first alignment pixel 231 positioned on the extension line of the internal line segment in the first searcher pattern 211, and the second alignment pixel detected on the extension line of the internal line segment in the second searcher pattern 212. The alignment pixel 232 can be detected.

For example, the decoding unit 150 decodes the data of the first data region 221 determined using the first searcher pattern 211 and the first alignment pixel 232, and decodes the second searcher pattern 212 and the second searcher pattern 212. The data of the identified second data area 222 may be decoded using the second alignment pixel 232.

As such, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may increase image recognition performance by using an infrared based barcode including a predefined image pattern such as a searcher pattern, an alignment pixel, and a data area.

3 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of a barcode recognition method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 3, in operation S310, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 acquires an image for recognizing a barcode. That is, in operation S310, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 obtains an image for recognizing the barcode through the image acquisition unit 110. For example, in operation S310, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 may acquire an image including a barcode structure of a predefined image pattern as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In operation S320, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 sets a binarization value, and sequentially substitutes any one of the preset binarization boundary values to binarize the obtained image. That is, in operation S320, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 binarizes the obtained image by sequentially assigning one of the preset number of binarization boundary values through the binarization unit 120.

In operation S330, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 sequentially searches the image using one of the binarization boundary values to detect a searcher pattern. That is, in operation S330, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 determines a ratio of the marker region and the internal space by using the result of sequentially searching the image using one of the binarization boundary values through the searcher pattern detector 130. The searcher pattern is formed. For example, in operation S330, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 may have a structure in which a code area: an internal area: an arrangement of code areas is 1: 2: 1 according to a result of sequentially searching the image. The branch may detect the searcher patterns 211 and 212.

In operation S340, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 determines whether the searcher pattern detection is successful. For example, in operation S340, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 may determine whether the detection of the searcher patterns 211 and 212 as illustrated in FIG. 2 is successful.

If the detection of the searcher pattern is not successful, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 may automatically determine the binarization boundary value by setting the next binarization value by performing the operation from step S320 again.

When the detection of the searcher pattern is successful, in operation S350, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 detects an alignment pixel by using the relative positional relationship of the detected searcher pattern. For example, in operation S350, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 detects a first alignment pixel 231, which is an independent pixel located at an extension line of an internal line, in the first searcher pattern 211 as illustrated in FIG. 2, In the second searcher pattern 212, a second alignment pixel 232, which is an independent pixel positioned on an extension line of the internal line segment, may be detected.

In operation S360, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 determines whether the detection of the alignment pixel is successful. For example, in operation S360, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 may determine whether detection of the first alignment pixel 231 or the second alignment pixel 232 is successful.

If the detection of the alignment pixel is not successful, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 may automatically determine the binarization boundary value by setting the next binarization value by performing the operation from step S320 again.

If the detection of the alignment pixel is successful, in operation S370, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 decodes data of the data area determined using the searcher pattern and the alignment pixel. For example, in operation S370, the barcode recognition apparatus 100 may determine data about the data of the data area 221 determined using the first searcher pattern 211 and the first alignment pixel 231 as shown in FIG. 2. Decoding may be performed, and decoding of the data of the identified data area 222 may be performed using the second searcher pattern 212 and the second alignment pixel 232.

As described above, the barcode recognition method according to an embodiment of the present invention may recognize a barcode according to a code recognition algorithm performed in the order of image acquisition, binarization value setting, searcher pattern detection, alignment pixel detection, and decoding.

Accordingly, the barcode recognition method according to an embodiment of the present invention improves barcode recognition performance by automatically determining a binarization boundary value by determining a detection pattern of a searcher pattern or an alignment pixel and setting a next binarization value. Can be.

Bar code recognition method according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means may be recorded on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and magnetic disks, such as floppy disks. Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine code generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

As described above, the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains various modifications and variations from such descriptions. This is possible.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the claims below but also by the equivalents of the claims.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a bar code recognition device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a view showing the structure of a barcode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of a barcode recognition method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A binarization unit for binarizing an image by sequentially assigning one of a preset number of binarization boundary values; A searcher pattern detector configured to sequentially search the image using one of the binarization boundary values to detect a searcher pattern; An alignment pixel detector configured to detect an alignment pixel by using the relative positional relationship of the detected searcher pattern; And A decoding unit for decoding data of a data region determined using the searcher pattern and the alignment pixel Bar code recognition device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The searcher detector, The barcode recognition device which detects the searcher pattern which consists of a ratio of a marker area and an internal space. The method of claim 1, The alignment pixel detector, Detecting the alignment pixels for measuring a direction of the data area using the searcher pattern; The alignment pixel, And an independent pixel positioned at an extension line of an internal segment in the searcher pattern. The method of claim 1, The binarization unit, And if the detection of the searcher pattern or the alignment pattern fails, set a next binarization value to binarize the image. The method of claim 1, The barcode is, And a boundary dividing area for dividing a boundary between the searcher pattern and the data area. Binarizing the image by sequentially assigning one of a preset number of binarization boundary values; Detecting the searcher pattern by sequentially searching the image using one of the binarization boundary values; Detecting an alignment pixel using the relative positional relationship of the detected searcher pattern; And Decoding data of a data region determined using the searcher pattern and the alignment pixel Barcode recognition method comprising a. The method of claim 6, Detecting the searcher pattern, The barcode recognition method of detecting the searcher pattern which consists of a ratio of a marker area | region and internal space. The method of claim 6, Detecting the alignment pixel, And detecting an alignment pixel for measuring a direction of a data area using the searcher pattern. The method of claim 6, Determining whether or not the detection of the searcher pattern is successful; And Determining whether the detection of the alignment pattern is successful; Binarizing the image, And if the detection of the searcher pattern or the alignment pattern fails, set a next binarization value to binarize the image. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the method of any one of claims 6 to 9.

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