RU177970U1 - Device for optical recognition of graphic elements with the function of a barcode scanner and currency detector - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to devices for scanning and recognition of graphic elements, which can be used as a hand-held barcode scanner, which has the function of checking banknotes. The device comprises a housing (15), which contains sources of white (2), infrared (3) and ultraviolet light (4) for illuminating the field of view, a video detector (1) for receiving images, a communication interface module (11) and a computer (7) associated with a video detector (1), light sources (2, 3, 4) and a communication interface module (11). The video detector (1) is made in the form of two cameras: a first camera (12) for acquiring an image in the visible part of the light spectrum and a second camera (13) for acquiring an image in the infrared part of the light spectrum. As sources of white (2), infrared (3) and ultraviolet light (4), LEDs were used to highlight the field of view. The housing (15) has a base (16) and a handle (17) for directing the field of view of the device to a recognizable element. EFFECT: increased recognition efficiency of graphic elements in various ranges of the light spectrum. 9 s.p. f-ly, 4 ill.

Description

Technical field

The utility model relates to devices for scanning and recognition of graphic elements, which can be used as a hand-held barcode scanner, which has the function of checking banknotes.

State of the art

From the prior art, solutions are disclosed that reveal barcode scanners structurally integrated with a currency detector.

In particular, in Chinese patents CN 104036218, 09/10/2014 and CN 104036217, 09/10/2014, a barcode scanner is described, in the housing of which there is a recess for installing a currency detector in it.

In the publication of the application US US 2014183260, 07/03/2014 a modular device is disclosed, including many functional units, including a module for reading bar codes and a module for verifying bills.

Canadian Patent CA 2684159, 04/29/2010, describes a light detection device for various documents having barcode recognition and bill verification functions. The device includes a video sensor for receiving images, as well as LEDs to illuminate the field of view.

A disadvantage of the known solutions is their relatively narrow functionality associated with the detection of graphic elements only in the visible or infrared ranges of the light spectrum.

The closest analogue (prototype) of the considered solution is a device for the light detection of graphic elements disclosed in US patent US 5719948, 02.17.1998. The device includes a housing in which a scanner is connected, connected through an optical splitter and filters with a video detector to obtain images in visible and infrared light, sources of white, infrared and ultraviolet light for illuminating the field of view, light indicators, an interface module for connecting a cable, and a processor (calculator ) associated with the detector, light sources, indicators and connector. As a detector, a CCD (CCD) matrix can be used.

Compared with the above counterparts, the prototype device has more capabilities for recognizing barcodes and other graphic elements on various documents due to the ability to work in the visible, IR and UV parts of the spectrum. However, this device has a low speed, which is associated with the use of optical filters, a splitter and a CCD matrix for obtaining images. In addition, the design of the device does not allow using it as a hand scanner for the rapid recognition of bar codes on a product, security elements on banknotes, etc.

Utility Model Disclosure

The objective of the claimed utility model is to eliminate the disadvantages of analogues and to develop a device for light detection, which constructively combines a hand-held barcode scanner and a currency detector.

The technical result of the utility model is to increase the efficiency of recognition of graphic elements in various ranges of the light spectrum.

The specified technical result is achieved due to the fact that the device for optical recognition of graphic elements contains a housing that contains sources of white, infrared and ultraviolet light for illuminating the field of view, a video detector for receiving images, a communication interface module and a computer connected to the video detector, light sources and a communication interface module, while the video detector for receiving images is made in the form of two cameras: the first camera for receiving images in a visible part The light spectrum and the second camera for obtaining images in the infrared part of the light spectrum, LEDs are used as sources of white, infrared and ultraviolet light to illuminate the field of view, and the housing has a base and a handle for directing the field of view of the device to a recognizable element.

In addition, according to private options for implementing the utility model:

the first and second cameras of the video detector are made in the form of CMOS cameras;

the device further includes a green LED to indicate successful reading of graphic elements associated with the calculator;

the device further includes a narrow-angle target designation LED associated with the calculator;

in the front of the case there is a transparent window, behind which there are cameras operating in the visible and IR parts of the spectrum, LEDs for illuminating the field of view and target designation LED;

the device has a first trigger-shaped programmable button located on the handle of the device body and connected to the calculator;

the device has a second programmable button located at the rear of the base of the device body and connected to the calculator;

the device comprises a sound emitter for indicating the reading of graphic elements located in the housing and connected to the calculator;

the device has a window for indicating the status of the device and a sight placed on the base of the housing;

The communication interface module has connectors for connecting USB and RS232 cables.

In contrast to the closest analogue, in the considered device, two separate video cameras for the visible and infrared parts of the light spectrum are used as an image detector, which in combination with the use of LEDs of different spectral ranges makes it possible to quickly obtain visible and infrared images, as well as luminescent images in the visible parts of the spectrum of elements exposed to UV radiation. Images are obtained without the use of splitters, mechanical filters and other additional elements, which increases the speed and reliability of the device. Subsequently, the received images are automatically recognized.

The implementation of the device in the form of a compact handheld scanner with a handle for directing to the object of recognition, allows for quick scanning of bar codes or recognition of banknotes without the need for additional placement and positioning inside the device.

Thus, all the main features of the utility model cited are aimed at achieving a unified technical result, which consists in increasing the efficiency of recognition of graphic elements in different ranges of the light spectrum.

The described special cases of the implementation of the design are also aimed at increasing the efficiency of recognition. In particular, the use of a CMOS camera matrix increases the speed of image acquisition and processing, and the presence of additional LEDs for indication and target designation, programmable buttons, a sight and USB and RS232 interface allow simplifying and increasing the speed of work with the device. However, these particular cases are not the only possible options for implementing the utility model. Moreover, the technical result of the utility model is achieved without the use of these additional features.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The design of the claimed device is illustrated by drawings, where:

in FIG. 1 shows a General view of the claimed device;

in FIG. 2 shows a front view of the device;

in FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the electronic components of the claimed device;

in FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the algorithm of the device.

Utility Model Implementation

The optical recognition device for graphic elements includes the following electronic components: a video detector (1), LEDs (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) for backlighting, indication and target designation, a computer (7), a sound emitter (8), the first (9) and the second (10) programmable buttons and communication interface module (11) (see Fig. 3).

The video detector (2) is designed to obtain images for subsequent recognition of graphic elements. The video detector (2) includes a first camera (12) for acquiring an image in the visible part of the light spectrum and a second camera (13) for acquiring an image in the infrared (IR) part of the spectrum. The cameras (12, 13) are preferably made in the form of CMOS cameras.

To illuminate the field of view, the device uses three light sources in the form of LEDs: white (2) and infrared (3) and ultraviolet (4).

To indicate the successful reading of graphic elements, an additional green LED (5) can be used. Also, a narrow-angle target designation LED (6) of red color can be provided in the design for accurately pointing the device at the object of scanning.

The sound emitter (8) is intended for sound indication of successful reading.

The first (9) and second (10) programmable buttons provide control over the operation of the device, in particular, launching a barcode scan, recognition and authentication of banknotes, image acquisition, etc. The functions of these buttons can be customized to suit your needs.

The interface module (11) is intended for communication of the device with external computing devices, transferring data about recognized objects to them, and for sending commands to the claimed device for scanning, recognizing an object, or acquiring an image. The interface module (11) may have connectors for connecting USB and RS232 cables.

The mentioned components - cameras (12) and (13) of the video detector (1), LEDs (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), a sound emitter (8), buttons (9,10) and an interface module (11) - are connected to the computer (7). The calculator provides control over the operation of all elements of the device, receiving images from a video detector (1), their processing and transmission, and receiving data through an interface module (11). Structurally, the calculator can represent a printed circuit board on which the processor, random access memory (RAM) and flash memory are located.

All electronic components of the device are structurally combined in one housing (15), consisting of a base (16) and a handle (17) for guiding the housing (15) to a recognizable element (see Fig. 1, 2). The base can be made in a shape resembling a paraboloid, with a rectangular front part, smoothly turning into a narrower rear part. The handle (17) has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends from the middle of the base (16) perpendicular to its axis.

The first programmable button (9) is preferably made in the form of a trigger located on the handle (17) of the housing for pressing with the index finger when the device is held in the hand. The second programmable button (9) is located on the base (16) and can be used to press when the device is installed in the stand.

On the basis of (16) of the housing (15), a window (18) for indicating the status of the device and a sight (19) can also be placed.

The base (16) of the housing (15) may have a transparent window (20). At the same time, cameras (12, 13) of the video detector (1), LEDs (2, 3, 4) for illuminating the field of view, LED (5) for successful reading and target designation LED (6) are installed in the base (16) of the housing opposite the front panels (20).

The described device allows you to perform the following functions:

recognize linear and two-dimensional bar codes in visible or infrared light,

recognize and verify the authenticity of banknotes and other documents from images in the visible (wavelength 400-760 nm), infrared (IR) (wavelength 800-1000 nm) parts of the spectrum, and also verify elements that are luminescent under the influence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (wavelength 360-380 nm),

receive images and save them in BMP, JPG, etc.

For barcode recognition, depending on the settings, any of the cameras (12, 13) of the video detector (1) can be used. To verify the authenticity of banknotes and other documents, both cameras (12, 13) and three LEDs (2, 3, 4) are simultaneously used to obtain and verify the banknote image in the visible and IR spectra, as well as to check for the presence of luminescent image elements under the influence UV radiation.

The launch of barcode scanning, depending on the settings, can be performed by the first (9) or second (10) button, a command via the interface (11) or an optical motion detector (not shown) in the field of view of the device. The recognition and authentication of banknotes can be started, depending on the settings, by the first (9) or second (10) button or by a command on the interface (11). Image acquisition (depending on the settings) can also be performed by the first (9) or second (10) button or by a command on the interface (11).

The operation of the device is as follows (see Fig. 4, in which the basic operations of the device are indicated by numbers 21-34).

When the device is turned on, initialization (21) of timers, ports and interface and testing (22) of the video transmission channel are carried out. Upon successful testing, the main cycle starts (23), if there are errors, sound, light and interface displays (24).

The main cycle of the device is implemented in two modes: barcode scanning mode and currency detector.

In the barcode scanning mode, a command from a button, interface, or in automatic mode receives (25) images from one of the cameras. The image is transmitted to a computer that localizes (26) and searches for a bar code and its subsequent binarization (27) and decoding (28). Recognition results are transmitted via an interface (29) to an external computing device (computer). In this case, sound and light indication (30) of successful reading is carried out.

In the currency detector mode, the device, using both cameras of the video detector, obtains (31) a visible image in white light, a visible image in UV light, as well as an IR image. The calculator automatically searches for signs of notes on each of these images (operations 32, 33, 34). The test results are transmitted via an interface (29) to an external device and sound and light indication (30) of successful recognition is carried out.

Claims (18)

1. A device for optical recognition of graphic elements, comprising a housing (15), in which are located: sources of white (2), infrared (3) and ultraviolet light (4) for highlighting the field of view, video detector (1) for obtaining images, communication interface module (11), and a computer (7) associated with a video detector (1), light sources (2, 3, 4) and a communication interface module (11), characterized in that the video detector (1) is made in the form of two cameras: a first camera (12) for acquiring an image in the visible part of the light spectrum and a second camera (13) for acquiring an image in the infrared part of the light spectrum, As sources of white (2), infrared (3) and ultraviolet light (4), LEDs were used to highlight the field of view, and the housing (15) has a base (16) and a handle (17) for directing the field of view of the device to a recognizable element. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first (12) and second (13) cameras of the video detector (1) are made in the form of CMOS cameras. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes a green light-emitting diode (5) to indicate the successful reading of graphic elements associated with the calculator (7). 4. The device according to p. 3, characterized in that it further includes a narrow-angle target designation LED (6) associated with the computer (7). 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the base (16) of the housing (15) has a front transparent window (20), while the first (12) and second (13) cameras of the video detector (1), LEDs (2, 3 , 4) for highlighting the field of view and target designation LED (8), are placed in the base (16) of the housing (15) opposite the specified front window (20). 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a first programmable button (9) for controlling the operation of the device in the form of a trigger, located on the handle (17) of the housing (15) and connected to the calculator (7). 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a second programmable button (10) for controlling the operation of the device, located in the rear of the base (15) of the housing (15) and connected to the computer (7). 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a sound emitter for indicating the reading of graphic elements, located in the housing (15) and connected to the computer (7). 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a window (18) for indicating the status of the device and a sight (19) located on the base (16) of the housing (15). 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication interface module (11) has connectors (14) for connecting USB and RS232 cables.

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