Scanner with control logic for resolving package labeling conflicts

• US 10,565,415 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2019
• Issued: 02/18/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Powell, Arthur L., Rodriguez, Tony F., Long, Scott M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trail, Allyson N
• Application Number:
  US16/384,527
• Publication Number:
  US 20190311167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 23547201, 235475, 23546242, 235383, 235454, 23546241, 23546202
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2007/10524 Hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1408 the method being specifically adapted for the type of code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1413 1D bar codes

Abstract

An automatic object identification scanner is equipped with recognition units that provide detection results for objects and a controller that resolves potential conflicts in the results. One form of recognition unit detects product identifiers and flags in a digital payload that is encoded redundantly across packaging or labels applied to packaging. The controller gets detection results and evaluates them relative to a state data structure, which maintains state for identifiers obtained within a time interval, such as a timeout interval or waiting period after a detection result. Identifiers are reported to a POS system depending on logic that evaluates code priority and pending waiting periods.

Claims

1. A method of automatic product identification, the method executing within a processor, and comprising:

obtaining a first detection result from a first recognition unit, the first recognition unit configured to detect a digital payload from a two-dimensional code in which the digital payload is encoded within an image captured of a first object in a view volume of a scanner;

obtaining a second detection result from a second recognition unit, the second recognition unit configured to detect a digital payload from a one-dimensional barcode within an image captured of the first object;

executing conflict logic to resolve a conflict between the two-dimensional code and one-dimensional barcode captured from the first object; and

based on executing the conflict logic, determining identity of the first object to use in associating price with the first object in a POS system.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional code encodes a first identifier and the one-dimensional barcode encodes a second identifier;

and further comprising;

dynamically generating a blacklist by adding the first or second identifier to a blacklist of identifiers when the first and second identifiers are detected to be proximate and not matching.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the two-dimensional code and one-dimensional barcode encode a source identifier and executing the conflict logic comprises determining whether the source identifiers encoded in the two-dimensional code and one-dimensional barcode are likely from a common source.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first object comprises a family pack, and the two-dimensional code identifies one of a member of the family pack or the family pack, and the one-dimensional barcode identifies the other of the member of the family pack or the family pack.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein one of the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional barcode is sensed from an overwrap of the family pack, and the other of the two-dimensional code or one-dimensional barcode is sensed from packaging of a member of the family pack.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first object has a price change label, and one of the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional barcode is on the price change label, and the other of the two-dimensional code or one-dimensional barcode comprises a separate product identifier on the first object to which the price change label is applied.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the two-dimensional code comprises contiguous image signal tiles in which a digital payload is redundantly encoded.

8. A system for automatic recognition of objects, the system comprising:

an imager;

at least one processor in communication with the imager;

the at least one processor configured to execute a controller process and plural recognition units, the controller process comprising instructions executed by the at least one processor to;

obtain detection results from the plural recognition units based on at least one frame captured by the imager of at least one object in a view volume of the imager;

wherein the detection results include a first identifier from a one-dimensional barcode and a second identifier in a two-dimensional code, each detected from a first object by different types of recognition units;

determine whether the detection results include an identifier for which conflict logic should be executed to prevent a conflict between the first and second identifiers; and

evaluate the conflict logic on the first and second identifiers to determine identity that a POS system uses for the first object.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

dynamically generating a blacklist by adding the first or second identifier to a blacklist of identifiers when the first and second identifiers are detected to be proximate and not matching.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the two-dimensional code and one-dimensional barcode encode a source identifier and evaluating the conflict logic comprises determining whether the source identifiers encoded in the two-dimensional code and the one-dimensional barcode are likely from a common source.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the first object comprises a family pack, and the two-dimensional code identifies one of a member of the family pack or the family pack, and the one-dimensional barcode identifies the other of the member of the family pack or the family pack.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein one of the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional barcode is sensed from an overwrap of the family pack, and the other of the two-dimensional code or one-dimensional barcode is sensed from packaging of a member of the family pack.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the first object has a price change label, and one of the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional barcode is on the price change label, and the other of the two-dimensional code or one-dimensional barcode comprises a separate product identifier on the first object to which the price change label is applied.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the two-dimensional code comprises contiguous image signal tiles in which a digital payload is redundantly encoded.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium on which is stored instructions, which when executed on a processor, perform the acts of:

obtaining a first detection result from a first recognition unit, the first recognition unit configured to detect a digital payload from a two-dimensional code in which the digital payload is encoded within an image captured of a first object in a view volume of a scanner;

obtaining a second detection result from a second recognition unit, the second recognition unit configured to detect a digital payload from a one-dimensional barcode within an image captured of the first object;

executing conflict logic to resolve a conflict between the two-dimensional code and one-dimensional barcode captured from the first object; and

based on executing the conflict logic, determining identity of the first object to use in associating price with the first object in a POS system.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the two-dimensional code encodes a first identifier and the one-dimensional barcode encodes a second identifier;

and further comprising instructions to configure a processor to perform the act of;

dynamically generating a blacklist by adding the first or second identifier to a blacklist of identifiers when the first and second identifiers are detected to be proximate and not matching.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the two-dimensional code and one-dimensional barcode encode a source identifier and executing the conflict logic comprises determining whether the source identifiers encoded in the two-dimensional code and one-dimensional barcode are likely from a common source.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the first object comprises a family pack, and the two-dimensional code identifies one of a member of the family pack or the family pack, and the one-dimensional barcode identifies the other of the member of the family pack or the family pack.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein one of the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional barcode is sensed from an overwrap of the family pack, and the other of the two-dimensional code or one-dimensional barcode is sensed from packaging of a member of the family pack.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the first object has a price change label, and one of the two-dimensional code or the one-dimensional barcode is on the price change label, and the other of the two-dimensional code or one-dimensional barcode comprises a separate product identifier on the first object to which the price change label is applied.