Method and apparatus for detecting and interpreting price label text

A server for detecting price text, comprising:

• a memory storing an image of a shelf supporting labels bearing price text;
• an imaging controller coupled to the memory, the imaging controller comprising:
• a text region generator configured to generate a plurality of text regions containing candidate text elements from the image;
• a classifier configured to assign a classification to each of the text regions, selected from a price text classification and a non-price text classification for a respective text region, wherein the price text classification includes a non-numeric text element;
• a sub-region generator configured to detect a price text sub-region within each of a subset of the text regions having the price text classification by:
• (a) assigning the candidate text elements within the text region to groups based on respective sizes of the candidate text elements, and (b) selecting a group having a largest area as a primary one of the groups;
• and
• an interpreter configured to generate a price text string by applying character recognition to the price text sub-region;
• and to present locations of the subset of text regions, in association with the corresponding price text strings.