US 2018/0121752 A1 · METHOD OF READING DEGRADED SYMBOLS

Abstract

A method of reading degraded symbols is described. A symbol has an initial shape, which is marked on an object. Marks, shapes, symbols, and object ID are managed separately. A symbol library with symbols and associated shapes is initially created. Shapes in the library are updated from shapes of marks as the marks degrade over time. A read mark is compared to all the shapes in the library to determine a most likely shape. A selection set is used to limit symbol selection, based on the comparison, to valid symbols. The symbol library and selection set may be customized to each usage of the method. Comparison methods use probability distributions. Confidence values are used to validate output, generate warnings, and to control updating of the library. Weighted averaging may be used at the level of shapes, comparison distributions, or selections. One application is reading tattooed marks on rodent tails in a vivarium.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of computing an animal identifier, for an animal comprising a mark, comprising the steps:

(a) selecting a symbol library comprising symbols, each symbol having an associated shape in the library;
(b) using a predetermined symbol from the symbol library, assigning the associated shape to a current shape and to a prior shape;
(c) reading the mark on the animal, and deriving the now current shape from the read mark;
(d) comparing the current shape to the shapes in the symbol library;
(e) selecting the symbol responsive to the comparing;
(f) computing the animal identifier responsive to the symbol;
(g) updating the prior shape in the symbol library to now equal the current shape;
(h) repeating from step (c) until the mark is no longer available for reading.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method of reading degraded symbols

Life of this patent

Method of reading degraded symbols

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19