Device and method for performing optical character recognition

A method of performing character isolation in an optical character recognition process, the method comprising:

• receiving image data representing one or more character columns;
• determining a number of black pixels in each column of the image data;
• defining a vertical separation threshold which is a maximum number of black pixels in a column;
• dividing the columns into different pixel groups and groups of excluded columns by excluding any columns with a number of black pixels below the vertical separation threshold;
• and
• identifying the pixel group representing a left most character column in the image data, further comprising:
• identifying a left most group of excluded columns;
• determining that a pixel group immediately to the right of the left most group of excluded columns is below a minimum digit width threshold;
• and
• excluding the pixel group immediately to the right of the left most group of excluded columns.

A processor for performing character isolation in an optical character recognition process, the processor configured to:

• receive image data representing one or more character columns;
• determine a number of black pixels in each column of the image data;
• define a vertical separation threshold which is a maximum number of black pixels in a column;
• divide the columns into different pixel groups and groups of excluded columns by excluding any columns with a number of black pixels below the vertical separation threshold;
• identify the pixel group representing a left most character column in the image data by:
• identifying a left most group of excluded columns;
• determining that a pixel group immediately to the right of the left most group of excluded columns is below a minimum digit width threshold;
• and
• excluding the pixel group immediately to the right of the left most group of excluded columns.

A supplemental device for attachment to an injection device, the supplemental device comprising:

• an imaging arrangement configured to capture an image of one or more numbers present on a moveable component of the injection device;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• receive image data representing one or more character columns;
• determine a number of black pixels in each column of the image data;
• define a vertical separation threshold which is a maximum number of black pixels in a column;
• divide the columns into different pixel groups and groups of excluded columns by excluding any columns with a number of black pixels below the vertical separation threshold;
• identify the pixel group representing a left most character column in the image data by:
• identifying a left most group of excluded columns;
• determining that a pixel group immediately to the right of the left most group of excluded columns is below a minimum digit width threshold;
• and
• excluding the pixel group immediately to the right of the left most group of excluded columns.