Abstract:
The present invention relates to a tag for identifying an object image, including: a feature changing module, including multiple light sources and changing intensity and a wavelength of the light source according to a feature signal; and a communication module, receiving a feature signal generated from the feature changing module, and sending an output signal related to the feature signal. The present invention further relates to a device for identifying an object image, including: a communication module, where the communication module receives a feature signal, where the feature signal includes a command or related information for controlling multiple light sources; a processing unit, where the processing unit receives the feature signal and an image signal from an image sensor, and generates an image identification result according to the image signal and the feature signal; and a storage module, used for storing the image identification result. The present invention can precisely identify an object and provide features related to the object to be identified without using a complex image identification algorithm or a technology for improving resolution of an image.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an object identification system and method, and in particular, to a system and method for identifying a main target object according to a specific appearance and feature changing of the object. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    At present, technologies used for identifying objects in an image may be classified into two categories: one is to directly perform comparison by using an appearance of the object, and the other is to mark the object with a distinct tag. The technology of directly perform comparison by using an appearance of an object is affected by shooting angles, and all angles generated by features which may change must be compared when comparison is performed on the appearance, so during data processing, a considerable amount of time is consumed due to an excessively large amount of data that needs to be determined. 
         [0005]    In addition, in a case where a tag is taken as a feature of an object, a related technology for performing comparison by using a barcode as a feature is mentioned in the United States Patent U.S. Pat. No. 2,612,994. Object features can be compared by using a rapid algorithm only if a tag has a special appearance. However, a disadvantage of a barcode is that a barcode cannot provide sufficient information because the amount of information in a barcode is too limited, and the barcode can be identified only if the image of the barcode is clear. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, a dynamic tag technology for changing feature information of an object by color changing, provided in the United States Patent U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,432, mentions that the present prior art can provide object identification in a case where only several lamp signals are used, solving the problem in the previous prior art that features can be identified only when a high resolution image is available. However, the present prior art, still, can only provide simple numbered data and must rely on a database established in advance to find out related object information by comparing the simple numbered data with data in the database. 
         [0007]    The United States Patent US20060054695 further proposes the technical content that a dynamic barcode is used to transmit feature information, but the disadvantage still is that a barcode can be accurately determined only if a high resolution image is available, the present prior art can only be applied in a short-distance range, and when information is transmitted by using the barcode, image transmission performed every time only includes a little bit of information and cannot effectively provide a two-way communication between a tag end and an identification end. 
         [0008]    The Chinese Patent CN201111094 proposes that different light signal emission sources are disposed in a space and a tag automatically receives a light signal to determine a location of the tag. However, in the present prior art, each light emitting unit can only provide one unrepeatable location, and since a light signal of a greater encoding range needs a longer read time, both the usable space range and the precision of the present prior art are limited. In addition, the present prior art obtains a location of an object in a space, but the object may be covered by another object, so that the location cannot be associated with image data. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention provides an object identification system and method, and an interesting object may be easily identified according to a tag attached to the object. 
         [0010]    A main objective of the present invention is to provide an object identification system which can achieve the objective of object identification by using an existing wireless communication technology and simple light changing. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a tag for identifying an object in image, comprising: a feature changing module, comprising one or more light sources and changing the light source according to a feature signal; and a communication module, receiving or sending a feature signal, and receiving or sending a radio signal related to the feature signal. 
         [0012]    The present invention further provides a device for identifying an object in image, comprising: a communication module, where the communication module receives a feature signal; a processing unit, where the processing unit receives the feature signal and an image signal from an image sensor, and generates an image identification result according to the image signal and the feature signal; and a storage module, used for storing the image identification result. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure, and wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a tag for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a device for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a device for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a device for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4C  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4D  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5B  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5C  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    To make the foregoing features and advantages of the present invention more clear and comprehensible, specific embodiments are used as examples and are described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a tag for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , a tag  1  for identifying an object image may be configured on an object or a human body (not shown), where the tag  1  includes a feature changing module  12 , a communication module  16  and a location module  18 . 
         [0027]    In this embodiment, the feature changing module  12  includes multiple light sources (not shown) and generates a feature signal  121 , and the feature signal  121  includes a command for controlling the light sources, and the feature changing module  12  controls, according to the command included in the feature signal  121 , wavelengths or intensity of the multiple light sources at a specific time. After receiving the feature signal  121 , the communication module  16  properly processes the feature signal  121  and sends an output signal  161  related to the feature signal  121 , where the signal  161  has information related to the command which is in the feature signal  121  and controls the multiple light sources in a light emitting module  14 . The location module  18  is used for acquiring location information of the tag  1 , where the location information may include but is not limited to a geographic coordinate where the tag  1  is located. The location module  18  transmits the location information to the communication module  16  and sends the location information through the communication module  16 . The location module  18  may be but is not limited to a global positioning system (GPS). 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the communication module  16  may receive a feature signal (not shown) from the exterior of the tag  1 , and transmit the feature signal to the feature changing module  12 . The feature changing module  12  controls, according to the command included in the feature signal, wavelengths or intensity of the multiple light sources at a specific time. 
         [0029]    The feature changing module  12 , the communication module  16  and the location module  18  may be implemented by hardware or software, where the former has an advantage in operating speed and the latter requires a lower cost in design complexity. If hardware is used in implementation, the modules  12 ,  16  and  18  may be mounted in a tag  1 , and the tag  1  may be a device, for example, a portable computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, an intelligent mobile phone, and the like. If software is used in implementation, the modules  12 ,  16  and  18  may include an executable program or application installed in the tag  1 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2A  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a device for identifying an object image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 2A , an identification device  2  includes a communication module  22 , a processing unit  24  and a storage module  26 . The identification device  2  may be a computer, a server, an intelligent mobile phone, and the like. 
         [0031]    The communication module  22  may receive a signal  221 , where the signal  221  includes a command or related information controlling one or more light sources in a feature changing light emitting module. In another embodiment, the signal  221  may be the same as the signal  161  in  FIG. 1 . The communication module  22  receives and properly processes the signal  221 , and then may obtain a signal  222  including a command or related information controlling one or more light sources in the feature changing light emitting module, and transmit the signal  222  to the processing unit  24 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2A  further includes an image sensor  3 , where the image sensor  3  has a communication module  31 , an image sensor module  33  and a location module  35 . The image sensor module  33  may be a camera or other devices used for acquiring an image of/objects or human bodies (not shown), and the image sensor module  33  may transmit the acquired image to the processing unit  24  or transmit the acquired image through the communication modules  31  and  22  to the processing unit  24 . The location module  35  is used for acquiring location information of the image sensor  33 , where the location information may include but is not limited to a geographic coordinate where the image sensor  33  is located. In this embodiment, the location module  35  transmits the location information to the communication module  31  and sends the location information through the communication module  31 . In another embodiment, the location module  35  transmits, through the communication modules  31  and  22 , the location information of the image sensor  33  to the processing unit  24 , and after receiving the location information, the processing unit  24  sends the location information to a pairing side through the communication module  22 . 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, the processing unit  24  may receive, from a pairing side through the communication module  22 , a list of tags that are possibly within a sensing range of an image sensor, so as to reduce the number of tags that need to be compared. 
         [0034]    In an embodiment, the location module  35  may be but is not limited to a global positioning system (GPS). 
         [0035]    The processing unit  24  generates an image identification result  241  according to the image from the image sensor module  33  and the signal  222 , and stores the image identification result  241  in the storage module  26 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 2B ,  FIG. 2B  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a device for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 2B , an identification device  4  includes a communication module  42 , a processing unit  44  and a storage module  46 , and an image sensor  5  includes a communication module  51 , an image sensor module  53  and a location module  55 . In the identification device  4 , the communication module  42 , the processing unit  44  and the storage module  46  are similar to the communication module  22 , the processing unit  24  and the storage module  26  of the identification device  2  shown in  FIG. 2A , and in the image sensor  5 , the communication module  51 , the image sensor module  53  and the location module  55  are similar to the communication module  31 , the image sensor module  33  and the location module  35  of the image sensor  3  shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2B  further includes an image sensor  53 ′, where the image sensor  53 ′ includes a communication module  51 ′, an image sensor module  53 ′ and a location module  55 ′. In the image sensor  53 ′, the communication module  51 ′, the image sensor module  53 ′ and the location module  55 ′ are similar to the communication module  31 , the image sensor module  33  and the location module  35  of the image sensor  3  shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , in this embodiment, the processing unit  44  may receive from a pairing side through the communication module  42 , a list of possible tags and feature signals of the tags belonging to the list. The location modules  55  and  55 ′ separately send location information of the image sensors  53  and  53 ′ to the communication modules  51  and  51 ′, and transmit the location information to the pairing side through the communication modules  51  and  51 ′. 
         [0039]    The processing unit  44  generates an image identification result according to an image from the image sensor module and a feature signal (for example, the signal  222  shown in  FIG. 2A ) including the command or related information controlling multiple light sources in the light emitting module, and stores the image identification result in the storage module  46 . In another embodiment, the identification device  4  may also receive images and location information of multiple image sensors (not shown) other than the image sensors  53  and  53 ′. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a device for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. An identification device  6  includes a communication module  62 , a processing unit  64 , an image sensor module  63 , a location module  65  and a storage module  66 . The communication module  62 , the processing unit  64 , the image sensor module  63 , the location module  65  and the storage module  66  are similar to the communication module  22 , the processing unit  24 , the image sensor module  33 , the location module  35  and the storage module  26  that are shown in  FIG. 2A , and a distinction lies in that the image sensor module  63  and the location module  65  are integrated inside the identification device  6 . In another embodiment, a signal  621  may be same as the signal  221  in  FIG. 2A , a signal  622  may be same as the signal  222  in  FIG. 2A , and a signal  641  may be same as the signal  241  in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0041]    The communication module  62 , the image sensor module  63  and the location module  65  may be implemented by hardware or software, where the former has an advantage in operating speed and the latter requires a lower cost in design complexity. If hardware is used in implementation, the modules  62 ,  63  and  65  may be mounted in an identification device  6 , and the identification device  6  may be a device, for example, a computer, a server, a mobile phone, an intelligent mobile phone, and the like. If software is used in implementation, the modules  62 ,  63  and  65  may include an executable program or application installed in the identification device  6 . 
         [0042]    In an embodiment, the light source of the feature changing module is a lamp. In another embodiment, the light source of the feature changing module is pixels on a screen. In another embodiment, the light source of the feature changing module is an infra-red source. 
         [0043]    In an embodiment, the communication modules  16 ,  22 ,  31 ,  42 ,  51 ,  51 ′ and  62  are wireless radio frequency communication modules. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment, the communication modules  16 ,  22 ,  31 ,  42 ,  51 ,  51 ′ and  62  are infra-red communication modules. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment, the communication module  16  is a wireless network module, and the communication modules  22 ,  31 ,  42 ,  51 ,  51 ′, and  62  are network modules. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 4A ,  FIG. 4A  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 4A , a method  7  includes the following steps and may be implemented in a tag (for example, the tag  1  shown in  FIG. 1 ). In step  702 , a feature changing module (for example, the feature changing module  12  shown in  FIG. 1 ) may generate a feature signal, and changes a light source according to the feature signal. Subsequently, in step  704 , the feature changing module transmits the feature signal to a communication module. In step  706 , the communication module sends an output signal related to the feature signal. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 4B ,  FIG. 4B  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 4B , a method  7 ′ may be implemented in a tag (for example, the tag  1  shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the method  7 ′ is similar to the method  7  in  FIG. 4A , and a distinction lies in that the method  7 ′ does not have step  706 , and steps  702  and  704  are replaced by steps  701  and  703 . In step  701 , a feature changing module receives a feature signal through a communication module, and in step  703  the feature signal is transmitted to the feature changing module and a required light source changing feature signal is generated. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 4C ,  FIG. 4C  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 4C , a method  7 ″ includes the following steps and may be implemented in a tag (for example, the tag  1  shown in  FIG. 1 ). In step  702 , a feature changing module (for example, the feature changing module  12  shown in  FIG. 1 ) may generate a feature signal and controls a light source according to the feature signal. Subsequently, in step  704 , the feature changing module transmits the feature signal to a communication module. In step  705 , a location module transmits a location signal of the tag to the communication module. In step  707 , the communication module sends an output signal related to the feature signal and the location signal to a pairing side. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 4D ,  FIG. 4D  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 4D , a method  7 ″&#39; may be implemented in a tag (for example, the tag  1  shown in  FIG. 1 ) and the method  7 ′ is similar to the method  7 ′ in  FIG. 4B , and a distinction lies in that before step  701 , the method  7 ″&#39; includes steps  705  and  709 , and in step  705 , a location module transmits a location signal of the tag to a communication module. In step  709  the communication module sends an output signal related to the location signal to a pairing side. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 5A ,  FIG. 5A  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 5A , a method  8  includes the following steps and may be implemented in an identification device (for example, the identification device  2  shown in  FIG. 2A ). In step  802 , a processing unit (for example, the processing unit  24  shown in  FIG. 2A ) may receive an image signal and a feature signal, where the feature signal may be similar to the signal  222  in  FIG. 2A . Subsequently, in step  804 , the processing unit generates an identification result according to the image signal and the feature signal. In step  806 , the processing unit stores the identification result in a storage module. In another embodiment, the method  8  may also be implemented in the identification device  4  shown in  FIG. 2B  or the identification device  6  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 5B ,  FIG. 5B  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 5B , a method  8 ′ may be implemented in an identification device (for example, the identification device  2  shown in  FIG. 2A ) and the method  8 ′ is similar to the method  8  in  FIG. 5A , and a distinction lies in that step  802  is replaced by steps  801  and  803 . In step  801 , a processing unit generates a feature signal and sends the feature signal through a communication module. In step  803 , the processing unit (for example, the processing unit  24  shown in  FIG. 2A ) may receive an image signal. In another embodiment, the method  8 ′ may also be implemented in the identification device  4  shown in  FIG. 2B  or the identification device  6  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 5C ,  FIG. 5C  is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for identifying an object in image according to the present invention. In  FIG. 5C , a method  8 ″ includes the following steps and may be implemented in an identification device (for example, the identification device  4  shown in  FIG. 2B ) and the method  8 ″ is similar to the method  8 ′ in  FIG. 5B , and a distinction lies in that step  801  is replaced by steps  805 ,  807  and  809 . In step  805 , a location module transmits a location signal of an image sensor module to a communication module. In step  807 , the communication module sends an output signal related to the location signal. In step  809 , a processing unit (for example, the processing unit  44  shown in  FIG. 2B ) may receive from a pairing side a list of possible tags and a tag feature signal, where the feature signal may be similar to the signal  222  in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0053]    In step  804 , the processing unit generates an identification result according to the image signal and the feature signal. In step  806 , the processing unit stores the identification result in a storage module. 
         [0054]    When describing exemplary examples of the present invention, the present specification may set out the method of the present invention in specific step orders. 
         [0055]    However, because the scope of the method is not limited to the specific step orders provided in this text, the method is not limited to the specific step orders. A person skilled in the art should understand that other step orders are also feasible. Therefore, specific step orders provided in the present specification shall not be taken as limitations to the claims. In addition, the claims related to the method of the present invention should not be implemented only according to the written step orders, and a person skilled in the art should understand that the orders may be altered and are still within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0056]    A person skilled in the art should understand that the foregoing examples may be varied as long as such variations do not depart from the inventive concept of the present invention in the broad sense. Therefore, it should be understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific examples disclosed in the present specification, but includes modifications belonging to the spirit and scope that are defined by the following claims of the present invention. 
         [0057]    Although the present invention is described above by using the foregoing embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any alternations and modifications made by any technical person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.