At Evolution Robotics Retail, we focus our research and development efforts around improving our object recognition and computer vision capabilities. We are fortunate to have on staff some of the leading computer vision experts in the world, many of whom were part of Caltech's Vision Lab.
ViPR
Our ViPR (visual pattern recognition) technology provides a reliable and robust vision solution that truly gives electronic devices the ability to detect and recognize complex visual patterns – in effect, to see.
How It Works
The combination of several key elements allows ViPR to achieve a high level of performance.
Example of a recognized image with the
features highlighted.
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First, is the choice of descriptors it uses to encode unique visual patterns such as the corner of an object or the print on a label. As the most distinct regions (called features) are localized in the image, unique descriptors are computed for each of them. Several hundred such features are automatically extracted and stored in a database to describe the unique patterns in each image. |
Second, is the ability to analyze a new image to collect sufficient evidence to reliably find a match within an extremely large set of possible candidates. The algorithm that ViPR uses to select the correct candidate is similar to a voting mechanism: each feature votes for the candidate which includes a similar feature (e.g., a corner feature in the new image that matches a corner feature in a trained image). The correct candidate will receive the largest number of votes since most of the features will be in agreement; however, a single or a few votes might be incorrectly cast on wrong candidates. The likelihood that a large number of votes are cast on the wrong candidate is small, demonstrating that the algorithm is very reliable in selecting the correct match.
Recognition with partial occlusion |
Recognition with different position |
Recognition at a distance |
Recognition at an angle with partial occlusion |
Third, is the ability to do all this computation in an extremely efficient manner: recognition happens in a fraction of a second when searching a database of several hundred patterns.
Using ViPR Technology
| A ViPR-enabled device can automatically detect and recognize visual patterns using low- or high-end camera sensors. The algorithms that make up the technology are particularly robust and provide an unprecedented level of reliability even with heavy distortions that can be introduced by the imaging device, a wide range of lighting conditions, and pattern occlusions. |
LaneHawk Intelligent Lighting and Camera Unit
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LaneHawk® uses ViPR technology to recognize grocery items by analyzing the printed patterns on their box, instead of using the barcode.
Evolution Robotics Retail has future plans for the integration of our ViPR technology into additional products for the global retail market.
To find out how to get started with LaneHawk, receive a LaneHawk brochure, or make an appointment for an onsite demonstration, please contact us at
sales@evoretail.com or
(626) 229-3197.
