QR code detection using deep learning models

• Grant number: 18/00390-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science
• Principal Investigator: Nina Sumiko Tomita Hirata
• Grantee: Leonardo Blanger
• Home Institution: Instituto de Matemática e Estatística (IME). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/22308-2 - Intermediate representations in Computational Science for knowledge discovery, AP.TEM

Abstract

QR Codes are two-dimensional codes which are capable of encoding not only digits, as it is the case with traditional barcodes, but also alphanumeric characters. Among their most common uses, it is worth mention the URL encoding and fast access to the referred web content through the use of decoding applications. When these codes are explicitly framed and captured, the decoding process happens without major issues. However, QR codes that are accidentally captured, without explicit intention, are often not even detected. The possibility of detecting these codes could make feasible, for instance, applications that use autonomous robots in dynamic environments. In this research project, deep learning based methods for detecting the presence of QR codes on arbitrarily acquired images will be studied and developed. Strategies that explore the common structure of QR codes, such as the fixed patterns in their three corners, will be proposed. As concrete contributions, it is expected the production of a dataset for the training and the evaluation of detectors, deep models specifically trained for the detection of these codes, and the promotion and advancement of knowledge within the research group regarding deep models for object detection in images. (AU)