Material recognition for object identification

Abstract

The recognition of objects such as clothing items can be improved by capturing image data that represents the material characteristics and true color of the object. A high resolution image can be captured that shows the individual threads and/or fibers, among other possible pattern or texture characteristics. Various approaches are discussed for determining the scale of these features to more accurately determine the way the material is made. Further, approaches are discussed that enable the true color of the material to be determined, through hardware and/or software, to further improve the accuracy of such a determination. The material and color properties can be combined with a conventional object recognition process to provide accurate object identification and/or authentication results.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging device, comprising:
 a housing having a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side, the second side being opposite the first side, the first opening shaped to cause a camera positioned adjacent the first opening to capture light passing through the second opening and the first opening, the second opening associated with a focusing optic and positioned at a distance from the first opening to enable the camera to focus on an object positioned adjacent the second opening;   a coupling device configured to enable the housing to be mechanically coupled to a computing device including the camera; and   at least one illumination element for providing illumination with at least one determined light property, the at least one illumination element positioned in the housing to cause light to be emitted in a direction toward the object to be captured by the camera such that the light will be reflected by the object, the object being positioned adjacent to the second opening;   wherein the imaging device is configured to receive instructions to cause the at least one illumination element to emit light during a capture time of the camera.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one illumination element is configured to emit light over a plurality of different wavelengths. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one illumination element is configured to emit light over a plurality of different polarizations. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , wherein an interior of the housing includes an anti-reflective material to prevent light from reflecting from the interior of the housing into the camera. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , comprising a deformable seal member positioned adjacent the first opening to be brought into contact with the computing device to prevent ambient light from being received into the housing from adjacent the computing device. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , comprising a communication device configured to provide a wired connection to the computing device, the wired connection configured to obtain power from the computing device. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging device of  claim 1 , comprising a communication device configured to provide a wireless connection to the computing device, the wireless connection causing the imaging device to obtain power from a battery contained within the housing. 
     
     
         8 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side, the second side being opposite the first side, the first opening shaped to cause a camera positioned adjacent the first opening to capture light passing through the second opening and the first opening;   a coupling device configured to detachably couple the housing to a computing device including the camera; and   at least one illumination element for providing illumination with at least one determined light property, the at least one illumination element positioned in the housing such that light is emitted in a direction that will be reflected.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening is associated with a focusing optic and is positioned at a distance from the first opening to cause the camera to focus on an object positioned adjacent the second opening. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one illumination element is configured to emit light over a plurality of different polarizations and over a plurality of different wavelengths. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein an interior of the housing includes an O-ring configured to prevent light from reflecting from the interior of the housing into the camera. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , comprising a deformable seal member positioned adjacent the first opening to be brought into contact with the computing device in order to prevent ambient light from being received into the housing from adjacent the computing device. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , comprising a communication interface device configured to communicate with the computing device, wherein the imaging device is configured to receive instructions to cause the at least one illumination element to emit light during a capture time of the camera. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the communication interface device is configured to provide one of a wired connection or a wireless connection with the computing device, the wired connection capable of obtaining power from the computing device, the wireless connection causing the imaging device to obtain power from a battery contained within the housing. 
     
     
         15 . A system, comprising:
 a mobile computing device comprising at least one camera; and   an electronic accessory configured to detachably couple to the mobile computing device, the electronic accessory comprising:   a housing having a first opening on a first side and a second opening on a second side, the second side being opposite the first side, the first opening shaped to cause the camera to capture light passing through the second opening and the first opening; and   a light source configured to provide illumination with at least one determined light property, the light source positioned in the housing such that the light source causes light to be emitted upon the object of interest, the object of interest to be captured by the camera.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the electronic accessory comprises a clip portion configured to detachably couple the electronic accessory to the mobile computing device. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the camera is positioned adjacent the first opening to capture the light passing through the second opening and the first opening. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second opening is associated with a focusing optic and is positioned at a distance from the first opening to cause the camera to focus on the object of interest. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the object of interest is positioned adjacent the second opening.