ADF Document Shape Detection for Stapled Sheet Re-Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses face issues with document sheets becoming wrinkled or torn when bound by staples or clips, leading to paper jams, and fail to provide user-friendly solutions for reading such documents.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a distance measurement sensor to detect unusual document shapes, suspends conveyance upon detection, and allows user-controlled re-conveyance for reading, without suspending conveyance based on initial measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ADF conveys bound document sheets automatically, then productivity is improved, but the document sheets become wrinkled or torn causing paper jams
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit performs preliminary detection of bound portions before the conveyance process begins. When a bound portion is detected, the control unit suspends conveyance in advance, preventing the document from being fed through the ADF which would cause wrinkling or tearing. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain high productivity for normal documents while protecting bound documents from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (detection unit measuring document height) that acts as a mediator between the document and the conveyance system. This intermediary detects the presence of bound portions and provides information to the control unit, which then decides whether to suspend conveyance. This intermediary layer enables the system to differentiate between bound and unbound documents without physically contacting or damaging the bound portions.
2Measurement precision
If the apparatus detects bound portions by measuring height changes, then detection accuracy is improved, but erroneous detection occurs for already bent or wrinkled documents
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit measures document height at the sheet feeding port before the conveyance process begins. This preliminary measurement captures the document's shape state in its original condition, allowing the system to distinguish between bound portions (which have characteristic height profiles) and pre-bent or wrinkled documents. By performing the measurement before conveyance starts, the system avoids erroneous detection of pre-existing deformations.
3Reliability
If the conveyance is suspended when bound documents are detected, then document damage is prevented, but the reading operation is interrupted and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit provides feedback to the user through the operation unit, informing them that a bound portion has been detected and conveyance has been suspended. The system then waits for user input (such as pressing a start button again) to resume conveyance. This feedback mechanism maintains document integrity by preventing automatic conveyance of bound documents while preserving user convenience by allowing easy resumption of reading operations once the user is aware of the situation.
4Reliability
If the apparatus stops the job when bound documents are detected, then paper jams are avoided, but the reading process must be restarted from the beginning
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit performs preliminary detection of bound portions at the sheet feeding port before the document enters the conveyance system. This preliminary detection allows the control unit to suspend conveyance in advance, preventing paper jams while allowing the reading operation to continue from the current position rather than restarting from the beginning. The system maintains the reading progress and only suspends the conveyance function that would cause damage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents document damage and jams by allowing user-controlled re-conveyance, ensuring seamless document reading even with bound documents.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement unit configured to measure a distance from an upper portion of a sheet feeding port for the document to an upper surface of the document
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a conveying unit configured to convey a document, a reading unit configured to read an image on the conveyed document, a measurement unit configured to measure a distance from an upper portion of a sheet feeding port for the document to an upper surface of the document, and a control unit configured to, according to the distance measured by the measurement unit, suspend the conveyance of the document by the conveying unit. According to a user operation for reading again the document of which the reading is suspended by the control unit, the conveying unit conveys the document and the reading unit reads the image on the document, and while the document of which the conveyance is suspended is conveyed again, the control unit does not suspend the conveyance of the document based on the distance measured by the measurement unit.