Document Size Detection in Automatic Document Feeders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital copying machines face challenges in efficiently detecting document sizes of varying lengths in mixed mode, leading to increased memory requirements and decreased productivity due to the need for multiple conveyance paths and large memory capacities to handle two-sided simultaneous reading.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a conveying unit, reading unit, detecting unit, notifying unit, and transmitting unit that conveys and reads documents, detects sizes, and notifies a controller for setting image magnification ratios, allowing for tentative size notifications and subsequent accurate size detection, reducing the need for large memory capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If document size detection is performed using sensors on the document stacking tray in document feeding-reading mode, then the reading speed and productivity are improved, but the document size cannot be accurately detected for documents smaller than the maximum length in mixed mode
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary document size detection using sensors on the document stacking tray before the document is fully conveyed. This preliminary detection allows the system to prepare reading parameters in advance while maintaining high reading speed. The detected size information is used to set appropriate reading parameters before actual image capture begins.
2Measurement precision
If a document conveyance path is ensured for size detection in document feeding-reading mode, then accurate document size detection is achieved, but the ADF size needs to be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The document conveyance path is designed to serve multiple functions: it enables both document size detection and document reading operations. The same conveyance mechanism and path are utilized for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection paths and reducing overall ADF size requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the document size detection function and document reading function into a single integrated process. The sensors used for size detection are positioned along the existing document conveyance path, and the detection occurs during the normal feeding process, merging what would otherwise be separate functional requirements into one unified system.
3Productivity
If multiple conveyance paths are used to handle two-sided simultaneous reading, then reading efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic reading operations for two-sided documents, where the document is conveyed once and read on both sides during the same conveyance cycle. The reading operation is performed periodically at specific positions along the conveyance path, eliminating the need for multiple separate conveyance paths while maintaining reading efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
By using a memory capable of storing image data of a document size smaller than a maximum document size, images on both sides of a document of the maximum document size can be simultaneously read.