Bound Document Scanning with Left-Right Page Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current photocopiers struggle to efficiently scan and reproduce bound documents, such as books, as they cannot handle the binding of pages, leading to confusion and discomfort due to incorrect page arrangement in the output.

Innovation Solution

A multi-function device with a smart scanning algorithm that allows users to select the starting page as either left or right-side, enabling simultaneous scanning and printing of both sides on separate sheets in the same order as the original document, maintaining the layout of the bound document.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If both left and right-side pages are scanned simultaneously and printed on one side of a single sheet, then scanning efficiency is improved, but page arrangement in the output document becomes different from the original book causing user confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidpage arrangement information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the scanning process into separate operations for left-side pages and right-side pages. The controller scans and stores left-side pages separately from right-side pages, then systematically assigns page numbers and arranges them in the correct sequential order during output, preserving the original book's page arrangement while maintaining efficient scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the user bends the book to scan only one page at a time, then page arrangement is maintained, but the copying process becomes time consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepage arrangement accuracyVSAvoidcopying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting whether the book starts with a left-side or right-side page, then pre-plans the scanning sequence and page numbering scheme. This allows the system to scan multiple pages efficiently while maintaining correct arrangement, eliminating the need for manual page-by-page scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the user's selection of starting page type (left or right) to automatically adjust the scanning and arrangement process. The controller receives this feedback and configures the scanning sequence accordingly, ensuring correct page arrangement without requiring manual intervention during the copying process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the user covers one side of the book with a blank sheet to scan the other page, then page arrangement is maintained, but the copying process becomes time consuming and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepage arrangement accuracyVSAvoidcopying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically handling the complex tasks of page detection, scanning sequence determination, and page arrangement. The controller independently manages the entire copying process based on the user's initial selection, eliminating the need for manual page covering or bending operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If present-day photocopiers scan both left and right pages simultaneously and print them separately, then scanning efficiency is improved, but the ability to correlate multiple successive copying and arrange pages in original book order is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoidautomatic page correlation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical arrangement with an automated electronic system. The controller electronically tracks and correlates pages from multiple scanning operations, automatically assigning page numbers and arranging them in the correct sequence based on the detected starting page type, thus maintaining high scanning efficiency while achieving automatic page correlation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10827093B1Systems and methods for intelligent copying of bound documents

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 XEROX CORP

AI summary

The disclosure discloses methods and systems for intelligent copying of bound documents. The method includes receiving a selection of copying a bound document via a user interface. The user interface is presented to the user to input whether a starting page of the bound document for copying is a left-side page or a right-side page. Then, multiple pages of the bound document are scanned to generate corresponding scanned images. Finally, the generated scanned images are arranged in the same order as per the arrangement of pages in the original bound document.