Decoloring Device Page Number Recognition Sorting

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decoloring devices struggle to utilize images read from stacked sheets effectively due to the images being saved in any order, making it difficult to use the saved images as intended.

Innovation Solution

A decoloring device and image processing system that includes a scanner, decoloring unit, and processor, which reads and decolors images on sheets, recognizes page numbers, and stores images accordingly, allowing for easy sorting and utilization of images in the correct order.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sheets are stacked in any order for batch decoloring, then processing efficiency is improved, but image utilization becomes difficult due to incorrect ordering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch decoloring efficiencyVSAvoidimage utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recognition of page numbers on each sheet before decoloring. The processor identifies page numbers from images read by the scanner, and stores management information associating page numbers with corresponding image data. This preliminary action enables automatic sorting after decoloring without requiring manual arrangement of sheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by reading images from the stacked sheets, recognizing page numbers from those images, and using the recognized page numbers to determine the correct storage order. The processor stores management information that associates page numbers with image data, creating a feedback loop that ensures images are saved in the correct sequence regardless of the physical stacking order.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If images are saved in stacked order, then storage simplicity is improved, but correct sequence utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage storage managementVSAvoidpage sequence information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recognition of page numbers on each sheet before decoloring. The processor identifies page numbers from images read by the scanner, and stores management information associating page numbers with corresponding image data. This preliminary action enables automatic sorting after decoloring without requiring manual arrangement of sheets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by reading images from the stacked sheets, recognizing page numbers from those images, and using the recognized page numbers to determine the correct storage order. The processor stores management information that associates page numbers with image data, creating a feedback loop that ensures images are saved in the correct sequence regardless of the physical stacking order.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10095170B1Decoloring device and image processing system

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

A decoloring device includes a scanner, a decoloring unit, and a processor. The scanner reads an image on a sheet. The decoloring unit decolors the image on the sheet after the scanner has read the image. The processor recognizes a page number included in the image and stores the image read by the scanner and decolored by the decoloring unit at a location that is associated with the recognized page number.