Document Alignment via Scan Image Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses require manual alignment of documents before scanning, which is time-consuming and cumbersome, especially when dealing with large volumes of documents not initially aligned in a predetermined direction.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and method that utilize a scanning unit, a document direction determining unit, and an image processing unit to automatically align documents by analyzing blank information in scan images, rotating the images as needed to match the direction of previously scanned documents, thereby streamlining the document alignment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment operation is performed to align documents in a predetermined direction, then document alignment accuracy is improved, but operation time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-alignment by analyzing scan images and rotating documents that are not aligned in the predetermined direction. The image forming apparatus autonomously determines document orientation based on scan image analysis and automatically rotates misaligned documents, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated image processing system. Instead of physically manipulating documents to achieve alignment, the system uses scan image analysis, direction determination algorithms, and automatic rotation mechanisms to achieve the same alignment result more efficiently.
2Measurement precision
If individual document direction checking is performed to ensure proper alignment, then document orientation accuracy is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary direction determination on scan images immediately after scanning, before the documents are processed further. By analyzing the scan image to determine document direction right away, the system can identify and rotate misaligned documents in advance, ensuring accurate orientation without delaying the overall processing workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where scan images are analyzed to determine document direction, and this information is used to automatically rotate misaligned documents. The direction determination unit continuously monitors document orientation and provides feedback for automatic correction, maintaining high orientation accuracy while enabling continuous high-speed processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet of a document is scanned, character objects are extracted from a scan image, the extracted character objects are divided line by line, and the direction of the document is set on the basis of a blank percentage determined according to start and end positions of lines. If the direction of the document is different from that of a previous document, an image processing unit rotates the scan image.