Document Fastener Identification and Removal via Shadow Profile Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Physical document files are difficult to locate, access, and process due to their disorganization and the presence of fasteners, which makes extracting information time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a computer vision system and robotic automation to identify and remove document fasteners. This involves activating illumination modules to illuminate the document, capturing images to generate a shadow profile, and using a robot arm with end effectors to remove fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual methods are used to locate and process physical documents, then documents can be accessed and information extracted, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical document handling with an automated vision system that uses image capture and processing to identify document boundaries and fasteners. The system uses computational algorithms to analyze shadow profiles and detect document features, eliminating the need for manual inspection and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The document processing system performs self-identification of document boundaries and fasteners through automated image analysis. The vision system independently locates documents, identifies their boundaries, and detects fastener positions without human intervention, enabling the system to service itself in the document preparation process.
2Ease of operation
If fasteners are present on documents, then documents can be held together and organized, but they interfere with automated processing and digitization
Solution Approach 1:
The vision system performs preliminary identification of fastener positions and document boundaries before the actual document processing begins. By detecting and marking fastener locations in advance, the system prepares the document for subsequent removal or avoidance operations, making the overall process more efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary vision system that acts as a mediator between the document and the processing equipment. This intermediary system captures images, processes shadow profiles, and provides guidance information to the processing equipment, enabling coordinated removal of fasteners without direct complex interaction between the processor and documents.
3Measurement precision
If multiple illumination modules are used to capture shadow profiles, then document boundaries and fasteners can be accurately identified, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple separate illumination modules positioned at different locations. Each module independently illuminates the document from a specific angle, and the system processes images from each module separately to build a comprehensive shadow profile. This segmentation allows accurate detection of document boundaries and fasteners while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
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
The system efficiently identifies document boundaries and fasteners, allowing for automated removal and preparation of documents for digitization, thereby reducing processing time and costs while improving accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
applying a suction force upon a portion of the document using a suction applicator to lift the document from a document pedestal
Implementation Method 2
activating, in sequence, a plurality of illumination modules of an illumination source to illuminate a document
Data Source
AI summary
Method and systems of automated document processing described herein include activating in sequence a plurality of illumination modules of an illumination source to illuminate a document, where the plurality of illumination modules are located at different positions relative to the document. The document can be imaged each time the document is illuminated by an illumination module to provide a plurality of images. A shadow profile of the document can be obtained based on the plurality of images. One or more of a boundary of the document and presence of a fastener attached to the document can be identified using the shadow profile. Any fasteners present may be removed using a robot arm.