Duplex Image Reading Apparatus Malfunction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image reading apparatuses fail to automatically determine if at least one of the reading units is not operating normally, making rapid copying difficult in case of malfunction or failure.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with first and second reading units, a duplex path, and a control unit that compares image information from both sides of the document read by each unit to determine if either unit is malfunctioning, and switches to a duplex path for both-side reading if a unit is not operating correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two reading units are mounted to read both sides of a document simultaneously, then reading speed is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the system cannot automatically detect when a reading unit malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit compares image information from both reading units to detect malfunctions. When a malfunction is detected, the system provides feedback by notifying the user and switching to a degraded mode that uses only one reading unit, ensuring continuous operation while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary comparison of image information from both reading units before normal operation to detect malfunctions in advance. This allows the system to identify faulty reading units before they cause reading errors, ensuring reliable operation.
2Device complexity
If a document direction changing device is used to read both sides with one reading unit, then device complexity is reduced, but reading time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between two operating modes: normal mode using both reading units for high-speed parallel reading, and degraded mode using one reading unit with document direction changing for malfunction tolerance. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high reading speed when both units are functional while providing backup capability.
3Reliability
If the system switches to using one reading unit when a malfunction is detected, then reliability is maintained, but reading speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares a backup reading path using the document direction changing device and one reading unit in advance. When a malfunction is detected in either reading unit, the system can immediately switch to this pre-prepared backup path, ensuring continuous operation with minimal interruption to reading speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a duplex path to guide a document, which is read by a first reading unit and a second reading unit. The document is subjected to a primary reading operation using the first and the second reading units, and the document is then guided via the duplex path and passes through the first reading unit and the second reading unit. At this time, the document is subjected to a secondary reading operation using the first and the second reading units, and a control unit compares image information obtained by the first reading unit and the second reading unit in the primary reading operation with image information obtained by the first reading unit and the second reading unit in the secondary reading operation. The control unit also determines whether the first reading unit and the second reading unit are normally operated.