Duplex Image Reading Timing Control for Variable Binding Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face challenges in successfully reading documents bound along either long or short edges due to variations in image orientation and transport direction, leading to potential failures in reading entire images and producing desired printouts.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus adjusts the start-of-reading timing for the first and second sides of a document based on whether the binding edge's extension direction is parallel to the document's transport orientation, ensuring the geometrical relationship between the image-formed regions and start-of-reading edges remains consistent, thereby optimizing the reading process without requiring excessive image memory capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the image reader starts reading the first side at the leading end and the second side at the trailing end regardless of binding orientation, then the reading process is simple, but images on documents bound along long or short edges may be skipped or not read accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the start-of-reading timing adjustable rather than fixed. The timing controller dynamically adjusts the start-of-reading timing for the second side based on the detected binding orientation (long edge or short edge), allowing the system to adapt to different document configurations while maintaining reliable image reading across all binding types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of start-of-reading timing based on binding orientation. When the binding edge extension direction is parallel to the transport direction, the system delays the start-of-reading timing for the second side relative to the first side, ensuring that images are read from the correct starting position regardless of whether the document is bound along its long or short edge
2Reliability
If the start-of-reading timing is adjusted for different binding orientations, then image reading accuracy improves, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by using a timing detector to detect the actual start-of-reading timing and comparing it with the expected timing based on binding orientation. The timing controller adjusts the start-of-reading timing for the second side based on this feedback, ensuring accurate image reading while maintaining a relatively simple control structure through automated detection and adjustment
3Device complexity
If a fixed reading timing is used for both sides, then the device complexity is low, but the image memory capacity required increases excessively to accommodate all possible image positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the binding orientation and setting the appropriate start-of-reading timing for the second side before the actual reading process begins. This preliminary configuration allows the system to use minimal image memory capacity by pre-calculating the exact reading range needed, rather than allocating excessive memory to accommodate all possible image positions
Data Source
AI summary
A technique of processing images previously-formed on first and second opposite sides of a document is disclosed. The technique includes: reading the images on the document at a reading position by scan; transporting the document such that the first side is moved facing the reading position, and, after the first side is read, the second side is moved facing the reading position; and controlling at least one of a start-of-reading timing of the first side and a start-of-reading timing of the second side, such that a relationship between the start-of-reading timing of the first side and the start-of-reading timing of the second side varies, depending on whether or not an extension direction of a binding edge along which the document is to be bound is parallel to a document orientation in which a length of the document is oriented with respect to a transport direction of the document being transported.