Dynamic Image Reading Area Adjustment for Scanner Legibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Facsimile apparatuses that read entire original platen areas without detecting the original size result in reduced image legibility and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for larger reading areas, which can include unwanted image sections and require costly original-size sensors.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that sets the image reading area based on user-specified original size and recording medium size, eliminating the need for pre-scanning operations and original-size sensors, by integrating an original-size specifying portion and a recording-medium-size obtaining portion to adjust the image reading area accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the reading area of the original platen is increased to accommodate larger original sizes, then the maximum size of originals that can be placed on the platen is increased, but images from smaller originals are undesirably read including areas outside the original, reducing image legibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the image reading area adjustable and adaptable based on the detected original size. The reading area is not fixed but dynamically changes according to the actual original dimensions detected by the pre-scanning operation or original-size sensor, allowing the system to optimize between accommodating large originals and maintaining image quality for smaller originals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of reading area size based on the detected original size. By detecting the actual original dimensions and adjusting the reading area parameters accordingly, the system prevents reading areas larger than the original while still supporting various original sizes up to the maximum platen capacity.
2Measurement precision
If pre-scanning operation is performed to detect original size, then accurate image reading is achieved, but transmission time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a pre-scanning operation to detect the original size before the main image reading and transmission process. This preliminary detection enables the system to configure the appropriate reading area in advance, ensuring accurate image capture while minimizing the time impact by making the detection efficient and non-intrusive to the overall transmission timeline.
3Productivity
If original-size sensor is used to detect original size without pre-scanning, then transmission time is reduced, but manufacturing cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the original-size sensor as an intermediary device that provides original size information without requiring a full pre-scanning operation. This sensor acts as a mediator between the original document and the image reading system, enabling quick size detection that maintains transmission speed while avoiding the need for expensive pre-scanning hardware or complex processing systems.
4Device complexity
If entire reading area is read without size detection, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality is degraded due to reading areas outside the original
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the image reading system to automatically determine and adjust its own reading area based on detected original size information. The system serves itself by configuring the appropriate reading boundaries without requiring complex manual setup or overly complicated detection mechanisms, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus including an image reading portion operable to read an image on an original, to obtain image information, an image-information outputting portion operable to output the image information to an external device, an image recording portion operable to record an image on a recording medium, on the basis of the image information obtained by the image reading portion, an original-size specifying portion operable to specify a size of the original, a recording-medium-size obtaining portion operable to obtain a size of the, recording medium, and an image-reading-area setting portion operable to set an image reading area of the image reading portion, on the basis of the size of the original specified by the original-size specifying portion, upon operation of the image-information outputting portion, and to set the image reading area, on the basis of the size of the recording medium obtained by the recording-medium-size obtaining portion, upon operation of the image recording portion. Also disclosed is a method of setting the image reading area.