Electrochromic Scanning Backing Material for Show-Through Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Document scanners face challenges with show-through and Integrating Cavity Effect due to the lack of a universally suitable backing material, as lighter shades increase image lightness but lead to show-through, while darker shades reduce show-through but cause darker images and edge issues.

Innovation Solution

An electrochromic backing material that can change between opaque and transparent states, allowing a backing plate to be visible through the material, with a controller applying voltage to switch between states, enabling selection of optimal color for scanning based on document characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a lighter backing material is used, then image lightness is improved, but show-through increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage lightnessVSAvoidshow-through

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The backing material transitions from a static fixed color to a dynamic electrochromic layer that can change its optical properties. The controller adjusts the backing material's transparency and color in real-time based on document characteristics, enabling the system to adapt between light and dark states to eliminate both show-through and Integrating Cavity Effect issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochromic layer's optical parameters (transparency, color, brightness) are changed dynamically through electrical voltage control. By adjusting these parameters based on detected document properties, the system optimizes image quality by preventing show-through when documents are thin and reducing Integrating Cavity Effect when documents are thick

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a darker backing material is used, then show-through is reduced, but image brightness decreases and Integrating Cavity Effect occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshow-throughVSAvoidimage brightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The backing material transitions from a static fixed color to a dynamic electrochromic layer that can change its optical properties. The controller adjusts the backing material's transparency and color in real-time based on document characteristics, enabling the system to adapt between light and dark states to eliminate both show-through and Integrating Cavity Effect issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochromic layer's optical parameters (transparency, color, brightness) are changed dynamically through electrical voltage control. By adjusting these parameters based on detected document properties, the system optimizes image quality by preventing show-through when documents are thin and reducing Integrating Cavity Effect when documents are thick

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed color backing material is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different documents decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacking material simplicityVSAvoiddocument compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The electrochromic backing material serves multiple functions: it acts as a light source reflector, a show-through blocker, and an Integrating Cavity Effect reducer. By incorporating the electrochromic layer with voltage-controlled optical properties, a single backing material structure can adapt to scan various document types (thin papers, thick books, transparent sheets) optimally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The backing material transitions from a static fixed color to a dynamic electrochromic layer that can change its optical properties. The controller adjusts the backing material's transparency and color in real-time based on document characteristics, enabling the system to adapt between light and dark states to eliminate both show-through and Integrating Cavity Effect issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution reduces show-through and edge effects by allowing the backing plate to be optimized in real-time, providing clearer images without compromising on brightness or darkness, thus addressing the limitations of traditional backing materials.

Implementation Method 1

The electrochromic layer has a first state in which the electrochromic layer is opaque and has a different color from the fixed color, and a second state in which the electrochromic layer is transparent to expose the backing plate therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentUS9942432B2Electrochromic scanning backing material

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A scanning device includes a transparent platen which receives a sheet to be scanned. A backing assembly is spaced from the platen by the sheet during scanning. The backing assembly includes a backing plate of a fixed color and an electrochromic layer intermediate the backing plate and the platen. The electrochromic layer has a first state in which the electrochromic layer is opaque and has a different color from the fixed color, and a second state, in which the electrochromic layer is transparent to expose the backing plate through it. A sensor is positioned to acquire an image of the sheet based on light passing through the platen. A controller selectively applies a voltage across the electrochromic layer to change the electrochromic layer between the first and second states.