Focal Distance Adjustment for Narrow Media Photography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium accommodating devices struggle to accurately photograph the floated and separated state of narrow media due to limitations in focal positioning when a second restricting unit is attached.

Innovation Solution

A medium accommodating device is designed with a loading unit, a first restricting unit, an air supply unit, a transporting unit, a photographing unit, a second restricting unit, and a focal distance changing unit. The focal distance changing unit aligns the focal point of the photographing unit with the side portion of the narrow medium by changing the focal distance, allowing for accurate photography.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a second restricting unit is attached to restrict the position of narrow medium, then the positioning accuracy of narrow medium is improved, but the photographing accuracy of the floated and separated state deteriorates due to focal position mismatch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracy of narrow mediumVSAvoidphotographing accuracy of floated and separated state

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The focal distance changing unit dynamically adjusts the focal distance of the photographing unit based on the attached configuration. When the second restricting unit is attached for narrow media, the focal distance is automatically changed to align the focal point with the side portion of the narrow medium, ensuring accurate photographing despite the changed positioning configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the focal distance parameter of the photographing unit according to the type of medium being processed. By detecting whether a second restricting unit is attached, the system adjusts the focal distance to match the appropriate measurement plane, thereby maintaining photographing accuracy across different medium types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the focal point is fixed for standard medium, then the photographing system is simple, but it cannot accurately photograph narrow medium when second restricting unit is attached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotographing system complexityVSAvoidphotographing accuracy of narrow medium

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The photographing unit incorporates a focal distance changing unit that enables dynamic adjustment of the focal point position. This allows the system to adapt between fixed-focus simplicity and variable-focus precision based on the processing requirements, maintaining accuracy for both standard and narrow media types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The photographing unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both standard media (with first restricting unit) and narrow media (with second restricting unit). The focal distance changing unit enables the same photographing unit to accurately capture both configurations by adjusting its focal point accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device enables accurate photography of the floated and separated state of narrow media, improving detection and reducing the risk of double feeds or supply failures in image forming systems.

Implementation Method 1

an air supply unit that supplies air to a plurality of the media loaded on the loading unit to float and separate the plurality of media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir supply:

Implementation Method 2

a focal distance changing unit that is installed at a position facing the photographing unit in a state in which the second restricting unit is attached, and aligns a focal point of the photographing unit with the side portion of the narrow medium in the width direction by changing a focal distance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFocal distance adjustment: Focusing

Data Source

PatentUS20250033910A1Medium accommodating device and image forming system

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A medium accommodating device includes: a loading unit on which media are loadable in an up-down direction; a first restricting unit that is provided in the loading unit and restricts a position of a side portion of a medium in a width direction intersecting a transport direction of the medium according to a dimension of the medium in the width direction; an air supply unit that supplies air to plural media loaded on the loading unit to float and separate the plural media; a transporting unit that sequentially sends the media that are floated and separated by the air supply unit; a photographing unit that photographs a state in which the media are floated and separated by the air supply unit from an outside of the medium in the width direction; a second restricting unit that is attached to the loading unit when a narrow medium having dimensions in the width direction smaller than dimensions of the medium is loaded on the loading unit, and restricts a position of a side portion of the narrow medium in the width direction; and a focal distance changing unit that is installed at a position facing the photographing unit in a state in which the second restricting unit is attached, and aligns a focal point of the photographing unit with the side portion of the narrow medium in the width direction by changing a focal distance.