Scanned Document Fold Detection via Edge Profile Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often unknowingly scan folded pages in books with document scanning devices, leading to incorrect copies being printed, requiring re-scanning and resulting in wasted time, paper, and toner.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves receiving a digital image of a document, segmenting it horizontally and vertically, generating edge profiles, and determining if a page fold exists through cross-correlation analysis, with the user being notified if a fold is detected before the image is sent to the print engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If automatic page fold detection is implemented, then printing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning device divides the scanned document image into multiple segments and generates edge profiles for each segment. By comparing these segmented profiles, the system can detect page folds automatically without requiring complex overall image analysis, thus improving detection accuracy while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual inspection of scanned pages with an automated image processing system that uses edge profile analysis and cross-correlation algorithms to detect page folds, eliminating the need for users to physically examine each scanned page before printing.
2Measurement precision
If manual page inspection is performed, then detection precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning device performs self-inspection by automatically analyzing its own scanned output for page folds using edge profile comparison, eliminating the need for users to manually inspect each page and thereby saving time while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback by notifying users of detected page folds before printing occurs, allowing users to correct the scanning issue without wasting time on incorrect prints. The automated feedback loop replaces slow manual inspection with instant digital analysis.
3Manufacturing precision
If repeated scanning is performed to correct folds, then printing accuracy is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of page folds in the scanned image before the printing process begins. By identifying and notifying users of fold issues in advance, the system prevents incorrect pages from being printed, thereby avoiding waste of paper and toner that would result from repeated scanning and printing cycles.
4Productivity
If automated detection is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system processes scanned images by dividing them into segments and analyzing edge profiles of each segment independently. This segmentation approach enables automated processing of multiple pages efficiently, improving productivity while keeping the computational complexity of each processing unit manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and compares edge profile representations (copies) of document segments to detect folds, rather than analyzing the entire complex image directly. This copying approach simplifies the detection process and enables automated high-speed processing without requiring excessively complex analysis algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
What is disclosed is a system and method for detecting a folded page in a digital image of a scanned document. In one embodiment, the present method involves receiving a digital image of a document which has been converted to a digitized form using a document scanning device. The digital image is segmented horizontally and vertically to obtain a plurality of image segments. An edge profile is generated for the horizontal and vertical segments. A determination is then made, based on a comparison of the profiles, whether a page fold exists in the digital image. If a page fold is determined to exist in the digital image, the user is notified and the digital image is not sent to a print engine. Otherwise, the digital image is printed.