Fold Unit Position Adjustment via Pattern Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing devices face challenges in accurately adjusting the fold and crease positions on recording paper due to variations in paper characteristics, leading to inconsistent results in fold and crease formation.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device equipped with a fold unit, image reader, position identifying unit, and position adjusting unit that uses a scanner to read an adjustment pattern on the paper, identifies the fold or crease line position, and adjusts the fold or crease position based on the identified position relative to a reference position, ensuring precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual measurement and adjustment methods are used for fold and crease positions, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variations in paper characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the paper itself as the measurement standard by detecting printed patterns on the paper. The imaging device captures images of these patterns, and the control unit calculates actual positions based on pattern locations, eliminating the need for external measurement tools and adapting automatically to each paper sheet's characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an optical imaging and digital processing system. The imaging device captures images of printed patterns, and the control unit uses image processing to determine actual positions, substituting human measurement with automated optical-mechanical-electrical integration
2Manufacturing precision
If automated imaging and position detection systems are implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures images of printed patterns for position detection, and the same imaging capability is used to detect fold lines after folding. The control unit performs multiple calculations including pattern position detection, fold line position detection, and adjustment amount calculation, making the system versatile and reducing the need for separate dedicated components
Solution Approach 2:
Printed patterns serve as intermediaries between the paper and the detection system. These patterns are printed on the paper before folding and serve as reference markers that the imaging device can detect to calculate actual positions. The patterns mediate the measurement process, making it easier to detect positions accurately without requiring complex direct measurement of fold lines
3Measurement precision
If scan direction is perpendicular to fold direction, then measurement precision improves for fold line detection, but device complexity increases due to additional scanning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the scan direction based on the fold direction. The control unit determines the fold direction and sets the scan direction perpendicular to it, allowing the imaging device to adapt its scanning orientation to match the specific folding operation being performed. This dynamic adjustment optimizes measurement precision without requiring multiple fixed scanning mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes: a fold unit that folds a first adjustment sheet including an adjustment pattern, over the adjustment pattern based on a predetermined reference fold position; an image reader that reads an image of the adjustment pattern with the first adjustment sheet folded by the fold unit unfolded; a position identifying unit that, based on a fold line in the image of the adjustment pattern read by the image reader, identifies a position of the fold line; and a position adjusting unit that adjusts a fold position of the fold unit based on a difference between the position of the fold line identified by the position identifying unit and the reference fold position. The image reader includes a scanner that scans the first adjustment sheet relatively in a direction along fold of the first adjustment sheet, and reads the image of the adjustment pattern.