Image Reader Floating Correction via Distance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image readers face challenges in maintaining image quality due to document floating, especially with resilient materials like glossy paper, which affects accurate focusing and image clarity, particularly when using close-contact-type image sensors with short focal lengths.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that includes multiple light receiving elements and a processor to determine the distance between the document and the light receiving elements at various positions, allowing for the selection and application of correction processes to the image signals, such as emphasis or smoothing processing, to maintain image quality regardless of document floating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a close-contact-type image sensor with short focal length is used, then the device structure is compact and reading speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates when document floating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of document floating state using the guide plate reading mechanism before the main image sensor captures the document image. Based on this preliminary detection, correction processing is applied in advance to compensate for floating, ensuring high image quality is maintained despite the short focal length of the compact image sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide plate reading mechanism acts as an intermediary to detect document floating state. This separate detection system provides floating information that is then used to correct the main image sensor output, allowing the compact image sensor to maintain high quality images despite its short focal length limitations.
2Ease of operation
If a guide plate biased by spring is used to convey resilient documents, then document handling is improved, but document floating occurs causing focusing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate is equipped with a reading mechanism that continuously detects the floating state of the document during conveyance. This floating information is fed back to the image processing system, which then applies appropriate correction processing to maintain accurate focusing despite the spring-biased guide plate causing document floating with resilient materials.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying solely on mechanical means to prevent floating, the system substitutes mechanical constraints with an optical-detection-and-correction approach. The floating state is detected optically by the guide plate reading mechanism and corrected through image processing, replacing the need for complex mechanical floating prevention mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If correction processing is applied to compensate for document floating, then image quality is maintained, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Floating detection and correction processing are performed in advance during the document conveyance phase, rather than as a post-processing step. The guide plate reading mechanism detects floating state in real-time during conveyance, and correction is applied before the final image is output, minimizing additional processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating detection function is merged into the existing document conveyance and reading system through the guide plate reading mechanism. This integration allows floating detection and correction to occur as part of the normal reading process, avoiding significant increases in processing time and system complexity.
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 ensures that image readers can maintain high-quality image capture even with resilient documents, by accurately determining and correcting for floating issues, thereby improving image resolution and clarity across different document types and thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light receiving elements 20 configured to receive light from an object to be read and to convert the light into image signals
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an image reader comprises a plurality of light receiving elements configured to receive light from an object to be read and to convert the light into image signals. The image reader further comprises means for determining a distance between the object and the plurality of light receiving elements at a plurality of different positions of the object. Moreover the image reader comprises means for selecting at least one correction process portion based at least on the distance between the object and the plurality of light receiving elements. The image reader comprises means for applying the at least one selected correction process to the image signal.