Image Reader Resolution Control via Clock Pulse Frequency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reading apparatuses face a challenge in changing reading resolutions without the need for an exclusive signal line, leading to increased production costs and delayed image reading operations due to prolonged start signal durations.
Innovation Solution
An image reader with photoelectric transducers, channel selecting switches, and a resolution selecting portion that uses a common signal line and control-start signals with varying clock-pulse signals to select reading resolutions, eliminating the need for additional signal lines and reducing the time required for image reading to commence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an exclusive signal line is used to indicate reading resolution to the image reader, then reading resolution can be changed, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the clock pulse signal serve multiple functions: it both clocks the image reader and simultaneously conveys resolution information through its frequency. This eliminates the need for a separate exclusive signal line for resolution indication, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability for reading resolution changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the clock pulse signal to encode different reading resolutions. By varying the frequency of the same signal line, the system can indicate different resolution levels without requiring additional signal lines, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the start signal takes ON state for increased time duration to change number of pulses, then reading resolution can be indicated, but image reading operation cannot commence for increased time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the duration of the start signal, the patent changes the frequency parameter of the clock pulse signal. This allows resolution information to be conveyed through frequency variation during a fixed time period, eliminating the need to extend the start signal duration and thus preventing time loss before reading commencement.
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 allows for cost-effective production of image reading apparatuses by eliminating the need for additional signal lines and reduces the time required for image reading to begin, enabling efficient selection and implementation of different reading resolutions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photoelectric transducers (22) that convert a light signal received from an image into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
An image reader including photoelectric transducers each of which converts a light signal into an electric signal, and outputs the signal to a signal line, channel selecting switches each of which selectively connects, and disconnects, a corresponding one of the transducers to, and from, the signal line, and a resolution selecting portion which receives a control-start signal which commands the image reader to start controlling the switches, and continues to take a predetermined voltage in a first predetermined time duration, and each one of clock-pulse signals which have respective different numbers of characteristic portions or portion in a second predetermined time duration falling in the first time duration, and each of which has pulses in a third time duration following the second time duration, the switches being sequentially controlled in synchronism with the pulses of the each clock-pulse signal, so as to sequentially connect, and disconnect, the corresponding transducers to, and from, the signal line, the resolution selecting portion selecting, based on the number of characteristic portions of the each clock-pulse signal, a corresponding one of different reading resolutions corresponding to different control patterns, respectively, so that the switches are sequentially controlled according to the control pattern corresponding to the selected reading resolution, in synchronism with the pulses of the each clock-pulse signal.