Image Reading Apparatus Bonding Portion Detection and Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face challenges in efficiently reading documents of non-standard sizes, as they require folding and using carrier sheets, leading to larger image data sizes due to the inclusion of bonding portions, and struggle with accurate detection of carrier sheets.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a transport unit, a reading unit, and a control unit that delays the start of image reading until the bonding portion of the carrier sheet passes through, allowing only the document image to be read, and uses gamma values specific to the document or carrier sheet, while detecting the carrier sheet based on the dimensions of light transmitting portions for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the reading unit reads the entire carrier sheet including the bonding portion, then the carrier sheet can be properly detected and transported, but the size of image data becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines the position of the bonding portion in advance by detecting the light transmitting portion before the reading unit starts reading. This allows the reading unit to start reading at the appropriate position (after the bonding portion) without reading the entire carrier sheet, thereby reducing image data size while maintaining accurate carrier sheet detection through preliminary position identification
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier sheet is divided into different functional portions: the bonding portion (with light transmitting portion) used for detection and positioning, and the document area used for actual image reading. By segmenting the reading process to exclude the bonding portion, the system reduces image data size while maintaining detection accuracy through the dedicated light transmitting portion
2Productivity
If the reading unit starts reading before the bonding portion passes through, then reading can start earlier improving productivity, but the bonding portion is included in the image data increasing data size
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary detection of the light transmitting portion to determine the bonding portion's position and calculates the optimal start position for the reading unit in advance. This allows the reading unit to start reading immediately after the bonding portion passes through without delay, improving productivity while excluding the bonding portion from image data to reduce data size
Solution Approach 2:
The light transmitting portion acts as an intermediary element that enables the control unit to determine the bonding portion's position without including it in the final image data. This intermediary detection mechanism allows the system to coordinate the reading unit's start position to achieve both high productivity and reduced data size
3Reliability
If gamma values are not adjusted based on the reading target, then the reading process is simpler, but the image quality is not optimized for different targets
Solution Approach 1:
Different gamma values are applied based on the local characteristics of the reading target - one gamma value for documents and another for carrier sheets. This local quality adjustment optimizes image quality for each target type while the control unit automatically selects the appropriate gamma value based on target identification, managing complexity through conditional logic
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 configuration reduces image data size by excluding the bonding portion from the read image, ensures appropriate gamma values for each target, and enhances carrier sheet detection accuracy, resulting in more precise image processing for documents of varying sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting unit which emits light, and a light receiving unit which receives the light which is emitted from the light emitting unit
Data Source
AI summary
In a case in which a carrier sheet including transparent sheet portions of two pieces which can interpose a document therebetween, and a bonding portion which bonds sheet portions to each other is transported in a state in which the bonding portion is located on the downstream side in the transport direction, a reading unit is caused to start reading, after an upstream end of the bonding portion passed through the reading unit.