Image Reading Device with IC Antenna Timing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to design a compact image reading device that can simultaneously read images optically and acquire information wirelessly from an IC chip without interference between the image reading components and the electromagnetic induction-based communication, which is affected by strong magnetic fields generated during non-contact type IC scanning.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a loop-shaped antenna with controlled output intensity to minimize magnetic field interference, and a control section that synchronizes the timing of image reading and information acquisition to prevent interference between the two operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If non-contact type IC scanning is performed to acquire information from the IC chip, then information acquisition is enabled, but strong magnetic fields are generated that interfere with image reading operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation acquisition capabilityVSAvoidmagnetic field interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control section alternates between IC information acquisition mode and image reading mode in a periodic manner. During IC scanning, the magnetic field is strong; during image reading, the antenna output is reduced or turned off. This temporal separation allows both functions to operate without simultaneous interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna output intensity is dynamically adjusted based on the operational mode. When performing IC information acquisition, the antenna operates at high output intensity to ensure reliable communication. When performing image reading, the antenna output is reduced to minimize magnetic field interference with the image reading components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the antenna output intensity is increased to improve IC information acquisition, then communication reliability is improved, but magnetic field interference with image reading increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIC information acquisition reliabilityVSAvoidmagnetic field interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic alternation between high-antenna-output phases (for IC acquisition) and low-antenna-output phases (for image reading). This ensures that high reliability IC communication is achieved when needed, while magnetic field interference is minimized during image reading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna output intensity is made dynamic rather than static. The control section adjusts the antenna output intensity in real-time based on the current operational mode, increasing it during IC acquisition for reliability and decreasing it during image reading to prevent interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If image reading and IC information acquisition are performed simultaneously, then processing efficiency is improved, but interference between the two operations occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidoperation interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control section implements periodic switching between image reading mode and IC information acquisition mode. Although simultaneous processing would be ideal, the periodic alternation ensures that when one operation is active, the other is inactive, preventing interference between the two functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach ensures high-quality image reading and reliable information acquisition from the IC chip, preventing degradation of the read image and maintaining the integrity of the IC chip by maintaining a consistent magnetic field intensity within the readable region.

Implementation Method 1

an image reading section that optically reads an image from the manuscript placed on the manuscript table

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a loop-shaped antenna with controlled output intensity to minimize magnetic field interference

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8736920B2Image reading device and information input method

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 PFU LTD

AI summary

There is provided an image reading device including: a manuscript table on which a manuscript is placed; an image reading section that optically reads an image from the manuscript placed on the manuscript table; an information acquisition section that acquires information in wireless communication from an IC chip attached to the manuscript placed on the manuscript table; and a control section that controls a timing of image reading by the image reading section in accordance with a timing of information acquisition by the information acquisition section.