Image Reading Apparatus Streak Correction via Color-Sensitive Sensor Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reading apparatuses face issues with streak images caused by dust or foreign matter on the platen, which can erase characters and hinder recognition, especially when reading forms, as existing correction methods either erase characters or leave streaks, making it difficult to recognize text.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a conveyance unit and a reading unit with color-sensitive sensors to detect abnormal pixels, perform correction processing, and recognize characters, allowing for targeted streak image correction that preserves character information by distinguishing between full-color and single-color corrections based on the presence of abnormal pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If streak image correction is performed to remove dust artifacts, then image quality is improved, but characters may be erased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different correction strengths to different regions of the image based on color analysis. For monochromatic streaks, strong correction is applied to remove the streak while preserving characters. For color streaks, weaker correction is applied to avoid erasing characters. This local differentiation of correction quality resolves the contradiction between removing streaks and preserving character information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color information to distinguish between streak artifacts and actual image content. By analyzing the color characteristics of pixels, the system identifies monochromatic streaks caused by dust and applies targeted correction. The color-based detection enables selective correction that removes streaks while preserving colored characters, thus resolving the information loss problem.
2Loss of information
If streak image correction is not performed, then characters are preserved, but streak images remain that hinder character recognition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies correction selectively based on local color characteristics rather than uniformly across the entire image. By identifying regions with monochromatic streak patterns and applying correction only to those specific regions, the system removes harmful streaks while leaving character information in other regions untouched, thus resolving the contradiction between removing streaks and preserving characters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the correction parameter (correction strength) based on the color parameter of the image regions. For monochromatic regions identified as streaks, high correction strength is applied. For colored regions that may contain characters, lower correction strength is applied. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by making correction effectiveness dependent on local image characteristics.
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
Effectively corrects streak images caused by dust while minimizing the risk of erasing characters, ensuring clear and accurate text recognition in digitized forms by using processor-driven image processing to differentiate and address streaks appropriately.
Implementation Method 1
the image reading apparatus receives the reflected light by an image pickup element to convert it into an electrical signal to thereby read the image of the original
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey an original; a reading unit comprising a reading sensor, the reading sensor having a light receiving element to receive light of a first color and a light receiving element to receive light of a second color that is different from the first color, wherein the reading unit is configured to read an image of the original conveyed by the conveyance unit by using the reading sensor to generate image data which represents a reading result of the reading unit; at least one processor configured to: determine a first abnormal position that is a position in a first direction of an abnormal pixel of the first color in an image represented by the image data.