Recording Medium Imaging Device Brightness Threshold Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately identifying the type of recording medium due to variations in light quantity from the light source, leading to decreased identification accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A recording-medium imaging device that includes an irradiation unit, an image pickup unit with multiple pixels, and a control unit to detect brightness distribution and select an effective image area with brightness greater than or equal to a threshold value, ensuring accurate identification of the recording medium type despite light quantity variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the imaging area of the recording medium is enlarged by using a line sensor to acquire surface images while conveying the recording medium, then the imaging area is large with respect to a light source, but an image area with insufficient light quantity is formed by the influence of variations in the quantity of light emitted from the light source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging area into multiple regions and selects only the effective image area where brightness is above a threshold value, excluding areas with insufficient light quantity. This segmentation approach allows the system to maintain a large imaging area while filtering out low-quality regions that would degrade identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different criteria to different regions of the imaging area. By evaluating brightness distribution locally across the imaging area and selecting only regions meeting the brightness threshold, the system ensures that only high-quality image regions are used for identification, thereby maintaining accuracy despite the large overall imaging area.
2Area of stationary object
If the type of recording medium is identified by using an image area with insufficient light quantity, then the imaging area can be large, but the identification accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of the brightness distribution across the imaging area before using the image for identification. By pre-determining which regions meet the brightness threshold and selecting only those regions as the effective image area, the system ensures reliable identification while maintaining a large imaging area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the brightness distribution information as feedback to determine the effective image area. By continuously monitoring and evaluating the brightness levels in different regions and adjusting the selection of effective areas accordingly, the system maintains high identification accuracy despite variations in light quantity across the large imaging area.
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
The solution effectively maintains identification accuracy by selecting an appropriate effective image area, reducing the impact of light source variations and improving the reliability of recording medium type identification.
Implementation Method 1
an irradiation unit configured to apply light onto a recording medium that is being conveyed
Implementation Method 2
an image pickup unit including a plurality of pixels configured to receive the light applied by the irradiation unit and reflected by the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An effective image area can be properly corrected in accordance with the quantity of light from an irradiation unit by selecting, as the effective image area, pixels having light quantities more than or equal to a threshold value that allows accurate acquisition of a surface image of a recording medium, on the basis of a light quantity distribution of the light from the irradiation unit. This reduces the influence of mounting accuracy of the irradiation unit, and allows the recording medium to be identified accurately.