Implicit Gesture Control for Scanning Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operating photocopiers in single or multiple copy modes can be labor-intensive and awkward, especially when dealing with bound texts, as operators need to repeatedly position pages and press the start button, leading to potential shifts during copying that result in blurred or defective copies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an automatic motion detection system that interprets the movement and stillness of a document on the copier glass to initiate and stop the scanning process, eliminating the need for manual button pressing and allowing for implicit gesture control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator manually presses the start button for each page, then the copying process can be controlled, but the operation becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when a page is positioned on the glass through motion sensors and triggers the copying process without requiring manual button pressing. The device serves itself by monitoring page placement and initiating scans automatically, eliminating the need for repetitive operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical action of pressing a start button is replaced with an automatic sensor-based detection system. Motion sensors monitor the page placement and automatically trigger the copying sequence, substituting the mechanical button-pressing operation with an automated electronic detection and control system.
2Productivity
If the operator holds the text with one hand while pressing the start button with the other, then the copying can proceed, but the operation becomes awkward and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates the need for the operator to perform the awkward gesture of holding the text with one hand while pressing the start button with the other. The automatic detection system monitors page placement and triggers copying independently, allowing the operator to simply position the page without any additional manual operations.
3Reliability
If the text shifts during the copying process, then the operator can see the pages, but blurred or defective copies result
Solution Approach 1:
Motion sensors continuously monitor the position of the page during the copying process. If movement is detected, the system receives feedback and can either pause the scanning or trigger a re-scan, ensuring that only stable, high-quality copies are produced. This feedback mechanism prevents blurred copies without requiring complex mechanical constraints.
4Reliability
If the operator repositions and recopies shifted text, then copy quality can be maintained, but paper, toner, and time are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The motion detection system provides real-time feedback during the copying process. When text movement is detected, the system automatically pauses or aborts the current scan and triggers a re-scan only when the page is stable, preventing wasted paper and toner from producing blurred copies in the first place.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary motion detection before completing the copy operation. By checking page stability in advance and only proceeding when the text is properly positioned and stationary, the system prevents the need for re-copying and eliminates waste of paper and toner.
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 reduces operator effort, prevents blurred copies by ensuring page stability during scanning, and allows for efficient handling of multiple pages without manual button operation, saving paper and time.
Implementation Method 1
A motion detector detects motion on the scan surface and generates a trigger signal in response to detecting a cessation of motion on the scan surface
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning machine (10) includes a scan surface (12) for receiving a page or pages to be scanned. A motion detector (20) monitors the copy surface to detect movement of the pages. In response to detecting a cessation of motion on the scan surface, the motion detector generates a trigger signal which causes a capture circuit (30) to capture an image of a page on the scan surface. If, during the capture of the page image, the motion detector detects motion of the page, the motion detector generates an abort signal which terminates capture of the image and empties a buffer memory (32). Once cessation of motion of the page is again detected, another trigger signal is issued and another attempt is made to capture an image. In this manner, scanning is started and stopped by natural, simple gestures without the operator pushing buttons.