Inclination Calculation in Image Reading Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face accuracy issues in calculating medium inclination due to displacement of detection sensor contact points from the designed position, leading to reduced derivation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus with a supply roller, multiple conductive electrodes, and charge detection circuits that calculate medium inclination using signal changes from first and second electrodes positioned differently in the width direction, and a controller that derives a correction value to refine the inclination calculation based on detected and inferred values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If detection sensors are used to measure medium inclination, then inclination detection is enabled, but accuracy is reduced when contact portions are displaced from designed positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from direct contact position measurement to charge quantity measurement. By detecting the amount of charge transferred from the medium to the electrodes, the system can calculate inclination without being affected by contact position displacement, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and contact position stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based detection system with an electrostatic detection system. Instead of relying on precise mechanical contact positions, the system uses charge transfer between the medium and electrodes to infer inclination, eliminating the reliability issue associated with mechanical contact position stability
2Measurement precision
If correction values are calculated and stored, then inclination calculation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by calculating correction values based on the relationship between charge quantities from multiple electrodes and actual inclination. These correction values are stored in advance and automatically applied during normal operation, improving accuracy without adding complexity to the real-time detection process
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by using the charge detection data itself to generate correction values. The correction mechanism is integrated into the normal detection flow, allowing the system to improve its own accuracy without external intervention or additional complex calibration equipment
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 enhances the accuracy of medium inclination calculation by accounting for deviations in electrode contact positions, thereby improving the reliability of the inclination measurement and preventing unnecessary cessation of medium transport.
Implementation Method 1
When a medium M is transported along a transport path 100 by the rotation of a supply roller 21, static electricity is generated between the medium M and the supply roller 21
Data Source
AI summary
An image reading apparatus has: electrodes that come into contact with a medium during transport; charge detection circuits, each of which corresponds to one of the electrodes; a reader, and a controller. The controller executes inclination inference processing for calculating the inclination of the medium with respect to a transport path as an inferred inclination value according to a signal from each charge detection circuit, inclination detection processing for deriving the inclination of the medium with respect to the transport path as a detected inclination value according to the result of reading by the reader, and correction value deriving processing for storing a correction value based on the difference between the detected inclination value and the inferred inclination value in a storage section. In inclination inference processing with the correction value stored in the storage section, the inferred inclination value is calculated in consideration of the correction value.