L-Shaped Reference Hole for Flatbed Scanner Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flatbed reading devices require large peripheral members to accurately specify the reading start position of an original, which limits their size reduction while maintaining accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A reading device with a light transmissive member, a peripheral member featuring an angled-shape reference hole, and a controller that determines the reading start position by intersecting edges of the reference hole, allowing for reduced device size and improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rectangular reference hole is used to specify the reading start position, then the reading start position can be determined, but the peripheral member requires a sufficiently large size to accommodate the reading of the outer edge and periphery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the reference hole shape from a conventional rectangle to an L-shape. This asymmetric geometry allows the reading sensor to determine the reading start position by detecting the intersection of two edges (one extending in the main scanning direction and another in the sub scanning direction) without requiring a large peripheral area. The L-shaped configuration concentrates the reference information at the corner intersection, eliminating the need for a large rectangular perimeter while maintaining positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the reading sensor reads the outer edge and periphery of a rectangular reference hole, then the reading start position can be specified, but the device size increases to accommodate the required reading area
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped reference hole creates an asymmetric geometry where the critical reference information is concentrated at the corner intersection rather than distributed along a large perimeter. This allows the reading sensor to accurately determine the reading start position by detecting only the essential edge intersection point, significantly reducing the required reading area and overall device volume compared to conventional rectangular reference holes that require reading of entire outer edges and peripheries.
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 enables precise specification of the reading start position, reducing device size while maintaining accuracy, even with manufacturing errors in the reference member's position.
Implementation Method 1
The reading sensor is configured to read an image while moving over a range including the light transmissive member and the peripheral member
Data Source
AI summary
In a reading device, a light transmissive member has a front surface on which an original is placed. A peripheral member is adjacent to the light transmissive member, and includes a back surface in which a reference hole is formed. The reference hole includes a first edge and a second edge intersecting with each other. A reading sensor faces the back surface of the light transmissive member and the back surface of the peripheral member. The controller controls the reading sensor to read a reading range including the reference hole to obtain a read image, and determines a reference position in the reading range based on the read image. The reference position is determined to an intersection between the first edge and the second edge. The controller sets a reading start position based on the reference position.