Laser-Corrected Book Scanner for Bending Distortion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-definition scanners face challenges in maintaining image quality when scanning thick objects like books, as the middle pages often suffer from bending, which negatively impacts OCR text recognition and reading quality.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent Internet high-definition scanner with laser correction uses a calibration laser emission unit and image collection camera to project straight laser lines on the scanning area, allowing for 3D surface reconstruction and image processing to straighten curved surfaces, ensuring flat scanning images without manual pressing or external force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a picture collection scanner is used to scan thick objects, then scanning speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to bending

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning speedVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a light stripe projector to capture the 3D shape information of the scanned object in addition to the 2D image data. By projecting light stripes onto the object surface and capturing their deformation, the system obtains depth information that allows it to understand and correct the bending of thick objects, thus maintaining image quality while preserving fast scanning speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses light stripe projection as an intermediary to indirectly measure the 3D shape of the scanned object. Instead of directly touching or pressing the object (which would slow down scanning), the light stripes act as a non-contact mediator that reveals the object's surface geometry, enabling the system to correct bending artifacts in the final image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual pressing is used to flatten scanned objects, then image quality is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pressing method with an optical measurement and computational correction system. Instead of physically flattening the scanned object with manual pressure, the system uses light stripe projection to detect the object's 3D shape and applies digital image processing to correct the bending, thereby eliminating the need for complex manual operations while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting the bending of scanned objects through light stripe deformation and computationally restoring the flat appearance. The scanning system serves itself by integrating 3D shape sensing and image correction algorithms that automatically compensate for thickness-induced bending without requiring external manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If traditional scanning methods are used, then image quality is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidscanning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two scanning functions into one system: fast picture collection scanning and 3D shape sensing. By integrating the light stripe projector with the existing scanner, the system simultaneously captures both 2D image data and 3D surface geometry, enabling it to correct bending artifacts automatically and maintain image quality while preserving the high productivity of picture collection scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively corrects bending issues in scanned images, enhancing reading quality and OCR recognition by reconstructing 3D surfaces and straightening pixel values, resulting in high-definition, distortion-free images of thick objects.

Implementation Method 1

uses a calibration laser emission unit and image collection camera to project straight laser lines on the scanning area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

image collection camera to project straight laser lines on the scanning area, allowing for 3D surface reconstruction and image processing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3468163B1Intelligent internet high-definition scanner with laser correction
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 DALIAN CHENGZHE TECH
  • EP3468163B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3468163B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3468163B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An intelligent Internet high-definition scanner with laser correction, comprising: a scanning area (7) for placing a book to be scanned; a calibration laser emission unit (2) located above the scanning area (7), an image collection unit (3) and an image processing unit; wherein the calibration laser emission unit (2) emits a laser beam to the book unfolded and placed on the scanning area (7), so as to form a laser line strip on a surface of an opened book page; the image collection unit collects a planar image of a bent book page with the laser line strip; by establishing a three-dimensional coordinate system, and according to coordinates of pixel points of the laser line strip and an intersection angle between the laser beam and a plane of the scanning area (7), height coordinates of each of the pixel points on the laser line strip in the planar image in the three-dimensional coordinate system is obtained by means of calculation, a 3D curve of the laser line strip in the three-dimensional coordinate system is restored, and a real 3D curved surface of the book page in the three-dimensional coordinate system is constructed according to the 3D curve; and a correlation between points on the 3D curved surface and the pixel points in the planar image is obtained by means of calculation, the 3D curved surface with pixel values being replaced is straightened, and the scanning of a current book page is completed.