Independent LED Dimming for Scanner Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available image digitization scanners have limited flexibility and automation due to fixed lighting configurations with non-variable light angles, requiring manual and time-consuming adjustments to achieve different lighting configurations, which affects precision, repeatability, and speed of operation.
Innovation Solution
The use of independent dimming control for individual light sources, particularly LEDs, allows for rapid modulation of light intensity and angle of incidence, enabling a wide range of lighting configurations and high automation through software control, reducing the need for mechanical parts and lowering production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed lighting configuration is used in scanners, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but adaptability to different digitization tasks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic lighting control by enabling independent intensity modulation of multiple light sources through electronic dimming circuits. This allows the lighting configuration to be dynamically adjusted for different digitization tasks without physical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the intensity parameter of light sources independently through electronic control circuits. By varying the intensity parameters of multiple light sources, different lighting configurations can be achieved without changing the physical structure, thus improving adaptability while maintaining simple device architecture.
2Productivity
If manual switching of light sources is implemented, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity and speed of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical switching with electronic dimming control circuits that can rapidly adjust light source intensities. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual operation while maintaining ease of use through electronic interfaces, thus improving productivity without sacrificing operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables rapid periodic adjustment of lighting configurations through electronic control, allowing multiple lighting scenarios to be tested and switched between quickly. This periodic electronic control replaces slow manual switching, significantly improving the speed of operation while keeping the system easy to operate through standardized controls.
3Reliability
If mechanical switching mechanisms are used to change lighting configurations, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability is reduced due to mechanical wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switching mechanisms with electronic dimming control circuits that have no moving parts. This eliminates mechanical wear and improves reliability and repeatability of lighting configurations, while the electronic interface remains easy to operate through simple controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service lighting control where the electronic dimming circuits automatically maintain consistent lighting configurations without manual intervention. This eliminates the variability introduced by manual adjustments while keeping the system easy to operate through automated or semi-automated control modes.
4Measurement precision
If multiple independent light sources with individual control are used, then adaptability and precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into multiple independently controlled light sources, each with its own dimming control circuit. This segmentation enables precise control of individual light sources to achieve specific lighting configurations, improving measurement precision while the modular architecture keeps overall device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal electronic dimming control system that can control multiple different light sources through a common interface and control architecture. This multi-functionality allows precise control of various lighting configurations without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same control circuitry serves multiple light sources.
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 approach provides superior flexibility and adaptability to various digitization tasks, enabling quick testing of multiple lighting configurations, improving precision and repeatability, and significantly reducing production costs by eliminating mechanical wear and time-consuming manual adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the light sources can be oriented directly towards the scanning area
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a illuminating device for digitally scanning images comprising two or more independent light sources that are placed so as to achieve from each separate light source different light beams falling on the active scanning area, so that by modulating the light intensity of each light source through manual or automatic dimming, different configurations of the light falling on the object to be digitized and of its reflections in the sensor and, therefore, corresponding changes in digital images are achieved.