Recording Media Edge Imaging With Camera Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medium loading systems face image capturing failures due to undetected abnormalities in the image capturing unit, such as damage or foreign matter, when capturing images of recording media.
Innovation Solution
A medium loading system with a supplier that levitates and separates recording media using air, an image capturing unit, and a processor that detects abnormalities based on changes in captured images, allowing for controlled air supply and image capture adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the image capturing unit is used to capture images of recording media without abnormality detection, then image capturing can be performed continuously, but image capturing failures occur due to undetected abnormalities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary abnormality detection by capturing images of a target object before actual image capturing of recording media begins. This preliminary action identifies potential abnormalities in the image capturing unit, allowing the system to prevent image capturing failures before they occur during production operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A target object is introduced as an intermediary for abnormality detection. The target object serves as a test subject that allows the system to evaluate image capturing unit performance without affecting actual recording media. This intermediary enables safe and effective preliminary testing.
2Reliability
If abnormality detection is performed using a target object, then image capturing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image capturing unit serves multiple functions: it captures images of the target object for abnormality detection and captures images of recording media for actual operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection and production systems, maintaining reliability improvement without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The abnormality detection function is merged with the existing image capturing system by using the same image capturing unit and processor. The target object detection process is integrated into the operational workflow, combining diagnostic and production functions into a unified system.
3Manufacturing precision
If air supply is adjusted based on distance measurement, then medium separation precision is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from image analysis to determine the distance between recording media. The processor analyzes captured images to calculate spacing, and this feedback information is used to adjust air supply parameters. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise medium separation while using standard imaging capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical distance measurement with optical measurement using the image capturing unit. Instead of requiring specialized measurement devices, the system uses image processing to infer distance information, reducing measurement precision requirements while maintaining separation precision.
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
Suppresses image capturing failures and erroneous detections by detecting abnormalities in the image capturing unit, ensuring accurate image capture and appropriate air supply adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a supplier that causes a plurality of loaded recording media to levitate and be separated from each other by supplying air to the recording media from an edge of the recording media
Data Source
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AI summary
A medium loading system (10) includes: a supplier (14) that causes multiple loaded recording media to levitate and be separated from each other by supplying air to the recording media from an edge of the recording media; an image capturing unit (18) that captures an image of the recording media from the edge of the multiple recording media supplied with the air from the supplier; an image capturing target (70) other than the recording media, the image capturing target being a target to be image-captured by the image capturing unit; and a processor (41) configured to detect an abnormality in the image capturing unit in accordance with a change between multiple captured images of the image capturing target captured by the image capturing unit.