Movable Cursor Image Reading for Legal-Size Document Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading devices are limited by immovable reference plates, restricting document size to A4 dimensions in the sheet fixing system, preventing the reading of larger documents like legal size (215.9 mm × 355.6 mm).
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a movable cursor and cursor moving part that reciprocates in conjunction with the reading unit's movement, allowing the reading unit to extend the readable range in the sub-scanning direction, accommodating documents of various sizes by adjusting the reading start position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed reference plate is used to position documents, then the reading start position is stable and easy to control, but the document size is restricted to A4 dimensions and larger documents cannot be read
Solution Approach 1:
The reference plate is transformed from a fixed component to a movable one. The cursor can now be positioned at different locations along the sub-scanning direction based on the document size being read. This dynamic positioning allows the system to accommodate various document sizes (A4, legal, and larger) while maintaining stable reading start position control through the cursor moving part mechanism
2Area of stationary object
If the reading unit moves in the sub-scanning direction to read larger documents, then the readable area is expanded, but the reading unit's movement stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system is divided into two independent movement components: the reading unit that moves in the main-scanning direction and the cursor that moves in the sub-scanning direction. This segmentation allows the reading unit to maintain its stable movement characteristics while the cursor handles the sub-scanning position adjustments, thereby expanding the readable area without compromising reading unit stability
Solution Approach 2:
The cursor acts as an intermediary element between the document positioning system and the reading unit. It translates document size requirements into appropriate reading start positions along the sub-scanning direction, allowing the reading unit to focus on its primary scanning function with stable movement while the cursor manages the positional adaptations for different document formats
Data Source
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AI summary
An image reading device (31) includes a document table (41), an image reading unit (43), a reading unit moving part (45), a cursor (47), and a cursor moving part (49). The reading unit (43) is disposed below the document table (41), and scans the placed document in a main-scanning direction to read an image. The reading unit moving part (45) moves the reading unit (43) in a sub-scanning direction crossing the main-scanning direction and in an opposite direction. To the cursor (47), a reading start side edge of the document placed on the document table (41) in the sub-scanning direction is abutted. The cursor moving part (49) moves the cursor (47) along the sub-scanning direction in a reciprocating manner. The cursor moving part (49) moves the cursor (47) from a reference position of the reading unit (43) in the opposite direction in conjunction with a movement of the reading unit (43) from the home position in the opposite direction, so that an image readable range in the sub-scanning direction can be increased.