Multi Feed Detection in Document Scanning Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reading apparatuses face user inconvenience due to inflexible handling of multi-feed detection, either stopping transport unnecessarily or failing to detect overlapping documents, leading to incomplete scanning and increased user burden.
Innovation Solution
A reading apparatus with a controller that acquires the multi-feed length and adjusts transport accordingly, stopping transport if the length exceeds a threshold value to prevent further documents from being fed when multi-feed is detected, and allowing transport to continue if the length is below the threshold, thereby optimizing user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transport is stopped when multi feed is detected, then multi feed can be prevented, but user convenience deteriorates when false detection occurs (e.g., due to labels)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter from binary detection (multi feed detected/not detected) to quantitative measurement (multi feed length). By measuring the length of the detected multi feed region and comparing it against a threshold, the system can distinguish between actual multi feed events and false detections caused by labels or other document features, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If transport is not stopped when multi feed is detected, then user convenience is maintained, but incomplete scanning occurs when actual multi feed happens
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from binary decision-making to parameter-based decision-making by introducing multi feed length measurement. This allows the system to maintain transport operation for minor detections (labels, stickers) while stopping transport for significant multi feed events, thereby ensuring scanning completeness without compromising user convenience
3Reliability
If multi feed detection is implemented, then multi feed can be identified, but flexibility in responding to different multi feed situations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic response behavior based on the measured multi feed length parameter. The system adapts its response (stop transport or continue transport) according to the severity of the detected multi feed condition, providing flexibility in handling different situations while maintaining reliable detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing the multi feed length parameter and threshold comparison mechanism, the system gains adaptability to differentiate between various multi feed scenarios. This allows flexible response strategies that can be adjusted based on the actual detection results, resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and response flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A reading apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a document along a transport path, a multi feed detection unit that detects multi feed for a transport document that is the document being transported by the transport unit, a reading unit that reads the transported document, and a controller that controls the transport unit, wherein the controller acquires a multi feed length that is a length of a range in which multi feed occurs in the transported document according to a detection result of multi feed by the multi feed detection unit, causes the transport unit to stop transport of a document following the transport document by when the multi feed length is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value for the multi feed length, and causes the transport unit to perform transport of the following document when the multi feed length is less than the threshold value.