Contact Optical Reader With Fixed White Member for Shading Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The movement of a reader to acquire shading data for shading correction hinders the speed and efficiency of document reading processes in existing optical apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus with a fixed white member and a contact image sensor that adjusts focus onto both the document and a white part without moving, allowing for simultaneous shading correction during document reading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reader moves to acquire shading data from a separate correction plate, then shading correction can be performed, but the reader movement period reduces document reading speed and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shading correction function with the document reading function by positioning a white member at the document reading position. The reader reads both documents and the white member using the same optical path and position, eliminating the need for separate movement to acquire shading data. This combining of functions allows shading correction to be performed without sacrificing document reading speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The reader is designed to perform multiple functions: reading documents and acquiring shading data from the white member. By making the reader universal and capable of reading both types of targets at the same position, the system eliminates the need for separate correction plate reading operations, thereby maintaining high productivity while ensuring reliable shading correction.
2Measurement precision
If the reader moves to read the white correction plate, then accurate shading data can be acquired, but the period required for reader movement increases overall processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The white member is pre-positioned at the document reading position, so that when the reader moves to read a document, the shading data is already available at the correct position. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for additional movement after document reading to acquire shading data, reducing total processing time while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the shading data acquisition process with the document reading process by placing the white member at the same position. The reader acquires both document images and shading data in the same location without separate movement, thereby eliminating time loss while ensuring accurate shading data acquisition through proper focus adjustment.
3Reliability
If separate correction optical systems are used for shading correction, then shading correction can be performed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shading correction optical system with the document reading optical system. Both functions share the same reader, optical path, and focusing mechanism. The white member is positioned at the document reading position, allowing the same optical system to perform both document reading and shading correction without requiring separate correction optics, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reader is designed as a universal system that can read both documents and the white member for shading correction using the same optical components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate correction optical systems, reducing the overall complexity of the device while maintaining reliable shading correction capability.
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
Reduces the time required for shading data acquisition, enhancing the speed and efficiency of document reading by eliminating the need for reader movement during shading correction.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor configured to read light condensed by lenses
Implementation Method 2
the reader is configured to perform reading by adjusting a focus onto an image on a document
Implementation Method 3
an image sensor configured to read light condensed by lenses
Implementation Method 4
perform reading by adjusting the focus onto the white part of the fixed member
Data Source
AI summary
An optical apparatus includes a reader having a contact optical system including an image sensor configured to read light condensed by lenses after passing along light shields each disposed between the lenses, and a fixed member fixed to a position where the fixed member faces the reader and partially or entirely having a white part. The reader is configured to perform reading by adjusting a focus onto an image on a document passing across a position closer to the reader than is the fixed member, and perform reading by adjusting the focus onto the white part of the fixed member.