Optical Reader Transport Direction Control for Scanning Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical readers require unnecessary paper transport due to fixed scanning directions, leading to reduced throughput as the paper must be pulled back significantly before scanning, especially when the reading target is close to the image sensor, increasing the paper transport time.
Innovation Solution
An optical reader system that dynamically sets the transport direction based on the medium's position and the reading section's position to minimize transport distance, allowing for efficient forward or backward movement along the transport path, thereby reducing unnecessary transport during preparation and reading operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If forward direction scanning is designated by a control command, then the scanning operation can be performed, but the paper must be pulled back considerably before scanning when the reading target is close to the image sensor, which lengthens paper transport time and lowers throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scanning direction adaptive rather than fixed. The control section dynamically determines the optimal scanning direction (forward or backward) based on the real-time position of the reading target area on the paper and the location of the image sensor. This dynamic adjustment eliminates unnecessary paper retraction movements, directly reducing paper transport time and increasing throughput.
2Ease of operation
If the scanning direction is set in advance using a control command, then the scanning operation can be initiated, but unnecessary paper transport occurs when the reading target position is close to the image sensor, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of scanning direction from a fixed predetermined value to a dynamically optimized value. The control section calculates the optimal scanning direction based on parameters including the reading target position, image sensor location, and paper current position. This parameter optimization ensures that scanning operations always use the most efficient direction, eliminating wasteful paper transport while maintaining ease of operation initiation.
3Reliability
If the paper is transported in a direction that does not minimize the distance between the reading target area and the reading position, then the scanning operation can be performed, but the transport distance is unnecessarily increased, lowering throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the optimal scanning direction before the scanning operation begins. The control section determines whether forward or backward scanning will minimize transport distance based on the relative positions of the reading target, image sensor, and paper location. This preliminary optimization prevents unnecessary paper transport during the actual scanning process, ensuring reliable scanning completion while maximizing throughput.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical reader is provided. A transport section is capable of transporting a medium S which is a reading target in forward and backward directions along a transport path P. An optical reading section 111, 112 is installed in the transporting path P. The optical reading section 111, 112 optically reads the medium which is transported by the transport section. A control section 40 sets a transport direction of the medium S at the time of reading of the medium on the basis of a position of the medium before or when the reading of the medium is started and a reading position of the optical reading section 111, 112 such that a transport distance of the medium until the reading of the medium is completed is shortened, and controls the transport section and the optical reading section.