Optical Sensor Correction for Recording Medium Type Determination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for determining the type of a recording medium suffer from inaccuracies due to measurement errors and variations in measurement environments, leading to insufficient determination accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that measures diffused reflection and specular reflection characteristic values using an optical sensor, with a correction expression calculated to adjust for measurement discrepancies, allowing for accurate determination of the recording medium type by comparing these values against a common extraction range stored in an EEPROM.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional measurement techniques are used to determine recording medium type, then the determination process is simple, but the determination accuracy is insufficient due to measurement errors and environmental variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the measurement parameters from raw reflection values to corrected values by applying correction expressions that account for individual apparatus characteristics. This parameter transformation compensates for measurement errors and environmental variations, thereby improving determination accuracy without requiring a complete redesign of the measurement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where correction expressions are calculated based on measured values from multiple recording media types, and these correction expressions are then applied to subsequent measurements. This closed-loop approach continuously improves measurement accuracy by compensating for apparatus-specific variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If multiple characteristic values are measured to improve determination accuracy, then the precision increases, but the measurement time and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary measurements on multiple recording media types to calculate correction expressions before actual determination operations. These pre-calculated correction expressions are then applied to subsequent measurements, allowing for accurate determination without repeatedly performing time-consuming multi-parameter measurements for each new medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By transforming raw measurement parameters into corrected parameters using pre-calibrated correction expressions, the system achieves high determination accuracy with fewer actual measurements required, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If reference values are used for determination, then the process is straightforward, but individual differences in sensor placement and apparatuses lead to inaccurate determinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetermination process simplicityVSAvoiddetermination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces apparatus-specific correction expressions that are tailored to each individual device's characteristics, including sensor placement variations. This localized correction approach maintains operational simplicity while compensating for individual differences, thereby improving determination accuracy without complicating the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Correction expressions serve as an intermediary between raw measurement values and final determination results. These intermediary correction factors account for apparatus-specific variations, allowing the system to maintain straightforward operation while achieving accurate determinations across different devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enhances the accuracy of recording medium type determination by correcting for measurement variations, ensuring accurate classification regardless of individual differences in sensor placement or apparatuses, thereby improving overall determination precision.

Implementation Method 1

measures diffused reflection and specular reflection characteristic values using an optical sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffused reflection: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

measures diffused reflection and specular reflection characteristic values using an optical sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpecular reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3869777B1Information processing apparatus, method of extracting recording medium, and program
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 CANON KK
  • EP3869777B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3869777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3869777B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus performs acquiring measurement results obtained by measuring a characteristic of a recording medium a plurality of times; inputting information corresponding to a type of the recording medium; acquiring an extraction range of the type indicated by the information, among extraction ranges set to respective types of recording media for determination of a type; setting, based on the measurement results and the type, a parameter for correcting the measurement results to reduce difference between the measurement results and the extraction range; correcting, by using the parameter, measurement results obtained by measuring a characteristic of a recording medium to be recorded; and extracting a candidate type of the recording media, the measurement results, based on the corrected measurement results and the extraction range.