Optical Sensor Cross-Talk Correction for Infrared Ink Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sensors struggle to effectively detect single-color inks that emit different wavelength bands, particularly infrared light, due to cross-talk between light-receiving elements and the need for additional filters, which increases cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor design that includes multiple light-receiving elements capable of selectively receiving different wavelength bands, combined with a correction value system based on a matrix calculation to distinguish and correct detection data, allowing recognition of single-color inks without additional filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple light-receiving elements are used to detect different wavelength bands, then detection capability for single-color inks is improved, but cross-talk between elements occurs causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using detection data from light-receiving elements to generate correction values that are fed back to correct the measurement results. The correction values are calculated based on the cross-talk characteristics and are used to adjust the detection data, thereby eliminating the harmful cross-talk effects while maintaining the multi-element detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the detection system by introducing correction values that modify the raw detection data. These correction values are derived from reference data obtained by receiving lights from single-color inks individually, and they transform the inaccurate cross-talk affected measurements into accurate measurements for each wavelength band.
2Measurement precision
If additional filters are added to detect infrared light, then detection accuracy for infrared inks is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful cross-talk component from the detection data and separates it through correction processing. By calculating correction values based on reference data and applying them to the detection data, the system extracts and removes the cross-talk interference, thereby achieving accurate infrared detection without requiring additional physical filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/optical approach of using physical filters with an information processing approach. Instead of adding physical infrared filters to the optical path, the system uses computational correction values derived from reference data to achieve the same detection accuracy, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If conventional optical sensors are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but detection accuracy for single-color inks with different wavelength bands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the light-receiving elements multi-functional by enabling them to detect multiple wavelength bands simultaneously. Each light-receiving element is designed to receive lights from all single-color inks, and through the correction processing system, the same elements serve the universal function of detecting all wavelength bands accurately without requiring separate specialized detectors for each band.
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
The system accurately identifies single-color inks by eliminating cross-talk, reducing costs, and enhancing the sensor's ability to recognize infrared light without the need for specialized filters.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiver including first to (n−1)th light-receiving elements respectively capable of selectively receiving lights emitted from the first to (n−1)th single-color inks
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor of the present disclosure detects light from a sheet on which is printed at least one type of single-color ink among n types of single-color inks, the optical sensor including: a light source; a light receiver including first to (n−1)th light-receiving elements; a memory configured to store a correction value based on reference data obtained by receiving lights emitted from the first to n-th single-color inks individually in the light receiver by type of single-color inks; and a controller configured to correct detection data with the correction value, the detection data obtained by receiving, in the light receiver, light emitted from a sheet irradiated with light from the light source.