Optical Sensor Edge Detection for Media with False Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image-forming devices inaccurately detect the edge of a medium due to false detection elements like images or holes, leading to erroneous edge detection.
Innovation Solution
The device employs an optical sensor and moving mechanisms to detect edge candidates by identifying changes in light reflection, differentiating between actual edges and false detection elements through continuous output monitoring and re-detection processes, ensuring accurate edge detection even with media containing such elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical sensor is used to detect edge parts by monitoring light reflection changes, then edge detection can be performed, but false detection elements like images or holes cause erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a first edge part candidate detection process before the final edge part judgment. During this preliminary detection, the system identifies potential edge candidates and verifies them by checking whether the optical sensor output continuously indicates non-existence of the medium for a predetermined moving amount beyond the change point. This preliminary verification step filters out false detections caused by images or holes before final edge determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the optical sensor output signal to continuously monitor the medium presence condition beyond the detected change point. The system feeds back this continuous monitoring information to verify whether a detected change point represents a true edge or a false detection element. If the output does not continuously indicate non-existence for the predetermined distance, the detection is corrected as false.
2Loss of information
If the optical sensor scans across the medium to detect edges, then edge position information can be obtained, but false detection elements cause incorrect edge identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by continuing to monitor the optical sensor output for a predetermined moving amount beyond the initial change point detection. This preliminary action ensures that only change points followed by continuous non-existence indication are accepted as valid edge candidates, preventing loss of accurate edge position information.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous monitoring of optical sensor output beyond the change point provides feedback verification. This feedback mechanism ensures that the detected edge position information is accurate by confirming the persistent absence of the medium signal, thereby preventing incorrect edge identification due to false detection elements.
3Device complexity
If change points are simply detected as edge parts, then the detection process is simple, but accuracy deteriorates when false detection elements are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a preliminary verification step that continues monitoring the optical sensor output for a predetermined moving amount beyond each detected change point. This preliminary action filters out false detection elements while maintaining relatively simple processing logic, achieving better accuracy without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial additional detection by monitoring only beyond the detected change points for a predetermined moving amount, rather than re-scanning the entire medium. This partial excessive action provides sufficient verification to eliminate false detections while keeping the overall process complexity manageable.
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 edge detection in image-forming devices by distinguishing between actual edges and false detection elements, improving reliability and precision.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor is used to detect existence or non-existence of a medium based on an output in response to the light intensity by detecting the reflection light of the irradiated light
Data Source
AI summary
To detect an edge part of a medium with accuracy although the medium includes a false detection element, more than one change point, which changes from a condition that an output of an optical sensor indicates existence of a print medium to a condition that the output indicates non-existence of the print medium, is detected while the optical sensor moved on the print medium along a main scanning direction. A right edge part candidate detection process and a left edge part candidate process are performed to detect at points immediately before output changes as the right and left edge part candidates of the medium when the output of the optical sensor continuously indicates a condition of non-existence of the medium while the optical sensor and the print medium are moved further along the main scanning direction for a predetermined distance from the detected change points.