Overhead Reflecting Mirror for Hole Detection in Scanning Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanners face inefficiencies in removing hole images from scanned documents, leading to wasteful image processing and high resource costs, as they struggle to accurately distinguish between black blocks and holes, and not all scanners have image processing software.
Innovation Solution
A scanning device equipped with an overhead reflecting mirror that directs penetrating light through holes to a photosensor, allowing the detection of saturated values to determine hole positions, thereby simplifying the image processing and eliminating the need for complex image processing software, large memory, and high-performance processors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional scanners scan documents with holes, then the scanned result is obtained, but the hole image appears as fully black causing toner waste and requiring complex image processing
Solution Approach 1:
An overhead reflecting mirror is introduced as an intermediary component to redirect light that penetrates through holes in the document toward the photosensor. This physical intermediary enables the photosensor to detect holes by receiving saturated light signals, eliminating the need for complex software-based hole detection and processing.
2Measurement precision
If image processing software is used to remove hole images, then hole removal is attempted, but the processing is imprecise and consumes significant computational resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of hole positions during the scanning process itself by detecting saturated values in the image signal. This preliminary action occurs at the data acquisition stage rather than requiring post-processing, thereby eliminating the need for resource-intensive image processing software and high-performance processors.
3Productivity
If post-processing software is executed to remove hole images, then hole removal is performed, but the process wastes user time and is inaccessible to users unfamiliar with software operations
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning device performs hole detection and removal automatically during the scanning process itself. The photosensor detects saturated light signals from holes, and the system automatically identifies and removes hole images without requiring user intervention or post-processing software operation. This self-service approach eliminates time loss and makes the system accessible to all users regardless of software familiarity.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional scanning is performed without overhead reflecting mirror, then simple hardware is used, but the photosensor cannot receive light from holes resulting in fully black hole images
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead reflecting mirror introduces a new spatial dimension to the optical path by positioning the light source and mirror above the document surface rather than at the side. This dimensional change enables light to penetrate through holes and be reflected downward to the photosensor, solving the light reception problem while maintaining relatively simple hardware configuration.
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 solution enables efficient and cost-effective removal of hole images by directly processing and outputting inpainted images, reducing resource requirements and user time, while maintaining accurate hole detection without the need for advanced software or hardware.
Implementation Method 1
The reflecting mirror reflects the penetrating light and generates first reflected light
Implementation Method 2
The photosensor receives the first reflected light and the second reflected light and generates a hole-containing image signal
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning device comprises a light source, a reflecting mirror and a photosensor. The light source provides light to an original. A first portion of the light penetrates through a hole of the original and becomes penetrating light. A second portion of the light is reflected by a hole-free portion of the original and becomes second reflected light. The reflecting mirror reflects the penetrating light and generates first reflected light. The photosensor receives the first reflected light and the second reflected light and generates a hole-containing image signal representative of an image of the original.