Reading Device Dynamic Correction Coefficient Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading devices face challenges in correcting property differences between visible and invisible sensors without pre-stored data or manual setting, leading to increased memory costs and user workload, especially when dealing with various illumination types and spectral properties.

Innovation Solution

A reading device that includes both visible and invisible light sources, along with first and second image sensors, generates a correction coefficient dynamically by removing invisible components from visible image data using invisible image data, thereby absorbing individual variations without pre-stored data or manual settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If correction coefficient tables are stored in advance for different illumination lamp types and spectral property ranks, then the correction accuracy is improved, but the memory cost increases and user workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection accuracyVSAvoidmemory data amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of the actual illumination source's spectral properties and automatically generates the correction coefficient table before image capture. This eliminates the need to store multiple pre-defined coefficient tables for different lamp types, as the table is created on-demand based on the actual light source characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reading device automatically detects the illumination source type and generates its own correction coefficient table without requiring external input or manual configuration. The system serves itself by autonomously adapting to different lighting conditions and generating appropriate correction parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple correction coefficient tables are provided for different illumination types and spectral ranks, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination type adaptabilityVSAvoidcoefficient table management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing multiple fixed correction coefficient tables for different illumination types, the system dynamically adjusts the correction coefficients by measuring the actual spectral properties of the illumination source. The correction parameters are changed based on measured spectral data rather than being fixed for specific lamp types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a single universal correction mechanism that can handle multiple illumination types through spectral measurement. Rather than requiring separate coefficient tables for different lamp types, one universal approach based on spectral analysis handles all illumination sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If manual setting of part ranks is required when replacing parts, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection precisionVSAvoiduser setup workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the illumination source and generates the appropriate correction coefficient table without requiring the user to manually set part ranks or provide any input. The device performs self-configuration by measuring the spectral properties of the actual light source in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the spectral measurement results are used to automatically adjust and generate the correction coefficient table. The measured spectral data provides feedback that drives the automatic generation of appropriate correction parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 allows for efficient correction of property differences between visible and invisible sensors, reducing memory costs and user workload, while improving image quality by dynamically generating correction coefficients based on real-time data.

Implementation Method 1

a visible light source configured to irradiate a subject with light having a visible wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

an invisible light source configured to irradiate the subject with light having an invisible wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 3

a first image sensor configured to receive reflected light from the subject being irradiated with the light having the visible wavelength and the light having the invisible wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

a second image sensor configured to receive the reflected light from the subject being irradiated with the light having the visible wavelength and the light having the invisible wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3929865B1Reading device, image forming apparatus, and image reading method
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3929865B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3929865B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3929865B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A reading device includes a visible light source (2a) configured to irradiate a subject with light having a visible wavelength; an invisible light source (2b) configured to irradiate the subject with light having an invisible wavelength; a first image sensor (9a) configured to receive reflected light from the subject being irradiated with the light having the visible wavelength and the light having the invisible wavelength, to generate visible image data containing a first invisible component; a second image sensor (9b) configured to receive the reflected light from the subject being irradiated with the light having the visible wavelength and the light having the invisible wavelength, to generate invisible image data of a second invisible component; an invisible component removal unit (221) configured remove the first invisible component contained in the visible image data using the invisible image data to; and a coefficient generation unit (222) configured to generate a correction coefficient that absorbs an individual variation in removal of the first invisible component contained in the visible image data, based on the visible image data and the invisible image data together serving as correction coefficient generation image data. The invisible component removal unit (221) multiplies the invisible image data with the correction coefficient.