Reading Device Dual-Mode Image Data Acquisition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reading devices cannot simultaneously meet the demands of users who want to acquire image data including both the document area and the outside area, and those who want to exclude the outside area from the image data.

Innovation Solution

A reading device with a dual-mode operation that includes a card copy mode for acquiring image data up to 10mm outside the document edge and a plain sheet copy mode for acquiring image data 5mm inside the document edge, using a first and second reading unit to adjust the reading area based on user selection or automatic document type detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the reading device acquires image data including the outside area, then the user demand for complete context is met, but the user demand for document-only extraction cannot be satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage data acquisition flexibilityVSAvoidreading mode configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reading device dynamically switches between two reading modes (first mode for including outside area, second mode for excluding outside area) based on user selection or automatic document type detection. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to meet different user demands without requiring separate devices, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity by making the system flexible rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the reading area parameter (including or excluding outside area) based on the selected mode. In the first mode, the reading area extends 10mm beyond document edges; in the second mode, it restricts to 5mm inside document edges. This parameter adjustment allows the same hardware to serve both user groups, resolving the contradiction without adding device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the reading device uses a fixed reading area, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot meet different user demands for including or excluding outside area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading area adjustment capabilityVSAvoiduser selection process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reading device incorporates automatic document type detection that enables self-service operation. The determination unit automatically identifies whether the document is a card or plain sheet and selects the appropriate reading mode without requiring user intervention. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for manual mode selection, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses feedback from the determination unit (which detects document type) to automatically adjust the reading area parameter. The control unit receives detection results and switches between reading modes accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the device to adapt to different document types automatically, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation by making the adjustment process transparent and automatic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3442211B1Reading device and image forming apparatus incorporating same
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3442211B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3442211B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3442211B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A reading device (6) includes a feeder (52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 57), a reading unit (45, 69, 70), and an image data acquisition unit (301). The feeder (52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 57) feeds a document. The reading unit (45, 69, 70) reads the document fed by the feeder (52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, 52e, 52f, 57). The image data acquisition unit (301) acquires image data of the document read by the reading unit, in a mode selected in accordance with a predetermined selection condition from a plurality of modes that includes a first mode for acquiring image data including a document area of the document and an outside area other than the document area and a second mode for acquiring image data of an area not including the outside area.