Reading Device Foreign-Object Detection for Productive Inspection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses terminate image inspection even when foreign objects like dirt are attached to positions that do not affect the image, leading to unwanted productivity reduction and loss of recording media.
Innovation Solution
A reading device with a foreign-object detector that compares first and second read images to detect attached foreign objects, and an image forming apparatus that includes this device to prevent unnecessary termination of image inspection and maintain productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image inspection is terminated when any foreign object is detected, then detection reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary termination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by evaluating the positional relationship between detected foreign objects and the image formation area. Instead of uniformly terminating inspection for any foreign object, the system selectively determines whether to terminate based on whether the foreign object is located within the image formation area, thus maintaining high reliability while avoiding unnecessary productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of foreign object evaluation from a binary presence/absence criterion to a spatial criterion involving the image formation area. By introducing the parameter of positional relationship (whether the foreign object overlaps with the image formation area), the system achieves more nuanced and accurate decision-making that balances reliability and productivity.
2Reliability
If image inspection is terminated for foreign objects outside image area, then detection completeness is improved, but resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between foreign objects in different locations. Foreign objects within the image formation area trigger inspection termination, while those outside do not. This location-based differentiation ensures detection completeness for critical areas while preventing unnecessary waste of recording media in non-critical cases.
3Reliability
If maintenance is performed immediately upon foreign object detection, then system reliability is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the maintenance trigger parameter from simple foreign object presence to a composite parameter considering both presence and positional relationship with the image formation area. This parameter change allows the system to maintain high reliability by detecting all foreign objects while improving operational efficiency by avoiding unnecessary maintenance interruptions for non-critical objects.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A reading device (100) and an image forming apparatus (100) are provided. The reading device (100) includes an image reading device (130) configured to read an image on a recording medium (S) being conveyed, a background device (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) serving as a background image when the image is read by the image reading device (130), and a foreign-object detector (133) configured to compare a first read image obtained as the background device (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) is read by the image reading device (130) with a second read image obtained as the background device (140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) and the recording medium (S) are read by the image reading device (130) to detect an attached foreign object. The image forming apparatus (100) includes the reading device (100) and an image forming device (110).