Recording Device Skew Detection and Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording devices, such as printers, only notify users of medium skewing through alarms or messages without providing information on the direction or amount of skewing, leading to poor usability.

Innovation Solution

A recording device equipped with a conveyance path, a recording unit, a conveyance unit, an edge detection unit, and a control unit that detects the edge of the medium and acquires the direction and amount of skewing, outputting this information to the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If simple alarm notification is used to detect skewing, then detection function is provided, but usability is poor due to lack of skewing information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskewing detection capabilityVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback not only on the presence of skewing (detection) but also on the direction and amount of skewing (quantification). The control unit calculates skewing angle and direction from edge detection data, then presents this quantitative feedback to the user through the display unit, enabling informed decision-making about whether to refeed the medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the edge detection unit and the user. It processes raw edge detection information, calculates meaningful skewing parameters (angle, direction), and presents this processed information through the display unit, making the data useful for user decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If detailed skewing information is provided, then usability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveusabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The edge detection unit serves multiple functions: it detects the presence of skewing, determines the direction of skewing, and enables calculation of the skewing angle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensors and processing units, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while providing comprehensive skewing information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex mechanical measurement devices to directly measure skewing angle and direction, the system uses optical/electronic edge detection combined with computational analysis. The control unit calculates skewing parameters from edge position data, replacing potential mechanical measurement complexity with software-based computation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12275613B2Recording device and program

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A recording device includes an edge detection unit configured to detect an edge of a medium on a conveyance path, and a control unit configured to receive detection information from the edge detection unit, wherein the control unit acquires, based on the detection information from the edge detection unit, a direction of skewing of the medium and/or an amount of the skewing on the conveyance path and outputs skewing information including the direction of the skewing and the amount of the skewing.