Rotatable Calibration Member for ADF Scanner Imaging Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The calibration of stationary image capture modules in duplex automatic document feeders (DADFs) is susceptible to contamination due to their location along the media path, making existing calibration processes prone to dust and debris, which can lead to inaccurate scanning results.
Innovation Solution
A calibration member with an arcuate outer surface is rotatably mounted opposite the imaging surface, featuring background strips of varying thickness and reflectivity, which wipes across the imaging surface during rotation to position itself within the image capture module's field of view, allowing for effective calibration while removing contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stationary calibration target is used in the ADF media path, then calibration can be performed, but the calibration target is susceptible to contamination from dust and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration member is made rotatable about a pivot axis, transforming it from a static to a dynamic component. This rotation allows the calibration surface to be periodically brought into contact with the imaging surface for wiping, while maintaining calibration functionality. The dynamic motion enables contamination removal without requiring the calibration target to be permanently exposed in the media path.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration surface is pre-positioned on the rotatable member at a location that allows it to contact the imaging surface. Before calibration operations, the system can perform wiping actions by rotating the member to bring the calibration surface into contact with the imaging surface, thereby preliminarily removing contaminants before they affect calibration accuracy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the calibration member is rotatable to enable wiping, then contamination is removed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable calibration member serves multiple functions: it provides the calibration surface for calibration operations, acts as a wiping tool to remove contaminants from the imaging surface, and can be positioned to expose different portions of its outer surface for various operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for calibration and cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration surface and wiping function are merged into a single rotatable member. The same calibration surface that is used for calibration also contacts the imaging surface to remove contaminants. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate calibration targets and cleaning mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If a wide area of the calibration target is scanned, then robustness against dust is improved, but the scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable calibration member enables rapid wiping action across the imaging surface, quickly removing contaminants before they can affect calibration. This fast wiping mechanism allows the system to quickly restore clean surfaces without requiring extended scanning or multiple calibration attempts, thereby reducing overall calibration time while maintaining robustness.
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 provides a robust calibration process that is less susceptible to contamination, ensuring accurate scanning by allowing the calibration strip to wipe across the imaging surface, effectively removing dust and debris, and enabling precise calibration of the image capture module.
Implementation Method 1
the calibration strip wipes across the imaging surface, effectively removing dust and debris
Data Source
AI summary
A system for calibrating a scan module of an automatic document feed (ADF) scanner. The system includes a rotatable frame disposed on a position opposite to an imaging surface of the ADF scanner. An image backer and a calibration surface portion formed along longitudinal portions of the frame extend substantially parallel to the imaging surface. The image backer and calibration surface portion have top surfaces of different reflectivity that respectively does not contact and contacts the imaging surface when the frame is rotated to position the image backer and the calibration surface portion in a field of view of the scan module. A drive mechanism coupled to the frame is controlled by a controller to rotate the frame and selectively position within the field of view of the image capture module the image backer during a scanning operation and the calibration surface portion during a calibration operation.