Image Scanner Binding Member Detection via Magnetic Field Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reading apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting binding members due to disturbance noise from magnetic fields, which can lead to torn documents during the scanning process, and existing solutions may interfere with the apparatus or its peripherals.
Innovation Solution
An image reading apparatus equipped with a binding member detector that uses a magnetic field generating coil and receiving coil to detect changes in the magnetic field, with a controller that processes information from document detectors to differentiate between binding members and disturbance noise, and adjusts the magnetic field accordingly to minimize interference and improve detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a magnetic field generating coil and receiving coil are disposed to face each other for detecting binding members, then detection capability is improved, but disturbance noise from external magnetic fields and the apparatus's own magnetic field increases, worsening detection accuracy and causing harmful effects on the apparatus and peripherals
Solution Approach 1:
The controller stops the magnetic field generating coil before detecting the binding member. This preliminary action eliminates the magnetic field that would otherwise create disturbance noise and harmful effects on the apparatus and peripherals, while still allowing the detection function to work when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the magnetic field generation function from the detection moment. By stopping the coil before detection, it extracts and removes the harmful magnetic field component while preserving the necessary detection capability through timing coordination
2Reliability
If the magnetic field generating coil continuously generates a magnetic field for detection, then detection reliability is improved, but the magnetic field causes harmful effects on the apparatus and peripheral devices
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the magnetic field generating coil operates periodically - stopping before detection moments and activating only when needed for actual binding member detection. This periodic action maintains detection reliability while minimizing harmful continuous magnetic field exposure to the apparatus and peripherals
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
The solution enables more accurate detection of binding members, reduces the risk of document damage, and minimizes the magnetic field's impact on the apparatus and its peripherals, ensuring reliable operation and user notification for retry operations when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a binding member detector that detects a binding member binding the document by detecting a change in a magnetic field when the document passes through the magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field generating coil which generates a magnetic field and a magnetic field receiving coil which receives the magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image reading apparatus including: a reading unit that reads a document; a document transport unit that transports the document toward the reading unit; a binding member detector that detects a binding member binding the document by detecting a change in a magnetic field when the document passes through the magnetic field; a document detector that detects passage of the document when the document passes through the binding member detector; and a controller that receives information on the document detected by the document detector and information on the change in the magnetic field detected by the binding member detector, in which in a case where the binding member detector detects the change in the magnetic field in a document undetected state in which the document detector does not detect the passage of the document, the controller executes a predetermined process.