Image Scanner Bound Document Detection and Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading apparatuses face issues with document feeding, such as wrinkling, tearing, and paper jams when dealing with bound documents, leading to interrupted scan jobs and inefficiencies, particularly in multi-user environments where recovery processes can cause delays and data loss.

Innovation Solution

An image reading apparatus with a detection unit that identifies bound documents, allowing for the interruption of feeding and displaying options to resume the scan job from the beginning or send pre-read image information, thereby reducing user wait times and minimizing data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the image reading apparatus performs a recovery process to remove staples from bound documents, then the document can be read successfully, but the next user is kept waiting for a long time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument reading successVSAvoiduser waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs preliminary detection of bound documents during the feeding process. When a bound document is detected, the system prepares recovery options in advance and allows the user to select a recovery method, rather than performing the recovery process automatically after the user has already waited. This preliminary detection and preparation reduces the waiting time for the next user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the scan job is aborted to allow the next user to use the apparatus immediately, then user waiting time is reduced, but data having been read before is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser waiting timeVSAvoidread data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides options to either discard the current scan job and start fresh, or to recover the partially read data. The user can choose to send the already-read image information to a specified destination, thereby recovering the value of the read data rather than losing it completely. This allows the next user to use the apparatus immediately while giving the current user the option to preserve their data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If the apparatus continues feeding bound documents without detection, then the scanning process is continuous, but document sheets become wrinkled or torn

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning continuityVSAvoiddocument damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit detects the presence of bound documents (staples, clips, etc.) during the feeding process. This detection converts the potentially harmful situation of unknown bound documents into a beneficial alert that allows the user to take appropriate action. The system transforms the harm of undetected bound documents causing damage into a benefit by providing early warning and recovery options before damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the apparatus detects bound documents and stops the job, then document damage is prevented, but the user must remove staples and re-scan the entire document

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument damage preventionVSAvoidtime to remove staple and re-scan

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit performs preliminary detection of bound documents during the normal feeding process, before the entire document needs to be re-scanned. When a bound document is detected, the system interrupts the job and offers recovery options including sending the already-read data. This preliminary detection prevents the need to re-scan the entire document, saving time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to the user when a bound document is detected, displaying a message and offering recovery options. This feedback loop allows the user to make an informed decision about how to proceed, rather than forcing the user to remove staples and re-scan. The feedback mechanism transforms a potentially time-consuming error into a manageable situation with multiple resolution paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10455114B2Image reading apparatus, control method for image reading apparatus, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 CANON KK

AI summary

An image reading apparatus includes: a feeding unit that feeds a document sheet of a document; a reading unit that reads the document sheet fed by the feeding unit; a detection unit that detects that the document sheet fed by the feeding unit is bound to another document sheet; a controller that interrupts feeding of the document sheet by the feeding unit in accordance with detection by the detection unit that the document sheet fed by the feeding unit is bound to another document sheet; and a display unit that displays a screen that provides a notification of an action to be taken to read the document whose feeding has been interrupted in accordance with the detection by the detection unit.