Image Scanner Color Detection Misalignment Correction

Solution Overview

Problem

In image reading apparatuses, erroneous determinations can occur when detecting the color of document edges, leading to incorrect classification of monochrome documents as color, which increases processing time and costs due to misalignment of light receiving elements for different colors.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a document tray, a conveyance unit, a reader with first and second light receiving element rows arranged in the main and sub-scanning directions, and a determination unit that sets and adjusts the reading resolution to accurately distinguish between chromatic and achromatic documents, ensuring correct color selection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automatic color selection is performed using misaligned light receiving elements, then color detection is attempted, but erroneous determination occurs leading to increased processing time and costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic color selectionVSAvoidcolor determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary alignment adjustment of the light receiving elements before conducting automatic color selection. By pre-aligning the elements in the sub-scanning direction, the system prevents erroneous color determination from occurring in the first place, thereby maintaining high reliability while preserving automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect and correct misalignment between light receiving elements. The system monitors the alignment status and adjusts the positioning to ensure accurate color detection, preventing erroneous determination and maintaining reliable automated color selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If light receiving elements for different colors are arranged at different positions, then color information can be captured, but misalignment causes erroneous detection of chromatic images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor information captureVSAvoidcolor detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary alignment adjustment of the light receiving elements before conducting automatic color selection. By pre-aligning the elements in the sub-scanning direction, the system prevents erroneous color determination from occurring in the first place, thereby maintaining high reliability while preserving automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect and correct misalignment between light receiving elements. The system monitors the alignment status and adjusts the positioning to ensure accurate color detection, preventing erroneous determination and maintaining reliable automated color selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If monochrome documents are incorrectly identified as color documents, then color processing is applied, but processing time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary alignment adjustment of the light receiving elements before conducting automatic color selection. By pre-aligning the elements in the sub-scanning direction, the system prevents erroneous color determination from occurring in the first place, thereby maintaining high reliability while preserving automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration prevents erroneous determinations by ensuring accurate color detection, reducing processing time and costs by maintaining correct color output for monochrome documents.

Implementation Method 1

a first light receiving element row having a plurality of light receiving elements, which receives light of a first color, arranged in a main scanning direction; and a second light receiving element row having a plurality of light receiving elements, which receives light of a second color, arranged in the malin scanning direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11394842B2Image reading apparatus determines whether a document is chromatic or achromatic and performing a conveyance speed of a document based on the setting of a color determination, and performing conveyance speed based on setting of an output resolution without setting whether to perform a color determination

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 CANON KK

AI summary

An image reading apparatus includes a document tray on which a document is stacked; a conveyance unit configured to convey the document stacked on the document tray; a reader configured to read the image of the document conveyed by the conveyance unit using a sensor. The sensor includes a first light receiving element row having a plurality of light receiving elements, which receives light of a first color, arranged in a main scanning direction; and a second light receiving element row having a plurality of light receiving elements, which receives light of a second color, arranged in the main scanning direction, wherein the first light receiving element row and the second light receiving element row are arranged in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The image reading apparatus further includes a setting unit and a determination unit.