Scanner Controller Signal Timing Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanners require tight manufacturing controls for cabling system-induced time delays, limiting the use of less expensive cabling components and not accounting for degradation over time in scanner-component performance.
Innovation Solution
The methods involve adjusting the controller by moving sensor-element signals earlier in the pattern and modifying time parameters based on noise measurements from repeated scans, allowing for future scans to be optimized regardless of manufacturing uniformity and component degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tight manufacturing controls are placed on the cabling system to ensure uniform time delay, then scanner performance consistency is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the time delay parameter from a fixed manufacturing specification to a dynamically adjustable parameter. The controller measures the actual time delay for each scanner unit and adjusts the control signal timing accordingly, allowing the use of less expensive cabling while maintaining performance consistency through individualized calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring its own time delay characteristics and adjusting its control signals accordingly. The controller includes circuitry that measures the time delay between generating control signals and receiving sensor outputs, then uses this information to optimize signal timing without requiring external calibration equipment or tight manufacturing tolerances.
2Device complexity
If the controller generates control signals based on predetermined time delay, then signal timing is simplified, but the system cannot account for component degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously or periodically measures the actual time delay of the cabling system and adjusts its control signal timing accordingly. This closed-loop approach allows the system to compensate for component degradation over time while maintaining relatively simple controller design through automated adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, predetermined time delay values to dynamic, adjustable timing parameters that can change over time. The controller is designed to modify its control signal timing based on measured performance, enabling it to adapt to aging components while maintaining operational reliability.
3Device complexity
If the same single-sensor control signals are used for all sensor elements, then controller design is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes to the control signal timing for each sensor element based on measured time delay characteristics. While the basic control signal structure remains the same for all sensor elements (maintaining simple controller design), the timing parameters are individually adjusted according to the actual cabling delay measured for each scanner unit, eliminating the need for tight manufacturing uniformity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting a controller of a scanner includes obtaining a scan of a predefined image. The method further includes moving the sensor-element signals of the control signal pattern generated by the controller earlier in the pattern by at least one unit and obtaining an additional scan. The obtaining and moving are repeated until a comparison of a latest additional scan to the image is worse than a comparison of a second-latest additional scan to the image. Another method obtains a noise-reducing heuristic which modifies a time parameter of a sensor-element signal. A set of repeated scans of a same scan line is obtained, noise is measured there from, the time parameter is modified by one predetermined unit, and the process repeats until the noise measured from the latest set of repeated scans is worse than that from the second-latest set of repeated scans.