Image Scanner Cover Sensor Position Check Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image scanning apparatuses face inefficiencies in determining whether the carriage has returned to the predetermined home position exactly, leading to longer intervals between the end of previous image scanning and the start of next image scanning.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a cover sensor to determine the position of the document cover and a controller that controls the image scanner to perform scanning operations based on the cover sensor signals, executing specific operations to check and adjust the standby position's coincidence with the home position, thereby optimizing the scanning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the apparatus checks whether the standby position is coincident with the home position every time the carriage returns to the standby position, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the time interval between end of previous scanning and start of next scanning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs position checking only when necessary (when cover is closed), rather than every time. The controller checks whether the cover is closed during carriage return, and only executes position coincidence checking under this condition, preparing in advance to avoid unnecessary operations
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of checking position coincidence in all cases, the system performs partial checking only when the cover is closed. This selective approach reduces the frequency of position checks while maintaining positioning accuracy when needed, thereby reducing time loss without sacrificing measurement precision
2Manufacturing precision
If the carriage returns to home position exactly, then the scanning accuracy is improved, but the complexity of determining and correcting position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing cover sensor signals to determine carriage position without requiring additional sensors or complex measurement systems. The cover sensor that already exists in the system is utilized to infer carriage position, allowing the system to self-determine position using existing components
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex sensors to detect carriage position directly, the system inverts the approach by using the cover sensor (which detects cover position) to infer carriage position. This indirect method simplifies the positioning system by leveraging existing sensor infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
An image scanning apparatus includes a controller configured to execute a first operation of checking whether a standby position is coincident with a home position in response to determining that an open signal is not output from a cover sensor while an image scanner is changing a scanning position from a scanning end position toward a scanning start position after completion of image scanning, and to execute a second operation in response to determining that the open signal is output from the cover sensor while the image scanner is changing the scanning position, the second operation including moving the scanning position to a particular position between the standby position and the scanning end position, without executing the first operation.