Scanner Cover Detection via Dynamic Sensor Power Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing cost of scanner apparatuses due to the need for dedicated sensors to detect the opened or closed state of openable and closable covers, which increases the overall cost.
Innovation Solution
A medium conveyance device with an openable and closable cover, equipped with a sensor system comprising a transmission unit and a reception unit, where the processor adjusts the transmission level and determines the cover's state based on the reception level change rate, eliminating the need for dedicated sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated sensor is provided for detecting the opened or closed state of the cover, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor that originally functioned only to detect the presence of a medium on the conveyance path is made to serve dual purposes: it continues to detect media presence while also detecting the opened or closed state of the cover. This is achieved by having the processor analyze the reception level characteristics - when the cover is opened, the reception level changes in a specific pattern that distinguishes it from medium presence detection, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated cover position sensor and reducing manufacturing costs
2Measurement precision
If the transmission level is increased to improve detection sensitivity, then the detection capability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission level is made dynamic rather than static. The processor dynamically adjusts the transmission level based on the detected reception level: when the reception level is low (indicating potential cover opening), the transmission level is increased to improve detection sensitivity; when the reception level is sufficient, the transmission level is reduced to save energy. This adaptive approach ensures high detection sensitivity only when necessary, thereby optimizing energy consumption
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 solution reduces manufacturing costs by utilizing existing sensors for detecting the cover's state and improves detection accuracy, allowing for correct determination of the cover's position and presence of media on the conveyance path.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor which includes a transmission unit that transmits electromagnetic waves and a reception unit that receives the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the transmission unit
Data Source
AI summary
A medium conveyance device includes an openable and closable cover that covers a conveyance path for a medium, a sensor that includes a transmission unit which transmits a measured object and a reception unit which receives the measured object transmitted from the transmission unit, the sensor for detection of the medium being present on the conveyance path, and a processor that increases a transmission level of the transmission unit when a reception level for the measured object received by the reception unit is less than a threshold, and determines whether the cover is opened based on whether a rate of change of the reception level between before and after an increase in the transmission level is less than a threshold.