Scanner Device Color Capture Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated banking machines face challenges in accurately and efficiently processing documents, particularly checks, due to limitations in scanning technology and document alignment, which can lead to errors and increased manual handling.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a scanner device that captures color images of documents using a sequence of different colored light sources and extrapolates non-scanned colors based on adjacent scan lines, with a computer processor weighting pixels closer to the target pixel more heavily in the extrapolation calculation to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional scanning technology is used to capture document images, then the scanning process is simple and fast, but the accuracy and reliability of color capture is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning process is segmented into multiple sequential scans, each using a different colored light source (red, green, blue). Each scan captures only the reflected intensity for that specific color, and the three scans are combined to form a complete color image. This segmentation allows accurate color capture while maintaining relatively simple scanning hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner performs periodic scanning actions by sequentially activating different colored light sources (red LED, green LED, blue LED) in repeating cycles. Each light source illuminates the document in turn, and the sensor captures reflected intensity during each periodic phase. This periodic action enables accurate color differentiation through time-multiplexed scanning.
2Measurement precision
If multiple colored light sources are used to scan each line, then color accuracy is improved, but the scanning time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of illuminating with all three colored light sources simultaneously or repeatedly scanning each line three times, the system performs a single sequential scan for each color. The red LED illuminates and captures one scan line, then the green LED illuminates and captures the next scan line, followed by the blue LED. This periodic action captures all necessary color information in a single pass through the document, minimizing scanning time while maintaining color accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If document alignment requirements are strict, then scanning accuracy is improved, but manual handling and alignment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts and optimizes the scanning process based on the actual document position and characteristics. Rather than requiring perfect static alignment, the scanner adapts to variations in document placement by optimizing scan parameters and using the sequential colored scanning approach to capture accurate color information even with moderate alignment variations.
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 approach improves the accuracy and reliability of document scanning and processing within automated banking machines, reducing the need for manual alignment and handling, and enables efficient authorization of transactions.
Implementation Method 1
The scanner device may be operative to illuminate a document with different colored light sources (e.g., red, blue, green)
Implementation Method 2
By capturing scan lines incrementally along the length of a document, the entire surface of the document may be scanned into the two-dimensional grid of pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An automated banking machine controlled responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that reads identifying data from a user card. A host banking system authorizes operation of an automated banking machine responsive to computer verification of the identifying data. The automated banking machine can dispense cash to an authorized machine user in a cash dispensing transaction, and have the user's bank account charged for the cash amount dispensed. The automated banking machine can acquire image and magnetic data read from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for the checks. Cash can be dispensed from the machine to a user in exchange for a deposited check.