Scanner Media Detection via Charge-Discharge Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scanners face inefficiencies in detecting the insertion of reading media into conveying paths without power supply to the CPU, leading to increased power consumption when pre-powering the CPU to determine media presence.
Innovation Solution
An image reading device with a conveying path, CPU, pulse signal generator, transmissive optical sensors, and a charge-discharge unit that stores and discharges electric charge based on light reception, allowing power to be started only when a threshold charge is reached, enabling detection of media insertion without initial CPU power and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is supplied to the CPU before media insertion detection, then the CPU can determine media presence, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor performs media insertion detection before the CPU is powered on. The sensor continuously monitors the conveying path for media presence and stores detection results in memory, enabling the CPU to access pre-detected information immediately upon power-up without requiring continuous pre-powering for detection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical sensor acts as an intermediary between the media insertion event and the CPU. The sensor detects media presence independently of the CPU power state and communicates this information to the CPU when it becomes operational, decoupling the detection function from the main processing unit.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power is not supplied to the CPU before media insertion, then power consumption is reduced, but the CPU cannot detect media insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor performs media insertion detection before the CPU is powered on. The sensor continuously monitors the conveying path for media presence and stores detection results in memory, enabling the CPU to access pre-detected information immediately upon power-up without requiring continuous pre-powering for detection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical sensor acts as an intermediary between the media insertion event and the CPU. The sensor detects media presence independently of the CPU power state and communicates this information to the CPU when it becomes operational, decoupling the detection function from the main processing unit.
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
Enables efficient detection of media insertion without initial CPU power, reducing scanner power consumption and allowing for optimized power usage by starting CPU power only when media is present, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transmissive optical sensor for determination, light incident from a photo transmitter is blocked by a reading target medium
Implementation Method 2
the photo transmitter configured to project pulsed light toward the conveying path in response to the pulse signal, the photo receiver facing the photo transmitter with the conveying path therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner includes: a pulse generator that generates a pulse signal; a transmissive optical sensor including a photo transmitter that projects pulsed light in response to the pulse signal and a photo receiver facing the photo transmitter; a charge-discharge unit capable of storing an electric charge of the pulse signal and discharging the stored electric charge; and a controller that causes the charge-discharge unit to discharge the electric charge when the photo receiver receives the pulsed light, causes the charge-discharge unit to store the electric charge when the photo receiver does not receive the pulsed light, and that starts supply of power to a CPU when an amount of the electric charge is at or above a threshold.