Document Scanner Platen Cover Position Detection for Safe High-Resolution Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed, high-resolution document scanners often operate at light intensity levels that exceed legal safety standards for user exposure, posing a risk of vision damage when the platen cover is partially or fully open, as the increased scan rate and smaller optics lead to higher light intensities that are not shielded from the user.
Innovation Solution
The document scanner automatically adjusts its scan mode and light intensity level based on the position of the platen cover, switching to a lower intensity and slower speed when the cover is open to ensure user safety while maintaining high resolution, utilizing a detection system to trigger these changes and employing a variable speed drive motor and power supply for the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the scan rate is increased to achieve high-speed scanning, then productivity is improved, but the light intensity level increases causing vision damage risk when platen cover is open
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the light intensity level based on the platen cover position. When the cover is closed, high light intensity is used to support high scan rates. When the cover is open, the system detects this state and reduces light intensity to safe levels, automatically adapting to the operational context to prevent vision damage while maintaining productivity when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
A detection system continuously monitors the platen cover position and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time adjustment of light intensity levels, ensuring that high scan rates are only maintained when the platen cover is closed and the user is protected, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and safety.
2Device complexity
If smaller optics and sensors are used to reduce device size, then device complexity is reduced, but image resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for the reduced light collection efficiency of smaller optics and sensors by dynamically adjusting the light intensity level. When high resolution scanning is required, the system increases light intensity to ensure sufficient signal strength reaches the smaller photosensors, thereby maintaining image resolution despite using smaller, less complex optical components.
3Manufacturing precision
If high light intensity is used to compensate for smaller sensors, then image resolution is maintained, but vision damage risk increases when platen cover is open
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts light intensity based on platen cover position detection. When the cover is closed, high light intensity is permitted to maintain high resolution with smaller sensors. When the cover is open, the system automatically reduces light intensity to safe levels, ensuring that image quality is optimized only when user safety is not compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system provides continuous feedback on platen cover position, enabling the control system to make real-time decisions about light intensity levels. This feedback loop ensures that high light intensity is only applied when the platen cover is closed and providing user protection, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining image resolution and preventing vision damage.
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 ensures that the scanner operates within safe light intensity limits for user exposure when the platen cover is open, reducing the risk of vision damage while maintaining high image resolution and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The carriage also includes an image sensor, which incorporates photosensitive devices (e.g., photodiodes or other photosensitive devices) that measure the intensity of light reflected from given areas of the document
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are embodiments of document scanner, a method and a program storage device wherein the scan mode is automatically adjusted to fall within standards established to prevent vision damage and/or discomfort and to still allow for high-resolution scanning. Specifically, the platen cover of the document scanner can be operatively connected to the scan carriage such that the mode at which the scan carriage operates depends upon the detected position of the platen cover. When the platen cover is closed, the scan carriage can automatically illuminate the document being scanned at a relatively high light intensity level and can move at a relatively fast speed. When the platen cover is opened, the scan carriage can automatically illuminate the document being scanned at a lower light intensity level and, optionally, can move at a slower speed to compensate for the lower light intensity level.