Scanner Reading Position Correction via Optical Sheet Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading apparatuses face issues with document misalignment due to misalignment of sheet materials on the glass, leading to incorrect reading positions and document orientation changes, which affect the reading accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A reading apparatus with a transparent member, a frame, a plate-shaped member, and a control unit that adjusts the reading position based on the detected position of the plate-shaped member, ensuring the document is read in a position out of contact with both members, maintaining a constant distance and correcting for misalignments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sheet material is used to form a clearance between the document and the glass, then the document can be read in non-contact state, but misalignment of the sheet material changes the distance between the document and the glass, resulting in incorrect reading position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading accuracyVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system (sheet material positioning) with an optical detection and computational correction system. The reading unit detects the plate-shaped member's position, and the control unit calculates the actual reading position based on detected coordinates, eliminating the need for precise mechanical alignment of the sheet material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by detecting the actual position of the plate-shaped member through the reading unit, comparing it with the reference position, and using the position information to correct the reading position calculation. This closed-loop feedback ensures accurate document reading even when the sheet material is misaligned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the reading position is set at a predetermined distance from the reference position, then the reading operation is simplified, but document orientation may change due to misalignment, affecting reading correctness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading operation simplicityVSAvoidreading correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the reading position dynamic rather than fixed. Instead of setting a predetermined static distance from the reference position, the system dynamically calculates the reading position based on the detected plate-shaped member position, allowing the reading position to adapt to alignment variations while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the document is read in contact with the glass, then reading stability is improved, but the sheet material must be precisely aligned to maintain correct reading position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading stabilityVSAvoidsheet material alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the plate-shaped member as an intermediary reference object between the sheet material and the reading system. The reading unit detects the plate-shaped member's position, and this information serves as a mediator to calculate the correct reading position, decoupling the reading stability from the sheet material alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 accurate document reading by maintaining a consistent distance and correcting for misalignments, thereby improving reading accuracy and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a position of the plate-shaped member by reading the plate-shaped member while moving the reading unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12375615B2Reading apparatus, method of controlling reading apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program causing computer to control reading apparatus to correct reading position of document

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A scanner includes a second glass member, a main body frame, a sheet member, a document transport unit, a reading unit, and a control unit. The sheet member is arranged on the second glass member. The document transport unit transports a document such that the document is brought into contact with the second glass member in a first position and the document is brought into contact with the second glass member in a second position. The reading unit reads the document in a third position between the first position and the second position, the third position in which the document is out of contact with the sheet member and the second glass member. The control unit identifies the third position in accordance with a position of the sheet member detected by the reading unit.