Scanner Sensor Chip Segmentation and Image Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanner technologies require an excessive number of sensor chips to achieve effective document scanning, leading to increased costs without providing a suitable configuration for scanning A4 and A3 documents efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A scanner configuration using 16 or fewer sensor chips, with an optical unit that reduces and focuses images on the sensor chips, and a generator that synthesizes image data, allowing for efficient scanning of A4 and A3 documents by optimizing the number of line sensors required based on document size and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sensor chips are used to scan documents, then document scanning capability is improved, but the number of sensor chips increases leading to higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning task into segments by using multiple sensor chips (first sensor chip and second sensor chip) that scan different portions of the document simultaneously. Each sensor chip captures a segment of the document image, and these segments are then synthesized to form the complete document image, thereby improving scanning capability while controlling the number of chips used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the output images from multiple sensor chips through an image synthesis unit. The first image from the first sensor chip and the second image from the second sensor chip are combined to produce a complete document image, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive document coverage with a limited number of sensor chips.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of sensor chips is reduced to lower costs, then device cost is reduced, but document scanning resolution and coverage may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the dimension of image synthesis by combining outputs from multiple sensor chips. Instead of relying on a single sensor chip with high resolution, the system uses multiple chips with moderate resolution and synthesizes their outputs to achieve the desired overall document scanning resolution and coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the sensing function through multiple sensor chips, where each chip captures a portion of the document. The image synthesis unit then combines these copies to reconstruct the complete document image at the required resolution, effectively distributing the resolution requirement across multiple lower-cost sensor chips.
3Area of stationary object
If sensor chips are positioned to cover the entire document width, then document coverage is improved, but the number of sensor chips required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document coverage area by assigning different portions of the document to different sensor chips. The first sensor chip scans a first portion of the document while the second sensor chip scans a second portion, allowing the system to cover the entire document width using fewer chips than would be needed if each chip covered the full width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the coverage areas of multiple sensor chips through image synthesis. The first image covering a first area and the second image covering a second area are merged to produce a complete image of the entire document, thereby achieving full document coverage with a limited number of sensor chips.
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
The solution enables efficient scanning of A4 and A3 documents with fewer sensor chips, reducing costs while maintaining effective document scanning resolution, and provides a method to calculate the optimal number of line sensors needed for various document sizes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical unit that reduces and focuses images of an A4 document on the sensor chips
Implementation Method 2
the resolution of the photoelectric conversion elements in the sensor chip
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a scanner having sixteen or fewer sensor chips capable of scanning an A4 document; an optical unit that reduces and focuses an image of an A4 document on the sensor chips; and a generator that synthesizes images of the A4 document read by the sensor chips, and generates image data.