Scanner Dual-Channel Transparency and Visible Light Image Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scanners generate incomplete images with black holes when scanning documents with holes, requiring complex post-processing to remove shadows and holes, which is time-consuming and inaccurate.
Innovation Solution
A scanner that generates an image file including transparency and visible light information by using a scanning module to produce signals for visible light and transmitting light images, and a processor to create a final image file with visible light and remaining image pixels, allowing for direct output to external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional scanner scans a document with a hole, then the visible light image is obtained, but the hole appears as totally black and requires complex post-processing to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image data into two distinct channels: visible light information and transmitting light information. By separating these channels during the scanning process, the system can identify holes (which appear transparent in transmitting light) without requiring complex post-processing to remove black holes from the visible light image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transmitting light information as an intermediary channel that mediates between the document and the scanning system. This intermediary channel provides transparency data that helps distinguish actual holes from shadows or dark regions, enabling accurate hole detection without complex post-processing.
2Measurement precision
If image processing software is used to remove holes from the visible light image, then the hole image can be removed, but it occupies a lot of performance and wastes user time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the hole detection and transparency identification action during the initial scanning process rather than as a separate post-processing step. By capturing transmitting light information simultaneously with visible light information, the system identifies holes and transparency regions upfront, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system itself performs the hole detection and transparency identification functions that would otherwise require separate image processing software. The dual-channel scanning capability enables the system to automatically distinguish holes from other features without external software intervention, reducing both time and computational resource requirements.
3Reliability
If a preview scan is performed to set boundaries, then the hole or damaged portion can be prevented from being formally scanned, but the operation method becomes very complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts transparency information from the transmitting light channel and uses it to automatically identify and handle hole regions during the scanning process. By taking out the transparency detection function and integrating it into the main scanning workflow, the system eliminates the need for separate preview scans and boundary setting operations, simplifying the user interface while maintaining scan completeness.
4Ease of operation
If frame cropping is used to remove shadows, then the processing is simple, but the shadows sometimes cannot be correctly removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to the scanning data by incorporating transmitting light information as a separate channel. This additional dimension enables the system to distinguish shadows from actual holes based on their transparency characteristics, allowing for accurate shadow removal without the need for complex frame cropping operations.
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 direct generation and output of image files with accurate transparency and visible light information, allowing for precise removal of shadows and holes, and preserving the original document contour without distortion.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning module scanning a document to generate a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal is representative of a composite visible light image of the document and a background element
Implementation Method 2
the second signal is representative of a transmitting light image transmitting through the document
Data Source
AI summary
A scanner generating an image file including transparency and visible light information includes: a scanning module scanning a document to generate a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal is representative of a composite visible light image of the document and a background element, and the second signal is representative of a transmitting light image transmitting through the document; a processor, which is electrically connected to the scanning module, and generates a final image file having first pixels and second pixels according to the first signal and the second signal, wherein the first pixels and the second pixels are arranged in a rectangular array, the first pixels are representative of a visible light image of the document, the second pixels are representative of a remaining image other than the document, and the second pixels have transmitting light channel values greater than 0%; and an output port being electrically connected to the processor and outputting the final image file to an external device.