Image Scanning Apparatus Pattern Detection Resolution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image scanning apparatuses face challenges in quickly and reliably detecting a predetermined pattern, especially when the carriage is not at the home position after abnormal termination, leading to inaccurate specification of the scanning position.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a scanning section, a control unit with multiple image acquisition and searching sections that adjust scanning resolution to detect the predetermined pattern efficiently, allowing for quick and reliable detection of the pattern by identifying characteristic parts across varying scanning resolutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the carriage is located at a position different from the home position after abnormal termination, then the scanning process can resume, but the position of the predetermined pattern is not specified, requiring additional detection process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning at a first subscanning resolution to acquire first image data, then searches for the predetermined pattern in this data. This preliminary action ensures that if the carriage is not at the home position, the pattern detection can proceed efficiently using the already-acquired image data, reducing the need for additional scanning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the subscanning resolution parameter between different scanning operations. By using a first subscanning resolution for initial scanning and potentially switching to a second subscanning resolution for pattern area scanning, the system optimizes the balance between scanning speed and pattern detection accuracy, addressing the time loss issue.
2Measurement precision
If the scanning section scans at high subscanning resolution, then the scanning precision is improved, but the scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning process is segmented into different phases with different resolution requirements. The system performs initial scanning at a first subscanning resolution for general image acquisition, then potentially performs additional scanning at a second subscanning resolution specifically for pattern area detection. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high precision where needed without unnecessarily increasing scanning time throughout the entire process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different scanning resolutions to different parts of the scanning process. High resolution is applied locally to the pattern area where precision is critical, while lower resolution can be used for other areas. This local quality approach ensures that scanning position precision is maintained where needed without overall scanning time increase.
3Reliability
If the pattern detection process is made more thorough, then the reliability of pattern detection is improved, but the detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pattern searching in the first image data acquired at the first subscanning resolution. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly determine whether the pattern exists and its approximate location before performing more thorough detection, thereby improving reliability without excessive time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The pattern detection process is made dynamic by adjusting the scanning resolution and search methodology based on the detection progress. The system can switch between different subscanning resolutions and search strategies depending on whether the pattern is detected, its position, and the current detection confidence, optimizing the balance between reliability and time.
Data Source
AI summary
An image scanning apparatus includes a scanning section which scans an object opposite to a linear scanning area along a main scanning direction while moving the scanning area along a subscanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction. The scanning section generates image data on the basis of the result of the scanning. A control unit of the scanning section includes a first image acquiring section that acquires first image data by making the scanning section execute scanning at a first subscanning resolution. The control unit also has a pattern searching section that searches the first image data for the image of the predetermined pattern. A second image acquiring section of the control unit acquires second image data in such a manner that when the image of the predetermined pattern is not detected by the pattern searching section.