Dynamic Sheet Conveyance Timing for Image Inspection Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image inspection systems face reduced productivity due to temperature changes affecting reading accuracy, as they skip reading images on sheets during white reference plate reading, leading to incomplete inspection and potential production of defective sheets.
Innovation Solution
An inspection apparatus that includes a tray for stacking sheets, a conveyance member, a reading sensor, a reference member for shading correction, and a controller that adjusts the conveyance timing to allow reading of the white reference plate during the inspection process, ensuring accurate shading correction and continuous sheet inspection without stopping the conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the reading sensor reads the white reference plate during inspection processing, then reading accuracy is maintained through shading correction, but the productivity decreases due to skipping sheet reading during reference plate reading period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the conveyance time interval between sheets based on operational mode. During inspection processing, a predetermined time interval is used, but when white reference plate reading is required, the interval is extended to allow complete reading of the reference plate without skipping sheets. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the system timing to current operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time interval parameter between sheet conveyance based on the operational state. By modifying this temporal parameter, the system can accommodate both rapid sheet inspection (shorter intervals) and reference plate reading (longer intervals), thereby maintaining both productivity and reading accuracy under different operating conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the conveyance time interval is extended to read the white reference plate, then shading correction accuracy is improved, but the inspection efficiency of multiple sheets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two conveyance time interval modes: a shorter predetermined interval for normal inspection processing and a longer interval when white reference plate reading is required. This dynamic switching allows the system to optimize for shading correction accuracy when needed while maintaining high inspection efficiency during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic reference plate reading during inspection processing, where the conveyance time interval is temporarily extended at specific periods to accommodate reference plate reading. This periodic action ensures shading correction accuracy is maintained without continuously reducing inspection efficiency, as the extended interval is applied only when necessary.
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 configuration maintains reading accuracy and prevents the production of defective sheets by allowing simultaneous updating of shading correction coefficients and image inspection, thus enhancing productivity by ensuring all sheets are inspected without reducing the system's efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a reading sensor including a plurality of pixels and configured to read an image on the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection apparatus includes a tray, a conveyance member configured to convey a sheet from the tray, a reading sensor configured to read an image on the sheet during a passage of the sheet at a reading position, an inspection unit configured to inspect the image read by the reading sensor, and a controller configured to control, in inspection processing, conveyance of the plurality of sheets to cause each of the plurality of sheets to reach the reading position at a predetermined time interval, and set, in a case where the reading sensor reads a reference member during the inspection processing, a time interval from when a first sheet included in the plurality of sheets reaches the reading position to when a second sheet, immediately subsequent to the first sheet, included in the plurality of sheets reaches the reading position to be longer than the predetermined time interval.