Skew Detection Sensors for Mixed-Width Document Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image reading apparatuses face issues with detecting skew in documents of different sheet widths, leading to incorrect skew detection and interruption of reading processing, especially when mixed-width documents are stacked.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a conveyance unit, a reading unit, and a detection unit with sensors arranged on a straight line intersecting the conveyance direction. When the detection unit detects a skew, it issues a notification about the possibility of mixed sheet widths, allowing for appropriate user intervention to prevent further interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If several types of sensors are arranged at different arrangement widths to detect skew for documents of different sheet widths, then the skew detection capability is improved, but the sensors erroneously detect different sheet widths as skew, causing reading processing interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement is segmented into multiple pairs, with each pair arranged at a specific width corresponding to a particular document size. The control unit selects and activates only the sensor pair appropriate for the detected document width, rather than using all sensors simultaneously. This segmentation prevents erroneous detection of mixed-width documents as skew while maintaining accurate skew detection for the specific document size being processed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are arranged to detect skew for A2 size sheets, then large document skew detection is improved, but A4 size sheets having narrower width cannot be properly detected
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit is designed with multiple sensor pairs that can detect skew for different document sizes (A2, A4, etc.). The control unit provides universal functionality by automatically selecting the appropriate sensor pair based on the detected document width, enabling the same detection unit to accurately handle various document sizes without requiring separate detection systems for each size.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the reading processing is interrupted due to erroneous skew detection, then the system attempts to prevent damage, but the user cannot resolve the issue without proper notification
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback by providing clear notification to the user when mixed-width documents are detected. Instead of merely interrupting processing, the system communicates the specific cause (mixed document widths) to the user, enabling them to take appropriate corrective action (sorting documents by width) and resume processing without causing damage to documents or rollers.
Data Source
AI summary
In a case where a skew of a document being conveyed is detected by a detection unit, an image reading apparatus notifies that documents having different sheet widths may be included in documents stacked on a stacking unit.