Smart Copy Apparatus Size Detection via Image Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing copiers with optical or mechanical original size detectors face high costs and complexity, with precision issues often leading to incorrect size judgments for formats like A4 and Letter sizes due to placement errors.
Innovation Solution
A smart copy apparatus that uses image processing to determine the size of an original document without a size detector, comprising a scanning module to obtain fragment scan images, a processing module to generate print data based on these images, and a printing module to select the appropriate print medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical or mechanical original size detector is adopted, then the size of the original can be detected, but additional costs are caused and the circuit layout becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the size detection function from a dedicated original size detector and relocates it to the image processing module. The existing scanning and image processing components are utilized to determine original size through image analysis algorithms, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware and simplifying the circuit layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning module and image processing module are made multi-functional. The scanning module not only captures images for copying but also performs size detection. The image processing module handles both image enhancement and size determination, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If an optical or mechanical original size detector is adopted, then the size of the original can be detected, but additional costs are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The size detection capability is extracted from expensive dedicated hardware and implemented through software-based image processing algorithms. This approach utilizes existing scanning components to perform dual functions (scanning and size detection), thereby eliminating the need for costly additional detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical detection mechanisms, the patent creates a digital copy of the original through scanning and analyzes this digital representation to determine size. This virtual measurement approach replaces expensive physical detection hardware with computational methods.
3Measurement precision
If an optical or mechanical original size detector is adopted, then the size of the original can be detected, but the precision is not high enough due to placement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection systems with optical scanning and digital image processing. Instead of relying on mechanical sensors that are sensitive to placement variations, the system uses image analysis algorithms that can automatically identify document boundaries and calculate size, making the measurement process more reliable and less susceptible to placement errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing module provides feedback by analyzing the scanned image to determine if the original is properly positioned and what its actual size is. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for placement variations and accurately determine document size even when not perfectly positioned.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart copy apparatus comprises a scanning module, a processing module and a printing module. The scanning module scans an original to obtain fragment scan images. The processing module electrically connected to the scanning module receives the fragment scan images, and determines a size of the original according to the fragment scan images to obtain a scan-size parameter, and generates print data according to the fragment scan images, the scan-size parameter and a print parameter. The printing module receives the print data, and prints the print data on a print medium.