JP2910600B2 - Image input device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input device, and more particularly to a handy scanner type image input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pen-type handy scanner described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-145370 (Document 1),
Application of a small contact sensor "pen-type handy copy", small-sized image input used for pen-type handy copy described in Sensor Technology, Vol. 9, 1989, No. 8, pages 23-26 (Document 2), etc. The device includes a contact image sensor and an encoder.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing main components of the internal structure of a conventional handy scanner type first image input device.
2, the conventional image input apparatus includes a contact-type image sensor 10 that captures an image while moving in the sub-scanning direction in close contact with a document to be imaged, and an encoder 20 that reads coordinates in the sub-scanning direction. Prepare.

The contact image sensor 10 includes a one-dimensional sensor 11, an optical fiber lens array 12, and a light source 13.

The encoder 20 includes a roller 21 which rotates in contact with a document, a rotating plate 22 having a window which rotates in conjunction with the roller, a light emitting element 23 arranged so that light passes through the window, A light receiving element arranged opposite to the light emitting element.

Next, the operation will be described. While manually moving the handy scanner in close contact with the original and moving it in the sub-scanning direction,
The brightness information of the original in the main scanning direction is transmitted to the image sensor 10.
Enter by. At the same time, the coordinates in the sub-scanning direction are read by the encoder 20 and input as two-dimensional image data.

In an image input apparatus such as a facsimile input unit which scans a document with a contact type image sensor using a scanning drive system such as a drive motor, an encoder is unnecessary in principle. However, in order to obtain a two-dimensional image without distortion even if scanning speed unevenness occurs,
A second conventional image input device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-201179 is provided with a configuration that performs an encoder function for inputting coordinate data in the sub-scanning direction.

Referring to FIG. 13 which is a perspective view showing the structure of a second conventional image input device, this second conventional image input device comprises a scanning guide 31, a one-dimensional sensor 36 and an optical fiber lens array 35. And a scanning drive system 33 including a drive motor and a pulley.

[0009] The scanning guide 31 has a marker with a timing mark 37 attached thereto.

Next, the operation will be described. The scanning drive system 33 moves the scanner section 32 in close contact with the document 34 and moves the scanner section 32 in the sub-scanning direction while inputting the brightness information of the document 34 in the main scanning direction. At the same time, the timing mark 37 is read by a part of the one-dimensional sensor 36, and the unevenness of the scanning speed is read.
Correct the distortion of the two-dimensional image.

[0011]

In the above-mentioned first image input apparatus, the diameter of the rotary plate with a window needs to be increased in order to realize sufficient position detection accuracy of the encoder. Since the vicinity of the line being input is hidden and cannot be seen, scanning is performed while locating the location of the desired input information. In addition, both the encoder and the one-dimensional image sensor need to be provided with a dedicated light source and a light receiving element, respectively, which is wasteful.

On the other hand, the conventional second image input apparatus in which a timing mark is provided on a scanning guide to add an encoder function in order to solve the above-mentioned disadvantage, requires the above-mentioned scanning guide having a size equal to or larger than that of a document. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the device becomes large and is not suitable for carrying.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to realize an easy-to-use image input apparatus which is small in size, has good portability, and shows the vicinity of a line being input.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus comprising: a light source for irradiating a document to be read with light; and first and second light receiving elements comprising a plurality of light receiving elements arranged linearly. A one-dimensional image sensor having an array of elements, an optical unit for guiding reflected light of the irradiated light from the original to the first and second arrays of light receiving elements, and a sub-scan orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the array of light receiving elements Moving amount detecting means for detecting the moving amount in the direction; and signal processing means for generating desired two-dimensional image data from the output signal of the first light receiving element array corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light and the moving amount. an image input apparatus comprising, the movement amount detecting means, wherein the sub-scanning direction to a predetermined angle in a chromatic and the light source a monochrome pattern consisting of alternating ordered white stripes and black stripes and the optical means 1-dimensional
It is arranged so as to surround the imager and both ends are connected.
The combined endless band and the movement in the sub-scanning direction
A belt that rotates in accordance with and drives the endless belt
And a driving roller, the optical means are configured with reflected light focusing means for guiding reflected light from the black and white pattern in the second light receiving element array. Image input of the second invention
The device consists of a light source that illuminates the document to be read
First and second receivers comprising a plurality of light receiving elements arranged
A one-dimensional image sensor having an array of optical elements,
The reflected light of the light from the original is transmitted to the first and second light sources.
Optical means for guiding to the light receiving element row and arrangement direction of the light receiving element row
Moving amount detecting means for detecting the moving amount in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to
Step and the first light receiving element row corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light
Desired two-dimensional image data from the output signal of
And a signal processing means for generating the image.
In this case, the movement amount detecting means is configured to
White consisting of alternating white and black stripes at a defined angle
It has a black pattern and is located near the one-dimensional imager
The finite length of the band and the movement in the sub-scanning direction.
To rotate the finite-length band,
Equipped with a take-up mechanism that winds a limited-length strip in response to its movement
A roller, wherein the optical unit is the second light receiving element row.
Reflected light focusing means for guiding reflected light from the black and white pattern
It is provided with.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a first embodiment of the image input apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the line AA 'and FIG. 2, the image input device of the present embodiment shown in FIG.
A one-dimensional sensor 41 formed by forming a light receiving element array on a transparent insulating substrate 43;
6, an optical component 45 for image transfer,
And a strip 48 having a black-and-white pattern arranged alternately with white stripes and black stripes.

The strip 48 is arranged so that the black and white pattern can be read by a part of the light receiving element array 42 of the one-dimensional sensor 41.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Light emitted from a light source 44 passes through a transparent insulating substrate 43, a gap in a light receiving element array 42 and a fiber focusing portion. The document reaches a document not shown in FIG. The light reflected by the document reaches the light receiving element array 42 again through the fiber focusing section 46 and is detected. Here, the belt-like body 48 moves in accordance with the rotation of the roller 47, that is, in accordance with the displacement of the hand-held scanner that is manually moved. Therefore, the monochrome pattern of the band 48 is detected by the part 42 of the light receiving element array, and the displacement in the sub-scanning direction can be known by the principle described below. That is, the function of the conventional encoder can be achieved.

Referring to FIG. 3 showing the principle of displacement detection in the sub-scanning direction, FIG. 3A is a plan view of the band 48 viewed from the one-dimensional sensor 41 side. White stripes 481 and black stripes 4 formed at an inclination angle θ with respect to 42 and covering the ten light-receiving elements 1 to 10
A band 48 having a black and white pattern of 82 is shown. FIG.
At the position shown in FIG. 3A, the outputs of the first to tenth light receiving elements are as shown in FIG. That is, the first to fourth light receiving elements have a signal level corresponding to the black stripe 482 (hereinafter referred to as black level), and the seventh to tenth light receiving elements have a signal level corresponding to the white stripe 481 (hereinafter referred to as white level). , 6th light-receiving element indicate a signal level of an intermediate value (hereinafter, an intermediate level) corresponding to the pixel occupation area ratio of the white stripe 481 and the black stripe 482. Here, a reference value for obtaining a light receiving element number at which black-and-white inversion occurs is set to a threshold voltage V that is, for example, a voltage of 50% of the difference between black and white levels.
If this is defined in advance, it can be determined in FIG. 3B that black-and-white inversion occurs in the sixth light receiving element. Next, when the black and white pattern moves by a certain distance P in the y direction, the displacement in the x direction becomes P / tan θ. In this case, the output level of each light receiving element is similarly as shown in FIG. 3C, and it can be determined from the threshold value Vth that black and white inversion occurs in the eighth light receiving element. Conversely, the difference between the light receiving element numbers where the black and white reversal occurs before and after the movement of the black and white pattern and the inclination angle θ
The amount of movement in the direction is determined. If θ <45 °, the displacement in the sub-scanning direction can be detected with a resolution higher than the light receiving element pitch.

Further, referring to FIG. 4 which shows a block diagram of the signal processing circuit of this embodiment, the signal processing circuit of this embodiment shown in FIG. A current for detecting an output current of each of an integrator 62 for integrating a signal, a sampling A / D converter 63, a buffer 64, and a light receiving element array 66 at the right end and a light receiving element array 68 at the left end of the one-dimensional sensor 41. The circuit includes detection circuits 69A and 69B, position calculation circuits 70A and 70B, a data transfer determination circuit 71, and a timing control 61 for controlling the timing of each unit at a fixed time interval, for example, an image sensor output rate of 1 ms.

This configuration requires a one-dimensional sensor having independent output terminals at the right end, the center, and the left end of the light receiving element row, or three independent one-dimensional sensors. The other components in FIG. 4 can use ordinary analog integrated circuits and digital integrated circuits.

Next, the operation of this circuit will be described with reference to FIG. 4. A signal b obtained by integrating the output signal a of the light receiving element array 67, which is the light / dark information of the original, by the integrator 62 is sampled by the sampling A
The image data c is sampled and digitized by the / D converter 63, and the image data c is output.
To be stored. Under the control of the timing control 61, this is repeatedly executed for each image sensor output rate. Independently of this, the current detection circuit 69
A and 69B detect the output current of each of the light receiving element arrays 66 and 68, and send respective detection signals d to the position calculation circuits 70A and 70B. The position calculation circuits 70A and 70B record and compare each of these detection signals d at least twice, so that
Calculate the coordinates in the sub-scanning direction.

In this coordinate calculation method, threshold value processing has been described in the above description of the principle, but another method, for example, an arithmetic average of the outputs of the respective light receiving elements may be obtained. The coordinates (displacement) e in the sub-scanning direction thus obtained are sent to the data transfer determination circuit 71. When the displacement e reaches a set reference value (for example, the pitch of the light receiving elements), the data transfer determination circuit 71 transfers the data c stored in the buffer 64 to an upper circuit (not shown). I do. Also, when scanning is performed at a speed lower than the image sensor output rate, it means that duplicated data has been input, and these are discarded without being transferred to a higher-level circuit. Conversely, skipping occurs if scanning is performed at a speed higher than the image sensor output rate. At this time, an alarm such as lamp lighting or buzzer sound is issued to lower the scanning speed. In this manner, the higher-level circuit can receive one line of image information for each predetermined displacement in the sub-scanning direction.

In this case, independent position calculation circuits are provided at both ends of the image sensor so that even if the original is scanned so that the right and left ends have different scan amounts, these scan amounts are converted to image information. This is because the image distortion can be corrected by sending the image data to the upper circuit.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, which shows a signal processing circuit according to a second embodiment of the present invention in the same manner as FIG. The difference between the signal processing circuit of the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that independent signal detection circuits 69A and 69B for the light receiving element arrays 66 and 68 at both ends of the one-dimensional sensor 41 and corresponding position calculation circuits 70A and 69B. 70B and the output data c of the sampling A / D converter 63 instead of the data transfer determination circuit 71.
84, which divides the data f, g, and i corresponding to the output signals of the light receiving element arrays 66 to 68, respectively, and alternates the data f, g, and i independently and at every sensor output rate interval. Memories 91 and 92 for storing;
It includes corresponding position calculation circuits 90A and 90B and a data transfer determination circuit 93.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. A signal b obtained by integrating the output signals a of all the light receiving element arrays 66 to 68 of the one-dimensional sensor 41 by the integrator 82 is sampled by the sampling A / A. It is digitized by the D converter 83 and the image data c is output. The data c is converted by the multiplexer 84 into light receiving element rows 86 and 8 including positional information in the sub-scanning direction.
8 and data f, i, and g from the light receiving element array 87, which are light / dark information of the document, and stored in the memory 91, respectively. Under the control of the timing control 61A, after an interval corresponding to the image sensor output rate, for example, 1 ms,
Similarly, the output of the one-dimensional sensor 41 is stored in the memory 92. Next, the data f stored in each of the memories 91 and 92 is taken out by the position calculation circuit 90, and the one-dimensional sensor 41 is read out according to the position detection principle described in the first embodiment.
Can be known in the sub-scanning direction at the right end of. The displacement is similarly obtained for the left end. Finally, the data transfer determination circuit 93 determines whether or not to transfer data to a higher-level circuit in the same manner as described above. Thus, the upper circuit
It is possible to receive one line of image information for each predetermined displacement in the sub-scanning direction.

In the description of the present embodiment, a monochromatic black-and-white pattern having an inclination angle as a black-and-white pattern to be formed on a strip is
Although the threshold calculation and the arithmetic averaging are mentioned as the displacement calculation principles, the gist of the present invention is not limited to these choices.
For example, the same effect can be obtained by using a black and white pattern having a tilt angle and a different width.

Referring to FIG. 6, which shows the state of displacement detection in the sub-scanning direction when the number of light receiving elements covering the strip is 10 and the ratio of the width of the black stripe to that of the white stripe is 10: 1. The output of the light receiving element before and after the movement of the black and white pattern is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B) and (C), only the output of the sixth and eighth elements respectively exceeds the threshold value. Therefore, if the threshold processing or the calculation of the center of gravity is used, the light receiving element number on the white pattern can be obtained, and the displacement in the sub-scanning direction can be calculated by detecting these two signals.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, a monochrome pattern array is formed in accordance with the binary code. When the center of the light receiving element row is at the position shown, a binary coded output is obtained.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, which is a perspective view showing the structure of the third embodiment of the present invention, the difference of the present embodiment from the first embodiment shown in FIG. It has a function of winding up the band-shaped body 48, and the band-shaped body 48 does not surround the one-dimensional sensor 41 and the light source 44. The operation of this embodiment is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment.

As is clear from the above description, the gist of the present invention is to make a light receiving element array at the end of an image sensor read a monochrome pattern which moves in accordance with the movement in the sub-scanning direction. The component for moving the black and white pattern is not limited to the band.

Next, referring to FIG. 9 which is a perspective view showing the structure of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the image input apparatus of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 9 differs from the first embodiment shown in FIG. The difference between
Instead of the roller 47 and the band 48, a roller 49 and a bar 51 having a black and white pattern arranged in conjunction therewith are provided.

The rod-shaped object 51 is arranged to be read by a part 42 of the light receiving element array of the one-dimensional sensor 41.
The operation is exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

In the above description, the emphasis has been placed particularly on miniaturization of the apparatus, and a complete contact type image sensor in which a one-dimensional sensor formed on a transparent substrate is combined with an image transfer optical component having a fiber focusing portion is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to an image sensor formed on a transparent substrate. For example, the same effect can be obtained by using a completely contact type image sensor in which an image sensor formed of crystalline silicon such as a CCD is bonded to an image transfer optical component having a light-receiving surface side with a fiber focusing portion. Can be.

Next, referring to FIG. 10 which is a perspective view showing the structure of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 of the image input apparatus of this embodiment shown in FIG. Is that, instead of the one-dimensional sensor 41 and the optical component 45, CC
An image transfer optical component 104 having a D101 and a fiber focusing portion 105, and an optical component 106 having a smaller thickness than the optical component 104 and including the fiber focusing portion 105 are provided.

At the end of the CCD 101, a light receiving element array 102 for detecting light from the monochrome pattern of the rod 51 is formed. The light source 103 emits light to the fiber focusing section 10.
5 so as to be obliquely incident.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Light emitted from the light source 103 is incident on the fiber focusing section 105, and the original and the rod 5
Reach one. The reflected light from them is transmitted to the fiber focusing section 10.
5 and is detected by the light receiving element array 102. The subsequent operation is exactly the same as in the first embodiment. The same effect can be obtained by a configuration in which the strips described in the first and third embodiments are provided instead of the rods 51.

The same effect can be obtained by using a contact type image sensor which is not a perfect contact type.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, which is a perspective view showing the structure of a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the difference between the image input apparatus of the present embodiment shown in this figure and the fifth embodiment is as follows. A conventional one-dimensional sensor 11, a light source 13, an optical fiber lens array 107, and an optical fiber lens array 108 having a shorter focal length than the optical fiber lens array 107 are provided. Explaining the operation of the example, the light emitted from the light source 13 reaches a document (not shown) and the rod-shaped body 51 (not shown), and the reflected light from them is imaged by the optical fiber lens arrays 107 and 108. The subsequent operation is exactly the same as in the first embodiment. The same effect can be obtained by a configuration in which the strips described in the first and third embodiments are provided instead of the rods 51.

The image input device of the present invention has a diameter of, for example, 10 mm.
Since it is so small that it can be built in a pen-shaped housing, it is possible to scan while looking at the vicinity of the line being input, so that it is easy to use. In addition, it is excellent in portability. Furthermore, it can be manufactured at low cost by reducing the number of parts.

[0040]

As described above, according to the image input apparatus of the present invention, the moving amount detecting means has an end having a black and white pattern.
And less or finite strip, and a strip-shaped zone drive means for moving in conjunction with the belt-like zone with the movement of the sub-scanning direction, guiding the reflected light from the optical means monochrome pattern in the second light receiving element array reflection By providing light focusing means, for example,
Since the size can be reduced so that it can be built in a pen-shaped housing of 0 mm, scanning can be performed while looking at the vicinity of the line being input, and there is an effect that the convenience is good.

Further, there is an effect that the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for describing the principle of displacement detection in the sub-scanning direction according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a signal processing circuit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a signal processing circuit according to a second embodiment of the image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the principle of displacement detection in a second sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a principle of displacement detection in a third sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the image input apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment of the image input apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fifth embodiment of the image input apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sixth embodiment of the image input apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional first image input device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second conventional image input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Image sensor 11, 36, 41 One-dimensional sensor 12, 35 Optical fiber lens array 13, 44, 103 Light source 20 Encoder 21, 47, 49, 50 Roller 22 Rotating plate with window 23 Light emitting element 24 Light receiving element 31 Scan guide 32 Scanner Unit 33 Scanning drive system 34 Document 37 Timing mark 42 Light receiving element array unit 43 Transparent insulating substrate 45, 104, 106 Optical component 46, 105 Fiber convergence unit 48 Band 51 Rod 61, 61A Timing control 62 Integrator 63 Sampling A / D converter 64 Buffer 66 to 67, 102 Light receiving element array 69A, 69B Current detection circuit 70A, 70B, 90A, 90B Position calculation circuit 71, 93 Data transfer determination circuit 84 Multiplexer 91, 92 Memory 101 CCD sensor 107,108 Optical fiber lens array

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A light source for irradiating a document to be read with light;
A one-dimensional image sensor having first and second light receiving element arrays each including a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line, and receiving the reflected light of the irradiated light from the document by the first and second light receiving elements Optical means for guiding to the element array, movement amount detection means for detecting an amount of movement in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light receiving element rows, and an output signal of the first light receiving element row corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light; An image input device comprising: signal processing means for generating desired two-dimensional image data from the movement amount; wherein the movement amount detection means includes white stripes alternately arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the sub-scanning direction. wherein the light source have a black and white pattern consisting of black stripes and the optical means 1 dimensional Ime
-It is arranged so that it surrounds the periphery of the
And the endless belt that rotates according to the movement in the sub-scanning direction.
And a strip drive roller for driving the Jo body, said optical means, the image input apparatus comprising: a reflected light focusing means for guiding reflected light from the black and white pattern in the second light receiving element array. (2)A light source for irradiating light to a document to be read;
First and second light-receiving elements arranged in a line
One-dimensional image sensor having two light receiving element arrays and irradiation
The reflected light of the light from the document
Optical means for leading to a second light receiving element row and arrangement of the light receiving element row
Movement amount for detecting the movement amount in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the column direction
Detecting means and the first light reception corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light
A desired two-dimensional image from the output signal of the element array and the movement amount
Image input device comprising signal processing means for generating data
At The moving amount detecting means is predetermined with respect to the sub-scanning direction.
Black and white pattern consisting of white and black stripes alternately arranged at different angles.
Have a turn Placed near the one-dimensional imager
Finite length stripWhen, Previous It rotates according to the movement in the sub-scanning direction.
Drives the body and supports the movement of this finite-length band
Roller with winding mechanismWhenEquipped, The optical means includes the black and white pattern on the second light receiving element row.
Equipped with reflected light focusing means for guiding the reflected light from the Specially
SignPictureImage input device. Wherein said one-dimensional in image sensor, the image input device according to claim 1, wherein further comprising a formed on a transparent insulating substrate wherein the first and second light receiving element array. Wherein said one-dimensional in-image sensor, the first and the image input device according to claim 1, wherein further comprising a one-dimensional charge coupled device including a second light receiving element array. 5. An integration circuit for integrating an output signal of the first light receiving element array to generate an integration signal , wherein the signal processing means samples the integration signal, performs analog-to-digital conversion on the integration signal, and performs a predetermined interval. An analog-to-digital conversion circuit for outputting digital image data at an output rate;
A position signal detection circuit that detects an output signal of the light receiving element row and outputs a position signal; a position calculation circuit that calculates a coordinate position in the sub-scanning direction in response to the supply of the position signal; 2. A data transfer judging circuit for judging whether or not the digital image data can be output from a calculation result, and a timing control circuit for controlling a timing of a signal processing operation at the output rate.
Or the image input device according to 2 . Wherein said signal processing means, an integrating circuit for generating first and second integral signal by integrating the output signal of the first and second light receiving element array, said first and second An analog-to-digital conversion circuit for sampling and integrating the integrated signal and outputting the first and second digital image data at an output rate at a predetermined interval; and responding to the control of successive timing signals before and after, respectively. First and second storage circuits for respectively storing the first and second digital image data before and after in the first and second storage areas, respectively; and the first and second storage circuits. A position calculating circuit for calculating the coordinate position in the sub-scanning direction from the previous and subsequent second digital image data read from the first and second digital image data; A data transfer determination circuit that determines whether digital image data can be output, and a timing control circuit that outputs the previous and subsequent timing signals and controls the timing of a signal processing operation at the output rate. One or two
Is the image input device according to 2 .