JPH11317843A - Image reading system and image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify operation in a standalone mode. SOLUTION: This image reading system uses a line sensor to read an image recorded on an original to be read. A computer provided at the outside of the image reader can set a prescribed read condition not affected by an image among read conditions relating to the reading of this image reader. Prescribed read conditions of the image reader are written in an EEPROM (step 107) when a preset request comes from the computer (step 106). When a recording switch is depressed (step 103), the contents of the EEPROM (that is, the prescribed read conditions) are read and the operation of image reading is executed according to the read conditions (step 105).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image reading system for reading an image recorded on, for example, a film by a line sensor, and more particularly to an improvement in an operation for setting operating conditions related to a reading operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, such an image reading apparatus can be controlled by a host computer connected to the apparatus main body. That is, an operation of reading an image by the line sensor, an operation of recording image data obtained by the reading operation on a recording medium mounted on the apparatus main body, and the like can be controlled by the host computer. It is also possible to configure the image reading apparatus so that the reading operation or the recording operation can be controlled in a stand-alone mode, which is executed by operating an operation switch provided on the apparatus main body independently of the host computer.

[0003]

In the control (remote mode) by the host computer, various operations can be executed relatively easily by operating the mouse while watching the screen of the monitor connected to the computer. In contrast, in the stand-alone mode, it is necessary to control the setting items such as the date and resolution by operating the operation switches while displaying various setting items on a display device such as a liquid crystal display. If the configuration is such that the operation is performed by operating the operation member, the operation of the operation member becomes complicated, and the usability deteriorates.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to simplify operation in a stand-alone mode.

[0005]

An image reading system according to the present invention is provided with an image reading apparatus capable of reading an image recorded on a document in accordance with operating conditions, and provided outside the image reading apparatus to set operating conditions. A possible computer,
A control circuit provided in the image reading device and capable of controlling the image reading device in accordance with operating conditions.

The operating conditions can be set, for example, only when a computer is connected to the image reading device.
It is preferable that the control circuit can control the image reading device independently of control by the computer.

The data corresponding to the operating conditions is stored, for example, in a memory provided in the image reading apparatus.

The operation condition is, for example, an operation mode relating to thinning or interpolation of image data obtained by the image reading device. In a configuration in which the image reading apparatus has a light source that can be switched between red (R), green (G), and blue (B), the operating conditions are, for example, R, G, and B color image data by switching the light source. Is the number of times of sampling in the operation of detecting. The operating condition may be the resolution of an image when image data obtained by the image reading device is displayed on a display device or when the image data is recorded on a recording medium.

The operating condition may be a date and a time when the image reading device is operated.

The image reading apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a recording apparatus for recording a read image on a recording medium, and is capable of reading and recording image information independently of an external device. A connection terminal that can be connected to the device, and that transmits and receives information to and from an external device; a memory unit that stores various condition setting information used when reading and recording image information; Control means for executing an image reading and recording operation based on the various condition setting information, and storing the input information in a memory when various condition setting information is input from an external device via a connection terminal. It is characterized by:

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The original M to be read used in this image reading apparatus is a transparent original (negative or positive film), and a color image is recorded on the negative film. The document M to be read is intermittently transported in the direction of arrow A by the document transport mechanism 10. A light source 20 is disposed above the passage of the document M to be read, and an imaging lens 3 is disposed below the light source 20.
1 and a line sensor 3 composed of a solid-state imaging device
0 is provided. The turning on and off of the light source 20 is controlled by a light source driving circuit 41, and the operation of detecting an image by the line sensor 30 is controlled by a line sensor driving circuit 42. The document transfer mechanism 10, the light source drive circuit 41, and the line sensor drive circuit 42 operate according to a command signal output from a system control circuit (control circuit) 40.

The image data read from the line sensor 30 is amplified by an amplifier 43 and converted to a digital signal by an A / D converter 44. The digital image data is temporarily stored in the memory 46 after being subjected to shading correction in the image processing circuit 45. This image data is read from the memory 46 and subjected to predetermined arithmetic processing such as color correction and gamma correction. The image data subjected to these processes can be recorded on the recording medium R. The image data is converted into a signal in accordance with a predetermined format in the interface circuit 47, and the output terminal 4
The image data can be output to a computer 50 provided outside the image reading device via the image reading device 8. The operations of the A / D converter 44, the image processing circuit 45, and the interface circuit 47 and the recording operation on the recording medium R are controlled by the system control circuit 40.

The system control circuit 40 includes an operation switch 49, a display panel 52,
A real-time clock 53 is connected. The display panel 52 is provided for displaying various states related to the operation of the image reading apparatus, and includes a real-time clock 53.
Is provided for recording the date and time on the recording medium R. A backup battery 54 is connected to the real-time clock 53.

As a mode for executing a series of image reading operations for reading an image by the line sensor 30 and recording the image data on the recording medium R, a computer 50
And a stand-alone mode executed by operating the operation switch 49 connected to the system control circuit 40. In the stand-alone mode, the image reading operation is performed by the system control circuit 40 by the computer 5.
It is controlled independently of the control by 0. The selection between the remote mode and the stand-alone mode is made by pressing a mode switch 49a (see FIG. 4) described later.

On the other hand, operating conditions (eg, image data thinning / interpolation mode) for executing the image reading operation are set by the computer 50 in the remote mode, while the real-time clock 5 is set in the standalone mode.
3 is set according to data stored in a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM). The data stored in the EEPROM is predetermined as a default value, but can be changed in the computer 50 by, for example, an operation using a mouse. The changed data can be recorded in the EEPROM while the computer 50 is connected to the image reading device.

FIG. 2 shows the document transport mechanism 10, the light source 20, and the line sensor 30. The document M to be read is the frame 1
The frame 11 is fixed to a plate-like stage 12 by a stopper 13. The stage 12 has an opening (not shown) formed at a position corresponding to the document M to be read. Stage 12
A rack 14 is formed on a side end surface of the pinion 1. A pinion 1 provided on an output shaft of a document feed motor 15 is formed on the rack 14.
6 is engaged. The document feed motor 15 is driven under the control of the system control circuit 40, and the position of the document M to be read is controlled.

The light source 20 is located above the stage 12,
The light-emitting elements 21R, 21G, and 21B that emit red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light are periodically arranged in this order. Can be changed. Although only six light emitting elements are shown in FIG. 2, more or less light emitting elements may be provided. These light emitting elements 21R, 21G, and 21B are supported by an elongated support member 22 extending in the width direction of the stage 12, and a cylindrical lens 23 extending parallel to the support member 22 is provided between the support member 22 and the stage 12. ing. That is, the light emitted from the light emitting element 21 is condensed by the cylindrical lens 23 and is irradiated on the read original M in a line shape.

The line sensor 30 is located below the light source 20 with the stage 12 interposed therebetween, and is provided in parallel with the support member 22 and the cylindrical lens 23. That is, the line sensor 30 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the document M to be read is transported. Line sensor 30 and stage 1
Between them, an imaging lens 31 is provided. The imaging lens 31 extends in parallel with the line sensor 30 and is constituted by a rod lens array. Therefore, the read original M
When the light is irradiated by the light source 20, the image recorded on the read original M is formed on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 30 via the imaging lens 31.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the light source 20 and the line sensor 30 when a reflective original is used as the original M to be read. In this configuration, the light source 20 and the cylindrical lens 27 are disposed below the read original M together with the line sensor 30 and the imaging lens 31. That is, the light emitted from the light source 20 is applied to the lower surface of the read original M via the cylindrical lens 27, and the light reflected by the original M is imaged on the line sensor 30 via the imaging lens 31. .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus viewed from the front side. A document M to be read is
An original insertion slot 63 for mounting the (FIG. 1) to the stage 12 (FIG. 2) and a recording medium insertion opening 64 for inserting the recording medium R (FIG. 1) are formed. The document insertion slot 63 and the recording medium insertion slot 64 are connected to the upper surface 65 of the apparatus main body 61.
Is parallel to An eject button 66 that is pressed to eject the recording medium R from the apparatus main body 61 is provided beside the recording medium insertion port 64.

A display panel 52 (FIG. 1) is provided on an inclined surface 67 formed between the upper surface 65 and the front surface 62.
On both sides of the display panel 52, a mode switch 49
a, a recording switch 49b, an up switch 49c, and a down switch 49d. These switches 49a, 49b, 49c, 49d correspond to the switch 49 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus viewed from the rear side. On a back surface 68 of the apparatus main body 61, a power switch 71 is provided at an upper part, and a power cable 72 is provided at a lower part. An input / output terminal 48 (FIG. 1) is provided near the power cable 72.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a main routine for controlling the operation of the image reading apparatus. The main routine is executed by the system control circuit 40,
It starts by setting the power switch of the image reading device to the ON state.

In step 101, it is determined whether or not the mode changeover switch 49a (FIG. 4) is depressed to be set to the ON state. When the mode switch 49a is pressed, in step 102, the recording medium processing routine shown in FIG. 7 is executed. In the recording medium processing routine, the image recorded on the recording medium R can be deleted.

When it is determined in step 101 that the mode switch 49a has not been pressed, and after step 102 has been executed, the routine proceeds to step 103. In step 103, the recording switch 49b (FIG. 4)
It is determined whether or not is pressed. When the recording switch 49b is pressed, step 104 is executed, and data indicating a condition relating to the reading operation, that is, an operating condition, stored in a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM) provided in the real-time clock 53 (FIG. 1). Is read. The operation condition is, for example, an operation mode related to thinning or interpolation for image data obtained by the reading operation,
In the EEPROM, data corresponding to all operating conditions necessary to execute the reading operation is stored in advance.

In step 105, an image is read by the line sensor 30, and the image data is stored in the recording medium R.
Will be recorded. After this recording operation, the process returns to step 101, and the above-described operation is executed again.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step 103 that the recording switch 49b has not been pressed, step 106 is executed. That is, a command signal (preset request signal) indicating that new data should be stored in the EEPROM as an operation condition is transmitted to the computer 50 (FIG. 1).
Is determined. When the preset request signal has been output, the process proceeds to step 107, where data corresponding to the new operating condition set in the computer 50 is read and stored in the EEPROM.
The new operating condition is set by operating the mouse while looking at the screen of a monitor connected to the computer 50, for example, and a preset request signal is also output according to the operation of the mouse.

When it is determined in step 106 that the preset request signal has not been output, and after step 107 has been executed, the routine returns to step 101. That is, the mode switch 49a and the recording switch 49b
The image reading operation is executed according to the operation of the above under the reading conditions corresponding to the data stored in the EEPROM.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a recording medium processing routine executed in step 102 of FIG. In the recording medium processing routine, an erasing operation can be performed, but the recording medium R may be configured to execute a formatting operation.

In step 201, the display panel 52 displays that the erase mode has been set. Next, in step 202, when it is confirmed that the mode changeover switch 49a is set to the off state, step 203 is executed.
Is executed, and it is determined whether or not the mode switch 49a is pressed. When it is determined that the mode switch 49a has not been pressed, step 204 is executed. In step 204, the image to be erased is determined by operating the up switch 49c or the down switch 49d, and it is determined whether or not the recording switch 49b is pressed to determine that the image should be erased. .

When it is determined that the erasing operation is to be performed by operating the switches 49b, 49c, and 49d, the erasing operation is performed in step 205, and the process returns to step 201. On the other hand, when the erasing operation is not performed, steps 203 and 204 are repeatedly executed.

If the mode changeover switch 49a is pressed while steps 203 and 204 are repeatedly executed, the process moves from step 203 to step 206 and the standby mode is set, that is, the image reading operation can be executed. Is displayed on the display panel 52.
Thereafter, when it is confirmed in step 207 that the mode changeover switch 49a is off, that is, released, the routine ends.

As can be understood from the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7, the operations which can be executed independently of the computer 50 by the system control circuit 40 provided in the image reading apparatus are substantially equivalent to those of the image. Only the reading and recording operations and the erasing operation of the recording medium R are performed.
Other operations, that is, operations for setting operating conditions such as thinning of image data, are performed by the computer 50.

Referring to FIG. 8 to FIG.
The setting of the operating condition by 0 will be described.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen of a monitor connected to the computer 50. For example, when the mark MP of “prescan” is clicked using a mouse, prescan is performed, and the original M to be read is scanned at a relatively coarse pitch by the line sensor 30, and the image PI obtained by this is scanned. Appears on part of the screen. On the other hand, when the “scan” mark MS is clicked, the main scan is executed, and the original M to be read is
Scan at a relatively fine pitch. The image obtained by the main scan is displayed on, for example, the entire screen of the monitor.

When the “detailed setting” mark MD is clicked, a detailed setting menu screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. On the detailed setting menu screen, “resolution setting”, “thinning / interpolation mode” can be selected, and “exposure count setting” and “date and time” can be changed. After setting these items, mark "Preset" M
By clicking T, the newly set data is transferred to the real-time clock 5 provided in the image reading apparatus.
3 and stored in the EEPROM. On the other hand, if the user clicks the “OK” mark MK without clicking the “preset” mark MT after setting each item, the newly set data is not transferred to the image reading apparatus, Valid only in remote mode.
That is, the reading operation in the remote mode is performed according to the newly set operating conditions.

The "resolution setting" is performed by clicking in the frame T1 indicating the resolution. That is, when the user clicks in the frame T1, a selection menu indicated by reference numeral T2 is displayed beside the frame T1. As shown in this selection menu, the resolutions are “1600”, “800”,
Four types of "400" and "200" can be set.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the resolution setting. In this figure, reference numeral F1 denotes a screen of a monitor connected to the computer 50 or an outer frame of an image recorded on the recording medium R. The vertical direction in the figure is the main scanning direction (that is, the longitudinal direction of the line sensor 30). ), The horizontal direction in the figure corresponds to the sub-scanning direction (that is, the transport direction A of the document M to be read (FIG. 1)). The maximum value of the pixel of the image F1 is 2048 in the main scanning direction and 3072 in the sub-scanning direction.

The numbers of pixels in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction at each resolution are as follows. For example, when the resolution is “800”, half of the pixels arranged in the main scanning direction are thinned out, and half of the pixels arranged in the sub-scanning direction are thinned out. 1600: 2048 × 3072 (pixel) 800: 1024 × 1536 (pixel) 400: 512 × 768 (pixel) 200: 256 × 384 (pixel)

Referring again to FIG. "Average" button B next to the character MA of "Decimation / interpolation mode"
By clicking the button B2 of 1 or "No interpolation" and switching to a black circle, one of "Average averaging" and "No interpolation" is selected.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the thinning / interpolation mode at each resolution. Pii indicates a pixel. The horizontal direction corresponds to the main scanning direction, and the pixels P00, P01, P02,... Aligned in the horizontal direction are data of one line that is simultaneously read from the line sensor 30. For example, when the resolution is “400” and “no interpolation” is selected, 4 × 4
Pixel P00, P04, P at the left corner in each pixel matrix (16 pixels surrounded by broken lines G1, G2, G3)
.., P40, P44, P48,... Are selected, and the other pixels are ignored as data. When the resolution is “400” and “arithmetic averaging” is selected, the arithmetic averaging of 16 pixels constituting each matrix of 4 × 4 pixels is adopted as one pixel data. For example, for the 16 pixels indicated by the symbol G1, (P00 + P01 + P02 + P03 + P10 + P11 + P12 + P13
+ P20 + P21 + P22 + P23 + P30 + P31 + P32 + P33)
/ 16, one pixel data is obtained.

Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 12, "exposure number setting" will be described. The “exposure number setting” is set by setting a numerical value in three boxes B3, B4, and B5 displayed below the letters “exposure number setting” on the screen of the monitor. These boxes B
The numerical values set in 3, B4 and B5 are R,
It shows the number of exposures in reading the G and B images. That is, when pixel data of the same line of the same color component is read by the line sensor 30, a plurality of exposures are possible. For example, when 1, 2, and 1 are set in the boxes B3, B4, and B5, respectively, R and The exposure for B is performed once each, while the exposure for G is performed twice.

The numerical values set in these boxes B3, B4, B5 are determined by operating the mouse. That is, by clicking in the frame T3,
An up / down menu indicated by reference numeral T4 is displayed beside the frame T3, and the numerical value is changed by clicking a triangle mark of the up / down menu.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an image reading operation when the number of exposures is set. In the example of this figure, boxes B3, B4, B5 on the monitor screen
Are set to 1, 2, and 1, respectively. That is, the number of exposures for R, G, and B is 1, 2, respectively.
It is one.

With the stage 12 stopped (reference S1)
1) First, the light emitting element 21R is turned on, and the light of R is irradiated on the original M to be read (reference S12). In this state, the shutter gate signal is switched from the off state to the on state (reference S13), and charge accumulation in the line sensor 30 is started. That is, the line sensor 30 generates one line of R pixel data. When the exposure time for R elapses, the readout gate signal is temporarily switched on (reference S14), and after the effective charge is transferred to the transfer path, the shutter gate signal is switched off (reference S15). . Next, one line of R pixel data is read from the line sensor 30 (reference S1).
6).

During the reading of the R pixel data, the light emitting element 21R is turned off and the light emitting element 21G is turned on (reference S17). Then, similarly to the case of the R pixel data, the shutter gate signal is set to the ON state for a predetermined time (reference S18), and one line of G pixel data is generated in the line sensor 30. When the exposure time for G elapses, the readout gate signal is switched to the ON state (reference S19), and thereafter, one line of G pixel data is read from the line sensor 30 (reference S20).

When the reading is completed, the shutter gate signal is again set to the ON state for a predetermined time (reference S21), and one line of G pixel data is generated in the line sensor 30. When the exposure time for G elapses, the readout gate signal is switched to the ON state (reference S22), and thereafter, one line of G pixel data is read from the line sensor 30 (reference S23). That is, one of the G components at the same line position of the original M to be read
The image data for the line is read twice consecutively.

During the reading of the G pixel data, the light emitting element 21G is turned off and the light emitting element 21B is turned on (reference S24). Then, similarly to the case of the R and G pixel data, the shutter gate signal is set to the ON state for a predetermined time (reference S25), and the line sensor 30
, Pixel data of B for one line is generated. When the exposure time for B elapses, the readout gate signal is switched to the ON state (reference S26). After the effective charge is transferred to the transfer path, the stage 12 moves by two pulse signals and is set at the next reading position (reference S27).
Also, one line of B image data is read from the line sensor 30 (reference S28). During the reading of the B image data, the light emitting element 21B is turned off and the light emitting element 21R is turned on (reference S29).

In this manner, for one line of the image included in the image recorded on the original M to be read, R, G, and B pixel data are read, and the read pixel data is subjected to shading correction. Stored in the memory 46. The memory 46 stores the R and B pixel data for one line for each color component. The G pixel data is added to two lines, and an average value is obtained for each pixel. Is stored as data.

In the image processing circuit 45, process processing such as color correction and gamma correction is performed on the R, G, B pixel data of the n-th line that has just been read (reference S).
31). During this process, the image data of the (n-1) th line for which the process has been completed is transferred to the computer 50 (reference S32).

When the transfer of the image data of the (n-1) th line is completed, the reading operation of the image data of the (n + 1) th line is started (reference S33). Such reading operation is performed for a predetermined number of lines (for example, about 1000 lines), and image data for one screen is stored in the computer 5.
Output for 0.

On the other hand, the display of the date and time is also changed by changing the numerical values displayed on the detailed setting menu screen shown in FIG. As for dates,
The dates are indicated in boxes B6, B7 and B8, respectively.
As for the time, hours, minutes, and seconds are shown in boxes B9, B10, and B11, respectively. These numerical values can be changed by clicking the triangle mark on the up-down menu T4 displayed by clicking in the frame T3, similarly to the “exposure number setting”.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the frequency of changes such as selection of "resolution setting", "thinning / interpolation mode", "exposure count setting", and "date and time" is changed. Computer 5 with relatively few operating conditions
0 is set, and cannot be set by the image reading apparatus. That is, the number of items that can be set in the image reading apparatus is greatly reduced, and operation of operation members such as switches in the stand-alone mode is simplified.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation in the stand-alone mode can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a document transfer mechanism, a light source, and a line sensor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement of a light source, a line sensor, and the like when a reflective original is used as the original to be read;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus viewed from the front side.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus as viewed from the rear side.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a main routine for controlling the operation of the image reading apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a recording medium processing routine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a monitor connected to a computer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a menu screen for detailed settings.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining resolution setting.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a thinning / interpolation mode at each resolution.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an image reading operation when the number of exposures is set.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 30 line sensor 40 system control circuit (control circuit) 50 computer

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus capable of reading an image recorded on a document according to an operation condition, a computer provided outside the image reading apparatus and capable of setting the operation reading condition, and an inside of the image reading apparatus A control circuit provided in the image reading apparatus, the control circuit being capable of controlling the image reading apparatus in accordance with the operation condition. 2. The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the operating condition can be set only when the computer is connected to the image reading device. 3. The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit can control the image reading device independently of control by the computer. 4. The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein data corresponding to the operation condition is stored in a memory provided in the image reading device. 5. The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the operation condition is an operation mode related to thinning or interpolation of image data obtained by the image reading device. 6. The image reading device has a light source that can be switched between red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and the operating condition is such that R, G, and 2. The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the number of times of sampling in the operation of detecting the color image data of B is used. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating condition is a resolution of an image when the image data obtained by the image reading device is displayed on a display device or recorded on a recording medium. The image reading system as described in the above. 8. The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the operating condition is a date and a time when the image reading device is operated. 9. An image reading device provided with a recording device for recording a read image on a recording medium, capable of reading and recording image information independently of an external device, wherein the image reading device is connectable to the external device; A connection terminal for exchanging information with the external device; memory means for storing various condition setting information used for reading and recording of image information; and various condition setting information stored in the memory means Control means for executing an image reading and recording operation based on the external device and, when the various condition setting information is input from the external device via a connection terminal, storing the input information in a memory. Image reading device.