JP2000075362A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable image pickup with the same image pickup stage even if an object for a transmission light source, such as, for example, a film, and an object for a reflection light source, such as paper, coexist by changing over the light sources disposed in correspondence respectively to the subject for the transmission light source and the subject for the reflection light source according to the kinds of the objects. SOLUTION: The transmission light source unit 12 and the reflection light source unit 13 are changed over by a changeover switch 14 according to the kinds of the object 4 after making of a power source. Electric power is supplied to the changed over light source unit by an electric circuit housed in an inside box 10. When an image pickup switch 9 is pushed after the selection of the transmission light source unit 12, the sheet-like object 4 is transported by a subject supply mechanism from a supply tray 2 to the prescribed position on the surface of a glass plate 8. After the object 4 is transported to the prescribed position, the object 4 is irradiated from the rear surface by the light of a uniform light quantity transmitted through the glass plate 8. Consequently, the image of the object 4 is distinctly projected and enters the visual field of an image pickup section 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus for recording digital information on sheet-like subject information such as a film such as an X-ray film or a medical chart.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional imaging device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 10-115139.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer box containing components of the apparatus, 2 denotes a supply tray for supplying a subject to be described later to the apparatus, 3 denotes a discharge tray for receiving an imaged subject discharged from the apparatus,
4 is a subject, 50 is a transport roller for transporting the subject 4 in the imaging direction, 51 is an optical sensor for detecting the end of the subject 4 transported by the transport roller 50, and 52 is a laser transmitted through the transported subject 4 A photodetector for detecting light 58; 53, a transport path for the subject 4; 54, a reading device for reading subject information based on a detection signal from the photodetector 52 to capture a subject image; 55, a detection signal from the optical sensor 52 A stamper for stamping the imaged mark on the subject 4 conveyed at the time of input, a guide plate 56 for guiding the subject 4 having passed the stamper 55 to the discharge tray 3, 57
Is a control unit for controlling the operation of the apparatus.

In such a conventional image pickup apparatus, a subject 4 (in this case, a film) is sent out from the supply tray 2 to the transport path 53 by a subject transport mechanism (not shown). The subject 4 sent out to the transport path 53 passes through the optical path of the laser beam 58 which is vertically irradiated by the transport rollers 50 in the process of being transported in the X direction. Photodetector 5
2 detects the intensity of the input light caused by the interruption of the laser beam 58 by the film 4, and sends a detection signal to the reading device 54 as image data. Reading device 5
Reference numeral 4 combines the sent image data and ends the imaging operation. Then, the terminal end of the subject 4 is read by the optical sensor 51, and the control unit 57 controls the stamper 55 based on the information and presses a stamp on the subject 4 that has been imaged. The imaged subject 4 is guided by the guide plate 56 and sent to the discharge tray 3 to be stored.

[0004]

In the conventional imaging apparatus as described above, it is impossible to handle both a subject for a transmission light source such as a film and a subject for a reflection light source such as paper in the same imaging step. However, there is a problem that it is necessary to prepare an imaging device corresponding to each subject, which increases costs, and that it is necessary to classify the types of subjects in advance, resulting in poor work efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to obtain the same image pickup even if the subject includes both a light source subject such as a film and a reflective light source subject such as paper. It is an object of the present invention to obtain an imaging device capable of imaging in a process.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus comprising: a light source provided for each of a transmission light source subject and a reflection light source subject; Switching means for switching in response to the light source, and an imaging unit for capturing an image of the subject by receiving light from the subject provided by the switched light source.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus including means for determining a subject for a reflected light source and a subject for a transmitted light source, and the switching means switches the light source based on a result of the determination.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus including a light blocking means for blocking light emitted from a light source at a subject.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: a subject size detecting means for detecting a size of a subject; and a light shielding area setting means for setting a light shielding area by the light shielding means according to the result of the subject size detection. Things.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup area selecting means for automatically selecting an image pickup area in the image pickup section based on the size detection result by the subject size detecting means.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The imaging apparatus according to the present invention has two types of light sources, a reflection light source and a transmission light source, and an imaging unit capable of supporting both the reflection light source and the transmission light source. For example, it is possible to cope with imaging of a wide range of subjects, from a subject for a transmission light source such as a film to a subject for a reflection light source such as paper, and the use is widened.

The provision of the means for discriminating between the reflected light source subject and the transmitted light source subject makes it possible to obtain imaging conditions, for example, when the subject to be captured is a mixture of a subject for a transparent light source such as a film and a subject for a reflective light source such as paper. Is changed, the reflection light source and the transmission light source can be automatically switched by the switching means according to the subject, and continuous imaging can be performed.

When the size of the subject is smaller than the size of the transmission light source, the amount of light irradiated to the periphery of the subject is larger than that of the subject portion. When imaging in the unit,
Unnecessary light in the peripheral portion of the subject overflows to the inside of the subject, which causes a problem that a proper contrast cannot be obtained and a normal image cannot be captured.

For this reason, it is desirable to shield the light in the peripheral portion according to the size of the subject. In the present invention, since the light-shielding area setting means of the transmission light source is provided, it is possible to shield the transmission light other than irradiating the film surface when capturing an image of the transmission light source object such as a film, thereby enabling high-quality imaging. Become.

Further, by providing the light-shielding means for the transmission light source and the object size detection means, even when the size of the object for the transmission light source changes, the light-shielding area according to the size of the object is automatically set. Therefore, high-quality imaging can be performed without being conscious of the size of the subject.

It is very effective to cut off the imaging information of the unnecessary portion around the subject from the viewpoint that the imaging information is recorded without waste and the recording capacity can be saved. In the conventional example, an image of an object including the background is once taken, and then the effective imaging area of the object is detected, and unnecessary image information including the background is cut.

In the present invention, by providing the subject size detecting means and the imaging area (region) selecting means, an area to be imaged is selected based on the information on the detected subject size,
Unnecessary imaging information around the subject can be cut in advance.

As described above, since the imaging area can be selected according to the size of the subject before the subject is imaged, it is possible to save time for cutting unnecessary information after capturing all the imaging information. When the size is as small as about B5, continuous imaging can be performed efficiently with a minimum necessary time, such as an imaging area can be imaged in a short amount of time.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image pickup apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the image pickup apparatus shown in FIG. In these figures, 1
4 to 4 are the same as those of the conventional imaging apparatus, and thus the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 5 denotes an image pickup unit composed of, for example, a CCD camera, and reference numeral 6 denotes a column, and the image pickup unit 5 is attached so as to be vertically movable so that focusing can be performed. Reference numeral 7 denotes an interface cable for connecting the imaging unit 5 to a control unit (not shown), 8 denotes a glass plate fixed to the imaging surface of the outer box 1, and 9 denotes an imaging switch that sends an imaging start signal to the imaging unit 5.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes an inner box which is disposed inside the outer box 1 and stores components of the apparatus, and 11 denotes a light diffusing member fixed to the back of the glass plate 8 in the inner box 10. Is a transmission light source unit, such as a fluorescent lamp, for transmitting the emitted light uniformly through the diffusion plate 11 and transmitting the light through the glass plate 8, and 13 is a device that reflects the emitted light to the glass plate 8. A reflected light source unit for entering the imaging unit 5;
Reference numeral 14 denotes a switch (switching means) for switching between the reflection light source unit and the transmission light source unit. Here, the subject 4 is moved from the supply tray 2 to a glass plate 8 by a subject supply mechanism (not shown).
After being conveyed on the upper surface of the printer and imaged at a predetermined position, the image is discharged to the discharge tray 3. The light source switching control, the light source lighting control, and the subject conveyance control are performed by a control unit (not shown) based on each switch operation.

In the imaging apparatus thus configured, after the power is turned on by a power switch (not shown), the transmission light source unit 12 and the reflection light source unit 13 are switched by the changeover switch 14 depending on the type of the subject 4.
Electric power is supplied to the switched light source unit by an electric circuit (not shown) housed in the inner box 10 and the light source unit is turned on.

In this embodiment, a case of a subject for a transmission light source will be described as an example. Transmission light source unit 1
The light emitted from 2 passes through the diffusion plate 11 and is changed into light with less unevenness in the light amount, and passes through the glass plate.

When the imaging switch 9 is pressed after selecting the transmission light source unit, the sheet-like subject 4 is moved from the supply tray 2 to the glass plate 8 by a subject supply mechanism (not shown).
Is transported to a predetermined position. Then, when the subject is transported to a predetermined position, the subject is illuminated from the back with a uniform amount of light transmitted through the glass plate. As a result, the image of the subject is clearly displayed and enters the field of view of the imaging unit 5. Next, a control unit (not shown) sends an imaging enable signal to the imaging unit 5 via the interface cable 7.

The imaging unit 5 having received the image-capable signal receives the light transmitted from the back of the object 4 and starts imaging the object 4. After the imaging is completed, the imaging unit 5 sends an imaging completion signal to a control unit (not shown). Thereafter, the photographed subject 4 is stored in the discharge tray 3 while being guided by a guide plate 56 (see FIG. 9) by a discharge mechanism (not shown).

The next subject 4 is taken out of the supply tray 2 by the subject supply mechanism and imaged in the same manner as described above.
The above operation is repeated until is no longer in the supply tray 2.
Further, since the imaging unit 5 also supports a reflected light source, when the subject 4 is a reflected light source subject such as paper, the light source is switched to the reflected light source unit 13 by the changeover switch 14. As a result, light is emitted from the reflection light source unit 13 to the subject 4 conveyed to the surface of the glass plate.
Then, the reflected light from the subject 4 enters the imaging device 5 to image the subject 4.

Also, since the transmittance of light is different between the subject for the transmissive light source and the subject for the reflective light source, the subject is inserted between the transmissive photo-interrupters when the subject 4 is conveyed to the glass plate. It is possible to discriminate between the object for reflection and the object for reflection light source.

Although not shown in the first embodiment, for example, a transmission type photo-interrupter is provided as means for discriminating between the subject for the transmission light source and the subject for the reflection light source, and the result of the discrimination by the discrimination means is sent to a control unit (not shown). Thereby, the light emitting unit 12 of the reflection light source and the transmission light source unit 13 are automatically switched. As a result, even when imaging conditions change, for example, when a subject for a transmission light source such as a film and a subject for a reflection light source such as paper are mixed, it is possible to continuously perform imaging by switching the light source. In this case, the switch 14 for switching between the reflection light source unit 13 and the transmission light source unit 14 is not required.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the present embodiment. In these figures, 1 to 11, 13, 1
4 is the same as or equivalent to that described in the first embodiment of the present invention, and therefore, is denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes a light-shielding cloth for providing a predetermined light-shielding area in the diffusion plate 11 in the Y direction. Reference numeral 21 denotes a light-shielding cloth guide member for guiding the light-shielding cloth 20 in the Y direction in parallel with the diffusion plate. 22 is a roller around which the light shielding cloth 20 is wound, 23 is a roller holding member, and 24 is a roller holding member 23.
The torsion spring having one end fixed to the roller 22 and one end fixed to the roller 22 generates a torsional torque in the direction in which the light shielding cloth 20 is rewound.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a motor for moving the light-shielding cloth guide member 21 covering the tip of the light-shielding cloth 20 wound around the roller 22 in the Y direction, reference numeral 26 denotes a worm fixed on the main shaft of the motor 25, and reference numeral 27 denotes this worm. A worm wheel rotatably disposed so as to mesh with 26, a spur gear fixed coaxially with a worm wheel 27, a timing belt 29, and timing belt pulleys 30 and 31 rotatably disposed. Reference numeral 32 denotes a spur gear fixed coaxially with the timing belt pulley 30 and arranged so as to mesh with the spur gear 32. Reference numeral 33 denotes a timing belt fixing member, which fixes the timing belt 29 to the light shielding cloth guide member 21.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 34 denotes a light-shield size input switch for designating a light-shield size. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 35 denotes a light-shielding cloth position calculating unit. When the light-shielding cloth position calculating unit 35 designates a light-shielding size by a light-shielding size input switch 34, the Y of the light-shielding cloth 20 on the diffusion plate 11 is changed.
Reference numeral 36 denotes a motor drive circuit which drives the motor 25 to draw out the light shielding cloth 20 to the position calculated by the light shielding cloth position calculation unit 35.

In the image pickup apparatus constructed as described above, the worm 2 is rotated by rotating the motor 25.
6, worm wheel 27, spur gear 28, spur gear 32,
The torque is transmitted to the timing belt pulley 30. When the timing belt pulley 30 rotates, the light shielding cloth guide member 21 can be moved in the Y direction on the diffusion plate 11 via the timing belt 29 and the timing belt fixing member 33.

Since the light-shielding cloth 20 is fixed to the light-shielding cloth guide member 21, the light-shielding cloth guide member 21 moves in the Y direction, so that the transmission light source constituted by the light-shielding cloth 20 and the light-shielding cloth guide member 21 is provided. The light shielding area can be changed. When the light-shielding size is designated by the light-shielding size input switch 34, the light-shielding cloth position calculation unit 35 calculates a position where the light-shielding cloth 20 is pulled out from the roller 22 on the diffusion plate 11, and outputs a motor speed control signal based on the calculation result. Input to the drive circuit 36. The motor drive circuit 36 drives the motor 25 by inputting a drive signal corresponding to the input motor speed control signal, for example, the number of pulses corresponding to the number of rotations or the number of rotations in the case of a stepping motor.

When the motor 25 is driven, the light-shielding cloth guide member 21 moves in the Y direction and shields the transmitted light to the subject 4 at an appropriate position. In the present embodiment, the light blocking operation in the Y direction has been described for the sake of simplicity. However, it goes without saying that light blocking in the X direction can be realized by adding a similar mechanism. Alternatively, an opening having a predetermined shape may be formed at the center of the light shielding cloth 20, and the light transmitting portion or the light reflecting portion may be limited to the opening.

In this embodiment, the case of a transmission light source has been described.
By using 1, excellent contrast can be obtained without excessive reflected light entering the imaging unit 5.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
The components 9, 13, 14, 20, and 21 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and therefore are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 40 denotes subject size detecting means arranged in a plurality of rows in the Y direction in the carrying port of the subject in the outer box 1, and is constituted by, for example, a reflection type photo interrupter or the like, and the subject 4 comes directly above. Sometimes, a photo interrupter detects reflected light to detect the size of the subject and the presence of the subject.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 41 denotes a subject size calculation unit that determines which subject size detection unit 40 has detected the subject 4 and recognizes the subject size. This is a light-shielding cloth position calculation unit that calculates the Y-direction withdrawal position of the light-shielding cloth 20 above.

In the imaging apparatus having such a configuration, the subject 4 is detected to pass over the subject size detecting means 40 arranged in a plurality of Y directions, and the subject size calculating section incorporated in the control section (not shown) In any of the plurality of subject size detection units 40 arranged in the Y direction, any one of the subject size detection units detects the subject 4 and inputs a detection signal to the subject size calculation unit 41. The subject size calculation section 41 recognizes the subject size by determining which subject size detecting means 40 has output the detection signal from the input detection signal.

The light-shielding cloth position calculator 3 receiving the recognition result
5 calculates the position where the light-shielding cloth 20 is pulled out from the roller 22 onto the diffusion plate 11 and inputs a motor rotation speed control signal to the motor drive circuit 36 based on the calculation result. The motor drive circuit 36 inputs a drive signal corresponding to the input motor rotation speed control signal to the motor 25 to drive it. By driving the motor 25, the light-shielding cloth guide member 21 moves in the Y direction and shields the transmitted light to the subject 4 at an appropriate position. As a result, even when a sheet-shaped subject 4 having a different size comes, it is possible to automatically and continuously shield the unnecessary light-transmitting portions and capture an image.

Embodiment 4 FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the operation of the imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numerals 5 and 40 denote the same parts as in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and a description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 41 denotes a film (subject) size calculation unit built in a control unit (not shown), reference numeral 42 denotes an address calculation unit built in the control unit, reference numeral 43 denotes an imaging element built in the imaging unit 5, and reference numeral 44 denotes a built-in imaging unit 5. The picked-up image area selecting means 45 is a signal processing unit built in the image pickup unit 5.

In the image pickup apparatus configured as described above, the subject size of the subject 4 that has passed over the subject size detecting means 40 is recognized by the film size calculating section 41, and the information is transmitted to the address calculating section 42. The address calculator 42 calculates the address of the imaging area according to the size of the subject (film). The address information of the imaging area is sent to the imaging area selection means 44 composed of, for example, a readable and writable memory or the like, and limits the area to be imaged.

The information of the image pickup device 43 incorporated in the image pickup section 5 is selected as necessary information only by the image pickup area selecting means 44, and the signal is processed by the signal processing section to record the information. As described above, the imaging area is selected according to the size of the subject 4 and signal processing is performed.
You can save time compared to cutting unnecessary information by recognizing the size of the image. Regarding the imaging time, when the subject size is small, for example, about B5, continuous imaging can be performed efficiently with a minimum necessary time, such as imaging in a short time.

Further, since the object size detecting means 40 also has a function to be used when automatically blocking the transmission light source according to the size of the object, it can be realized with minimum construction cost.

[0044]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: a light source provided for each of a transmission light source subject and a reflection light source subject; and switching between these light sources in accordance with the type of the subject. Means, and an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject by receiving light from the subject provided by the switched light source, so that a wide range of subjects can be handled. For example, a wide range of objects such as an X-ray film and a medical chart can be used. There is an effect that it is possible to correspond to a subject.

The image pickup apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes means for determining a subject for reflected light source and a subject for transmitted light source, and the switching means switches the light source based on the result of the determination. Even when the imaging conditions change, such as when the light source subject and the reflective light source subject such as paper are mixed, the effect that the reflection light source and the transmission light source can be automatically switched to continuously capture images is obtained. is there.

Since the image pickup apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is provided with the light blocking means for blocking the light emitted from the light source at the subject, an effect of blocking unnecessary light and obtaining a subject image with good contrast can be obtained. is there.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: a subject size detecting means for detecting a size of a subject; and a light shielding area setting means for setting a light shielding area by the light shielding means according to the result of the subject size detection. Therefore, when capturing an image of a transmission light source subject such as a film, the transmission light source section other than irradiating the film surface can be shielded, and the influence of an excessive amount of light in the peripheral portion can be eliminated, and high-quality imaging can be performed. This has the effect.

The image pickup apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention includes the image pickup area selecting means for automatically selecting the image pickup area in the image pickup section based on the size detection result by the object size detecting means. Before imaging, the imaging area can be selected according to the size of the subject, so that unnecessary information can be cut off. In addition, for example, when the subject size is as small as B5, the imaging area is shorter. There is an effect that continuous imaging can be efficiently performed in a minimum necessary time, such as imaging in time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which FIG. 1 is partially sectioned.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an imaging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation block diagram illustrating an operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an imaging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation block diagram illustrating an operation of the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an operation block diagram illustrating an operation of the imaging device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 4 subject, 5 camera unit (imaging unit), 9 imaging switch, 11 diffusion plate, 12 light emission (transmission light source) unit, 13 reflection light source unit, 20 light shielding cloth, 21
Light-shielding cloth guide member; 34 light-shielding size input switch; 35 light-shielding cloth position calculating means; 41 subject size calculating unit; 40 film (subject) size detecting means;

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light source provided for each of a transmission light source subject and a reflection light source subject, switching means for switching these light sources in accordance with the type of the subject, and a subject provided by the switched light source. And an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject by making the light incident thereon. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for determining a subject for a reflection light source and a subject for a transmission light source, wherein the switching means switches the light source based on a result of the determination. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light blocking unit that partially blocks light emitted from a light source in a subject. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: subject size detecting means for detecting a size of the subject; and light shielding area setting means for setting a light shielding area by the light shielding means according to the result of the subject size detection. An imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image pickup area selection unit that automatically selects an image pickup area in the image pickup unit based on a size detection result by the subject size detection unit.