JP2001119514A - Control method for scanner and the scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To utilize a display device such as a CRT display device that is originally provided to a scanner used for photographic processing as a substitute of an oscilloscope. SOLUTION: In the control method for the scanner that is provided with a light source, a line image sensor extended in the main scanning direction, a carrying mechanism that carries a photo film in a subscanning direction crossing a main scanning direction, an image processing section that processes an image read by the line image sensor and a display device that displays an image processed by the image processing section, the line image sensor reads a test sheet on which an adjustment image is fomred, the image processing section converts the read adjustment image into an adjustment image and the display device displays this adjustment image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method for confirming a mounted state of a line image sensor provided in a scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A scanner configured to irradiate a sheet on which an image is formed with light from a light source and receive the transmitted light or reflected light by a line image sensor is a recent photographic processor or image processing apparatus. It is often used as a peripheral device of a personal computer with a processing function. For example, in the case of a photographic processor, light from a light source is applied to an image frame of a photographic film, and the obtained transmitted light is guided to a light receiving surface of a line image sensor, thereby electrically reading image information of the image frame. It is configured as follows.

[0005] The read image information is subjected to image processing such as necessary correction in an image processing section and displayed on a display device. If there is further necessary processing by looking at the display image, various instructions are given to the image processing unit so that a desired image can be obtained. The image information thus obtained is, for example, PL
It is printed on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper by a digital exposure device using a ZT element or the like, developed and used.
Alternatively, the photographic film is sent to a conventional analog exposure apparatus, and is printed on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper and developed based on the correction conditions and the like determined by the image processing unit and used. There is also.

[0004] In the above-mentioned scanner, since the image read by the line image sensor is the source of all, the line image sensor is required to read accurate image information. For this reason, it is necessary to check and adjust the mounting position of the line image sensor for checking the work of mounting the line image sensor and for maintenance. When adjusting the position of the line image sensor, a test sheet on which an adjustment image is formed is read by the line image sensor, and the read image information is checked using a measuring device such as an oscilloscope. I have.

[0005]

Therefore, every time the position of the line image sensor is adjusted, a measuring device such as an oscilloscope is prepared, a measuring probe is connected to a predetermined test point, and a waveform or the like displayed on the oscilloscope is obtained. , It is necessary to determine whether or not there is a displacement of the line image sensor. If there is a displacement, it is necessary to determine the direction of the displacement. Such an operation cannot be performed unless a measuring device such as an oscilloscope is prepared, and there is a problem that even if the preparation is performed, it takes time and effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to adjust a line image sensor using a display device such as a CRT display originally provided in a scanner used for photographic processing or the like.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scanner control method, wherein a light source, a line image sensor extending in a main scanning direction, and a photographic film are conveyed in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction. Transport mechanism, and an image processing unit that processes the image read by the line image sensor,
A control method for a scanner including a display device for displaying an image processed by an image processing unit, wherein a test sheet on which an adjustment image is formed is read by the line image sensor, and the read adjustment image is read by the image processing unit. Is converted into an adjustment image, and the adjustment image is displayed on the display device.

In the scanner according to the second aspect, a light source, a line image sensor extending in the main scanning direction, a transport mechanism for transporting the photographic film in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction, and an image read by the line image sensor. And a display device for displaying an image processed by the image processing unit, wherein the image processing unit reads an image frame of a photographic film with a line image sensor and performs image processing. The normal operation mode to be displayed on the display device, and a test sheet on which an adjustment image is formed in place of a photographic film is read by the line image sensor, subjected to image processing, converted into an adjustment image, and transmitted to the display device. And an adjustment mode in which the image processing unit is set to a normal operation mode and an adjustment mode. It took measures that includes a changing mode switching means Ri.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A scanner control method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of a photographic film scanner used in the method. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a scanning device used in the method of the present invention. The scanning device includes an operation table 110 and a cabinet 120 formed below the operation table 110.
And a function of receiving image information of each image frame of a negative film or a positive film and processing it into display data to be displayed on a CRT display 1 and data for exposure by an exposure device described later. And a controller 2. The controller 2 includes a scanner control unit 21 and an image processing unit 22.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a film scanner, which determines an illumination optical system 31, an imaging optical system 32, a line image sensor 33 using a linear CCD sensor extending in the main scanning direction, and a light irradiation range on the photographic film. Auto-negative mask 3 for transporting photographic film in the sub-scanning direction
4 is provided. In the illumination optical system 31, the white light from the halogen lamp was supported in the auto-negative mask 34 after adjusting the color distribution and intensity distribution of the light beam by a dimming filter and a mirror tunnel as necessary. The photographic film F is irradiated.

An imaging optical system 32 for processing a transmitted light beam obtained through the photographic film F is disposed below an auto-negative mask 34. The imaging optical system 32 includes:
The transmitted light beam obtained by transmitting through the photographic film F is configured to form an image on the imaging surface of the line image sensor 33 disposed below the imaging optical system 32.

The line image sensor 33 includes three CCD sensors 33a and 33 for detecting each color of RGB.
b, 33c, and each CCD sensor has a large number (for example, 5000) of CCD elements arranged in parallel with the main scanning direction, that is, the width direction of the photographic film. CCD for red color
A color filter that allows only the red component of the light transmitted through the photographic film to pass through is provided on the imaging surface of the sensor 33a. Similarly, a color filter that allows only the green component to pass through the green CCD sensor 33b is a blue filter. CCD for
The sensor 33c is provided with a color filter that allows only the blue component to pass. In this way, each color component of the transmitted light is converted into an electric signal by each CCD sensor and converted into a predetermined digital signal.

As shown in FIG. 2, the auto-negative mask 34 is supported by a lower mask main body 34a located below the photographic film F to be conveyed and a hinge with respect to the lower mask main body 34a. And an upper mask main body 34b that can swing between the open position and the open position.
As shown in FIG. 3, the lower mask main body 34a is provided with a through-hole forming block 35 for guiding the light that has passed through the photographic film F that has been conveyed to the imaging optical system 32 as slit light. This passing light forming block 35
The center line of the through hole 36 formed in the above defines a scanning line SL. As shown in FIG. 3, the scanning line SL and the line image sensor 33
Is positioned so as to coincide with the reading center line DL.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor unit 5 including the line image sensor 33 is disposed below the auto negative mask 34. The hook 51 formed on the back side of the upper surface of the sensor unit 5 is
The back side of the sensor unit 5 is attached to the frame by hooking it on a hook 52 formed on a frame below the lower part 4 and further penetrating both hooks with bolts 53. The front side of the sensor unit 5 is attached to the frame by support bolts 54. Reference numeral 55 denotes an adjusting screw for finely adjusting the mounting position of the sensor unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor unit 5 is rotated clockwise / counterclockwise by slightly shifting the front side left and right with respect to the back bolt 53 as an axis, as shown by the arrow. It is attached so that the mounting position can be finely adjusted in the circumferential direction. That is, the sensor unit 5
The left side surface is urged to the right by a leaf spring 56, and the right side surface is regulated by an adjusting screw 55 also shown in FIG. Therefore, the front side of the sensor unit 5 moves to the right by loosening the adjusting screw 55, and moves to the left by tightening. After adjusting the mounting position of the sensor unit 5 in this manner, the sensor unit 5 is securely fixed at a predetermined position by tightening the bolts 53 and the support bolts 54. The bolt 53 is connected to the scanning line S.
3 and 4, the scanning line SL can be made to coincide with the reading center line DL by adjusting the front side of the sensor unit 5 as shown in FIGS. is there.

In the "normal operation mode" in the scanning apparatus having the above-described configuration, the photographic film F to be processed is set on the auto negative mask 34 and read by the line image sensor 33.

The read image information is displayed on the CRT display 1 after being subjected to image processing such as necessary correction by the image processing section 22. If there is further necessary processing such as correction by looking at the display image on the CRT display 1,
By giving various commands to the image processing unit 22 using the keyboard 23, adjustment is performed to obtain a desired image. The image information obtained in this way is P
It is transferred to a digital exposure device (not shown) using an LZT element or the like, printed on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper, further developed and dried, and then cut into predetermined dimensions to print a photograph. It is used as. Alternatively, a conventional analog exposure apparatus may be used as the exposure apparatus. In this case, the photographic film may be printed on a photosensitive material such as photographic paper and developed based on the exposure conditions and the like determined by the image processing unit and used.

Next, when adjusting the mounting position of the scanner unit 5 in the case of assembling or maintenance, first, the keyboard 23 is operated to change the operation mode from the "normal operation mode" to the "adjustment mode". Switch. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the test sheet TS on which the adjustment image is formed is accurately set on the scanning line SL as shown by a broken line in FIG. Read at 33. Then, the image information of the read adjustment image is
The image processing unit 22 that has been switched to the “adjustment mode” processes the image and converts it into an adjustment image, and as shown in FIG. 6A, converts the adjustment image into the CRT display 1.
To be displayed. At this time, as a conversion method to the adjustment image, for example, conversion is performed such that the horizontal axis is the reading width of the line image sensor 33 and the vertical axis is the signal level output from each CCD element. An example of a procedure for converting a signal from the line image sensor 33 into an adjustment image will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. First, in step S1, a main scanning process is performed by the line image sensor 33, and image information (for example, light / dark information) obtained by reading the test sheet with reference to the read center line DL is written in the image memory. At this time, each piece of image information read at an address corresponding to each CCD element is written as image data. For example, image data corresponding to the n-th CCD element is n
Write to the second address. In step S2, the image data written from the image memory is sequentially read. At this time, in order to display the image data D (n) read from the n-th address on the CRT display,
Convert to coordinate data. For example, the display area of the CRT display is set as an XY coordinate system as shown in FIG.
Image data D (n) read from the n-th address
Is displayed as a point having coordinates (n, D (n)). Actually, in order to display in a legible manner, the number of pixels on the screen, n,
It is necessary to consider the maximum value of D (n).

Therefore, in the case of the test sheet TS shown in FIG. 6A, the mounting position of the scanner unit 5 is slightly shifted, and the reading center line DL of the line image sensor 33 is shifted with respect to the scanning line SL. When the image is slightly inclined as shown in FIG. 6, the adjustment image displayed on the CRT display 1 is as shown in FIG. That is, FIG.
(A) The widths A and B of the two rectangular waveforms P1 and P2 in the adjustment image corresponding to the two isosceles triangular patterns TS1 and TS2 in the test sheet TS are different.

The widths A and B can be read by a line cursor or the like displayed on the screen. For example,
By dragging the rectangular waveform P1 from the left end to the right end, the amount of movement in the horizontal direction is counted, and the count value is displayed at the corner of the screen as a numerical value corresponding to the width A. Similarly, a numerical value corresponding to the width of the rectangular waveform P2 on the right side is also displayed, and a difference between the two numerical values is calculated. It is shown that the adjustment has been completed, and if the difference is larger than the predetermined difference and the rectangular waveform P3 on the left side of the center is displayed as shown in FIG. For example, a symbol such as “←” is displayed to indicate that it is necessary to slightly push the front side of the line image sensor to the left and adjust it clockwise. Rectangular waveform P3 on the left side of the center
The state where is displayed indicates that it is necessary to adjust clockwise. In this case, by tightening the adjustment screw 55 shown in FIG. 5, the front side of the scanner unit 5 is pushed to the left and rotated clockwise. Then, the widths of the two rectangular waveforms P1 and P2 are measured again. In this way, the adjustment screw 55 is tightened until “○” is displayed on the screen.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When L and the scanning line SL are displaced in opposite directions, the adjustment image displayed on the CRT display 1 has a rectangular waveform P4 on the right side of the center, as shown in FIG. Is displayed. In this manner, if the rectangular waveform P4 is displayed on the right side of the center, a symbol such as "→" is displayed, and the front side of the scanner unit 5 is slightly returned to the right side and the counterclockwise direction is set. It is indicated that adjustment is required. In this case, by loosening the adjusting screw 55 shown in FIG. 5, the front side of the scanner unit 5 is returned to the right side and rotated counterclockwise by the urging force of the leaf spring. Then, the widths of the two rectangular waveforms P1 and P2 are measured again, and the adjusting screw is loosened until “○” is displayed on the screen. In this way, the rectangular waveform P at the center is determined to which side it is inclined with respect to the bolt 53 serving as the rotation center and the scanning line SL.
3, P4, and the degree of inclination can be determined from the difference between the widths A, B of the rectangular waveforms at both ends.

In this way, when the test sheet TS is read, the output signal from the line image sensor 33 is converted by the image processing unit 22 into a waveform adjustment image having a detection width on the horizontal axis. Since the image for adjustment is displayed on the CRT display 1, the mounting position of the scanner unit including the line image sensor can be adjusted and confirmed without a measuring device such as an oscilloscope.

Further, since the CRT display 1 for displaying the adjustment image is a display device conventionally provided in the scanning device, it is not necessary to newly prepare a display device for adjustment. Therefore, the cost of the display device for adjustment is unnecessary. In addition, by simply switching from the "normal operation mode" to the "adjustment mode", the internal processing is immediately changed to the adjustment processing procedure, so you can change the settings of the scanning device or connect the oscilloscope probe. This eliminates the need to open a maintenance door or cover. Therefore, the line image sensor can be adjusted very easily, so that photographic processing can always be performed in an optimal state.

The line image sensor is not limited to a color image sensor, but may be a single-color image sensor. Further, the display device is not limited to a CRT display as long as it is a display device used for processing a normal photographic film, and various types of displays such as a liquid crystal display and a plasma display can be used.

[0025]

According to the scanner control method of the first aspect of the present invention, a test sheet on which an adjustment image is formed is read by the line image sensor, and the read adjustment image is adjusted by the image processing unit. Since the image is converted to an image and this adjustment image is displayed on the display device, the characteristics of the image sensor are not used as numerical values but as images instead of numerical values. It can be displayed on the display device that has been used. Therefore, adjustment and confirmation of the image sensor can be performed easily and easily.

According to the scanner of the second aspect, by switching the image processing unit of the conventional scanner from the normal operation mode to the adjustment mode, even if there is no measuring device such as an oscilloscope which has been required conventionally, The characteristics of the image sensor can be displayed as an image instead of a numerical value on a display device used in the normal operation mode. Therefore, adjustment and confirmation of the image sensor can be performed easily and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a scanner used in a scanner control method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an auto negative mask of the scanner.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of the auto negative mask.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a main part of the scanner.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the scanner unit.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a test sheet in a set state and an image for adjustment at that time.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another set state of the test sheet and an image for adjustment at that time.

FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart of a procedure for converting into an adjustment image.

FIG. 9 is an example of a coordinate configuration of a display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CRT display 2 Controller 22 Image processing unit 3 Film scanner 33 Line image sensor 34 Auto negative mask 5 Sensor unit F Photographic film

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H106 BA55 BH00 5C062 AA05 AA14 AB03 AB05 AB24 AB32 AB33 AB46 AC05 AC58 BA02 5C072 AA01 BA20 CA02 EA05 NA01 RA06 RA18 VA03

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A light source, a line image sensor extending in a main scanning direction, a transport mechanism for transporting a photographic film in a sub-scanning direction intersecting with the main scanning direction, and image processing for processing an image read by the line image sensor. And a display device that displays an image processed by the image processing unit. The method for controlling a scanner, comprising: reading a test sheet on which an adjustment image is formed by the line image sensor; and reading the read adjustment image. A method for controlling a scanner, comprising: converting an image for adjustment by an image processing unit; and displaying the image for adjustment on the display device. 2. A light source, a line image sensor extending in a main scanning direction, a conveying mechanism for conveying a photographic film in a sub-scanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction, and an image processing unit for processing an image read by the line image sensor. Unit, and a display device that displays an image processed by the image processing unit, wherein the image processing unit reads an image frame of a photographic film with a line image sensor, performs image processing, and performs image processing on the display device. A normal operation mode to be displayed, and an adjustment mode in which a test sheet on which an adjustment image is formed in place of a photographic film is read by the line image sensor, subjected to image processing, converted into an adjustment image, and displayed on the display device. Mode switching for switching the mode of the image processing unit between a normal operation mode and an adjustment mode. Scanner, characterized in that it comprises a means.