JP2002016763A - Image reader, recording medium for recording image read program and data structure for transmission of computer program signal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader provided with even an image pickup element in which signal charges are generated by other member than a light receiving section that can read an image of an original with high accuracy with respect to the image reader that optically reads the image of the original, a recording medium that records an image read program to allow a computer to perform the control for the image reader and a data structure for transmission of a computer program signal. SOLUTION: In the image reader provided with a lighting means that emits a lighting light to an original, an image pickup means that uses light receiving sections to receive a light emitted from the lighting means as the lighting light and transmitted through or reflected in the original to generate signal charges, to read the signal charges from the light receiving section and outputs the charges as image data of the original, and a control means that instructs lighting of the lighting light to the lighting means and instructs the image pickup means to read the signal charges generated by the light receiving section, the control means inhibits lighting of the lighting light to the lighting means while the image pickup means outputs the image data of the original.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for optically reading an image of a document, a recording medium storing an image reading program for causing a computer to execute control of the image reading apparatus, and a computer program signal. Data structure for transmission.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image reading apparatus, reflected light or transmitted light of a document is reflected by a line sensor (an image sensor having a one-dimensionally arranged light receiving portion) or an area sensor (an image sensor having a two-dimensionally arranged light receiving portion). 2. Description of the Related Art Some image capturing devices generate image data. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a general line sensor.

In FIG. 4, a line sensor 100 includes a sensor unit 101 in which a plurality of photosensors corresponding to a light receiving unit are arranged in a line, and a CCD formed corresponding to each photosensor of the sensor unit 101. Charge transfer register 102, sensor unit 101 and charge transfer register 1
02 and a read gate (ROG: Read)
Out Charge) 103, and a charge-voltage converter 104 provided at the output terminal of the charge transfer register 102.

In each photosensor of the sensor unit 101, signal charges corresponding to the reflected light or transmitted light of the document are generated while the illumination light is turned on, and the read gate 103 generates the signal charge thus generated. The charge is transferred to a clock pulse φR
The data is read out to the charge transfer register 102 according to OG. The charge transfer register 102 sequentially transfers the signal charges thus read out to the charge-voltage converter 104, and the charge-voltage converter 104 converts the signal charges into a voltage and outputs the voltage as image data.

In such a line sensor 100, by adjusting the lighting time of the illuminating light, it is possible to control the amount of light to be applied to the photo sensor, and to illuminate the red light (R), the green light (G), A color image can be read by switching to three colors of blue light (B) or by providing a color filter. FIG. 5 shows a line sensor 1
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing of reading a color image by a conventional image reading apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus.

However, FIG. 5A shows a line sensor 10.
0 is used as a black-and-white line sensor, and indicates the timing of reading a color image for one line in a line-sequential system (a system in which the color of illumination light is switched for each line to read).
FIG. 5B shows a timing at which a color filter is provided and the line sensor 100 is used as a color line sensor to read a color image of all lines within the reading range.

In reading a color image shown in FIG. 5A, when red light (R) is turned on, each photosensor of the sensor unit 101 generates a signal charge corresponding to the red light (R). The signal charge corresponding to the red light (R) generated in this manner is read out to the charge transfer register 102 while φROG is at a high level, and is converted by the charge transfer register 102 while φROG is at a low level. The voltage is sequentially transferred to the unit 104 side, converted into a voltage by the charge-voltage converter 104, and output as valid image data (R output is performed).

While the R output is being performed, the green light (G) is turned on to generate a signal charge corresponding to the green light (G). During the operation, the blue light (B) is turned on, and a signal charge corresponding to the blue light (B) is generated. Note that the illumination light is turned off while the B output is being performed, and the output before the R output is performed is treated as invalid data.

On the other hand, in reading a color image shown in FIG. 5B, when white light is turned on, the red light (R) and green light filtered through a color filter are applied to each photosensor of the sensor unit 101. Light (G), blue light (B)
Is generated. Such signal charges are stored in the charge transfer register 10 while φROG is at a high level.
2 while φROG is at low level, sequentially transferred to the charge-voltage converter 104 by the charge transfer register 102, converted to a voltage by the charge-voltage converter 104, and output as valid image data ( R, G, and B outputs are performed).

[0010] While such R, G, B outputs are performed, white light is turned on to generate signal charges in the next line, and the R, G, B outputs of the first line are output. The output before being performed shall be treated as invalid data. That is, in the reading of the color image shown in FIG. 5, when φROG changes from the high level to the low level, the transfer of the signal charges by the charge transfer register 102 and the voltage conversion of the signal charges by the charge-voltage conversion unit 104 are started, and the illumination is performed. The light is turned on, and signal charges are generated in each photosensor of the sensor unit 101.

[0011]

By the way, in the line sensor 100, the charge-voltage converter 104 is provided to convert the signal charge supplied from the charge transfer register 102 into a voltage. It has the property of generating signal charges in response to light, albeit slightly.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, during the period in which the R output, the G output and the R, G, B outputs (excluding the last line) are performed and the illumination light is turned on, the charge-voltage converter 104 Thus, signal charges are generated separately from the original function. The signal charges generated in this manner together with the signal charges supplied from the charge transfer register 102
Since the voltage is converted into a voltage, an extra voltage corresponding to the signal charge generated by the charge-voltage converter 104 is superimposed on the voltage corresponding to the signal charge supplied from the charge transfer register 102.

That is, in the line sensor 100 used in the image reading apparatus that reads a color image at the timing as shown in FIG. 5, it differs from the original image due to the influence of the signal charges generated by the charge-voltage converter 104. A problem that erroneous image data is generated occurs, and in the worst case, a phenomenon similar to blooming or smear may occur.

In recent years, in order to reduce the generation of noise, a line sensor provided with a charge-voltage conversion unit having a high conversion efficiency when converting signal charges into voltage has been put into practical use. In particular, the above-described phenomenon is likely to occur. In addition, the above-described problem is not limited to the case of reading a color image as shown in FIG. 5, and voltage conversion of signal charge effective as image data generated by each photosensor of the sensor unit 101 and lighting of illumination light are performed in parallel. This can occur even in an image reading apparatus provided with an area sensor (for example, when a color image of an original is read by switching the color of illumination light). Further, not only the charge-voltage converter 104 but also the charge transfer register 102 and the read gate 103
A similar problem occurs when the signal charge is generated in the above.

As a solution to the above-described problem, a method is considered in which the charge-voltage converter 104 is physically shielded from light so that the charge-voltage converter 104 is not irradiated with illumination light. However, since the distance between the charge-voltage conversion unit 104 and the photosensor of the sensor unit 101 is short, the charge-voltage conversion unit 10
The method of shielding light from the light source 4 causes a situation in which the first photosensor of the sensor unit 101 is also shielded from light, which is not a good solution.

Therefore, the present invention provides an image reading apparatus capable of reading an image of a document with high accuracy even when an image pickup device in which signal charges are generated by members other than the light receiving section is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, and the invention according to claims 2 and 3 is capable of converting an image of a document even when a line sensor in which signal charges are generated by a charge-voltage converter is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading device capable of reading with high accuracy.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an image of a document can be read with high accuracy even in an image reading apparatus having an image pickup device in which signal charges are generated by members other than the light receiving section. It is an object to provide a recording medium on which an image reading program is recorded.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, an image of an original can be read with high accuracy even in an image reading apparatus provided with an image pickup element in which signal charges are generated by members other than the light receiving section. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data structure for transmitting a computer program signal.

[0019]

An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: an illuminating means for illuminating an original with illumination light;
A plurality of light-receiving units for receiving light emitted as illumination light from the illumination unit and transmitted or reflected by the document to generate signal charges, reading out the signal charges from the light-receiving units, and outputting as image data of the document; Means for controlling the illumination means to turn on the illumination light, and control means for instructing the imaging means to read out the signal charges generated by the light receiving unit. The control means prohibits the lighting means from turning on illumination light while the image data of the document is being output from the imaging means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, the image pickup means converts a plurality of one-dimensionally arranged light receiving portions into voltage signals and outputs the voltage. A charge-to-voltage conversion unit, a charge readout unit that reads out signal charges generated by the light receiving unit, and a charge transfer unit that transfers the signal charges read out by the charge readout unit to the charge-voltage conversion unit. The line sensor or the document is output in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light receiving unit, and the image data of the document is output line by line. The signal charge of one line generated by the unit is periodically instructed to read, and while the signal charge is converted into a voltage through the charge-voltage converter and output as image data of the original, Lighting hands And inhibits the lighting of the illumination light with respect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the second aspect, the image pickup unit includes at least the charge-to-voltage converter while the illumination unit emits illumination light. And outputting the signal charge generated by the section as invalid data that does not correspond to the image data of the document.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which the image reading program is recorded, wherein: an illuminating means for irradiating the original with illumination light; An image for causing a computer to execute control of an image reading apparatus including: an image pickup unit that receives signal light from a plurality of light receiving units to generate signal charges, reads out the signal charges from the light receiving units, and outputs the image data as image data of a document. A recording medium on which a reading program is recorded, wherein the recording medium instructs the illuminating means to turn on illumination light, and instructs the imaging means to read out signal charges generated by the light receiving section. An image reading program for causing a computer to execute a control procedure for prohibiting the illumination means from turning on the illumination light while the image data of the document is being output from the computer. And characterized by recording a.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal, comprising: illuminating means for illuminating an original with illumination light; Or a control procedure for an image reading apparatus including: an image pickup device that receives reflected light with a plurality of light receiving units to generate signal charges, reads out the signal charges from the light receiving units, and outputs the signal charges as document image data. In the data structure for encoding and transmitting the computer program signal, the control procedure instructs the lighting means to turn on the illumination light and a signal generated by the light receiving unit to the imaging means. The charge reading is instructed, and while the image data of the document is being output from the imaging means, the lighting means is prohibited from lighting the illumination light. To.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in the following embodiments, a description will be given using a film scanner as an example of an image reading apparatus. Note that the present invention is not limited to a film scanner, and is similarly applicable to an image scanner that captures reflected light of a document.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a film scanner corresponding to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Figure 1
1, the film scanner 10 includes the line sensor 100 shown in FIG. 4, and the motor drive circuit 1 connected to the CPU 11 via the bus together with the line sensor 100.
2, lighting device drive circuit 13, signal processing circuit 14, ROM
15, RAM 16, I / F circuit (interface circuit)
17, an A / D converter 19, a motor 20, an illumination device 21, an optical system (reflecting mirrors 22, 23, a toric mirror 24, a lens 25, etc.), a transport path (not shown) for a film original 26, and the like. It has. The film scanner 10 is connected to a host computer (corresponding to a personal computer or the like) 30 via an I / F circuit 17.

The operation of each part of the film scanner 10 will now be described. The lighting device 21 is controlled by the lighting device driving circuit 13 that operates under the instruction of the CPU 11, and turns on and off the illumination light. The optical system (reflection mirrors 22 and 23, toric mirror 24, lens 25, etc.) guides the illumination light from the illumination device 21 to the one-line width area of the film original 26 and transmits the transmitted light of the film original 26 to the line sensor 10.
It leads to 0 and forms an image.

The motor 20 drives the pair of rollers existing in the transport path of the film original 26 under the control of the motor drive circuit 12 which operates under the instruction of the CPU 11 so that the film original 26 is sub-line by line. Move in the scanning direction. The A / D conversion unit 19 performs A / D conversion of image data output from the line sensor 100 and performs signal conversion on the image data.
4

The signal processing circuit 14 performs predetermined signal processing (for example, various types of correction processing) on the image data supplied as described above and stores the processed data in the RAM 16. Note that RA
The image data stored in M16 is output to the host computer 30 via the I / F circuit 17.

In such a film scanner 10, the reading of the image data of the film original 26 differs depending on the type of the illuminating device 21 and the line sensor 100. In the first embodiment, the illuminating light is sequentially switched and the black and white line sensor is used. It is assumed that the image data of the film original 26 is read in a line-sequential manner according to. In the second embodiment, image data is read by a color line sensor having a color filter.

In the film scanner 10, φRO
The cycle of G and the timing of starting lighting of the illumination device 21 are controlled by the CPU 11, and the timing of reading a color image of the film document 26 is realized by such control by the CPU 11. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the timing of reading a color image in the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the timing of reading a color image in the second embodiment. However, FIG. 2 shows the timing of reading a color image for one line, and FIG. 3 shows the timing of reading the color images of all lines within the reading range.

<< First Embodiment >> Hereinafter, based on FIG.
The timing of reading a color image according to the first embodiment will be described. First, in FIG. 2, red light (R) is turned on when φROG goes from a high level to a low level and a predetermined time has elapsed. The red light (R) is extinguished before φROG goes high, and when φROG goes high, signal charge corresponding to the red light (R) is read. Then, when φROG goes low again,
R output is started.

When the R output is completed, the green light (G)
Is turned on, and is turned off until φROG becomes high level. Then, when φROG goes high, signal charges corresponding to green light (G) are read out, and when φROG goes low again, G output is started. further,
When the G output is completed, the blue light (B) is turned on, and φRO
The light is turned off until G goes high. And φR
When OG goes high, signal charges corresponding to the blue light (B) are read out, and when φROG goes low again, B output starts.

That is, in reading a color image at the timing shown in FIG. 2, unlike in FIG. 5A, no R output is performed while the green light (G) is turned on, and the blue light (B) is turned on. G output is not performed during this operation. Also,
The output while the green light (G) or blue light (B) is turned on is
It can be treated as invalid data. Therefore,
In the first embodiment, even if a signal charge is generated by the charge-voltage converter 104 in the line sensor 100, a film original can be read without being affected by the signal charge.

In the first embodiment, the film original 26 is read by the line sequential system using the black and white line sensor. However, the present invention is applied to the case where the film original 26 is read by the plane sequential system using the black and white line sensor. Applicable even if there is. For example, when the red light (R) is repeatedly turned on and off, and reading is performed for all lines within the reading range, the red light (R) is turned on after the R output of each line is completed. Also, the green light (G) and the blue light (B) are turned on after the G output and the B output of each line are completed, so that the signal charges generated by the charge-voltage conversion unit 104 are generated. It is possible to read a film original without being affected by the above.

Further, in the first embodiment, the color image as shown in FIG. 2 is read by the film scanner 10 having the black and white line sensor, but as shown in FIG. Reading in which the illumination light is turned off while the G output is being performed can also be applied to an image reading apparatus that switches the color of the illumination light and reads a color image of a document with an area sensor.

<< Second Embodiment >> Hereinafter, based on FIG.
The timing of reading a color image in the second embodiment will be described. First, in FIG. 2, white light is turned on when φROG goes from a high level to a low level and a predetermined time has elapsed. The white light is turned off before φROG goes high, and when φROG goes high,
Signal charges corresponding to white light (signal charges corresponding to red light (R), green light (G), and blue light (B) filtered through a color filter) are read. Then, when φROG goes low again, the output of R, G, B is started.

When the output of R, G, and B light ends, the white light
It is turned on again and turned off until φROG goes high. That is, in reading the color image at the timing shown in FIG. 3, unlike in FIG. 5B, the R, G, and B outputs are not performed while the white light is turned on, and the output is not performed while the white light is turned on. Can be treated as invalid data.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, even if signal charges are generated by the charge-voltage converter 104 in the line sensor 100, a film original can be read without being affected by the signal charges. . In the second embodiment, a color image as shown in FIG. 3 is read by the film scanner 10 having the color line sensor. However, as shown in FIG. The reading in which the white light is turned off while the image data is being output can also be applied to an image reading apparatus that reads a monochrome image of a document line by line using a black and white line sensor.

In each of the above embodiments, the CPU 1
1 (control of the period of φROG and the timing of starting lighting of the illumination device 21) realizes reading of a color image at the timing shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. By using a recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or the like) on which an image reading program corresponding to the control is recorded and installing the image reading program in the host computer 30 in advance, the timing shown in FIGS. Reading of a color image may be realized under the control of the host computer 30.

Incidentally, such an image reading program is as follows.
A predetermined homepage can be accessed from the host computer 30 via the Internet and downloaded as driver software or firmware. For example, such a download is performed by accessing the predetermined homepage from the host computer 30 and selecting one of the image reading apparatuses from the product display on the screen.
This can be performed by selecting a film scanner, which is one of the two, or selecting driver software or firmware that matches the OS environment of the host computer 30.

As a connection form between the host computer 30 and the Internet, the following dial-up connection can be applied. That is, the host computer 30
Is connected to a telephone line via a modem or a terminal adapter, and the telephone line is connected to a modem or a terminal adapter of an Internet connection service provider. The provider's modem or terminal adapter is connected to the server, which is connected for 24 hours via a router for setting up a relay route to the Internet. The host computer 30 makes a telephone call when necessary, and connects to the Internet (homepage) via the server of the provider. Note that the connection form between the host computer 30 and the Internet is not limited to such a dial-up connection.
A configuration in which connection with the provider is always established using a dedicated line may be employed.

[0042]

As described above, according to the first, fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the lighting of the illumination light is inhibited while the image data of the original is being output. Even in an image reading apparatus including an image sensor in which signal charges are generated by members other than the light receiving unit, signal charges may be generated by the members while image data of the document is being output. Absent.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the lighting of the illumination light is inhibited while the image data of the document is being output, so that the signal charges are generated by the charge-voltage converter. Even if the image reading device has a line sensor, while the image data of the original is being output,
No signal charge is generated in the charge-voltage converter. In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the signal charges generated by the charge-voltage converter can be output as invalid data while the illumination light is lit.

Therefore, according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus including an image pickup element in which signal charges are generated by members other than the light receiving section (particularly, the charge-voltage conversion section). However, the signal charge generated by the member does not affect the image data of the document, and the image of the document can be read with high accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a film scanner.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a timing of reading a color image according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a timing of reading a color image according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a line sensor.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a timing of reading a color image in a conventional image reading apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Film scanner 11 CPU 12 Motor drive circuit 13 Lighting device drive circuit 14 Signal processing circuit 15 ROM 16 RAM 17 I / F circuit (interface circuit) 19 A / D converter 20 Motor 21 Lighting device 22, 23 Reflection mirror 24 Toric mirror 25 lens 26 film original 30 host computer 100 line sensor 101 sensor unit 101 102 charge transfer register 103 readout gate 104 charge-voltage conversion unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B047 AA05 AB04 BA01 BB02 BC05 BC09 BC11 BC23 CA19 CB17 DB01 5C062 AA01 AB03 AB17 AB41 AB43 AB44 AC02 AC27 AE03 AE15 5C072 AA01 BA15 CA07 CA12 DA02 DA04 EA05 FB23 VA03 XA10

Claims (5)

[Claims] An illumination unit configured to irradiate the original with illumination light; and a plurality of light receiving units receiving light transmitted as illumination light from the illumination unit and transmitted through or reflected by the original, and generates signal charges. An imaging unit that reads out the signal charge from the light receiving unit and outputs it as image data of a document; and instructs the illumination unit to turn on illumination light.
A control unit for instructing the imaging unit to read out the signal charges generated by the light receiving unit, wherein the control unit is configured to output the image data of the document from the imaging unit. An image reading apparatus for prohibiting the lighting means from lighting illumination light. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit includes: a plurality of one-dimensionally arranged light receiving units; a charge-to-voltage conversion unit that converts signal charges into voltages and outputs the voltages; A charge reading unit that reads out the signal charge generated by the unit, and a line sensor that includes a charge transfer unit that transfers the signal charge that is read by the charge reading unit to the charge-voltage conversion unit. While moving the document in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the light receiving units, the image data of the document is output for each line, and the control unit controls the charge readout unit to generate the image data generated by the light receiving unit.
The reading of the signal charges for the lines is periodically instructed, and while the signal charges are converted into a voltage via the charge-voltage converter and output as image data of the document, the illumination means is illuminated. An image reading device for prohibiting lighting of light. 3. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein the image pickup unit converts at least a signal charge generated by the charge-voltage conversion unit into a document while the illumination unit emits illumination light. An image reading device for outputting as invalid data that does not correspond to the image data. 4. An illuminating means for illuminating the original with illumination light, and a plurality of light receiving units receiving light radiated as illumination light from the illuminating means and transmitted or reflected by the original to generate signal charges, A recording medium for recording an image reading program for causing a computer to execute control of an image reading apparatus including: an image pickup unit that reads out the signal charge from the light receiving unit and outputs the signal charge as image data of a document; To the lighting of the illumination light,
Instructs the image pickup means to read out the signal charges generated by the light receiving section, and inhibits the illumination means from turning on the illumination light while the image data of the document is being output from the image pickup means. A recording medium on which an image reading program for causing a computer to execute a control procedure is recorded. 5. An illuminating means for illuminating the original with illumination light, and a plurality of light receiving units receiving light emitted as illumination light from the illuminating means and transmitted or reflected by the original, and generates signal charges. A data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control procedure for an image reading apparatus including: an imaging unit that reads the signal charge from the light receiving unit and outputs the signal charge as image data of a document; Instructs the lighting means to turn on the illumination light,
Instructs the image pickup means to read out the signal charges generated by the light receiving section, and inhibits the illumination means from turning on the illumination light while the image data of the document is being output from the image pickup means. A data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal.