JP2002016766A - Image input system, computer-readable recording medium for recording image input program, and structure of data for transmission of encoded computer program signal including control procedure of the image input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image input system that can simply detect an original placed with a tilt, a computer-readable recording medium for recording an image input program, and a data structure for transmission of an encoded computer program signal including a control procedure of the image input system. SOLUTION: In the image input system 10 provided with an original holder 12 that holds an original 11 and with an image reader 13 that scans the original 11 held by the original holder 12 to read an image of the original 11, the image reader 13 is provided with reference mark detection means 37, 38 that detect a position of a reference mark 21B that is placed to the original holder 12 and displaced in response to a tilt of the original 11 and with a tilt calculation means 38 that calculates the tilt of the original 11 on the basis of the result of detection by the reference mark detection means 37, 38.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input system including an original holder for holding an original such as a developed photographic film, and an image reading device for reading an image of the original held on the original holder. And a data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control procedure of an image input system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A film scanner (image reading device) is known as a device for reading an image projected on a negative film or a reversal film (film original) by transmission illumination and outputting the image data to a personal computer or the like. ing. In a general film scanner, a line CCD is used as an image sensor that captures transmitted light from a film original. Also, line CC
The film original is moved as scanning (sub-scanning) in a direction orthogonal to the direction of scanning (main scanning) by D.
Then, the image of the film original is two-dimensionally read by the main scanning by the line CCD and the sub-scan by moving the film original.

[0003]

In recent years, when an image (for example, a horizontal line 42) projected on a film original 41 is oblique (FIG. 11A), the image is preliminarily tilted by tilting the film original 41. (Horizontal line 42) is adjusted straight (FIG. 11B), and a film scanner system that reads an image in this state has been proposed.

However, since the user performs the tilt adjustment by tilting the film document 41, the film scanner cannot know the tilt angle θ of the film document 41. Therefore, in the conventional film scanner system, when the film document 41 is tilted to the maximum (FIG. 11).
(B), a wide scanning range 43 is always set so that the whole image can be read. For this reason, when the film original 41 is not tilted (FIG. 11A) or when the film original 41 is tilted at an angle θ smaller than the maximum tilt angle (FIG. 11B).
Has a problem that the scanning range 43 includes an area 44 having no image, and the time required for reading becomes meaninglessly long.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image input system capable of easily detecting the inclination of a document, a computer-readable recording medium storing an image input program, and encoding a computer program signal including a control procedure of the image input system. It may provide a data structure for transmission.

[0006]

An image input system according to the present invention includes a document holder for holding a document, and an image reading device for scanning the document held in the document holder and reading an image of the document. The document holder has a reference mark that is displaced in accordance with the inclination of the document, and the image reading device is
The reference mark detecting means includes a reference mark detecting means for detecting a position of the reference mark, and an inclination calculating means for calculating an inclination of the document based on a detection result by the reference mark detecting means.

According to this image input system, since the reference mark of the document holder is displaced in accordance with the inclination of the document, the position of the reference mark after the displacement is detected, and the document is detected based on the detection result (the position of the reference mark). The inclination of the document can be easily detected by calculating the inclination of the original. A computer-readable recording medium recording the image input program of the present invention includes a document holder that holds a document, and an image reading device that scans the document held in the document holder and reads an image of the document, In addition, in an image input system having a reference mark in which the document holder is displaced in accordance with the inclination of the document, a reference mark detection procedure for detecting the position of the reference mark, and the inclination of the document based on the detection result of the reference mark detection procedure. And an inclination calculating procedure to be calculated.

According to this computer-readable recording medium, the image input system is caused to detect the position after the displacement of the reference mark that is displaced in accordance with the inclination of the document, and based on the detection result (the position of the reference mark). Since the inclination of the document is calculated, the inclination of the document can be easily detected. A data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control procedure of the image input system of the present invention includes a document holder for holding a document, and scanning of the document held in the document holder to scan the document. A data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control procedure for an image input system having an image reading device for reading an image and having a reference mark in which a document holder is displaced in accordance with the inclination of the document , The control means has a reference mark detection procedure for detecting the position of the reference mark, and a tilt calculation procedure for calculating the tilt of the document based on the detection result of the reference mark detection procedure.

According to the data structure for transmitting a computer program signal, the image input system is caused to detect the position after the displacement of the reference mark displaced in accordance with the inclination of the document, and based on the detection result (the position of the reference mark). Thus, the inclination of the document can be easily detected.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of the present invention corresponds to claims 1 to 3 and claims 5 to 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an image input system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a document holder 12 that holds a film document 11, and an image reading device that reads an image of the film document 11 held by the document holder 12 with transmitted illumination. And an apparatus 13. FIG. 1 is a diagram of the image input system 10 viewed from above, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of the image input system 10 viewed from the side. The document holder 12 is always inserted into the image reading device 13 from the front end 12a side. Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the direction in which the document holder 12 is inserted into the image reading device 13 is the y direction, and the direction perpendicular thereto (the width direction of the document holder 12) is x.
Direction.

First, the configuration of the document holder 12 is shown in FIG.
6 will be described, then the configuration of the image reading device 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and finally the operation of the image input system 10 will be described. In addition, illustration and description of components not directly related to the present invention are omitted. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the original holder 12 is
And a base member 22 that supports the mask member 21. FIG. 3 is a view of the document holder 12 as viewed from above, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

The mask member 21 of the document holder 12 is provided with an aperture 21A (opening) having a size matching the image storage area of the film document 11. Aperture 2
1A is an image reading hole. Further, the mask member 21 is provided on the front end 12a side with respect to the aperture 21A,
A marking section 23 indicating the type of the film original 11 is provided. The marking section 23 indicates the type of the film document 11 by the presence or absence of the through holes 21B (marking marks) at three locations Ua, Ub, Uc designated in advance in the mask member 21. FIG. 3 exemplifies the sign 23 in which the through holes 21B are provided in all three places Ua, Ub, and Uc. Note that three places Ua, U
b and Uc are arranged along the width direction (u direction) of the mask member 21. Each of the passage holes 21B is about 5 mm square.

The mask member 21 is detachably attached to the base member 22, and is exchanged according to the type of the film original 11 (such as the size of the image storage area). Other mask members 21 that can be attached to the base member 22 include:
There are three types shown in FIGS. 5 (a), 5 (b) and 5 (c). In these three types of mask members 21, the marking part 23 has a through hole 21 </ b> B.
Arrangement is different. In the marking part 23 of FIG. 5A, the passage hole 21B is provided only at the point Ua among the three points Ua, Ub, Uc. The marking part 23 in FIG. 5B has two locations Ua and Uc.
5 (c), the through holes 21B are provided at two locations Ua and Ub. Although not shown, each mask member 2
1 is provided with an aperture for reading an image corresponding to the type of the film original 11.

As described above, in the four types of mask members 21 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the positions of the through holes 21B of the marking portion 23 are different from each other, but the positions located at the ends of the three positions Ua, Ub, Uc are different. In Ua (one end 12b side of the document holder 12), a passage hole 21B is provided commonly regardless of the type of the film document 11. Hereinafter, the passage hole 21B at this location Ua is referred to as a “reference hole 21B”. The reference hole 21B corresponds to a “reference mark” in the claims.

On the other hand, the base member 22 (FIGS. 3 and 4)
An attachment portion 24 to which the mask member 21 is attached;
A support portion 25 rotatably supports the mounting portion 24. The attachment portion 24 is a plate-like body, and the outer surface 24a on the front end 12a side and the outer surface 24c on the rear end 12c side of the document holder 12 are formed in an arc shape. Support part 25
Is a plate-like body having a concave portion larger than the mounting portion 24, and an inner surface 25a on the front end 12a side of the inner surface of the concave portion.
The inner surface 25c on the side of the rear end 12c is shaped into an arc.

In this base member 22, a mounting portion 24
Is fitted into the concave portion of the support portion 25, the outer surface 24a of the mounting portion 24 contacts the inner surface 25a of the support portion 25, and the outer surface 24c of the mounting portion 24 contacts the inner surface 25c of the support portion 25. Become. However, a space 25d not occupied by the mounting portion 24 remains in the concave portion of the support portion 25. Also,
The inner surfaces 25a, 25c of the support portion 25 are longer than the outer surfaces 24a, 24c of the mounting portion 24. For this reason, the mounting portion 24
The outer surfaces 24a, 24c are the inner surfaces 25a,
It can rotate around the shaft 26 while contacting the contact 25c.

A state in which the longitudinal direction (v direction) of the mounting portion 24 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the support portion 25 (the direction in which the document holder 12 is inserted) (FIG. 3) is referred to as a "state without inclination". Then, the mounting portion 24 rotates around the axis 26 from the state of FIG. 3, and the state in which the longitudinal direction (v direction) of the mounting portion 24 is no longer parallel to the longitudinal direction (insertion direction) of the support portion 25 is “tilted”. State "(FIG. 6).

In the base member 22 of the present embodiment, the mounting portion 24 is located on one end 12b side of the document holder 12 (counterclockwise).
The state inclined to the other end 12d side (clockwise) is symmetrical to the state inclined to the other end 12d side (clockwise). Therefore, the state inclined to the other end 12d side (clockwise) will be described below as an example. FIG.
Numeral 4 indicates a state of being inclined to the maximum. This is the mounting part 2
4 is in a state in which one end of the outer side surfaces 24a, 24c is in contact with one end of the inner side surfaces 25a, 25c of the support portion 25 (contact portions 22a, 22b). The tilt angle at this time is defined as “maximum tilt angle θmax”.

When the mask member 21 is mounted on the mounting portion 24 of the base member 22 having the above-described rotating structure, the direction perpendicular to the u direction of the mask member 21 is
, And the center of the aperture 21A of the mask member 21 coincides with the rotation axis 26 of the mounting portion 24. Further, the base member 2 having the above-described rotating structure
2 (FIGS. 3 and 4), an aperture 24A and a passage hole 24B are provided in the mounting portion 24, and the aperture 2A is provided in the support portion 25.
5A and a passage hole 25B are provided.

The aperture 24A of the mounting portion 24 is approximately the same size as the aperture 21A of the mask member 21,
The mask member 21 attached to the attachment portion 24 is provided at a position facing the aperture 21A. Also, the mounting part 2
4 is approximately the same size as the through hole 21B of the mask member 21, and the attached mask member 21
At three positions Ua, Ub, Uc.

By the way, when the mounting portion 24 is inclined with respect to the support portion 25 (FIG. 6), the aperture 21A and the through hole 21B of the mask member 21 mounted on the mounting portion 24 become the aperture 24A and the through hole 21B of the mounting portion 24. It will tilt in conjunction with 24B. On the other hand, the support 25
Aperture 25A is the aperture 2 of the mask member 21.
It is larger than 1A. The size of the aperture 25A is determined by the size of the aperture 2 of the mask member 21 attached to the mounting portion 24 when the mounting portion 24 is inclined to the maximum (FIG. 6).
It is set so that a part of 1A is not broken. However, the largest one of the apertures 21A provided in the four types of mask members 21 is determined as a reference.

The passage hole 25B of the supporting portion 25 is smaller than the passage hole 21B of the mask member 21 in the longitudinal direction (insertion direction), and is substantially the same as the aperture 25A in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the insertion direction). It is.
The size of the passage hole 25B in the width direction is such that the passage hole 21B of the location Uc (or Ua) of the mask member 21 attached to the attachment portion 24 is formed in a state where the attachment portion 24 is inclined to the maximum (FIG. 6). It is determined not to.

In order to hold the film original 11 by the original holder 12 configured as described above, the thickness of the film original 11 is reduced by using a glass plate (not shown) (or a mask member similar to the mask member 21). It is preferable to sandwich in the direction. In the document holder 12 holding the film document 11, the film document 11 can be tilted according to the tilt of the mask member 21 and the mounting portion 24. For this reason, the maximum inclination angle of the film original 11 is determined by the mask member 2.
1, the same as the maximum inclination angle θmax of the mounting portion 24. Incidentally, even when the film original 11 has the maximum inclination angle θmax, the image storage area of the film original 11 is not larger than the aperture 25.
It is not kicked by A. When the film original 11 is set at an arbitrary inclination angle θ and inserted into the image reading device 13, the image is read as it is.

Next, the image reading device 13 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading device 13 has an insertion slot 32 for the document holder 12 provided on a side surface of a housing 31, and a stage 33, an illumination light source 34, a mirror 35, and a projection inside the housing 31. A lens 36, a line CCD 37, and a control unit 38 are provided. The stage 33 holds the document holder 12 inserted from the insertion port 32 and conveys the document holder 12 in the y direction. At this time, the film original 11 held by the original holder 12 is transported along a transport surface 33a parallel to the xy plane. The stage 33 is provided with a hole having a size including the aperture 25A and the passage hole 25B of the support portion 25 of the mounted document holder 12. These holes allow the aperture 21 of the mask member 21 to be irrespective of the type and the inclination of the film original 11 held by the original holder 12.
A and the sign 23 are not blocked.

The illumination light source 34 is arranged above the stage 33, and emits illumination light of three colors of red, blue and green. The illumination light from the illumination light source 34 is linear light along the x direction. For this reason, the optical path 34 of the illumination light from the illumination light source 34
a and the transport surface 33a intersect at a predetermined line 39 (hereinafter referred to as a “reading line”) along the x direction.

The original holder 1 is connected to the reading line 39.
When the aperture 21A of the second mask member 21 is located, the illumination light from the illumination light source 34 passes through the film original 11 in the aperture 21A and is guided below the transport surface 33a. Further, when the indicator 23 of the mask member 21 is located on the reading line 39, the illumination light from the illumination light source 34 passes through the reference hole 21B (and the passage hole 21B) of the indicator 23, and moves downward under the transport surface 33a. Be guided.

The mirror 35 reflects the light beam guided below the transport surface 33a toward the projection lens 36. The projection lens 36 forms an image of the light beam from the mirror 35 on the imaging surface of the line CCD 37. Note that the projection lens 36 has a line C
It can move in the y direction integrally with the CD 37. The focal position is adjusted by moving the projection lens 36 and the line CCD 37 in the y direction.

The line CCD 37 has a plurality of imaging pixels x
It is one-dimensionally arranged in the direction.
9, an image of the film original 11 (or the sign 23) is captured. Incidentally, the range where the image is picked up by the line CCD 37 in the reading line 39 corresponds to the range of the aperture 25A and the passage hole 25B of the support portion 25 of the document holder 12. In the line CCD 37, charges corresponding to the incident light are accumulated in each imaging pixel, and the accumulated charges are transferred through a transfer path and output to the outside.

The control unit 38 includes a CPU (not shown) and a ROM (not shown).
Are provided. The CPU of the control unit 38 is “internal CPU”
I will call it. The internal CPU controls the stage 33, the illumination light source 34, and the line CCD 37 while referring to the control program and various data stored in the ROM. Here, the control program stored in the ROM includes (1) the document holder 12 inserted in the image reading device 13.
Describes the procedure for determining the type of the film document 11 held by the user, (2) describes the procedure for detecting the tilt state of the film document 11, and (3) describes the type and the tilt state of the film document 11. That describes the procedure for calculating the read range of the read image.

The various data stored in the ROM include four types of mask members 21 (film originals 11) (A, B, C, D) that can be mounted on the base member 22 of the original holder 12. And a control table (Table 1) for associating the layout with the arrangement of the passage holes 21B of the marking unit 23.

[Table 1] Note that a host computer (not shown) is connected to the image reading device 13 via an interface (not shown) in the control unit 38. Here, the line CCD 37 and the control unit 38 (internal CPU) of the present embodiment correspond to “reference mark detecting means” and “marking mark detecting means”. The control unit 38 (internal CPU) corresponds to “identifying means”, “determining means”, “inclination calculating means”, and “deciding means”.
The stage 33 corresponds to “scanning means”.

Next, the operation of the image input system 10 configured as described above will be described. When the document holder 12 is inserted into the image reading device 13 and mounted on the stage 33, the internal CPU of the control unit 38 sets the stage 33 to y
In the direction of the arrow to position the marking section 23 of the document holder 12 at the reading line 39. When the positioning is completed, the internal CPU stops the stage 33 and turns on the illumination light source 34. As a result, the indicator 23 of the document holder 12 is irradiated with linear (x-direction) illumination light.

The light beam that has passed through the reference hole 21B (and the passage hole 21B) of the marking section 23 is reflected by the mirror 35 and the projection lens 3
6 and is incident on the line CCD 37, where an image is taken. At this time, the signal (analog image signal) output from the line CCD 37 includes the reference hole 21B of the indicator 23.
(And information on the arrangement of the passage holes 21B). An output signal from the line CCD 37 is supplied to a control unit 38.
After being amplified through a preamplifier in the above and converted into a digital signal of a predetermined number of bits (for example, 8 bits) through an A / D converter, the digital signal is input to the internal CPU as one line of digital image data.

In the internal CPU, the reference hole 21
In order to detect the position of B (and the passage hole 21B), the brightness (FIGS. 7 to 9) of the input digital image data is compared with the threshold value T, and the peaks exceeding the threshold value T are detected. Detect the pixel number. Incidentally, the threshold value T is a value determined in advance according to the size and shape of the reference hole 21B (and the passage hole 21B) and the brightness of the illumination light source 42. The pixel number of the peak exceeding the threshold value T is the number of the pixel having the maximum brightness or the number of the pixel located at the center among the peaks.

Here, when the film original 11 held in the original holder 12 is not tilted (FIG. 3), the brightness of the digital image data input to the internal CPU (FIG. 7) is as follows.
The reference hole 21B of the marking part 23 (the location Ua of the mask member 21)
(A reference peak) based on the light beam that has passed through the through hole 21B) appears at the position of the pixel number Xao. The reference peak of the pixel number Xao is determined by the mask member 21 shown in FIGS.
Appears in any of the four types shown in FIG.

If there is a through hole 21B at the location Ub of the mask member 21 (FIGS. 3 and 5 (c)), the peak based on the luminous flux passing through this through hole 21B becomes the pixel number Xb.
Appears at the position of o (> Xao). The difference (Xbo-Xao) between the pixel number Xbo and the pixel number Xao is represented by ΔX1. Similarly, if there is a through hole 21B at the location Uc of the mask member 21 (FIGS. 3 and 5B), the peak based on the luminous flux passing through this through hole 21B has the pixel number Xco (> Xbo). Appear in position. This pixel number Xc
o and the difference (Xco−Xao) between the pixel number Xao and Δ
X2. These pixel numbers Xbo, Xco
Appear depending on the type of the mark member 21.

On the other hand, when the film original 11 held in the original holder 12 is tilted to the maximum (FIG. 6), the internal CP
The brightness (FIG. 8) of the digital image data input to U passes through the reference hole 21B of the display unit 23 at the position of the pixel number Xam shifted from the pixel number Xao in the case of not tilting (FIG. 7). A reference peak based on the luminous flux appears. The difference between this pixel number Xam and the pixel number Xao (Xam
−Xao) is represented as ΔX3. This pixel number X
The reference peak of am also appears when the mask member 21 is any of the four types shown in FIGS.

If there is a through hole 21B at the location Ub of the mask member 21 (FIGS. 3 and 5B), the difference ΔX3 from the pixel number Xbo in the case where the mask is not inclined (FIG. 7).
A peak based on the luminous flux that has passed through the through hole 21B at the location Ub appears at the position of the pixel number Xbm shifted by only The difference between this pixel number Xbm and the pixel number Xam (Xbm
−Xam) is equal to the difference ΔX1 described above.

Similarly, if there is a through hole 21B at the location Uc of the mask member 21 (FIGS. 3 and 5 (c)), the difference from the pixel number Xco in the case where the mask is not inclined (FIG. 7) is obtained. ΔX
At the position of the pixel number Xcm shifted by three, a peak appears based on the light beam that has passed through the passage hole 21B at the location Uc.
The difference between this pixel number Xcm and the pixel number Xam (Xc
m−Xam) is equal to the difference ΔX2 described above. The peaks of the pixel numbers Xbm and Xcm appear depending on the type of the mark member 21.

Note that (1) the pixel number Xao of the reference peak when the film original 11 is not tilted (FIG. 7)
(2) The pixel number Xam of the reference peak when the film original 11 is tilted to the maximum (FIG. 8), and (3) The difference ΔX1, ΔX between the pixel numbers indicating the relative positional relationship between the reference peak and other peaks.
2. (4) Reference peak when the film original 11 is not inclined (FIG. 7) and when the film original 11 is inclined to the maximum
Pixel number difference Δ indicating shift amount from reference peak in FIG. 8
X3 is a value unique to the image input system 10 of the present embodiment.

The pixel numbers Xao, Xam and the differences ΔX1, ΔX2, ΔX3 between the pixel numbers are stored in a memory in the control section 38 in advance. Next, the type of the film original 11 held by the original holder 12 inserted into the image reading device 13 is determined by using the difference ΔX1, ΔX2 (the relative positional relationship between the reference peak and the other peaks) of the pixel numbers. The operation for determining is described. When the film original 11 held in the original holder 12 is at an arbitrary angle θ (0 <θ <θm
ax).

The internal CPU compares the brightness (FIG. 9) of the input digital image data with a threshold value T, and detects a pixel number of a peak exceeding the threshold value T. The smallest pixel number Xa among the pixel numbers detected in this number detection process is based on the light beam that has passed through the reference hole 21B of the marking unit 23. The reference peak of the pixel number Xa always appears regardless of whether the mask member 21 is any of the four types shown in FIGS.

Next, in the internal CPU, the pixel number Xa
Xb (= Xa + ΔX1), Xc of the pixel number difference ΔX1, ΔX2 stored in the memory in the control unit 38
(= Xa + ΔX2). The pixel numbers Xb and Xc obtained in this manner correspond to candidate positions where peaks appear in the brightness of the input digital image data (FIG. 9).

In the internal CPU, the pixel numbers Xb and Xc are included in the pixel numbers detected in the above number detection processing.
Consider whether there is something equal to. As a result of the examination, if there is a pixel equal to the pixel number Xb, the “mask member 21
Is determined to be "there is no passing hole 21B at the location Ub". Similarly, for the pixel number Xc, “the presence or absence of the through hole 21B at the location Uc” is determined.

Further, based on the above judgment, the internal CPU determines whether the passage hole 2
1B identifies a certain location, and determines the type of the film original 11 held by the original holder 12 based on the identification result and the control table (Table 1) stored in the ROM. As described above, in the image input system 10, the relative positional relationship between the reference peak and the other peaks (the difference Δ
X1, ΔX2), the location where the passage hole 21B is present in the mask member 21 is specified.
Even if is tilted at an arbitrary angle θ,
One type (A, B, C, D) can be correctly determined.

Then, based on the above determination result, the internal CP
U acquires identification information on the film document 11.
The identification information includes information on the size (Ax, Ay) of the image storage area of the film document 11. next,
The operation of detecting the tilt state of the film document 11 held by the document holder 12 inserted into the image reading device 13 will be described. In detecting the tilt state, the pixel number Xao of the reference peak when the film document 11 is not tilted (FIG. 7) and the case where the film document 11 is tilted to the maximum
The pixel number Xam of the reference peak in FIG.
The difference ΔX3 from ao and the maximum inclination angle θmax of the film original 11 are used.

In the internal CPU, the difference ΔX4 (= Xa−) between the pixel number Xa (FIG. 9) of the reference peak detected in the above number detection processing and the pixel number Xao stored in the memory in the control unit 38. Xao). This difference ΔX4 is
This corresponds to the shift amount of the reference peak according to the inclination (angle θ) of the film document 11. The internal CPU assumes that the shift amount ΔX4 of the reference peak is almost proportional to the tilt angle θ of the film document 11, and the case where the film document 11 is tilted to the maximum.
Using the shift amount of the reference peak of (angle θmax, FIG. 8), that is, the difference ΔX3, the film original 1
1 is calculated.

Θ = (ΔX4 / ΔX3) × θmax = ((Xa−Xao) / (Xam−Xao)) × θmax Thus, in the image input system 10, the shift amount of the reference peak (pixel number difference ΔX4) , The inclination angle θ of the film original 11 is calculated, so that the inclination of the film original 11 can be easily detected.

Further, the internal CP of the image input system 10
In U, as shown in FIG. 11, using the size (Ax, Ay) of the image storage area 10A of the film original 11 and the inclination angle θ of the film original 11, the scanning range (Bx , By) are determined.

Bx = Ax · cos θ + Ay · sin θ By = Ax · sin θ + Ay · cos θ In this manner, the types (A, B, C,
When the determination operation of D), the operation of detecting the inclination angle θ of the film original 11, and the operation of determining the scanning range (Bx, By) of the film original 11 are completed, the internal CPU stops the stage 33 which has been stationary until then. The (film original 11) is moved in the y direction again, and the image reading start position Ys (FIG. 11) corresponding to the scanning range By in the y direction is positioned on the reading line 39.

When the positioning is completed, the internal CPU
Moves the stage 33 step by step in the y direction line by line at fine intervals. This step movement corresponds to the image reading end position Ye (FIG. 1) corresponding to the scanning range By in the y direction.
1) is continued until the read line 39 is matched.
On the other hand, when performing image reading line-sequentially, the internal CPU causes the illumination light source 34 to emit red, blue, and green illumination light sequentially between the step movements of the stage 33. Thus, linear red, blue, and green illumination lights are sequentially applied to each line of the image storage area 10A (FIG. 11) of the film original 11.

These illuminating lights pass through each line of the image storage area 10A of the film original 11, and the line CCD
An image is taken at 37. The signal output from the line CCD 37 is converted into one line of digital image data and input to the internal CPU. In this way, the internal C to which digital image data of each color is input for each line
The PU temporarily stores each digital image data in the R in the control unit 38.
The digital image data stored in the AM and stored in the RAM as required is output to the host computer via the interface.

Incidentally, reading one line of image by the line CCD 37 is called main scanning. The step movement of the stage 33 (one line at a time) is called sub-scanning. In the above-described image reading operation, the film original 1 from the image reading start position Ys to the image reading start position Ye according to the y-direction scanning range By determined in advance.
1 is scanned, the image storage area 1 of the film original 11 is scanned.
The image is read within a minimum optimum range that matches the size (Ax, Ay) of 0A and the tilt angle θ of the film document 11.
As a result, it is not necessary to read useless portions, and the time required for reading can be reduced.

Further, according to the scanning range Bx in the x direction determined prior to the image reading operation, unnecessary data of the image pickup pixels may be deleted from the digital image data of each line input to the internal CPU. it can. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the reference hole 21B is provided at the location Ua of the mask member 21 (on the one end 12b side of the document holder 12) has been described, but the location Uc of the mask member 21 (the document holder 1).
The reference hole 21B may be provided on the other end 12d side of the second 2).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the passage holes 2 at predetermined locations Ua, Ub, Uc of the mask member 21 are formed.
An example in which the type of the film original 11 is indicated by the presence or absence of 1B has been described. Eleven types can also be indicated (claim 4). Also in this case, the locations Ua, U
Any of c (Ua in Table 2) is set in the reference hole 21B.

[Table 2] In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of predetermined portions (Ua, Ub, Uc) of the mask member 21 are provided in one row along the width direction (u direction) of the mask member 21.
One plurality of locations (Ua, Ub, Uc) may be arranged over a plurality of rows. For example, the reference hole 21B is
It is conceivable to arrange them in a different row from B. The reference hole 21B in this case can be provided not only at the end of the mask member 21 in the width direction (u direction) but also at an arbitrary position.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the base member 22 of the document holder 12 is constituted by the attachment portion 24 and the support portion 25, and the mask member 21 is attached to the attachment portion 24. The mounting portion 24 may be configured to be detachable from the support portion 25, and an aperture 21 A and a marking portion 23 similar to the mask member 21 may be provided on the mounting portion 24.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the document holder 12 for holding the film document 11 is constituted by the mask member 21 and the base member 22, but the mask member 21 and the base member 22 are integrated. A document holder having the above configuration may be prepared for each type of film document. Also in this case, by arranging the reference hole 21B provided commonly regardless of the type of the film original 11 so as to be displaced in accordance with the inclination of the film original 11, the inclination detection of the film original 11 based on the reference hole 21B is performed. Becomes possible.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the control program executed by the internal CPU of the control unit 38 of the image reading apparatus 13 is recorded in the ROM.
The control program may be recorded on a hard disk of a host computer externally connected via an internal interface. Also, instead of the internal CPU of the control unit 38,
Various controls may be performed using the CPU of the host computer.

When performing various controls in accordance with the control program recorded on the hard disk of the host computer, prior to the control, a computer-readable recording medium (for example, C
D-ROM) and a control program installed on the hard disk from this recording medium. In addition, we access homepage from terminal such as personal computers (PC) via the Internet,
A control program (driver software, firmware) downloaded to the hard disk may be used. For downloading, for example, while accessing the homepage from a personal computer, select (click) a film scanner, which is one of the image reading devices, from the product display on the screen, and further, select driver software that matches the OS environment of the personal computer. This is executed by selecting the firmware.

Here, a connection form between a terminal such as a personal computer and the Internet will be described using a general dial-up connection as an example. A terminal such as a personal computer 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 company (provider). The provider's modem or terminal adapter is connected to a server that is the provider's computer. The server is connected to the Internet for 24 hours via a router for setting a relay route. For this reason, a terminal such as a personal computer can make a telephone call when necessary and connect to the Internet (homepage) via the server of the provider. For connection to the Internet, a dedicated line with a provider may be used.

The number of apertures 21A for reading the image of the document holder 12 is not limited to one, but a plurality of apertures 21A may be provided. Further, the present invention can be applied to a document holder for holding a sleeve-shaped film document and a document holder for holding a slide mount type film document. Further, the image reading operation in the image reading device 13 is not limited to line sequential, but may be surface sequential in which reading for one screen is performed for each emission color. Instead of moving the stage, an illumination light source 34, a mirror 35, a projection lens 36, a line CCD 37
The sub-scanning can also be performed by integrally moving.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Reference mark (reference hole) on the document holder according to the inclination of the document
Is displaced (for example, rotated), the position of the reference mark after the displacement is detected, and the inclination of the document is calculated based on the detection result (the position of the reference mark), thereby easily detecting the inclination of the document. Can be. Therefore, it is not necessary to set a wide scanning range in advance assuming that the document is tilted to the maximum, and it is possible to always efficiently read an image in the optimum scanning range according to the tilt of the document. The reading time can be reduced and the reading time can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing a configuration of an image input system 10. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the image input system 10.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the document holder 12;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the document holder 12 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing another configuration of the marking section 23 of the document holder 12;

FIG. 6 is a top view showing a state in which the film original 11 (mask member 21) is tilted to the maximum.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the brightness of image data obtained when the film document 11 is not inclined when detecting the position of the reference hole 21B (passing hole 21B) of the marking unit 23.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the brightness of image data obtained when the film document 11 is tilted to the maximum when detecting the position of the reference hole 21B (passing hole 21B) of the marking unit 23.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the brightness of image data obtained when the film document 11 is inclined when detecting the position of the reference hole 21B (passing hole 21B) of the marking unit 23.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a scanning range (Bx, By) of a film original 11;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional scanning range 43.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image input system 11 Film document 12 Document holder 13 Image reading device 21 Mask plate 21A, 24A, 25A Aperture 21B, 24B, 25B Passing hole 23 Marking part 24 Mounting part 25 Support part 31 Housing 32 Mounting part 33 Stage 34 Illumination light source 35 mirror 36 projection lens 37 line CCD 38 control unit 39 reading line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (54) [Title of the Invention] An image input system, a computer-readable recording medium storing an image input program, and a computer program signal including a control procedure of the image input system are encoded. Data structure for transmission

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An image input system comprising: a document holder for holding a document; and an image reading device that scans the document held by the document holder and reads an image of the document. A reference mark that is displaced in accordance with the inclination of the reference mark, the image reading device calculates reference mark detection means for detecting the position of the reference mark, and calculates the inclination of the document based on a detection result by the reference mark detection means An image input system comprising: 2. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein the document holder has an opening corresponding to an image storage area of the document and a mask member that rotates according to the inclination of the document, and the mask. An image input system comprising: a base member that supports a member; and the reference mark is provided at a predetermined position of the mask member. 3. The image input system according to claim 2, wherein the mask member of the document holder is provided with a marking portion indicating a type of the document, and the marking portion is a predetermined member of the mask member. The image reading device indicates the type of the document by the presence or absence of the marking mark at a plurality of places, the image reading device, a marking mark detecting means for detecting a position of the marking mark, a position detected by the marking mark detecting means, Based on a relative positional relationship with a position detected by a reference mark detecting unit, a specifying unit that specifies a location where the marking mark is located among the plurality of locations of the mask member; and An image input system comprising: a determination unit configured to determine a type of a document. 4. The image input system according to claim 2, wherein the mask member of the document holder is provided with a marking portion indicating a type of the document, and the marking portion is a predetermined member of the mask member. The type of the document is indicated by the number of locations where the marking mark is present among the plurality of locations, wherein the image reading device includes: a marking mark detecting unit configured to detect a position of the marking mark; and a detection result obtained by the marking mark detecting unit. And a determination unit that determines the number of locations where the marking mark is present among the plurality of locations of the mask member based on the identification information, and a determination unit that determines a type of the document based on a result of the identification performed by the identification unit. An image input system characterized by the following. 5. The image input system according to claim 3, wherein the mask member of the document holder is arranged such that the plurality of portions of the marking portion are arranged along a predetermined direction. Wherein the mark located at the end of the plurality of places is provided in common regardless of the type of the document, and the mark at the position located at the end is the reference mark. Image input system. 6. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device determines a scanning range of the document based on a calculation result by the tilt calculating unit. Means for scanning the document based on the scanning range determined by the determining means. 7. The image input system according to claim 3, wherein the image reading device is configured to perform the image reading based on a calculation result by the inclination calculating unit and a determination result by the determination unit. An image input system comprising: determining means for determining a scanning range of a document; and scanning means for scanning the document based on the scanning range determined by the determining means. 8. An image input system comprising: a document holder that holds a document; and an image reading device that scans the document held by the document holder and reads an image of the document. A marking portion indicating the type of the document depending on the presence or absence of the marking mark at a plurality of locations, and a reference mark provided in common regardless of the type of the document. Mark detection means for detecting the position of the reference mark, and based on a relative positional relationship between the position of the indication mark and the position of the reference mark detected by the mark detection means, An identification unit that identifies a location where the marking mark is present, and a determination unit that determines the type of the document based on the identification result by the identification unit. An image input system according to claim. 9. An image forming apparatus comprising: a document holder for holding a document; and an image reading device that scans the document held by the document holder and reads an image of the document, wherein the document holder is configured to respond to the inclination of the document. An image input system having a displaced reference mark executes a reference mark detection procedure for detecting a position of the reference mark, and a tilt calculation procedure for calculating a tilt of the document based on a detection result by the reference mark detection procedure. A computer-readable recording medium on which an image input program for causing a computer to execute is recorded. 10. An image processing apparatus comprising: a document holder for holding a document; and an image reading device that scans the document held by the document holder and reads an image of the document. An image input system having a marking portion indicating the type of the document by the presence or absence of a mark and a common reference mark irrelevant to the type of the document, a mark detection procedure for detecting the positions of the marking mark and the reference mark A specifying step of specifying a position where the mark is present among the plurality of positions of the document holder based on a relative positional relationship between the position of the mark and the position of the reference mark detected by the mark detecting means. And an image input program for executing a determination procedure of determining the type of the document based on the identification result by the identification unit. Computer readable recording medium. 11. An image processing apparatus comprising: a document holder for holding a document; and an image reading device that scans the document held by the document holder and reads an image of the document, wherein the document holder is arranged in accordance with the inclination of the document. In a data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control procedure for an image input system having a displaced fiducial mark, the control means includes: a fiducial mark detecting procedure for detecting a position of the fiducial mark; And a tilt calculating step of calculating a tilt of the document based on a detection result by the reference mark detecting step. A data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal. 12. An image processing apparatus comprising: a document holder for holding a document; and an image reading device that scans the document held by the document holder and reads an image of the document. A coding unit for coding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control procedure for an image input system having a marking unit indicating the type of the original according to the presence or absence of a mark and a common reference mark irrespective of the type of the original; In the data structure, the control unit may include: a mark detection procedure for detecting positions of the sign mark and the reference mark; and a relative positional relationship between the position of the sign mark detected by the mark detection unit and the position of the reference mark. A specifying step of specifying a location where the marking mark is present among the plurality of locations of the document holder based on Data structure for encoding and transmitting the computer program signal, wherein a and a determining procedure type of the document based on the identified result by the means.