JP2002125100A - Picture input system and computer readable recording medium with picture input program recorded therein and data structure for encoding and transmitting computer program signal including control procedure of picture input system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture input system capable of selecting only the picture area of a film original even when the aperture of an original holder or an original placing plate (frame member) is larger than the picture area of the film original, and to provide a computer readable recording medium for recording a picture input program. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a frame member whose aperture is larger than the picture area of an original; a means for scanning a prescribed area larger than the aperture with a visible ray or an infrared ray; a means for fetching picture data based on the scanned result of the prescribed area with the visible ray; a means for detecting a first area pertinent to the frame part by scanning the prescribed area with the infrared ray, and for erasing the picture data in the area; a means for detecting a second area in which any original is absent by scanning the prescribed area with the visible ray, and for erasing the picture data related with the area; and a means for detecting a third area pertinent to an area other than the picture area of the original by scanning the prescribed area with the visible ray, and for erasing the picture data related with the area.

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 for reading an image printed on an original such as a developed photographic film, a computer-readable recording medium storing an image input program, and a control procedure of the image input system. And a data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including

[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
As a scan (sub-scan) in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the scan by D (main scan), for example, the movement of a film original is performed. 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.

In addition, since a normal film original is inserted into a film scanner while being held by an original holder having an aperture, a predetermined area including the aperture of the original holder is two-dimensionally scanned and an image is read. . Further, a film original (strip film) not held by the original holder is directly inserted into the film scanner and held on the original plate having the aperture, so that a predetermined area including the aperture of the original plate is two-dimensionally scanned,
The image is read.

[0004]

Incidentally, a recent film scanner is desired to have a configuration in which only data relating to an image area of a film original can be selected from image data read by main scanning and sub-scanning of the film original. It is rare. When the aperture of the document holder or the platen is approximately the same size as the image area of the film document, the aperture is scanned by infrared light to recognize the aperture position, and the image area exposed in the aperture is selected. (For example, JP-A-11-308414).

Further, a recent film scanner is desired to have a structure capable of reading an image of a film original even when the positioning of the film original with respect to the aperture of the original holder or the original platen (particularly, positioning in the sub-scanning direction) is not strict. It is rare. To meet this demand, the aperture of the original holder or the original plate must be larger than the image area of the film original (particularly in the sub-scanning direction). By increasing the aperture, the image area of the film original can be exposed in the aperture even if the film original slightly shifts.

However, since the aperture is larger than the image area, it is not possible to select only the image area of the film original even if the aperture position is recognized by the above-described scanning with infrared light. This is because the aperture includes not only an image area but also frames. An object of the present invention is to provide an image input system capable of selecting only an image area of a film original even when an aperture of a frame member (an original holder or an original platen) is larger than an image area of a film original, and a computer readable recording of an image input program. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control method of an image recording system and a recording medium.

[0007]

An image input system according to the present invention supports a document and has a frame member having an aperture larger than an image area of the document, and scans a predetermined area larger than the aperture with visible light or infrared light. A scanning unit, a visible image capturing unit that captures image data of the predetermined region based on a scanning result of the predetermined region with the visible light, and a first unit corresponding to a frame member based on the scanning result of the predetermined region with the infrared light.
First processing means for detecting an area and deleting image data relating to the first area from image data of the predetermined area; and detecting a second area without an original in the aperture based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by visible light. A second processing unit for deleting image data relating to the second area from the image data of the predetermined area, and a third area corresponding to a part other than the image area of the original in the aperture based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by visible light. And a third processing means for detecting the image data of the third area from the image data of the predetermined area.

[0008] Since the aperture is larger than the image area of the original, the aperture includes a second area without the original and a third area other than the image area of the original when reading the image. According to the image input system of the present invention, the image data of the first area corresponding to the frame member, the image data of the second area without the original, and the image area of the original other than the image data of the predetermined area larger than the aperture Since the corresponding image data in the third area is deleted, only the image area of the document can be selected.

A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention captures image data of a predetermined area into an image input system having the above frame member and scanning means based on a result of scanning of the predetermined area by visible light. First processing for detecting a first area corresponding to a frame member based on a visible image capturing procedure and a scanning result of a predetermined area by infrared light, and deleting image data related to the first area from the image data of the predetermined area. A second processing procedure for detecting a second area without a document in the aperture based on a scanning result of the predetermined area by visible light, and deleting image data relating to the second area from the image data of the predetermined area; Based on the scanning result of the predetermined area by the light, a third area corresponding to a part other than the image area in the original in the aperture is detected, and the third area is determined from the image data of the predetermined area. Is a record of an image input program for executing the third procedure for deleting the image data.

Since the aperture of the frame member constituting the image input system is larger than the image area of the original, the aperture at the time of reading the image includes the second area without the original and the third area corresponding to the area other than the image area of the original. Region. According to the computer-readable recording medium of the present invention, the image input system is configured to convert the image data of the predetermined area larger than the aperture into the image data of the first area corresponding to the frame member and the image of the second area without the document. Since the data and the image data of the third area corresponding to the area other than the image area of the document are deleted, only the image area of the document can be selected.

Further, a data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal according to the present invention includes a control procedure for an image input system having the above-mentioned frame member and scanning means. A visible image capturing procedure for capturing image data of a predetermined area based on a scanning result of the predetermined area, and detecting a first area corresponding to a frame member based on a scanning result of the predetermined area by infrared light, Based on a first processing procedure for deleting the image data relating to the first area from the image data and a scanning result of the predetermined area by the visible light, a second area having no original in the aperture is detected, and the image data of the predetermined area is detected. A second processing procedure for deleting image data relating to the second area, and a portion of the original in the aperture other than the image area, based on a result of scanning the predetermined area with visible light. Detecting a third region corresponding to, in which a third of the procedure for deleting the image data relating to the third region from the image data of a predetermined area.

Since the aperture of the frame member constituting the image input system is larger than the image area of the original, the aperture at the time of reading the image includes the second area without the original and the third area corresponding to other than the image area of the original. Region. According to the data structure for encoding and transmitting the computer program signal of the present invention, the image input system,
From image data of a predetermined area larger than the aperture, image data of a first area corresponding to a frame member, image data of a second area without a document, and image data of a third area other than the image area of the document are converted. To remove it,
Only the image area of the document can be selected.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. An embodiment of the present invention is described in claim 1
To claim 7. As shown in FIG. 1, an image input system 10 of the present embodiment includes an adapter 12 for holding a film original 11 and an image reading device 13 for reading an image of the film original 11 held by the adapter 12 with transmitted illumination.
It is composed of

By the way, the film original 11 is shown in FIG.
, A plurality of image areas (frames) 11a, 11a,.
Is a strip film formed along one direction. In the state where the film document 11 is held by the adapter 12 (FIG. 1), the width direction of the film document 11 is defined as the x direction, and the formation direction of the plurality of frames 11a, 11a,.

Here, the adapter 12 is connected to the image reading device 1.
3 is detachable with respect to the image reading device 13 when mounted.
Is inserted into the slot portion 14. A connector 15 is provided at the innermost part of the slot portion 14, and a connector 16 is provided at a front end of the adapter 12. These connectors 1
Reference numerals 5 and 16 are electrically connected when the adapter 12 is mounted on the image reading device 13.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the adapter 12 and the configuration of the image reading device 13 will be described in order, and finally, the image input system 1 will be described.
The operation of 0 will be described. In addition, illustration and description of components not directly related to the present invention are omitted. Adapter 12
(FIG. 1), an insertion opening 22 for the film original 11 is provided on the side surface of the housing 21, and a sensor 23, transport rollers 24 and 25, a motor 26, and an original table 27 are provided inside the housing 21. I have.

The insertion opening 22 is a slit-like opening elongated in the x direction. The sensor 23 outputs a document detection signal when detecting that the film document 11 has been inserted from the insertion slot 22. The document detection signal from the sensor 23 is output to the image reading device 13 via the connectors 15 and 16. The transport rollers 24 and 25 are opposed to each other in a direction perpendicular to the xy plane, and hold the film original 11 inserted from the insertion opening 22. Further, one transport roller 24 is rotatable about a driven shaft parallel to the x direction. The other transport roller 25
Is rotatable about a drive shaft parallel to the x direction. The motor 26 is connected to the connectors 15 and 16 from the image reading device 13.
The other transport roller 25 is rotated based on a drive signal (to be described later) input through the.

The transport rollers 24 and 25 and the motor 26 are connected to the film original 11 inserted through the insertion opening 22.
Is transported in the y direction along a transport surface 11a parallel to the xy plane, and an arbitrary frame 11a of the film original 11 (FIG. 2).
(a)) is positioned within an image reading range (described later) by the image reading device 13. The document table 27 (frame member) is a frame-shaped member that supports the film document 11 transported from the insertion port 22 along the transport surface 11a. Platen 27
Is provided with an aperture 27a for image reading. FIG. 2B is a diagram of the document table 27 viewed from above.
The aperture 27a of the document table 27 is smaller than an image reading range 13a (described later) by the image reading device 13. The platen 27 has an aperture 27 a in the image reading range 13.
a.

The aperture 27a of the document table 27 is
Each frame 11a of the film original 11 (FIG. 2A) is larger. Specifically, the length Dy2 of the aperture 27a in the y direction is longer than the length Dy1 of the top 11a. The length Dx2 of the aperture 27a in the x direction is
It is almost the same as the width Dx1 of the top 11a. in this way,
Since the aperture 27a for image reading is longer than the frame 11a in the y direction, one frame 11a can be easily moved to the aperture 27 even if the film original 11 is not precisely positioned by the transport rollers 24, 25 and the motor 26.
a.

On the other hand, the image reading device 13 (FIG. 1) includes an optical block 35, a motor 36,
7 are provided. The optical block 35 includes an illumination light source 32 disposed above the slot 14, a lens 33 disposed below the slot 14, and a line C.
CD34.

Further, the illumination light source 32 (light source unit)
(R) light emitting diode (LED) that emits light of color, and green
(G) LED emitting light of color, and L emitting light of blue (B) color
It is composed of an ED and an LED that emits infrared (IR) light (both not shown). The LED of each color of the illumination light source 32 is driven by a driving signal from an LED driving circuit 42 constituting the control unit 37.
It is turned on or off sequentially according to (described later).

The illumination light from the illumination light source 32 is linear light along the x direction. For this reason, the optical path 32a of the illumination light from the illumination light source 32 and the above-described transport surface 11a are connected to a predetermined line (hereinafter, referred to as a “read line”) 2 along the x direction.
It will cross at 8. The lens 33 forms an image of the linear light guided below the transport surface 11a via the reading line 28 on the imaging surface of the line CCD 34.

The line CCD 34 is an image sensor in which a plurality (M) of pixels are arranged one-dimensionally in the x direction, and accumulates electric charge corresponding to incident light in each pixel. The electric charge accumulated in each pixel of the line CCD 34 is transmitted to the control unit 3
The transfer path is transferred (main scanning) in accordance with a drive signal (to be described later) from a CCD drive circuit 43 constituting the pixel 7, and is output to the outside as an analog image signal.

The motor 36 is constituted by a stepping motor, and moves the optical block 35 stepwise at fine intervals in the y direction based on a drive signal (described later) from a motor drive circuit 44 constituting the control section 37. (Sub-scan). When the optical block 35 is moved in the y direction by the motor 36, the reading line 28 also moves in the y direction.
According to the moving range of the reading line 28 in the y direction, the image reading range 13a (FIG.
The length Dy3 in the y direction of (b)) is determined. The width Dx3 of the image reading range 13a corresponds to the imaging range of the line CCD 34 on the reading line 28. The image reading range 13a has a length Dy3 and a width Dx3.
Are the lengths Dy of the apertures 27a of the document table 27, respectively.
2. Larger than width Dx2.

The control unit 37 includes the LED driving circuit 4 described above.
2. In addition to the CCD drive circuit 43 and the motor drive circuit 44, the motor drive circuit 41, the signal processing circuit 45, the A / D converter 46, the CPU 51, the ROM 52, the memory 53,
An interface 54 is provided. this house,
The motor drive circuit 41 is provided with the motor 2 in the adapter 12.
A drive signal is output to connector 6 via connectors 15 and 16. Each of the drive circuits (41 to 44) in the control unit 37 outputs a drive signal in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 51.

The signal processing circuit 45 includes a line CCD.
34, amplifies the analog image signal output from
Output to the converter 46. The A / D converter 46 converts the analog image signal amplified by the signal processing circuit 45 into a digital signal of a predetermined number of bits (for example, 8 bits) and converts the analog image signal into one line of digital image data (line data).
51. This line data is temporarily stored in the memory 53.

The CPU 51 executes various controls in the image input system 10 with reference to control programs and various data stored in the ROM 52. The control program stored in the ROM 52 includes a program describing a procedure for reading an image of the film document 11 inserted into the adapter 12. The interface 54 is a circuit for connecting the image input system 10 of the present embodiment to an external host computer 17 (for example, SCSI).
Interface).

The optical block 35 (illumination light source 32, lens 33, line CCD 34), motor 36 and C
The PU 51 corresponds to a “scanning unit” in the claims, and the image reading range 13a corresponds to a “predetermined area” in the claims. The memory 53 and the CPU 51 correspond to “visible image capturing means” and “infrared image capturing means” in the claims. Further, the CPU 51 may be configured to execute “first to fourth processing units” in the claims.
Also corresponds to.

Next, the operation of the image input system 10 configured as described above will be described. When receiving the document detection signal from the sensor 23 in the adapter 12, the CPU 51 controls the motor drive circuit 41 to rotate the transport roller 25 via the motor 26 in the adapter 12.

Thus, the film original 11 is transported on the transport surface 1
1a to be read and conveyed in the y-direction along 1a
1a is positioned in the aperture 27a of the document table 27. As described with reference to FIG.
1a (Dy2> Dy1), the aperture 27
The area a includes a region not occupied by the frame 11a to be read.

When the frame 11a to be read is located at the end of the film original 11, the frame 11a to be read (the n-th frame) is placed in the aperture 27a as shown in FIG.
Frame) and a frame 11a ((n +
1) frame 11 partial area 11b, frames 11c and 11d that are not image areas, and area 11 without film original 11
e.

If the frame 11a to be read is located at a position other than the end of the film original 11, the aperture 27a
As shown in FIG. 4 (a), frame 1 to be read
1a (n-th frame) and frame 11a not to be read
((N−1) th frame, (n + 1) th frame) partial area 11b,
11f and 11c and 11d between frames which are not image areas.

In any case, the frame 11a to be read is
The (n-th frame) is sandwiched between the frames 11c and 11d. On the other hand, the CPU 51 (FIG. 1) controls the motor drive circuit 44 to move the optical block 35 in the image reading device 13 in the y direction. Thereby, the reading line 28 is connected to one end of the image reading range 13a (FIG. 3A,
It is positioned at the reading start point Ys) in FIG.
As described above, since the image reading range 13a is larger than the aperture 27a, the entire reading line 28 positioned at the reading start point Ys has the aperture 2a.
7a and rests on the document table 27.

When the above positioning is completed, the CPU 51
Refers to the control program stored in the ROM 52,
According to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the image reading operation for the n-th frame (FIGS. 3A and 4A) to be read is executed. First, the n-th frame to be read
The outline of the image reading operation for (FIGS. 3A and 4A) will be described.

The CPU 51 controls the LE of each color of the illumination light source 32.
D is turned on in order, and R, G, B, I output from the line CCD 34 via the signal processing circuit 45 and the A / D converter 46
The line data of R color is temporarily stored in the memory 53 (R,
G, B, IR line data capture operation). This line data capturing operation is repeated every time the reading line 28 is moved by one line in the y direction (one line feed operation).

Further, the CPU 51 stores the data stored in the memory 53 every time the line data fetch operation is performed.
It is determined whether or not the frame is a frame (FIGS. 3A and 4A). Then, data other than the n-th frame is deleted, and only the data of the n-th frame is transferred to the host computer 17. The image reading operation for the n-th frame (FIGS. 3A and 4A)
Since the reading line 28 is started from the state where the reading line 28 is positioned at the reading start point Ys, there are the following four types of data to be deleted other than the n-th frame.

First, data of the areas 27b and 27c inside the image reading range 13a and outside the aperture 27a (the document table 27). The region 27b is elongated in the x direction, and the region 27c is elongated in the y direction, forming a frame-shaped region as a whole. The regions 27b and 27c correspond to the “first region” of claim 1. Secondly, it is data relating to an area 11e inside the aperture 27a where the film original 11 is not present. The region 11e corresponds to the “second region” in claim 1.

Third, data on the frames 11c and 11d in the film original 11 in the aperture 27a. The frames 11c and 11d correspond to the "third region" of the first aspect. Fourthly, in the film original 11 in the aperture 27a, data relating to the partial areas 11b and 11f of the (n-1) th frame and the (n + 1) th frame which are not to be read. The partial areas 11b and 11f correspond to “adjacent image areas” in claim 4.

Here, the IR within the image reading range 13a is
The characteristic of the output value of each pixel when scanning with light of color or G color will be described. The output value of each pixel represents the amount of transmitted light. FIGS. 3 (b) and 4 (b) show IR light and y
The output values when scanning in the directions are shown in FIGS. 3 (c) and 4 (c).
Output value when scanning in the x direction with light of IR color, FIG.
FIGS. 4D and 4D are diagrams illustrating output values when scanning is performed in the y direction with G light. 3 (b)-(d), FIG. 4 (b)-
(d) is an example in which the film original 11 is a reversal film.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 (b), 3 (c), 4 (b), and 4 (c), the IR light is emitted from the areas 27b, 27
Although almost no light is transmitted through c (the output value is almost zero), if it is inside the aperture 27a, it is almost transmitted irrespective of the presence or absence of the film original 11 and the transmission density (clear state). In addition,
The unevenness of the output value inside the aperture 27a indicates the presence of a scratch or a defect on the film original 11.

On the other hand, the light of G color is shown in FIGS.
As can be seen from (d), light is transmitted according to the presence or absence of the film original 11 and the transmission density. That is, the light of the G color almost transmits through the area 11 e where the film original 11 is not present (in a transparent state), but the gaps 11 c and 11 d between the frames of the film original 11.
Is hardly transmitted (the output value is almost zero), and is transmitted in the image area of the film original 11 (the partial area 11f of the (n-1) th frame) (the partial area 11b of the (n + 1) th frame). Transmits according to density.

Since the characteristics of the output value when the R or B light is used are the same as those when the G light is used, illustration and description are omitted. Next, the n-th frame
The image reading operation for (FIGS. 3A and 4A) will be described in detail.

The CPU 51 performs the above-described line data fetching operation for the R, G, B, and IR colors in S1 of FIG. 5, and in S2, stores the R, G, B, and R colors stored in the memory 53.
When the line data of the IR color is “the area 2 corresponding to the platen 27”
7b "or" data inside the aperture 27a "
Is determined. The determination process in S2 is performed based on the output value of each pixel constituting the line data of the IR color stored in the memory 53. Specifically, the CPU 51 calculates an average output value IRav of the IR color line data, and compares the average output value IRav with a predetermined threshold value Tx.
Here, the threshold value Tx is calculated as shown in FIGS. 3B, 3C, 4B,
As shown in (c), the output value is set between the output values in the regions 27b and 27c and the output value inside the aperture 27a.

The average output value IRav is equal to the threshold value Tx.
If it is smaller (S2 is N), the read line 28
The entirety is on the document table 27 (area 27b), that is, the line data for which the average output value
It is determined that the data is not the data shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 4 (a). Next, the CPU 51 deletes the line data in the memory 53 (S3), and the optical block 35 (read line 28).
Is moved in the y direction by one line (S4), and the process returns to S1.

On the other hand, when the average output value IRav is larger than the threshold value Tx (Y in S2), most of the reading line 28 is located outside the area 27b of the document table 27 and inside the aperture 27a. Therefore, the next determination process (S
Proceed to 5). That is, the CPU 51 determines whether the line data of the R, G, B, and IR colors stored in the memory 53 is “data in the area 11 e where the film original 11 is not present” or “data in the film original 11”.

The determination process in S5 is performed based on the output value of each pixel constituting the G line data stored in the memory 53. Specifically, the CPU 51 obtains an average output value Gav of the line data of G color, and calculates the average output value Gav.
And a predetermined threshold value Ty. Here, as shown in FIG. 3D and FIG.
It is set between the output value at 1e and the maximum output value at the image area (11a, 11b, 11f).

When the average output value Gav is larger than the threshold value Ty (N in S5), most of the read line 28 is over the area 11e where the film original 11 is not present, that is, the average output value Gav. Is determined not to be the data of the n-th frame (FIGS. 3A and 4A). Thereafter, the CPU 51 deletes the line data in the memory 53 (S3), and moves the optical block 35 (read line 28) by one line in the y direction (S3).
4) Return to S1.

On the other hand, when the average output value Gav is smaller than the threshold value Ty (Y in S5), since most of the reading line 28 is located in the film original 11, the next determination processing (S6) Proceed to. That is, the CPU 51 determines whether the line data of the R, G, B, and IR colors stored in the memory 53 is “data of the partial area 11f of the (n−1) th frame” or “data of the frame interval 11c”. .

The discriminating process in S6 is performed based on the output values of the respective pixels constituting the R, G, B color line data stored in the memory 53. Specifically, the CPU 51 sets R,
The average output values Rav, Gav, Bav of the line data of G and B colors are obtained, respectively, and these average output values Rav, Gav, Bav are compared with a predetermined threshold value Tz. Here, the threshold Tz
3d, as shown in FIG. 3 (d) and FIG.
It is set between the output value at 1d and the minimum output value at the image area (11a, 11b, 11f).

If any one of the average output values Rav, Gav, Bav is larger than the threshold value Tz (S6)
In N), most of the read lines 28 are (n-1) th.
The line data covering the partial area 11f of the frame, that is, the line data for which the average output values Rav, Gav,
It is determined that the data is not the data shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 4 (a). Therefore, the CPU 51 deletes the line data in the memory 53 (S3), and deletes the optical block 35 (read line 2).
8) is moved by one line in the y direction (S4), and S
Return to 1.

On the other hand, when all the average output values Rav, Gav, Bav are smaller than the threshold value Tz (Y in S6), it is determined that most of the read line 28 is located between the frames 11c. Also in this case, since the line data for which the average output values Rav, Gav, Bav are obtained are not the data of the n-th frame (FIGS. 3A and 4A), the CPU 51 proceeds to S7 of FIG. Then, the line data in the memory 53 is deleted, the optical block 35 (read line 28) is moved by one line in the y direction (S8), and the process proceeds to the next process (S9).

In S9, the CPU 51 performs the above-described line data fetching operation for R, G, B, and IR colors.
In S10, the R, G, B, I stored in the memory 53
It is determined whether the R line data is “data between frames 11c” or “data of the n-th frame to be read”. S10
Is the same as that in S6, and the CPU 51
The average output values Rav, Gav, Bav of the R, G, B color line data stored in the memory 53 are compared with a predetermined threshold value Tz.

Then, all the average output values Rav, Gav, Bav
Is smaller than the threshold value Tz (Y in S10), most of the read line 28 is located between the frames 11c, that is, the line data for which the average output values Rav, Gav, and Bav are obtained is the n-th line data. It is determined that the data is not the data of the frame (FIGS. 3A and 4A), and the process returns to S7. On the other hand, the average output values Rav, Gav,
If any one of Bav is larger than the threshold value Tz (S10 is N), most of the read line 28 is on the n-th frame to be read, that is, the average output values Rav, Gav. The line data for which Bav was calculated is the nth frame
(FIG. 3 (a), FIG. 4 (a)).
The process proceeds to the partial data deletion process.

That is, the CPU 51 deletes “data of the area 27c corresponding to the document table 27” from the line data of the R, G, B, and IR colors stored in the memory 53. S1
The details of the partial data deletion process in S1 are described in S20 of FIG.
To S29. In step S20, the CPU 51 determines whether the line data of the R, G, B, and IR colors is “data of the first line” or “data of the second and subsequent lines” of the n-th frame. If it is the data of the first line (S2
(0 is Y), the deletion area setting processing of S21 to S28 is executed, and the process proceeds to S29. If the data is the data of the second and subsequent lines (S20 is N), the deletion area setting processing (S21 to S2)
Skip 8) and proceed to S29.

The deletion area setting processing (S21 to S28)
This is performed based on the output value of each pixel constituting the line data of the IR color stored in the memory 53. Specifically, C
After inputting 1 to the variable N of the pixel number (S21), the PU 51 outputs the output value IR of the N-th pixel of the line data of the IR color.
(N) is compared with the threshold value Tx (S22). N = 1
Is a pixel located on one end side among a plurality of pixels constituting the IR color line data.

When the output value IR (N) of the N-th pixel is smaller than the threshold value Tx (N in S22), the CPU 51 "the N-th pixel is a pixel corresponding to the area 27c".
And the value of the variable N is increased by one in S23,
It returns to S22. By repeating S22 and S23,
Each pixel of the line data of the IR color is examined sequentially from the first pixel.

When the output value IR (N) of the N-th pixel becomes larger than the threshold value Tx (Y in S22), the CPU 51 repeats the above-mentioned steps S22 and S23. Is a pixel corresponding to "."
, The value (pixel number) of the variable N at the current stage is recorded as the start pixel number Ns of the n-th frame. Next, the CPU 51
Input M to the variable N of the pixel number (S2) in order to check sequentially from the last pixel (pixel number M) located on the other end side among the plurality of pixels constituting the line data of the IR color.
5) After that, the output value IR (N) of the N-th pixel of the line data of the IR color is compared with the threshold value Tx (S26).

When the output value IR (N) of the N-th pixel is smaller than the threshold value Tx (N in S26), the "N-th pixel is a pixel corresponding to the area 27c".
And the value of the variable N is reduced by one in S27,
It returns to S26. By repeating S26 and S27,
Each pixel of line data of IR color is the last pixel (Mth pixel)
It is examined in order from.

When the output value IR (N) of the N-th pixel becomes larger than the threshold value Tx (Y in S26), the CPU 51 repeats the above-described steps S26 and S27. Is a pixel corresponding to "."
, The value (pixel number) of the variable N at the current stage is recorded as the last pixel number Ne of the n-th frame. In the last S29, the CPU 51 executes the above-described deletion area setting processing (S21
Based on the start pixel number Ns and the last pixel number Ne of the n-th frame to be read set in steps S28 to S28, the line data of the R, G, B, and IR colors stored in the memory 53 is referred to as “corresponding to the area 27c. The N-th pixel (N is N <Ns,
Ne <N).

Then, the CPU 51 returns to S12 in FIG. 6 and executes the above-described partial data deletion processing (S11 in FIG. 6, FIG. 7).
The line data after the data in the area 27c of the document table 27 has been deleted in S20 to S29) is transferred from the interface 54 to the host computer 17. Next, the CPU 51 sets the optical block 35 (read line 2).
8) is moved in the y direction by one line (S13),
The R, G, B, and IR line data capturing operations described above are performed (S14), and the R, G, B,
It is determined whether the line data of the IR color is “data of the n-th frame to be read” or “data of 11d between frames” (S1).
5).

The discriminating process in S15 is the same as in S6 and S10 described above, and the CPU 51 sets the average output values Rav, Gav, Bav of the R, G, and B line data stored in the memory 53.
And a predetermined threshold value Tz. When any one of the average output values Rav, Gav, Bav is larger than the threshold value Tz (N in S15), most of the read line 28 is on the n-th frame, that is,
The line data for which the average output values Rav, Gav, Bav are obtained is n-th
It is determined that frame data is included, and the process returns to S11. S11-
By repeating S15, the area 27c of the platen 27 is
The line data of the n-th frame from which the data has been deleted is sequentially transferred to the host computer 17.

On the other hand, when all the average output values Rav, Gav, and Bav are smaller than the threshold value Tz in the discriminating process in S15 (Y in S15), most of the read line 28 has reached the frame interval 11d. That is, the average output value Rav, Ga
The line data for which v and Bav are obtained is the n-th frame (FIG. 3 (a), FIG.
The CPU 51 determines that the data is not the data of (a), and ends the image reading operation.

As described above, according to the image input system 10 of the present embodiment, the data stored in the memory 53 is stored in the n-th data every time the line data of R, G, B, and IR is taken in.
It is determined whether or not the frame is that of a frame (FIGS. 3A and 4A), and areas 27b and 27c corresponding to the document table 27, an area 11e where the film original 11 is not present, frames 11c and 11d, (n-
1) In order to delete extra data other than the n-th frame, such as the frame and the (n + 1) -th frame partial areas 11b and 11f, only data relating to the n-th frame to be read is automatically selected.
It can be transferred to the host computer 17.

The image input system 10 according to the present embodiment
According to FIG. 8, the inside of the aperture 27a is, as shown in FIG.
The frame 11a to be read (n-th frame), the partial area 11b of the frame 11a not to be read, and the
Even in the case of including frames c and 11d, as shown in FIG. 9, the frame 11a to be read (n-th frame), the partial areas 11b and 11f of the frame 11a not to be read, the frames 11c and 11d, and the film Area 11e without original 11
Similarly, only data relating to the n-th frame to be read can be automatically selected.

Further, according to the image input system 10 described above, for the n-th frame to be read, the R, G, B
In addition to color image data, IR color image data is obtained.
Here, if the n-th frame of the film original 11 has greetings, dust, scratches, fingerprints, etc., these are the read R color, G color.
It appears as a defect on the color, B, and IR image data.
However, the IR light has a characteristic that it is transmitted without being affected by the transmission density of the film document 11. Therefore, the pattern of the n-th frame of the film original 11 is not reflected on the IR color image data obtained by the image reading operation. That is, the IR color image data reflects only defects such as greetings, dust, scratches, and fingerprints attached to the n-th frame.

Then, the defect position is specified by mapping the image data of the IR color, and the R color and G of the obtained defect position are determined.
The color and B color image data are corrected by the complementing method. As a result, high-quality R-, G-, and B-color image data without defects can be obtained. In the above-described embodiment, the width Dx2 of the aperture 27a is equal to the width Dx1 of the top 11a, but the width Dx2 of the aperture 27a is equal to the width Dx of the top 11a.
The present invention can be applied to a case wider than one. In this case, the partial data deletion processing in S11 of FIG. 6 preferably follows the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 10, S30 to S33, S36 to S39,
S42 and S43 are the same as S20 to S29 in FIG. In S34, S35, S40, S41 of FIG.
The CPU 51 stores the R, G, B, and IR stored in the memory 53.
From the color line data, “peripheral data having the same transmission density as between the frames 11c and 11d” is deleted. S3
4 and S40 are the same as those in S6 of FIG. 5 described above, and the CPU 51 determines the output values R (N), G (N), and B (N) of the N-th pixel constituting the line data of R, G, and B colors. (N) and threshold T
Compare with z. S35 is S33, S41 is S
Same as 39.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the film original 11 is a reversal film, but the present invention can also be applied to a negative film. In this case, the output value of each pixel is reversed in magnitude from that in the case of the reversal film. Therefore, in the above-described flowcharts (FIGS. 5 to 7 and 10), the comparison and determination processing with the threshold value (Tx, Ty, Tz) Is reversed in size.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the optical block 35 (reading line 28) is moved in the y direction to perform sub-scanning has been described.
(The reading line 28) is stopped, and the film original 11
The sub-scanning may be performed by moving the scanner and the document table 27 together. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the platen 2
Although the example in which only one frame 11a to be read is included in the aperture 27a of the seventh embodiment has been described, the present invention can be applied even when a plurality of frames 11a are simultaneously included in the aperture 27a. In this case, after S15 in the flowchart of FIG.
By repeating the processing of steps S15 to S15, data on a plurality of frames 11a to be read can be automatically selected.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the area 11e in the aperture 27a where the film original 11 is not present is detected with G light. However, even if R light or B light is used, Also, any combination of R, G, B colors can be similarly detected. Further, in the above embodiment, R, G,
Using the B color light, the interval 11c, 1 between frames of the film original 11
1d and the image area, a common threshold Ty
However, a different threshold value may be used for each color. An example in which light of R, G, and B colors is used to determine the image interval between frames 11c and 11d of the film original 11 has been described. May be used in combination.

In the above-described embodiment, FIGS.
The determination processing (S2, S5, S6, S
In (10, S15), the threshold value (Tx, Ty, Tz) and the average output value (IRav, Rav, Gav, Bav) of the line data were compared, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a binarization process is performed on the line data to count pixels whose output value exceeds a certain value among a plurality of pixels constituting the line data. And may be compared. The maximum output value of each pixel constituting the line data may be compared with a threshold value.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the data stored in the memory 53 is the data of the n-th frame for each line data reading operation, and if the data is other than the n-th frame, the data is deleted. However, the determination process and the deletion process may be performed at any stage before the transfer to the host computer 17. After reading a plurality of line data or data of the entire image reading range 13a, the determination processing or the deletion processing may be performed collectively. When the data of the entire image reading range 13a is read first, the image reading is not limited to the line-sequential image reading of the above-described embodiment, but may be a frame-sequential reading in which one screen is read for each color.

In the above-described embodiment, the strip film is attached to the adapter 12 mounted on the image reading device 13.
The configuration in which the image is read by directly inserting the (film original 11) has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to the case of reading the image of the film original held by the original holder. In this case, the document holder is provided with an aperture similar to the above-described aperture 27a.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the illumination light source 32 is constituted by LEDs of R, G, B and IR colors. However, the illumination light source 32 transmits a halogen lamp and R, G, B and IR colors. A filter and a mechanism for switching and inserting filters of each color to the emission side of the halogen lamp can also be used. In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the control program executed by the CPU 51 of the image reading device 13 is recorded in the ROM 52. However, the control program is recorded on the hard disk of the host computer 17 externally connected via the interface 54. You may. Various controls may be performed using the CPU of the host computer 17 instead of the CPU 15 of the image reading device 13.

When performing various controls in accordance with the control programs recorded on the hard disk of the host computer 17, prior to the control, a computer-readable recording medium (eg, a CD-ROM) on which the necessary control programs are recorded is used. A control program installed on the hard disk from this recording medium may be used.

Further, a homepage may be accessed from a terminal such as a personal computer (personal computer) via the Internet, and a control program (driver software, firmware) downloaded to a 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. The connection between a terminal such as a personal computer and the Internet includes a dial-up connection and a connection using a dedicated line with a provider.

Further, instead of the memory 53 of the image reading device 13, a memory and a hard disk of the host computer 17 may be used. Also, the image reading device 1
Interface between host computer 3 and host computer 17
Not only SCSI interface but also other interfaces (IEEE1394, USB, parallel, etc.)
May be used.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even when the aperture of the document table or document holder (frame member) is larger than the image area of the film document, only the image area of the film document can be automatically selected, so that usability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image input system 10 according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a film original 11 and FIGS. 2B and 2B are diagrams illustrating an original platen 27. FIGS.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating regions 11a to 11e included in an aperture 27a of a document table 27;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating regions 11a to 11d and 11f included in an aperture 27a of a document table 27;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an image reading operation in the image input system 10.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an image reading operation in the image input system 10.

FIG. 7 is a subroutine showing details of a partial data deletion process (S11 in FIG. 6).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating regions 11a to 11d included in an aperture 27a of a document table 27;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating regions 11a to 11f included in an aperture 27a of the document table 27.

FIG. 10 is a subroutine showing another example of the partial data deletion process (S11 in FIG. 6).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image input system 11 Film original 12 Adapter 13 Image reading device 21, 31 Housing 22 Insertion port 23 Sensor 24, 25 Transport roller 24 26, 36 Motor 27 Platen 28 Reading line 32 Illumination light source 33 Lens 34 Line CCD 35 Optical block 37 control unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/38 H04N 1/38 5C072 5/253 5/253 5C076 F term (Reference) 2H012 BA02 BA11 2H108 AA01 CA07 CB01 DA06 FA22 JA15 5B047 AA05 AB04 BA01 BB02 BC14 CA14 CB04 CB12 CB13 5C022 BA02 BA07 BA16 BA19 5C062 AA05 AB03 AB17 AC65 BA04 5C072 AA01 BA05 CA07 DA15 DA21 NA02 RA04 VA03 XA10 5C076 AA02 BA02 BA03 BA04 An image input system, a computer-readable recording medium storing an image input program, and a data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control procedure of the image input system.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A frame member that supports a document and has an aperture larger than an image area of the document, scanning means for scanning a predetermined area larger than the aperture with visible light or infrared light, and the predetermined light by the visible light. Based on the result of scanning the area,
A visible image capturing unit that captures image data of the predetermined area, based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by the infrared light,
A first processing unit that detects a first area corresponding to the frame member in the predetermined area and deletes image data related to the first area from image data of the predetermined area; Based on the scanning result,
Second processing means for detecting a second area without the original document in the aperture, and deleting image data relating to the second area from image data of the predetermined area; scanning result of the predetermined area by the visible light On the basis of the,
And a third processing unit for detecting a third area corresponding to a part other than the image area in the document in the aperture and deleting image data relating to the third area from the image data of the predetermined area. Characteristic image input system. 2. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein the scanning unit has a light source unit that individually emits red light, green light, and blue light as the visible light, and wherein the second processing is performed. Means for detecting the second area and deleting image data relating to the second area based on a scan result of the predetermined area by at least one of the red light, the green light, and the blue light; The third processing means detects the third area and deletes image data related to the third area based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by at least one of the red light, the green light, and the blue light. And an image input system. 3. The image input system according to claim 2, wherein the third processing unit is configured to execute the third processing based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by the red light, the green light, and the blue light. An image input system for detecting an area and deleting image data relating to the third area. 4. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the image areas are formed on the document along one direction, and the aperture is at least the aperture. A fourth step of detecting an image area longer than the image area in one direction and adjacent to the first area or the second area in the one direction and deleting image data relating to the image area from the image data of the predetermined area; An image input system comprising processing means. 5. The image input system according to claim 1, wherein: based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by the infrared light,
An image input system, comprising: an infrared image capturing means for capturing image data relating to the defect of the document. 6. An image input system comprising: a frame member that supports an original and has an aperture larger than an image area of the original; and a scanning unit that scans a predetermined area larger than the aperture with visible light or infrared light. Based on the scanning result of the predetermined area by the visible light,
A visible image capturing procedure for capturing image data of the predetermined area, and based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by the infrared light,
A first processing procedure of detecting a first area corresponding to the frame member in the predetermined area and deleting image data related to the first area from image data of the predetermined area; Based on the scanning result,
A second processing procedure of detecting a second area without the original document in the aperture and deleting image data relating to the second area from image data of the predetermined area; and scanning results of the predetermined area by the visible light On the basis of the,
And detecting a third area corresponding to a part other than the image area in the document in the aperture and deleting image data relating to the third area from the image data of the predetermined area. A computer-readable recording medium recording an image input program. 7. An image input system comprising: a frame member that supports an original and has an aperture larger than an image area of the original; and a scanning unit that scans a predetermined area larger than the aperture with visible light or infrared light. In a data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal including a control procedure, the control unit includes a control unit, based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by the visible light,
A visible image capturing procedure for capturing image data of the predetermined area, and based on a result of scanning the predetermined area by the infrared light,
A first processing procedure of detecting a first area corresponding to the frame member in the predetermined area and deleting image data related to the first area from image data of the predetermined area; Based on the scanning result,
A second processing procedure of detecting a second area without the original document in the aperture and deleting image data relating to the second area from image data of the predetermined area; and scanning results of the predetermined area by the visible light On the basis of the,
A third processing step of detecting a third area other than the image area in the document in the aperture and deleting image data relating to the third area from the image data of the predetermined area. A data structure for encoding and transmitting a computer program signal.