JP2006013852A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus for suppressing a change in read data caused by a change with time of the quantity of light emitted from a light source while suppressing upsizing of the image reading apparatus and complicatedness of the configuration or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A CCD image sensor 78 reads a white reference board 66 illuminated by an illumination lamp 74 at power-on to acquire shading correction data. Further, the CCD image sensor 78 reads a guide member 19 illuminated by the illumination lamp 74 and a result of reading of 12 positions in the main scanning direction is stored as a white level variation reference value. Then just before reading an image of an original, the CCD image sensor 78 reads the guide member 19 illuminated by the illumination lamp 74 and a result of reading of 12 positions in the main scanning direction is obtained as a white level variation value. Further, a luminous quantity variation correction value is set by using data wherein a ratio of the white variation reference value to the white variation value at one and the same position is closest to 1, and shading correction and also luminous quantity correction are applied to the read image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads an image formed on an original, and more particularly, to an image reading apparatus that corrects read data in accordance with temporal light amount fluctuations of a light source that irradiates light on an original.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image reading apparatus that automatically reads image information of a document is used as a reading apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile or a scanner for computer input. In this type of image reading apparatus, light is applied to the original using a light source extending along the main scanning direction of the original, and reflected light reflected from the irradiated original is received by an image sensor. The image on the original is being scanned.

In the image reading apparatus described above, there may occur a situation in which the amount of light emitted from the light source varies depending on the position of the document in the main scanning direction, or the amount of light of the light source varies with time. When such a variation in the amount of light occurs, for example, when a document on which a halftone image is uniformly formed is read, the output value (output image signal) may vary depending on the light amount of the light source. It will be uniform. Further, the image sensor is composed of, for example, a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in the main scanning direction. However, since the sensitivity characteristics of the light receiving elements are not the same, variations in output values also occur here.
Therefore, a white member (white reference member) extending in the main scanning direction of the document is arranged, and the white reference member is irradiated with light from a light source, and reflected light reflected from the white reference member is received by an image sensor. A method of acquiring correction data (shading correction data) corresponding to variations in illuminance distribution in the main scanning direction and sensitivity characteristics of each light receiving element is widely used. When actually reading the original, the image signal obtained by reading the original is corrected using the shading correction data (shading correction), so that the light quantity distribution of the light source and each light receiving element constituting the image sensor are corrected. Unevenness due to the sensitivity characteristics of the element is eliminated.

  Incidentally, in the above-described image reading apparatus, for example, a xenon lamp or the like is used as a light source. Here, it is known that the irradiation light quantity of the xenon lamp gradually decreases with the passage of time from the start of lighting. For this reason, it is desirable to obtain shading correction data every time an image is read. However, in a so-called CVT (Constant Velocity Transport) type (original flow reading method) image reading apparatus that reads an image of an original while moving the original while fixing the reading unit, the reading unit temporarily reaches a position facing the white reference member. Since the shading correction data is acquired by moving and the reading unit must be moved to the original reading position again, the reading production efficiency is significantly reduced.

Therefore, a technique has been proposed in which a density reference member different from the white reference member is provided outside the image reading region at the document reading position (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this technique, for example, when the power is turned on, the white reference member is read to obtain shading data, and then the original is read at the original flow reading position and the density reference member is read. The degree of light quantity reduction (correction coefficient) is obtained based on the comparison with the reading result of the past density reference member, and the correction result by the shading correction data is further corrected.
In addition, the background member placed opposite to the reading unit at the document flow reading position is read between the documents, and the degree of light intensity reduction (correction coefficient) based on the comparison between the background member reading result and the past background member reading result. A technique has also been proposed in which shading correction data is retrieved when there is a decrease in the amount of light exceeding a prescribed amount (see Patent Document 3).

JP-A-8-223415 (page 4-5, FIGS. 2 to 4) JP 2001-245109 A (page 4-5, FIG. 2) JP 2002-300394 A (page 5-6, FIG. 4)

  However, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the light intensity fluctuation of the light source is detected by reading the density reference member provided outside the image reading area, the density reference member is also appropriately exposed from the light source. It was necessary to use a light source that was long in the main scanning direction so that light was irradiated. Then, the enlargement of an apparatus will be caused with the lengthening of a light source. In addition, the cost is increased due to the necessity of providing a density reference member or using a light source that is long in the main scanning direction.

  On the other hand, in the case of detecting the light quantity fluctuation of the light source by reading the background member in the image reading area as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 3, there is no problem such as an increase in the size of the apparatus as described above. However, since the conveyed document can come into contact with the background member, dirt or dust on the document such as toner or ink of a ballpoint pen is likely to adhere to the background member. When dirt or dust adheres to the background member, the correction coefficient obtained by reading the background member is greatly affected by the dirt adhesion in addition to the fluctuation of the light amount. It can no longer be applied.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of light emitted from the light source over time while suppressing the enlargement of the apparatus and the complexity of the configuration. The object is to suppress changes in read data caused by changes.

  For this purpose, the image reading apparatus to which the present invention is applied irradiates the original with light by the irradiating means, reads the reflected light from the original irradiated by the irradiating means with the reading means, and is irradiated by the irradiating means. The reflected light from the predetermined facing member is read by the reading means, the light quantity reference value of each of a plurality of locations in the main scanning direction reading area is obtained by the reference value obtaining means, and after the light quantity reference value is obtained, the irradiation means irradiates The reflected light from the opposed member is read by the reading means, the light quantity fluctuation values at each of the plurality of locations are obtained by the fluctuation value obtaining means, and the light quantity reference values and the fluctuation value obtaining means obtained by the reference value obtaining means are obtained. A correction shift amount for the image data obtained by reading the document by the reading unit is determined by the determining unit using each of the acquired light quantity fluctuation values. Note that “using each light quantity reference value acquired by the reference value acquisition means and each light quantity fluctuation value acquired by the fluctuation value acquisition means” means one obtained by reading the same part of the opposing member. The purpose is to use a set of light quantity reference values and light quantity fluctuation values or a plurality of sets of light quantity reference values and light quantity fluctuation values.

  Here, the document is transported by the transport unit, and the reading unit reads the document and the opposing member in a state of being fixed at a predetermined position. Further, the reference value acquisition means averages the data of a plurality of pixels for each one of a plurality of places to obtain a light quantity reference value, and the fluctuation value acquisition means obtains the data for a plurality of pixels for each one of the plurality of places. It can be characterized by obtaining the light quantity fluctuation value by averaging. Further, the determining means calculates a ratio between the light quantity reference value and the light quantity fluctuation value acquired from the same place among the plurality of places, and determines the one having the calculated ratio closest to 1 as a correction coefficient. can do.

  From another point of view, an image reading apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a light source for irradiating a document, a sensor for receiving reflected light reflected from the document at a first position for reading the document, and a first Main scanning direction obtained by reading the opposing member read by the sensor at the position, the reference member read by the sensor at the second position different from the first position, and the reference member irradiated by the light source A shading memory for storing shading correction data for the entire reading area, a reference value memory for storing a light quantity reference value for each of a plurality of positions in the main scanning direction reading area obtained by reading a counter member irradiated by a light source with a sensor; The variation value is obtained by reading the opposing member irradiated by the light source with the sensor after the light amount reference value is acquired, and acquiring the light amount variation values of each of the plurality of locations. And variation correction data corresponding to the light amount variation over time of the light source based on each light amount reference value read from the reference value memory and each light amount variation value acquired by the variation value acquisition unit The fluctuation correction data creation unit and the image data obtained by reading the document irradiated by the light source with a sensor are subjected to shading correction using the shading data read from the shading memory, and the fluctuation correction data creation unit And a correction unit that performs fluctuation correction using the fluctuation correction data created in this way.

  Here, the fluctuation correction data creating unit can create the fluctuation correction data using a light quantity reference value and a light quantity fluctuation value with the least fluctuation obtained from the same place among a plurality of places. . The light source may be a line light source extending in the main scanning direction. Furthermore, the opposing member and the reference member can both be white.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a change in read data caused by a temporal change in the amount of light emitted from a light source while suppressing an increase in the size and complexity of the apparatus.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image reading apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied. This image reading apparatus is roughly divided into a document feeding device 10 that sequentially conveys documents from a stacked document bundle, a scanner device 70 that reads an image by scanning, and a processing device 80 that processes the read image signal. Is done.

  A document feeder 10 as a conveying unit includes a document tray 11 on which a bundle of documents composed of a plurality of documents is stacked, and a tray lifter 12 that raises and lowers the document tray 11. Further, a nudger roll 13 that conveys the original on the original tray 11 raised by the tray lifter 12, a feed roll 14 that conveys the original conveyed by the nudger roll 13 further downstream, and an original supplied by the nudger roll 13. Are provided with a retard roll 15. In the first conveyance path 31 where the original is first conveyed, a take-away roll 16 that conveys the originals that are being fed one by one to the downstream roll, and further conveys the original to the further downstream roll and creates a loop. The pre-registration roll 17 to be performed, the rotation is resumed at a timing after stopping once, the registration roll 18 for supplying the original while adjusting the registration to the original reading unit, and an opposing member for assisting the conveyance of the original during reading A guide member 19 and an out-roll 20 for conveying the read document further downstream are provided. The first conveyance path 31 as a conveyance path is provided with a baffle 41 that rotates around a fulcrum according to the loop state of the conveyed document. Further, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) 50 is provided between the guide member 19 and the out-roll 20.

  A second transport path 32 and a third transport path 33 are provided on the downstream side of the out-roll 20, a transport path switching gate 42 for switching between these transport paths, a discharge tray 40 for stacking documents that have been read, and a discharge tray A first discharge roll 21 that discharges the original document 40 is provided. In addition, an inverter roll 22 and an inverter pinch roll 23 that are provided in the fourth transport path 34 and the fourth transport path 34 for switching back the document that has passed through the third transport path 33 and actually switch back the document, The document switched back by the fourth transport path 34 is again guided to the first transport path 31 including the pre-registration roll 17 and the like, and the document switched back by the fourth transport path 34 is discharged to the discharge tray 40. The transport paths of the second discharge roll 24, the fifth transport path 35, and the sixth transport path 36 that are provided in the sixth transport path 36 and the sixth transport path 36 and transport the inverted document to the first discharge roll 21. An exit switching gate 43 for switching is provided.

  The nudger roll 13 is lifted up and held at the retracted position during standby, and descends to the nip position (original conveyance position) during conveyance of the document to convey the uppermost document on the document tray 11. The nudger roll 13 and the feed roll 14 convey a document by connecting a feed clutch (not shown). The pre-registration roll 17 makes a loop by abutting the leading end of the document against the stopped registration roll 18. In the registration roll 18, when the loop is created, the leading edge of the document bitten by the registration roll 18 is returned to the nip position. When this loop is formed, the baffle 41 opens around the fulcrum and functions so as not to interfere with the document loop. Further, the take away roll 16 and the pre-registration roll 17 hold a loop during reading. By this loop formation, the read timing can be adjusted, and the skew associated with the document conveyance at the time of reading can be suppressed, and the alignment adjustment function can be enhanced. In synchronization with the reading start timing, the stopped registration roll 18 starts rotating, and is pressed against the second platen glass 72B (described later) by the guide member 19, so that the image data is read from the lower surface direction.

  The conveyance path switching gate 42 switches so that the document passing through the out-roll 20 is guided to the second conveyance path 32 and discharged to the discharge tray 40 at the end of reading one-sided document and at the same time when reading both-side documents simultaneously. It is done. On the other hand, the transport path switching gate 42 is switched so as to guide the document to the third transport path 33 in order to invert the document when the double-sided document is sequentially read. The inverter pinch roll 23 is retracted with the feed clutch (not shown) turned off during sequential reading of the double-sided document to open the nip, and guides the document to the inverter path (fourth conveyance path 34). Thereafter, the inverter pinch roll 23 is nipped, the original to be inverted by the inverter roll 22 is guided to the pre-registration roll 17, and the original to be reversed is conveyed to the second discharge roll 24 in the sixth conveyance path 36.

  The scanner device 70 can include the document feeding device 10 described above, supports the document feeding device 10 with a device frame 71, and reads an image of a document conveyed by the document feeding device 10. The scanner device 70 is being transported by a first platen glass (platen glass) 72A for placing a document to be read in a stationary state on a device frame 71 forming a first housing, and a document feeder 10. A second platen glass 72B is provided to form a light opening for reading the original. In the present embodiment, the document feeder 10 is attached to the scanner device 70 so as to be swingable with the back side as a fulcrum. When the document is set on the first platen glass 72A, the document feeder 10 is fed. The apparatus 10 is lifted to place a document, and then the document feeder 10 is lowered to the scanner device 70 and pressed.

  The scanner device 70 is stationary under the second platen glass 72B and scans the entire first platen glass 72A to read an image, and the light obtained from the full rate carriage 73 is image-coupled. A half-rate carriage 75 is provided to provide a portion. The full rate carriage 73 is provided with an illumination lamp 74 as a light source or a light source for irradiating the original with light, and a first mirror 76A for receiving reflected light obtained from the original. Further, the half-rate carriage 75 is provided with a second mirror 76B and a third mirror 76C that provide the light obtained from the first mirror 76A to the imaging unit. Further, the scanner device 70 is an imaging lens 77 for optically reducing the optical image obtained from the third mirror 76C, and a reading means or sensor for photoelectrically converting the optical image formed by the imaging lens 77. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor 78 and a drive substrate 79 including the CCD image sensor 78 are provided, and an image signal obtained by the CCD image sensor 78 is sent to the processing device 80 via the drive substrate 79.

  Here, first, in the original fixed reading mode in which the image of the original placed on the first platen glass 72A is read, the full-rate carriage 73 and the half-rate carriage 75 are scanned at a ratio of 2: 1 (arrows). Direction). At this time, the light of the illumination lamp 74 of the full rate carriage 73 is irradiated on the surface to be read of the document, and the reflected light from the document is reflected in the order of the first mirror 76A, the second mirror 76B, and the third mirror 76C. Then, it is guided to the imaging lens 77. The light guided to the imaging lens 77 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 78. The CCD image sensor 78 is a one-dimensional sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged, and simultaneously processes one line. When reading of one line in this line direction (main scanning direction of scanning) is completed, the full-rate carriage 73 is moved in a direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the main scanning direction to read the next line of the document. By executing this over the entire document size, reading of one page of the document is completed.

  On the other hand, the second platen glass 72B is constituted by a transparent glass plate having a long plate-like structure, for example. In the case of the document flow reading mode for reading the image of the document conveyed by the document feeder 10, the conveyed document passes over the second platen glass 72B. At this time, the full-rate carriage 73 and the half-rate carriage 75 are stopped at the solid line positions shown in FIG. First, the reflected light of the first line of the document that has passed through the guide member 19 of the document feeder 10 is imaged by the imaging lens 77 via the first mirror 76A, the second mirror 76B, and the third mirror 76C. An image is read by the CCD image sensor 78. That is, after one line in the main scanning direction is simultaneously processed by the CCD image sensor 78 which is a one-dimensional sensor, the next line in the main scanning direction of the original conveyed by the original feeding device 10 is read. After the leading edge of the document reaches the reading position of the second platen glass 72B, the document passes through the reading position of the second platen glass 72B, whereby reading of one page is completed in the sub-scanning direction.

  In the present embodiment, the full-rate carriage 73 and the half-rate carriage 75 are stopped, and the first platen glass 72B is used to read the first surface of the document by the CCD image sensor 78. It is possible to read the second side of the original by the CIS 50 (meaning that it is not coincident but the same as when the same original is conveyed). That is, by using the CCD image sensor 78 and the CIS 50, it is possible to read the images on both the front and back sides of the original by one conveyance of the original to the conveyance path.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a reading structure using the CIS 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the CIS 50 is provided between the guide member 19 and the out roll 20. One side (first side) of the original is pressed against the second platen glass 72B, and the image on the first side is read by the CCD image sensor 78. On the other hand, in the CIS 50, an image on one side (second side) is read from the other side facing through a conveyance path for conveying a document. The CIS 50 includes a housing 50a, a glass 51 attached to an opening formed on the conveyance path side of the housing 50a, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) that transmits light through the glass 51 to the second surface of the document. An array 52, a Selfoc lens (registered trademark) 53 that condenses the reflected light from the LED array 52, and a line sensor 54 that reads the light collected by the Selfoc lens 53 are provided. As the line sensor 54, a CCD, a CMOS sensor, a contact sensor, or the like can be used, and an image with an actual width (for example, A4 longitudinal width 297 mm) can be read. In the CIS 50, since the image is captured using the SELFOC lens 53 and the line sensor 54 without using the reduction optical system, the structure can be simplified, the housing can be downsized, and the power consumption can be reduced. Can be reduced. When reading a color image, the LED array 52 is combined with three LED light sources of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), or a white LED light source is used, and the line sensor 54 is used for three RGB colors. A set of sensors in three rows may be used.

  Further, when the image is read by the CIS 50, a control member that extends toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the document from a projecting portion 50b that protrudes on the upstream side in the transport direction of the document with respect to the housing 50a of the CIS 50, 55, an abutting member 60 as an opposing member against which the conveyed document is abutted. Here, the control member 55 is attached to the document feeder 10 (see FIG. 1) via the CIS 50, but the abutting member 60 is attached to the scanner device 70 (see FIG. 1). In addition, a guide 61 is provided on the downstream side of the abutting member 60, an opening 63 is formed between the guide 61 and the abutting member 60, and the opening 63 is a lower portion of the guide 61. A dust storage portion 62 for collecting dust and dirt adhering to the surface of the document is provided at a portion continuing to the front. The control member 55 and the abutting member 60 are positioned in the conveyance path from the front surface to the rear surface of the document feeder 10 in a direction orthogonal to the document conveyance path (that is, from the front surface to the rear surface of the document feeder device 10). Correspondingly provided.

  Here, the control member 55 is supported by a rotating shaft 551 formed of a screw attached to the above-described projecting portion 50b, and is swingably supported by one end being wound around the rotating shaft 551. A free end which is an end is wound around a guide member 552 as a plate-like guide member extending toward the abutting member 60 and the rotary shaft 551, and an end portion of one arm is formed on the protruding portion 50b. It has a torsion spring 553 that is inserted into the hole 50c and arranged so that the end of the other arm urges the guide member 552 toward the abutting member 60. Here, two protrusions 50b are provided at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the document conveyance path, and a rotating shaft 551 and a torsion spring 553 are also provided at both ends correspondingly. On the other hand, the guide member 552 is provided from the front surface to the rear surface in the direction orthogonal to the document conveyance path.

  In the present embodiment, the guide member 552 is made of a metal plate (metal plate) such as SUS. Further, the free end side of the guide member 552 extends in the vicinity of the reading position by the CIS 50, specifically, to a position 3 mm upstream from the reading position in the document transport direction. Further, a hemming bent portion 552a is provided on the free end side of the guide member 552, that is, a portion that comes into contact with the document. By providing this folded portion 552a, when contacting with the conveyed document. Generation of paper dust and the like can be prevented. The guide member 552 is made of a metal sheet metal and can be bent by the torsion spring 553, so that the thickness of the conveyed document can be absorbed and even a document with a folding trace can be stabilized. Can be transported.

On the other hand, the abutting member 60 is provided on the upstream side in the document conveyance direction, and guides the document to be conveyed. The document conveyance surface 60a guides the document to be conveyed. And a step surface 60b formed by lowering one step. Further, the step surface 60b is formed so as to face an extension line of the light focus point by the SELFOC lens 53. On the step surface 60b, a white reference tape 64 made of a secondary stretched polyester film is provided. It is pasted. Therefore, the white reference tape 64 is attached to the scanner device 70 via the abutting member 60. In the present embodiment, the white reference tape 64 is disposed with the upper surface exposed in the conveyance path, and the upper surface of the white reference tape 64 is slightly behind the upper surface of the document conveyance surface 60a (away from the conveyance path). Is located on the side). Further, at both ends of the abutting member 60 on the conveyance path side (upper side) and in the direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction with respect to the white reference tape 64, as shown by the broken lines in the drawing, the document conveyance direction is indicated. Ribs 65 are formed as extending gap forming means. The rib 65 is integrally formed of resin together with the abutting member 60, and the height of the rib 65 is appropriately selected from the range of 0.1 to 1.0 mm in consideration of the thickness of the conveyed document. Is set. The height of the rib 65 is preferably slightly larger than the thickness of a document that is frequently used. Then, the guide member 552 urged by the torsion spring 553 contacts the rib 65, so that the document is not transported between the guide member 552 and the document transport surface 60a of the abutting member 60. In this state, a gap of 0.1 to 1.0 mm corresponding to the height of the rib 65 is formed.
Also, a white reference plate 66 as a reference member attached to be in close contact with the first platen glass 72A is provided below the butting member 60 and on the upper side of the first platen glass 72A. .

  Here, since the CIS 50 employs the SELFOC lens 53 as the optical imaging lens, the focal point (field of view) seismic intensity is as shallow as about ± 0.3 mm, which is approximately the same as when the scanner device 70 is used. The depth is 1/13 or less. When reading with the CIS 50, it is required to keep the reading position of the document within a predetermined narrow range. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a control member 55 is provided, and the document is pressed against the abutting member 60 by the control member 55 and conveyed, so that the posture of the document between the guide member 19 and the out-roll 20 can be stabilized. It was configured to be controllable. 2 indicates the movement of the original when the control member 55 is provided. It is understood that the document to be conveyed is conveyed while being pressed against the abutting member 60. That is, the control member 55 reads the conveyed document while being pressed against the abutting member 60, thereby improving the sweetness of the focus when the CIS 50 having a shallow depth of field is used.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. The first platen glass 72A, the second platen glass 72B, the white reference plate 66, the guide member 19, and the full rate carriage 73 (see FIG. 3). It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship with the reading position by 1 reference).
In the present embodiment, for example, when the power is turned on, the full rate carriage 73 is moved to the white reference reading position A (second position) immediately below the white reference plate 66, and this is detected by the CCD image sensor 78 (see FIG. 1). The white reference plate 66 is read, and the result is stored as shading correction data in a shading memory 84 (see FIG. 4) described later. Further, in the fixed reading mode for reading the image of the document placed on the first platen glass 72A, the full rate carriage 73 is positioned below the first platen glass 72A and in the fixed reading start position near the white reference reading position A. Then, the image of the original on the first platen glass 72A is read by the CCD image sensor 78 while moving the full rate carriage 73 toward the fixed reading end position C side. The fixed reading start position B is always the same position regardless of the size of the original, but the fixed reading end position C differs depending on the size of the original to be read. Further, in a flow reading mode for reading an image of a document conveyed by the document feeder 10 (see FIG. 1), the full rate carriage 73 is moved to a flow reading position D (a first position directly below the second platen glass 72B and the guide member 19). With the full rate carriage 73 fixed at the flow reading position D, the CCD image sensor 78 reads the image of the original conveyed on the second platen glass 72B. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the guide member 19 is read by the CCD image sensor 78 between documents.

  Here, FIG. 3 also illustrates the length of the illumination lamp 74 in the main scanning direction for reference. In the present embodiment, the length of the illumination lamp 74 in the main scanning direction is set to be slightly longer than the length in the main scanning direction (maximum document width) of a readable maximum size document. This is for ensuring the irradiation light quantity with respect to both ends in the main scanning direction in the maximum size document. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the CCD image sensor 78 does not need to read an image outside the maximum document width (outside the image reading area), the length of the illumination lamp 74 in the main scanning direction is maximized. It only needs to be slightly longer than the document width.

Next, the processing device 80 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the processing device 80. However, FIG. 4 shows only blocks that process image data read by the CCD image sensor 78, and a description of blocks that process image data read by the CIS 50 is omitted.
The processing device 80 creates an analog correction unit 81 for processing an analog image signal read by the CCD image sensor 78, an A / D conversion unit 82 for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and shading correction data. A shading correction unit 83 as a correction unit that performs shading correction or the like on the image data using the shading data, a shading memory 84 that stores the shading correction data created by the shading correction unit 83, and an image after the shading correction And an image processing unit 85 that performs image processing on the data. The image processing unit 85 performs image processing such as filtering and reduction / enlargement on the image data after shading correction, and outputs the image data to a PC or an image forming apparatus (both not shown).

Further, the processing device 80 includes a background value processing unit (reference value acquiring unit, a reference value acquiring unit, a processing unit for processing a background image data obtained by reading the guide member 19 with the CCD image sensor 78 and a processing unit for processing a variation value. (Variation value acquisition means, determination means) 86 and a reference value storage memory 87 as a reference value memory for storing a white fluctuation reference value (described later) created by the background image processing unit 86. Further, the processing device 80 includes a CCD drive unit 88 that controls the CCD image sensor 78, a motor controller 89 that controls a motor used to transport the document, a motor that moves the full rate carriage 73, and the half rate carriage 75, A lamp control unit 90 that controls lighting of the illumination lamp 74 is provided.
The shading correction unit 83, the background image processing unit 86, the CCD drive unit 88, the motor control unit 89, and the lamp control unit 90 described above are controlled by the CPU 91. The CPU 91 is supplied with a document detection signal from a registration sensor 37 provided in the first transport path 31.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the processing device 80 shown in FIG. Here, a case of flow reading in which a single-sided image of a document conveyed by the document feeder 10 is read by a fixed CCD image sensor 78 will be described.
In this process, first, for example, each time the image reading apparatus is turned on, the motor controller 89 moves the full rate carriage 73 to the white reference reading position A (see FIG. 3). Next, the white reference plate 66 irradiated by the illumination lamp 74 is read a plurality of times by the CCD image sensor 78 and averaged to collect shading correction data Vref as a reference for performing shading correction (step). 11). Then, the obtained shading correction data Vref is stored in the shading memory 84.
Next, the motor controller 89 causes the full rate carriage 73 to flow and move to the reading position D. Next, the guide member 19 irradiated by the illumination lamp 74 is read by the CCD image sensor 78, thereby obtaining a white variation reference value S that serves as a reference for obtaining a temporal change in the amount of light irradiated by the illumination lamp 74 ( Step 12). The obtained white variation reference value S is stored in the reference value storage memory 87.
Next, the light quantity fluctuation correction value a of the illumination lamp 74 in the initial stage is set to 1 (step 13).

Then, in a state where the full-rate carriage 73 is flowed and fixed at the reading position D, the original is conveyed by the original feeding device 10, and an image formed on the conveyed original is read by the CCD image sensor 78. Image data obtained by reading is subjected to predetermined processing and then sent to the shading correction unit 83, where the shading correction unit 83 performs shading correction (step 14) and outputs the result. In this embodiment, when the input value of the image data is Vin and the output value after correction is Vout,
Vout = (Vin × 255) / (Vref × a)
Correction is performed using a correction formula as follows. In the above formula, “255” is a coefficient for converting the image data into 8 bits (256 gradations).

  Then, it is determined whether or not to end the image reading, that is, whether or not there is a next document to be sent (whether or not the next document is detected by the registration sensor 37) (step 15). If no original exists, the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the next document exists, the time from the trailing edge of the previous document flowing through the reading position D until the leading edge of the next document reaches the reading position D, that is, between the documents, By reading the guide member 19 irradiated by the illumination lamp 74 with the CCD image sensor 78, the white variation value X for obtaining the change with time of the amount of light irradiated by the illumination lamp 74 is collected (step 16). Then, the background image processing unit 86 compares the white variation reference value S with the white variation value X to obtain a new light amount variation correction value a (step 17), and returns to step 14.

Next, the white fluctuation reference value S and the white fluctuation value X used for determining the light quantity fluctuation correction value a in the above-described process will be described in detail.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the guide member 19 and the relationship between the white variation reference value S and the white variation value X obtained by reading the guide member 19. In the present embodiment, when the white variation reference value S is collected in step 12 described above, the white variation reference obtained by reading the entire reading region in the main scanning direction corresponding to the reading region of the guide member 19 by the CCD image sensor 78. Of the data S0, 12 pieces of data are selectively sampled at equal intervals in the main scanning direction and set as white variation reference values S1 to S12 as light quantity reference values. The amount of data per location is 100 pixels, and the white variation reference values S1 to S12 at each location are created by averaging the data for 100 pixels. Here, the white fluctuation reference values S1 to S12 are obtained by reading 12 regions A1 to A12 on the guide member 19.

  When the white variation value X is collected in step 16 described above, the above-described white variation data X0 obtained by reading the entire reading region in the main scanning direction corresponding to the reading region of the guide member 19 by the CCD image sensor 78 is described above. Similar to the white variation reference value S1, the data of 12 locations corresponding to the respective regions A1 to A12 of the guide member 19 are selectively acquired and set as white variation values X1 to X12 as light amount variation values. Accordingly, the data amount per location is similarly 100 pixels, and the white variation values X1 to X12 at each location are created by averaging the data for 100 pixels. FIG. 6 also illustrates white variation data X0 'acquired after a lapse of time, in addition to white variation data X0 acquired after a predetermined time has elapsed since power-on.

Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the above-described step 17, that is, acquisition of the light amount fluctuation correction value a as the correction shift amount.
In this process, first, En (n, which is a ratio between the white fluctuation reference value Sn (n = 1 to 12) obtained by reading the same position of the guide member 19 and the white fluctuation value Xn (n = 1 to 12). = 1-12) is obtained (step 21). Next, among the obtained En (n = 1 to 12), the white fluctuation reference value Sn and the white fluctuation value Xn corresponding to En closest to 1 are selected (step 22). Then, the ratio of the selected white fluctuation reference value Sn and white fluctuation value Xn, that is, En is set to a new light quantity fluctuation correction value a (step 23), and the process is terminated.

  Now, the setting of the light amount fluctuation correction value a described above will be described with a specific example. FIG. 8 shows the white variation reference value Sn (n = 1 to 12) obtained by reading the areas A1 to A12 in the guide member 19 when the power is turned on, and the area A1 in the guide member 19 after a predetermined time has passed since the power was turned on. To A12 obtained by reading A12, the ratio En (Xn / Sn) between the white fluctuation reference value Sn and the first white fluctuation value Xn, and a predetermined time The second white fluctuation value Xn ′ (n = 1 to 12 ′), the white fluctuation reference value Sn and the second white fluctuation value Xn ′ obtained by reading the areas A1 to A12 in the guide member 19 after the elapse of time The ratio En ′ (Xn ′ / Sn) is shown. Here, Sn and Xn have a maximum value of 255 (8 bits), but in actuality, the value decreases as the amount of light of the illumination lamp 74 changes with time. Further, due to the illuminance characteristics of the illumination lamp 74, the light quantity at both ends in the main scanning direction is lower than the central portion in the main scanning direction.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment, since the guide member 19 is disposed in a state where it is exposed in the document conveyance path, there is a possibility that dirt or dust on the document may transfer and adhere to the guide member 19. If dirt or dust adheres to the guide member 19, the amount of light at that portion will appear to be significantly reduced, as shown, for example, in the vicinity of the region A8 of the white variation data X0 '. As described above, when the correction is performed based on the apparent light amount decrease caused by the cause that is not caused by the light amount decrease of the illumination lamp 74, image data that has been erroneously corrected is output. .

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described in step 22 described above, the white variation reference value Sn and the white variation value Xn are sampled at a plurality of locations (12 locations in the present embodiment) of the guide member 19, and both of them are collected. The light quantity fluctuation correction value a is set using the white fluctuation reference value Sn and the white fluctuation value Xn whose ratio Dn is closest to 1. That is, the variation in the amount of light of the illumination lamp 74 is corrected using the reading result of the guide member 19 at a site where the guide member 19 is closer to white (a site with a small amount of variation). More specifically, for example, in the case of the first white fluctuation value Xn, the light quantity fluctuation correction value a is En = 185 by the white fluctuation reference value S8 = 190 and the white fluctuation value X8 = 185 in the area A8. /190≈0.973 is set. In the case of the second white fluctuation value Xn ′, the light quantity fluctuation correction value a is En ′ = 183 / 199≈0 by the white fluctuation reference value S7 = 199 and the white fluctuation value X7 ′ = 183 in the area A7. .920 will be set.

  In the present embodiment, the CCD image sensor 78 reads a plurality of locations on the guide member 19 and sets the light amount fluctuation correction value a using the light amount fluctuation amount data at the location where the light amount fluctuation amount is the smallest among these. did. That is, the light quantity fluctuation correction value a is set in a state where the apparent light quantity reduction due to dirt or dust adhering to the guide member 19 is excluded. As a result, when shading correction is performed on the image data read by the CCD image sensor 78, it is possible to accurately perform the correction associated with the change in the amount of light of the illumination lamp 74 over time. As a result, the image quality of the image data output after the shading correction can be made substantially constant regardless of the elapsed time since the lighting lamp 74 is turned on.

  In the present embodiment, since the guide member 19 is read in the image reading area, there is no need to provide a dedicated density reference member outside the image reading area as in the conventional image reading apparatus. The configuration can be simplified. Since it is not necessary to read the outside of the image reading area, the length of the illumination lamp 74 in the main scanning direction needs to be slightly increased with respect to the maximum document width. The length in the main scanning direction can also be made compact.

  In the present embodiment, the light amount variation correction value a is set using the white variation reference value Sn and the white variation value Xn where the ratio En is closest to 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light quantity fluctuation correction value a may be set by selecting the one having the smallest difference between the white fluctuation reference value Sn and the white fluctuation value Xn.

It is the figure which showed the image reading apparatus with which this Embodiment is applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of CIS and the CIS vicinity. It is a figure for demonstrating the installation position of a white reference board, a fixed reading position, and a sink reading position. It is a block diagram for demonstrating a processing apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the shading correction | amendment operation | movement in this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the white fluctuation reference value and white fluctuation value which are obtained by reading a guide member. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process for acquiring light quantity fluctuation correction value. It is a graph for demonstrating an example of a white fluctuation reference value and a white fluctuation value.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Document feeder, 11 ... Document tray, 14 ... Feed roll, 15 ... Retard roll, 16 ... Take away roll, 17 ... Pre-registration roll, 18 ... Registration roll, 19 ... Guide member, 20 ... Out roll, 50 ... CIS, 60 ... Abutting member, 64 ... White reference tape, 66 ... White reference plate, 70 ... Scanner device, 71 ... Device frame, 72A ... First platen glass, 72B ... Second platen glass, 73 ... Full rate carriage, 74 ... Illumination Lamp: 75 half-rate carriage 78 78 CCD image sensor 79 drive substrate 80 processing device 81 analog correction unit 82 A / D conversion unit 83 shading correction unit 84 shading memory 85 ... Image processing unit, 86 ... Background image processing unit, 87 ... Reference value storage memory, 88 ... CCD drive unit A: White reference reading position, B: Fixed reading start position, C: Fixed reading end position, D: Sink reading position

Claims (8)

Irradiating means for irradiating the document with light;
Reading means for reading reflected light from the original irradiated by the irradiation means;
Reference value acquisition means for reading reflected light from a predetermined facing member irradiated by the irradiation means with the reading means, and acquiring light quantity reference values for each of a plurality of locations in the main scanning direction reading area;
After the light quantity reference value is obtained, the reflected value from the facing member irradiated by the irradiating means is read by the reading means, and the fluctuation value obtaining means for obtaining the light quantity fluctuation value of each of the plurality of locations;
Image data obtained by reading a document with the reading means using the respective light quantity reference values acquired by the reference value acquiring means and the respective light quantity fluctuation values acquired by the fluctuation value acquiring means. An image reading apparatus comprising: a determining unit that determines a correction shift amount with respect to. The apparatus further comprises conveying means for conveying the document,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads the document and the facing member while being fixed at a predetermined position. The reference value acquisition means averages data of a plurality of pixels for each of the plurality of locations to acquire the light amount reference value,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fluctuation value acquiring unit acquires the light quantity fluctuation value by averaging data of a plurality of pixels for each of the plurality of places.   The determining unit calculates a ratio between a light quantity reference value and a light quantity fluctuation value acquired from the same place among the plurality of places, and determines the correction shift amount based on the calculated ratio closest to 1. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. A light source for illuminating the document;
A sensor for receiving reflected light reflected from the document at a first position for reading the document;
An opposing member read by the sensor at the first position;
A reference member read by the sensor at a second position different from the first position;
A shading memory for storing shading correction data for the entire main scanning direction reading region obtained by reading the reference member irradiated by the light source with the sensor;
A reference value memory for storing a light amount reference value of each of a plurality of locations in the main scanning direction reading region obtained by reading the opposing member irradiated by the light source with the sensor;
A fluctuation value acquisition unit that reads the opposing member irradiated by the light source after the light quantity reference value is acquired by the sensor and acquires a light quantity fluctuation value of each of the plurality of locations;
Based on the respective light quantity reference values read from the reference value memory and the respective light quantity fluctuation values acquired by the fluctuation value acquisition unit, fluctuation correction data corresponding to temporal light quantity fluctuations of the light source is obtained. A fluctuation correction data creation section to be created;
The image data obtained by reading the document irradiated by the light source with the sensor is subjected to shading correction using the shading data read from the shading memory, and is also created by the variation correction data creation unit. And a correction unit that performs fluctuation correction using the fluctuation correction data.   6. The fluctuation correction data creation unit creates the fluctuation correction data using a light quantity reference value and a light quantity fluctuation value with the smallest fluctuation among the plurality of places obtained from the same place. The image reading apparatus described.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light source is a line light source extending in a main scanning direction.   6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein both the facing member and the reference member are white.

Images