JP2007019764A - Image reading apparatus and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the offset of image signals generated from the ON resistance of an analog switch and a leakage current. <P>SOLUTION: An image reading apparatus comprises: a CCD 101 for reading original images and outputting analog electric signals; a line clamp part 141 for fixing ("clamping", hereafter) the black level of the analog electric signals output from the CCD 101 on the basis of a supplied potential for adjustment; and a DAC 151 for supplying a potential corresponding to the fluctuation portion of the black level generated in the analog electric signals clamped by the line clamp part 141 to the line clamp part 141. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image reading method that reduce an offset of an image signal.

  In the image reading process in the reduction optical system, the reflected light from the original is read as original information while the scanning body moves in the sub-scanning direction, and this reflected light is converted into analog by photoelectric conversion on the CCD line sensor via the lens. Convert to electrical signal. The obtained analog electrical signal is subjected to analog processing and digital processing to read image information as digital data. Next, the flow of image data will be described.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus. In the CCD line sensor, the obtained analog electric signal is input to an analog processing ASIC 503 that performs analog processing via an AC coupling unit 502. In the analog processing ASIC 503, the input electric signal performs a line clamp operation on the light shield region 601 or the output level in one line of the electric signal output from the CCD 501. This clamped line level is taken as the black level of the image data. Here, an electrical signal input from the CCD 501 will be described.

  FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the input electrical signal and the clamp signal. In FIG. 6A, the input electric signal is composed of three periodic areas: a light shield area 601, an effective pixel area 602, and an empty transfer area 603. One area composed of these three areas of the light shield area 601, the effective pixel area 602, and the empty transfer area 603 is referred to as one line period. Returning to the description of FIG. 5, the image signal subjected to the line clamp is amplified by the variable gain amplifier 504. The gain (ratio between the input level and the output level) of the variable gain amplifier 504 is set in advance, and is set so that the reading level becomes a target value when a reference white document is read.

  The amplified image signal is converted into a digital signal based on a reference level (reference level) generated from a reference voltage by the A / DC 505 to obtain digital data of document information. In this configuration, drive signals for driving the CCD line sensor, analog processing ASIC 503, and A / DC 505 are generated based on the reference clock by the drive signal generation unit.

  Next, the line clamp operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the line clamp operation, the potential of the empty transfer region 603 in one line cycle output from the CCD 501 is charged so as to reach the clamp level.

  FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of a connection relationship of circuits when charging the capacitor. In FIG. 6B, the analog switch SW1 is normally OFF. The gate signal corresponding to the empty transfer area 603 shown in FIG. 6A is used as a switch signal, and the switch is turned ON when the switch signal is detected. To do. When the switch is turned on, the potential of the empty transfer region 603 is charged so as to reach the clamp level supplied from the outside. In regions other than the empty transfer region 603, the analog switch SW1 is turned off, and the potential due to the electric charge accumulated in the AC coupling capacitor 621 is held. At this time, since the electric charge leaks due to a leakage current or the like, the clamp level changes. Therefore, when the switch signal of the empty transfer area 603 of the next line is detected, the switch is turned on again to charge. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.)

JP 2000-106629 A JP 11-98354 A

  However, as described above, when the switch is turned on, a voltage drop corresponding to “leakage current × switch resistance” occurs. Therefore, if the switch resistance value is large, the actual clamped potential and the clamp supplied from the outside There is a problem that a difference from the level occurs and an offset occurs in the image signal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus and an image reading method capable of reducing the offset of an image signal in order to eliminate the above-described problems caused by the conventional technology.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is based on an imaging means for reading a document image and outputting an analog electric signal, and an adjustment potential supplied. The black level of the analog electric signal output from the image pickup means is fixed (hereinafter referred to as “clamping”), and the black level variation corresponding to the analog electric signal clamped by the clamping means is handled. And a potential supply means for supplying the potential to the clamp means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a potential can be supplied to the clamping means. For this reason, the offset generated in the analog electric signal can be reduced.

  An image reading apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the potential supply means includes a fixed potential supply means for supplying a fixed potential, and a variable potential supply means for supplying a variable potential. And a switch means for switching between the fixed potential supplied from the fixed potential supply means and the variable potential supplied from the variable potential supply means in response to a change in the state of the analog electric signal. It is characterized by that.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, when the potential is supplied, the fixed potential generated by the resistance voltage dividing unit and the variable potential supplied by the variable potential supply means can be switched and supplied.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein when the apparatus is turned on, the time measuring means measures the time from when the apparatus is turned on. Switching means for switching the control signal of the switch based on the time counted by the time measuring means is further provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the control signal can be switched when the power is turned on. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the charging time at the clamp level.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the third aspect, the switching means is realized by a transistor switch and a power supply voltage detection circuit.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, switching of the control signal at power-on can be realized with a simple circuit configuration.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the analog electric signal output by the clamp unit is generated based on the variable potential supplied by the variable potential supply unit. A / D conversion means for converting to a digital signal; a setting level corresponding to the variable potential output from the variable potential supply means to the clamp means; and a level of the analog electric signal input to the A / D conversion means And calculating means for calculating the setting level of the variable potential and outputting the calculated setting level of the variable potential to the variable potential supply means.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the DAC set value for reducing the offset can be obtained. Therefore, the offset can be reduced accurately.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method that reads an original image and outputs an analog electric signal, and the analog electric signal output from the imaging step based on a supplied adjustment potential. A clamp process for fixing a black level of a signal (hereinafter referred to as “clamping”), and a potential supply for supplying to the clamp process a potential corresponding to the black level variation generated in the analog electric signal clamped by the clamp process. And a process.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a potential can be supplied to the clamping means. For this reason, the offset generated in the analog electric signal can be reduced.

  According to the image reading apparatus and the image reading method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the offset of the image signal caused by the ON resistance of the analog switch and the leakage current in the clamp circuit of the image reading apparatus. Therefore, the influence of analog signal processing due to offset can be reduced.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image reading apparatus and an image reading method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
First, a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image reading apparatus 100 reads a reflected light from an original and converts the reflected light into an analog electric signal by photoelectric conversion, and amplifies the analog electric signal converted by the CCD 101. Emitter follower 102, AC coupling unit 103, analog processing ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 104, image processing ASIC 105 for timing control, resistance voltage dividing units 106 and 107, power-on reset IC 108, SW ( switch) 2.

  The CCD 101 forms an image of reflected light from a document on a CCD line sensor through a lens, and converts the reflected light into an analog electrical signal by photoelectric conversion. The emitter follower 102 amplifies the analog electric signal converted by the CCD 101 and inputs it to the analog processing ASIC 104 via the AC coupling unit 103.

  The analog processing ASIC 104 includes a line clamp unit 141, an S & H (Sample and Hold) unit 142, a variable gain amplifier 143, an A / DC (Analog Digital Converter) 144, and SW1. The line clamp unit 141 performs a line clamp operation on the output level of the light shield area or the empty transfer area in one line of the input electric signal. Here, the line clamp operation refers to fixing a specific portion of a signal to a necessary voltage level. The clamp level fixed by this line clamp operation is set as the black level of the image data.

  The S & H unit 142 samples (samples) values at a plurality of predetermined times of the electric signal, and temporarily holds the values. The variable gain amplifier 143 amplifies the image signal subjected to the line clamp process with a predetermined gain (ratio between input level and output level). The gain is set so that the reading level when the reference white original is read becomes a target value. The A / DC 144 converts the amplified image signal into a digital signal based on the reference level generated from the reference voltage. By this conversion, digital data of the original is obtained. SW1 will be described later. The DAC 151 supplies a variable potential to the line clamp unit 141.

  Further, the flow of the read image data is omitted because it overlaps with the contents of FIG. The image reading apparatus 100 according to the present invention is configured to supply an output generated by a DAC (Digital Analog Converter) 151 to the line clamp unit 141 of the analog processing ASIC 104. In addition to the DAC 151, a fixed potential is generated using the resistance voltage dividing units 106 and 107. Then, the connection switching of SW1 and SW2 is controlled by the control signal. With the configuration as described above, the analog processing ASIC 104 operates with reference to an externally supplied potential.

  Next, a method for reducing the offset of the image signal generated by the resistance of the analog switch (SW1, SW2) will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the input electric signal and the clamp signal. The input electric signal is composed of three periodic areas, a light shield area 201, an effective pixel area 202, and an empty transfer area 203. These light shield region 201, effective pixel region 202, and empty transfer region 203 are referred to as one line cycle. A signal in which the line clamp signal corresponding to the empty transfer area indicated by reference numeral 204 is ON is referred to as a clamp gate signal, a period 205 in which the clamp signal is ON is A period, and the clamp signal is OFF. Period 206 is referred to as period B.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection relationship between SW1 and SW2. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 311 denotes an AC coupling capacitor, which corresponds to the AC coupling unit 103 in FIG. Reference numerals 312 and 313 denote resistance voltage dividing circuits, which correspond to the resistance voltage dividing sections 106 and 107 in FIG.

  2 and 3, SW2 is connected to the contact portion 314 side during the A period 205. At this time, SW1 is turned ON, and the AC coupling capacitor 311 is charged with the fixed potential 1, thereby reducing the difference (offset) in the clamp level due to the voltage drop. In the B period 206, SW2 is connected to the contact portion 315 side. At this time, SW1 is turned OFF and the AC coupling capacitor 311 is not charged. Then, the DAC 151 supplies a potential set so as to reduce the offset generated by the analog switch. The analog processing ASIC 104 operates based on the output potential from the DAC 151.

  In contrast to the method for reducing the offset as described above, the potential by the DAC 151 can be supplied when the clamp signal is ON, and the fixed potential 1 can be supplied to the analog processing ASIC 104 when the clamp signal is OFF. However, in this case, the period during which the clamp signal ON for charging the AC coupling capacitor 311 in the line clamp unit 141 is a short period in one line. Further, the AC coupling capacitor 311 has a certain amount of capacity in order to hold electric charge. Therefore, it takes time to charge and discharge.

  By adopting a configuration in which the reference potential of the analog processing ASIC 104 as described above is adjusted by the DAC 151, the waiting time for the charge / discharge time to the AC coupling unit 103 in the line clamp unit 141 is not necessary, and the adjustment time can be shortened.

  Further, the output destination of the DAC 151 is switched to the analog processing ASIC 104 side and the resistance voltage dividing circuit 312 side by SW2. This is because if the output of the DAC 151 is opened during a period when the output from the DAC 151 is not asserted to the analog processing ASIC 104, the state of the load changes depending on whether the analog processing ASIC 104 and the DAC 151 are connected or not. . For this reason, in the DAC 151 circuit, there is a possibility that ringing (characters of image data blur) or transmission may occur. In order to prevent these and to reduce the change in the load state due to the connection, the connection between the analog processing ASIC 104 and the resistance voltage dividing circuit is switched by SW2.

  Next, control timing will be described. During normal control, the switches (SW1, SW2) are switched by the clamp gate signal as described above. In this method, in order to charge the AC coupling capacitor at the time of starting up the power supply, a considerable number of lines are required until the charging reaches a sufficient level only by charging during the ON period of the clamp signal described above. Further, since the power is turned on, software control cannot be performed. In order to avoid these problems, a circuit that always turns on the control signal of the power supply together with the clamp adjustment described above is configured.

  FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of a circuit configuration for always turning on the control signal when the power is turned on. The circuit illustrated in FIG. 4A includes a power-on reset IC 108, TrSW1, TrSW2, and a plurality of resistors. The power-on reset IC 108 monitors the level of the power supply line, and outputs a reset release signal after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned on. The reset release signal output by the power-on reset IC 108 is input to the analog processing ASIC 104 via TrSW1 and TrSW2. Next, the voltage change at the time of rising and the reset release signal will be described.

  FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of a change in voltage and a reset release signal at the time of rising. In FIG. 4B, the vertical axis represents voltage and the horizontal axis represents time. A time region indicated by reference numeral 421 indicates a time change in voltage from when the power is turned on to when the power is turned on. Time t1 is the time when the start-up is completed after the power is turned on. The voltage is constant after time t1. As for the signal indicated by reference numeral 422, a reset release signal is output from the power-on reset IC 108 at a time t2 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned on.

  FIG. 4C is an explanatory diagram of each signal when the power is turned on. In FIG. 4C, reference numeral 431 denotes an output (reset release signal) from the power-on reset IC. Reference numeral 432 indicates a line clamp signal, and reference numeral 433 indicates a clamp gate signal. The time t2 is the same time as the time t2 shown in FIG. Until this time t2, since the reset release signal is not output, both TrSW1 and TrSW2 are in the ON state. Until time t2, the clamp gate signal 433 is always low and SW1 is always in the ON state, so that the clamp circuit is in a charged state by the fixed voltage 1 of the resistor voltage divider 1.

  Then, after a certain time has elapsed and the clamp circuit is fully charged, when a reset release signal is output at time t2, both TrSW1 and TrSW2 are turned off. In addition, the clamp gate signal 433 output from the timing generation is input to SW1 and SW2, and the normal clamp operation state is thereafter performed. With the circuit configuration and the control signal as described above, the charging time of the clamp circuit when the power is turned on can be shortened.

  In addition, when the offset generated by the clamp circuit is steady and the offset is known in advance, the offset due to the ON resistance of the analog switch is reduced by setting the set value in the DAC 151 to a value corresponding to the offset. It becomes possible. However, generally, the ON resistance due to the analog switch is due to the internal configuration of the chip, and thus cannot be predicted. In addition, since the leakage current varies depending on each component, it is difficult to predict.

  According to the image reading apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the set value of the potential supplied by the DAC 151 is calculated from the data read by the A / DC 144. Specifically, it is calculated based on the read level of the light shield area 201 read by the A / DC 144. The calculated set value is output to the DAC 151 again. In this way, by configuring a feedback loop for calculating a set value for adjusting the clamp level, it is possible to precisely reduce offset variations due to component variations.

  Next, calculation of the set value will be described. First, a target value (Black Target) of a reference level is set. Then, an update amount (ΔSet_Data_Data) of the DAC setting value is obtained from the reading level (Black_Data) of the light shield area read by a certain DAC setting value (Set_Dac_Data) and the reference value target value.

  ΔSet_Dac_Data (n + 1) = α × (Black Target−Black_Data (n) (1)

  The set value of the DAC 151 is updated from the update amount of Expression (1).

  Set_Dac_Data (n + 1) = Set_Dac_Data (n) + ΔSet_Dac_Data (n + 1) (2)

  Here, α in Equation (1) is a correction coefficient calculated from the gain in the analog processing ASIC 104. In addition, “n” included in the equations (1) and (2) indicates that the data is read n times or calculated n times. By repeating the update described above, the offset level can be adjusted to the target level.

  As described above, according to the image reading apparatus and the image reading method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the offset caused by the ON resistance of the analog switch, the leakage current of the AC coupling capacitor, and the like. Therefore, the influence of analog signal processing due to offset can be reduced.

  The image reading method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, the image reading apparatus and the image reading method according to the present invention are useful for correcting a read image, and are particularly suitable for digital copying machines and scanner apparatuses.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the functional structure of the image reading apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the input electrical signal and a clamp signal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection relation of SW1 and SW2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the circuit structure for always turning ON the control signal at the time of starting of a power supply. It is explanatory drawing shown about the change of the voltage at the time of a rise, and a reset cancellation | release signal. It is explanatory drawing which shows each signal at the time of power activation. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a functional structure of an image reading apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the input electrical signal and a clamp signal. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection relation of the circuit at the time of charging a capacitor | condenser.

Explanation of symbols

100 image reading device 101 CCD
102 Emitter follower 103 AC coupling unit 104 Analog processing ASIC
105 Image Processing ASIC
106,107 Resistance voltage divider 108 Power-on reset IC
141 Line Clamp Unit 142 S & H Unit 143 Variable Gain Amplifier 144 A / DC
151 DAC

Claims (6)

Imaging means for reading a document image and outputting an analog electrical signal;
Clamping means for fixing the black level of the analog electric signal output from the imaging means (hereinafter referred to as “clamping”) based on the supplied adjustment potential;
A potential supply means for supplying the clamp means with a potential corresponding to the fluctuation of the black level generated in the analog electric signal clamped by the clamp means;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The potential supply means includes
Fixed potential supply means for supplying a fixed potential;
Variable potential supply means for supplying a variable potential;
With
The apparatus further comprises switch means for switching between the fixed potential supplied from the fixed potential supply means and the variable potential supplied from the variable potential supply means in response to a change in state of the analog electrical signal. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. A timing means for timing the time since the device was turned on when the device was turned on;
Switching means for switching the control signal of the switch based on the time measured by the time measuring means;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switching unit is realized by a transistor switch and a power supply voltage detection circuit. A / D conversion means for converting the analog electric signal output from the clamp means into a digital signal based on the variable potential supplied by the variable potential supply means;
Based on the setting level corresponding to the variable potential output from the variable potential supply means to the clamping means and the level of the analog electric signal input to the A / D conversion means, the setting level of the variable potential is determined. Calculating means for calculating and outputting the set level of the calculated variable potential to the variable potential supply means;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: An imaging process of reading an original image and outputting an analog electrical signal;
A clamping step of fixing (hereinafter, referred to as “clamping”) a black level of the analog electric signal output from the imaging step based on a supplied adjustment potential;
A potential supply step of supplying a potential corresponding to the fluctuation of the black level generated in the analog electric signal clamped by the clamping step to the clamping step;
An image reading method comprising:

Images