JP3059025B2 - Image input display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a handy FA
The present invention relates to a black-and-white or color image input device used for OA equipment that handles images such as X, general FAX, information terminal for personal use, image reading device, image recognition device, OCR, digital copier, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As image input devices for converting image information into electric information and inputting them, there are currently image scanners and TVs.
Cameras (electronic cameras) are known. Also, an image editing apparatus is known as an apparatus that combines image input and image processing. The image editing apparatus processes read image data, performs arbitrary processing, and outputs the processed image data. In particular, a color image editing apparatus is used for, for example, a makeup simulator, animation editing, and the like.

[0003] As an image input device, there is known an image scanner which has versatility mainly for image input and can handle multi-valued images. As the image scanner, for example, a color scanner shown in FIG. 16 will be described as an example. This image scanner includes an input scanning unit 101, an electronic calculation circuit unit 102, and an output scanning unit 10
3 is provided. The input scanning unit 101 transmits or reflects a color document 105 attached to an input cylinder (drum) 104 with a minute spot light beam. The transmitted or reflected light beam is captured by a photomultiplier tube (photomultiplier) 106 having a color separation filter, and is converted into an electric signal by the electronic calculation circuit unit 1.
Send to 02. The electronic calculation circuit unit 102 corrects the color and gradation so that a desired color and tone can be obtained on a printed matter, and then modifies the light modulator (modulator,
By controlling a glow lamp or the like, exposure is performed on a film 108 as a recording material adhered to an output cylinder (drum) 107 as large and small halftone dots.

Scanning is performed by rotating the input cylinder 104 and moving in the direction along the rotation axis thereof, and rotating the output cylinder 107 and moving in the direction along the rotation axis. Recorded by

The image input device for black and white uses a smaller number of colors to be separated and synthesized at the time of input scanning and output scanning than the above-described color image input device, and mechanically performs the color separation and synthesis. The parts are simplified.

[0006]

However, the conventional image input device has the following problems. Since an input mechanism such as an input cylinder is driven or a document is moved, it is mechanically complicated.

[0007] Image input data is blurred due to driving of the input cylinder and the like.

Since the input system and the output system are provided separately, the input of an arbitrary area may not completely match.

The input device is large-scale.

In the case of color, an input sensor is required for each separation color.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems in the prior art, has a simple mechanism, does not cause blurring in image input data, and performs input of an arbitrary area in a consistent manner. It is another object of the present invention to provide a small-sized image input device capable of reducing the number of input sensors for color images.

[0012]

An image input device according to the present invention is provided such that an image input document set on one side or the other side of a pair of substrates opposed to each other with a display medium interposed therebetween is input from the outside. Using the light transmittance or light scattering property of the display medium and irradiating the light by scanning, and an image display unit for displaying an image, and a vicinity of one of two opposite end faces of the pair of substrates. provided, it emits the generated light, a light source to be incident from one end face side of the to the image display section, from the light source
Outgoing light changing means for changing the direction of outgoing outgoing light,
Provided in the vicinity of the other side of the second end face, and an image input section for converting into an electrical signal captures the reflected light from the document, before
The output light changing means outputs the light when the image is input and when the image is displayed.
By changing the direction of the emitted light, the above object is achieved. The light to be illuminated on the original is expressed in dot units or
Scanning may be performed in line units. Document for inputting the image
Input specified area on the pointing device
Or by moving with the cursor keys.
No. The outgoing light may be incident on the display medium.
The emitted light is either one of the pair of substrates or the other.
Or may be incident on

Further, the image input device of the present invention has a color filter on one of a pair of substrates disposed opposite to each other with a display medium interposed therebetween, and a color image input document set on one or the other substrate side. Light incident from the outside is scanned and illuminated by utilizing the light transmission or light scattering properties of the display medium, and a color image display unit for displaying a color image is provided. It provided in the vicinity of one side of the end surface, and emits the generated light, a light source to be incident on the color image display section from one end face side of the, is emitted from the light source
That the emitted light changing means for changing the direction of the emitted light, is provided in the vicinity of the other side of the second end face, and a color image input section for converting into an electrical signal captures the reflected light from the document, the
The emission light changing means outputs the emission light at the time of image input and at the time of image display.
By changing the direction of the light, the above objective is achieved. The light to irradiate the original is printed in dot units or
Scans in units and configures the color filter
To switch between multiple color filters
This method is performed in line units or document surface units, or
A method in which these four types are mixed or a multi-scan method
Any of the equations may be employed. For color image input
Input specified area in original
Or by moving the cursor with keys.
Then, an image may be imported by instructing the color information of the original.
No. The outgoing light may be incident on the display medium.
The emitted light is either one of the pair of substrates or the other.
Or may be incident on

[0014]

According to the present invention, the light transmission or light scattering properties of the display medium are used. For this reason, an electric field is applied to an arbitrary portion of the display medium to form a light transmitting portion or a light scattering portion, and light is transmitted from the light transmitting portion to irradiate an original, or light is scattered by the light scattering portion. By irradiating the original, the original can be read. In addition, since an image display unit for displaying an image is generally configured so that a location where an electric field is applied to a display medium can be performed by changing a current supply position, the current supply position is changed in a predetermined pattern. Thus, the original can be scanned and irradiated with light.

Further, in the case of a color image, since a color filter used for color display is provided, an image separated by a filter for each color can be obtained.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A is a front sectional view showing a configuration in which the present invention is applied to a color image input device.
This image input device utilizes the light scattering property of liquid crystal, and includes a transparent thin display (color image display unit) 10 and a backlight diffusion plate 2 sandwiching a color original 1 to be input with an image, and a backlight diffusion plate. A light source 3 for backlight provided on the side of the plate 2 and a color image input unit 16 provided on a side of the display 10 opposite to the light source 3 are provided. The display 10 and the diffusion plate 2 are configured to be opened and closed via a hinge 18.

The light source 3 is, as shown in FIG.
The direction in which the emitted light exits between the time of image input and the time of image display,
It is configured to be able to be changed by rotating the reflection plate 4, and emits light laterally with the backlight diffusion plate 2 at the time of image display, and emits light upward at the time of image input.

The display 10 has a configuration in which a liquid crystal 13 is sandwiched between two glasses 11 and 12 as substrates, and a light emitted upward from the light source 3 is provided on a side surface of the liquid crystal 13 by a lens 5. The light is irradiated after passing through the mirror 6. The light source 3 is provided near one side (the left side in the figure) of two opposing end faces of the glass 11 or 12. A polarizing plate 14a is provided on the display 10 side (upper side) of the backlight diffusion plate 2, and a polarizing plate 14b is provided on the upper side of the glass 11 farthest from the backlight diffusion plate 2 among both glasses 11, 12. ing. The document 1 is substantially sandwiched between the glass 12 of the display 10 and the polarizing plate 14a.

The lens 5 and the mirror 6 are provided between the side surface of the liquid crystal 13 and the light source 3. The lens 5 condenses the light emitted upward from the light source 3, and the mirror 6 is collected by the lens 5. The emitted light is directed to the side surface of the liquid crystal 13 while changing its direction in the horizontal direction. The light applied to the liquid crystal 13 propagates through the liquid crystal 13 as an optical waveguide and, as shown in FIG. 2, hits a liquid crystal molecule having a large inclination in a reflection portion 15 which is an ON portion of the liquid crystal 13 and is diffused. It functions as light. This light passes through a Green filter of an RGB filter (color filter) 17 provided on the display 10 as shown in FIG. It becomes light.

The reflected light propagates through the upper and lower glasses 11 and 12 holding the liquid crystal 13 as well as the liquid crystal 13 as an optical waveguide again, and a color image input section provided on the opposite side to the light source 3. The color image input image is obtained by a light / electric conversion element such as a CDD provided in the color image input unit 16. In addition, the color image input unit 16 can be configured by various elements that take in color image data (attached document). Here, an example using a line scanner is shown, and in particular, a FAX CCD, which can be configured at a low cost, is used. The reflection portion 15 moves by electrically moving the ON portion of the liquid crystal 13 right and left. Thereby, scanning is performed. At the time of displaying an image, light from the light source 3 is emitted in the horizontal direction with the backlight diffusion plate 2, and the substrate 11 side of the transmissive thin display 10 becomes the display unit 33.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a method of inputting a document image by the color image input device of this embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a case where the document 1 is in the form of a sheet. The document 1 is sandwiched between the display 10 and the diffusion plate 2. FIG. 3B shows a case where the document 1 is in the form of a book, and the backlight diffusion plate 2 is used by being folded back. The scanning direction is as indicated by the arrow.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an entire electric circuit provided in the color image input device. This electric circuit has a configuration in which a color image input section is added to a normal microprocessor system, but each component has a function for handling a color image. Specifically, the main CPU 32, the main memory 30,
ROM 31 and pointing device control unit 35
, A tablet unit 34, an I / O 36, a color image input unit 16, a frame memory 27, and a display unit 33.

The main CPU 32 not only controls the color image input unit 16 but also controls color image processing, editing processing, and recognition processing. Therefore, special hardware may be provided for color image processing, recognition processing, or optional communication processing or a pointing device.

The main memory 30 includes a DRAM, an SR,
It is composed of an AM or a pseudo SRAM, and not only stores a program but also stores color image data, processed data, and the like.

The ROM 31 mainly stores code data and parameter data of programs, etc.
Color image data such as CON is stored. When the main memory 30 can be backed up or is a nonvolatile memory, the main memory 30 can be used instead.

The frame memory 27 stores bitmap data of the display portion 33 of the transparent thin display 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the display portion 33 includes a display surface 25 and an X driver 28 connected to a source bus line 25a wired inside the display surface 25.
And a Y driver 29 similarly wired inside the display surface 25 and connected to the gate bus line 25b provided so as to intersect with the source bus line 25a, and near the intersection of the two bus lines 25a and 25b. An active element (not shown) for a switch provided and an LCD controller 26 for controlling an X driver 28 and a Y driver 29
And a configuration including LCD controller 26
Controls the X driver 28 and the Y driver 29 to adjust the on / off of the active elements, and supplies the color image data obtained by the color image input unit 16 to the active elements that are on. Thus, display is performed on the display portion 33 based on the color image data.
Note that the display portion 33 can be constituted by the liquid crystal of this embodiment or another device at present, but may be constituted by a new device in the future.

The display section 33 includes a pointing device control section 35, a tablet section 34, and an I / O3.
6, etc., other signals such as instructions are input.

The electric circuit can be constituted by a plurality of microprocessors, as seen in a general microprocessor system, and there are various examples of the constitution.

Next, an input method in the color image input apparatus of this embodiment will be described. Examples of the input method include a method of specifying an input color image using a dot-based scanning method or a line-based scanning method, which will be described in detail later, a method of switching colors for each pixel (one dot or one line), and a method of inputting. One screen (one side scan with one color)
The following methods (1) and (2), which are combined with a color switching method of switching colors after data is input, can be adopted.

A method in which a method of switching colors and inputting for each dot is added to the scanning method of dot units A method of adding a method of switching colors and inputting for each line in addition to the scanning method of line units A method in which data of one screen (one screen scan with one color) is input and then the color is switched and input is added to the scanning method. One screen (one screen of one color scan) is added to the scanning method in line units. A method of adding a method of inputting by switching colors after inputting the data of the above (1) A mixing method or a multi-scan method in which the above methods (1) to (3) are mixed or other methods are mixed with the methods (1) to (4). In the case of the scanning method, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), the reflected light from the light source hitting the input document at the ON portion of the liquid crystal is scattered light without directionality. Therefore, when the reflected light received by each of the m light-to-electric conversion elements such as the line type CCD provided in the color image input unit 16 mounted opposite to the light source is accumulated, the sensitivity is high. A color image input image is obtained. However, the scanning method is performed in dot units, and it takes time to scan the entire screen.

On the other hand, in the case of the scanning method of the line unit, as shown in FIG. 7B, the scanning of the color image of the scanning method of the dot unit is performed in a line, and the entire color image is scanned. The speed is n times faster than the above method. In this method, the reflected light from the original that propagates perpendicular to the line direction does not diffuse much,
It is effective to input the most reflected light to each light / electric conversion element such as a line CCD in the vertical direction.

The principle of obtaining color image data to be displayed on the display unit 33 from an image signal obtained by scanning a document by the above-described input method will be described below.

Here, assuming that the original image is g (x, y) and the accumulation of the reflected light is f (x, y), f (x, y) is proportional to the light intensity C from the light source. It becomes 1 formula.

[0036]

(Equation 1)

H (Ii) in the expression (1) is a light-to-electric conversion function of the reflected light Ii from the document converted by each of the m light / electric conversion elements (CCD elements). If this conversion function is linear, and

[0038]

(Equation 2)

The scattered light intensity of up to I ₁ ~I _m represented by the,
If the value is almost constant regardless of the position (x, y),
The above one equation becomes the following two equations.

[0040]

(Equation 3)

Where H is a primary parameter.

When the constant terms of these two equations are summarized as the following three equations, the original image can be obtained by the following four equations.

[0043]

(Equation 4)

[0044]

(Equation 5)

The constant term α is generally expressed as (x, y)
Includes a correction at each position as a function of α
(X, y), and a table of the correction values α (x, y) can be created by reading a white or black original once. Therefore, the above equation (4) often becomes
It can be realized as a realistic device by expanding the formula.

[0046]

(Equation 6)

In the case of color, the data as described above is obtained for each color and synthesized.

Next, positioning of color image input will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, a color image is input into a blank portion of a sentence created by a word processor or an editor.

First, as shown in FIG. 8, a sentence 41 on the input side is displayed on the display section 40 of the color image input device.
As shown in FIG. 9, a document 1 for a color image is sandwiched between scanner units of a color image input device. Thereby, the sentence 41
The color image which is a part or the whole of the document 1 is overlapped in the blank section 42 (see FIG. 8). In FIG. 9, a part of the document 1 overlaps.

In this case, conventionally, it has been often the case that a necessary portion of the original 1 which has been made larger is cut out or enlarged or reduced by repeating the sandwiching operation of the original 1. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the liquid crystal display device originally has transparency, the position and size of the original portion to be used can be determined at a glance simply by sandwiching the original 1, or the cutout can be determined. Even in such a case, there is an advantage that the original 1 and the cut-out portion can be clearly and easily matched.

Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a part of the document 1 to be actually input is designated by, for example, the pen 50.
This designation can be performed by setting the pen 50 at two points, the position of the pen 50 and the position of the pen 50. The dashed line in the figure indicates the image input area. The pointing device for designating is not limited to the pen 50, but may be a mouse or a touch panel. Further, designation can be made by moving the cursor with keys. FIG.
This is the final screen that captures the color image input as described above.

Therefore, in the case of the color image input device of the present embodiment, the position can be accurately specified because the display is integrated. In general, it is rare to input and use an image for each color, but in this color image input device, by switching color filters,
It is possible to add color to a transparent original image. less than,
This will be described.

First, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, a portion of the document 1 to be actually input is specified.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, the color and brightness of the color filter are selected. Here, a window 51 relating to the color of the color filter is displayed at the end of the screen, and the displayed color (RGB) and the luminance are designated by, for example, the pen 50. When the designated luminance is inappropriate, the level may be changed in various ways.
Also in this case, a method of using a pointing device other than the pen or moving the cursor with a key can be adopted.

As a result, the transmitted color image original is filtered by color, and the color of the actually transmitted color image is selected. Therefore, only those selected by color from the color original can be extracted. FIG. 13 shows a final screen in which the color image input as described above is captured.

As described above, the color image input device according to the present embodiment is not only a merit of a display integrated type as a new input device that can be used in various applications,
The secondary advantages of the integrated structure, such as simultaneous transmission and simultaneous display, occur, which can be one of new man-machine interfaces.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the original 1 is provided between the upper display 10 and the lower diffusion plate 2 and scanning is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the scattering property of the liquid crystal is used to change the traveling direction of the light by the inclination of the liquid crystal molecules, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the transmission property of the liquid crystal is used. It is also possible to perform a scan. FIG. 15 shows a configuration in the case where the transmittance of liquid crystal is used in the present invention. In addition, one color is described for simplicity of description.

FIG. 15A shows that the light from the light source 3 is
3 is propagated as an optical waveguide, and the liquid crystal 13
Is turned on to allow the propagating light to reach the original 1 set above the liquid crystal 13 through a portion having high transparency,
The reflected light from the liquid crystal is returned to the optical waveguide again, and is captured by the color image input unit 16 provided below the liquid crystal 13. That is, in this example, the original 1 is located above the liquid crystal 13.
This is a type having a color image input unit 16 on the lower side.

When utilizing such liquid crystal transmittance, the configuration shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C can be implemented. The former is a type in which the original 1 is provided below the liquid crystal 13 and the color image input unit 16 is provided below the liquid crystal 13.
3 shows a type having an original 1 above and a color image input unit 16 above.

In the above description, the case where the present invention is applied to a color image input device is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a black and white image input device.
In that case, the apparatus and processing can be simplified as follows. That is, the color filter 17 can be omitted from the display 10 shown in FIG. 1, a monochrome image can be used for the color image input section 16, and the above-described color switching method and multi-scan method can be omitted in the input method. Thus, the same pixel and the same screen can be scanned only once. In addition, by omitting the color switching method, at the time of input, one of the dot-based scanning method or the line-based scanning method or a mixture of these methods is selected, and the input color image specification method is selected. It is only necessary to determine only.
Further, as shown in FIG.
Need not be displayed, and it is possible to omit selecting the color, brightness, and the like of the color filter with the pen 50. As described above, the apparatus and processing can be simplified.

In the above embodiment, a display using a liquid crystal as a display medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to a display using another display medium.

[0063]

As described above in detail, in the case of the present invention, light can be scanned and irradiated on the original by utilizing the light transmittance or light scattering property of the display medium. A driving device and a scanning mechanism at the time can be dispensed with, image input can be performed stably, and the structure can be made simple and hardly break down.

Further, in the case of color, since a color filter used for color display is provided, an image separated by a filter for each color can be obtained. Thus, a single color image input sensor can input a color image by exchanging the filter three times by, for example, turning on / off the liquid crystal. Further, it is not necessary to provide a sensor for each color.

Further, an input designation area in an image for inputting an image can be designated by a pointing device or by movement with a cursor key. In the case of a color image, an image can be input by indicating color information of the original. Because it is possible, the designation of the capture area is simplified. Also, since the original can be set on the display for display and the capture area can be specified and the specified area can be displayed, there is an excellent effect that the specified arbitrary area can be the same at the time of input and at the time of output. Have.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front sectional view showing a color image input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B shows a state where light from a light source 3 is switched between image input and image display. It is a schematic diagram which shows, and (c) is a figure which shows the filter part which light transmits.

FIG. 2 shows ON of a liquid crystal in which the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules is changed.
It is a figure which expands and shows a part.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing a color image input apparatus of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A shows a state of scanning a sheet-shaped original, and FIG. 3B shows a state of scanning a book-shaped original.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an entire electric circuit provided in the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric circuit showing a display unit provided in the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a display unit provided in the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a diagram schematically showing a dot-based scanning method, which is one of input color image designation methods applicable to the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of a line-based scanning method; FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining positioning of color image input by the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining positioning of color image input by the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining positioning of color image input by the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining positioning of color image input by the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining positioning of color image input by the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining positioning of color image input by the color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front sectional view showing another color image input device of the present invention.

FIGS. 15A, 15B, and 15C are front sectional views showing another color image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional color image input device (image scanner).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Original 2 Diffusion plate for backlight 3 Light source 4 Reflector 5 Lens 6 Mirror 10 Transparent thin display (color image display part) 11, 12 Glass 13 Liquid crystal 14a, 14b Polarizer 15 Reflection part 16 Color image input part 17 RGB filter (Color filter) 18 Hinge 25 Display surface 25a Source bus line 25b Gate bus line 27 Frame memory 30 Main memory 31 ROM 32 Main CPU 33 Display section 34 Tablet section 35 Pointing device control section 36 I / O 50 Pen 51 Window

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] An image input document set on one side or the other side of a pair of substrates disposed opposite to each other with a display medium interposed therebetween is configured to transmit light incident from the outside to the light transmitting property of the display medium. together is irradiated by utilizing and scans light scattering, an image display unit that displays an image, provided in the vicinity of one side of the second end face opposite the pair of substrates, and emits the generated light, the one A light source that enters the image display unit from the end face side of the light source, and an emission light changer that changes the direction of the emission light emitted from the light source.
And further means, disposed in the vicinity of the other side of the second end face, and an image input section for converting into an electrical signal captures the reflected light from the document, the outgoing light changing means display and image image input At times
An image input display device that changes the direction of emitted light . 2. The image input / display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light to irradiate the original is scanned in dot units or line units. 3. The image input table according to claim 1, wherein an input designation area in the image input document is set by a pointing device or by movement of a cursor key.
Indicating device. 4. The emitted light is incident on the display medium.
The image input display device according to claim 1. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outgoing light is emitted to one of the pair of substrates.
The image input according to claim 1, which is incident on one of the other.
Power display. 6. A color filter is provided on one of a pair of substrates opposed to each other with a display medium interposed therebetween, and light incident from the outside is input to a color image input document set on one or the other substrate. A color image display portion for displaying a color image while scanning and irradiating using the light transmittance or light scattering property of the display medium, and provided near one of two opposite end surfaces of the pair of substrates. is a light source to be incident on the color image display unit from exiting the generated light ,, said one end face of varying the emission light to change the direction of the outgoing light emitted from the light source
And further means, disposed in the vicinity of the other side of the second end face, and a color image input section for converting into an electrical signal captures the reflected light from the document, the outgoing light changing means, image input time and the image At the time of display
An image input display device that changes the direction of emitted light . 7. The method according to claim 7, wherein the light to be irradiated on the original is scanned in units of dots or lines, and a plurality of color filters constituting the color filter are switched in units of dots or lines, or in units of original surface. 7. The image input / display apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein any one of a method for performing the method, a method in which these four types are mixed, and a multi-scan method is adopted. 8. The image according to claim 6 , wherein an input designation area in the original for color image input is performed by a pointing device or by movement of a cursor key, and an image is fetched by indicating color information of the original. input
Display device. 9. The emitted light is incident on the display medium.
The image input display device according to claim 6. 10. The emitted light is directed to one of the pair of substrates.
7. An image according to claim 6, wherein the image is incident on one of the other.
Input display device.