JP6101448B2 - Sensor IC, contact image sensor, and image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor IC that reads a color original, a contact image sensor, and an image reading apparatus.

  Conventionally, a sensor IC for reading a color document has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 18 simply shows a light receiving portion 90 of a conventional sensor IC. The light receiving unit 90 shown in the figure includes three light receiving element rows 91, 92, and 93. Each of the light receiving element rows 91, 92, 93 has a plurality of light receiving elements 911, 921, 931 arranged along the main scanning direction x, and a color filter of RGB three primary colors is provided for each row. Specifically, the light receiving element array 91 is provided with a color filter that transmits red light, the light receiving element array 92 is provided with a color filter that transmits green light, and the light receiving element array 93 is blue. A color filter that transmits light is provided. Such a sensor IC is used, for example, in a contact image sensor. The contact image sensor further includes a light source for illuminating the original and a lens array that guides reflected light from the original to the light receiving unit 90. Such a contact-type image sensor performs simultaneous three-color reading by scanning while illuminating a document with a light source.

  In recent years, it is sometimes required to read not only visible light but also infrared light or ultraviolet light. For example, it has been studied to detect dust attached to a document or scratches on the document by reading infrared light. However, the conventional sensor IC only reads three colors in the visible light region, and cannot meet such demand.

JP 2006-332250 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor IC capable of reading light outside the visible region. Furthermore, a contact-type image sensor and an image reading apparatus that can generate an image using light outside the visible region by providing such a sensor IC are provided.

  The sensor IC provided by the first aspect of the present invention includes a first light receiving part row having a plurality of first light receiving parts arranged along the main scanning direction and a plurality of first light receiving parts arranged along the main scanning direction. A second light receiving portion row having two light receiving portions, a third light receiving portion row having a plurality of third light receiving portions arranged along the main scanning direction, and a plurality of second light receiving portions arranged along the main scanning direction. A fourth light receiving section row having four light receiving sections, the plurality of first light receiving sections, the plurality of second light receiving sections, the plurality of third light receiving sections, and the plurality of fourth light receiving sections. And a control circuit connected to each of the first and second light receiving unit rows, the second light receiving unit row, the third light receiving unit row, and the fourth light receiving unit row. Arranged along the scanning direction, each of the first light receiving portions receives light of the first wavelength included in the visible region, and each of the second light receiving portions The light portion is included in the visible region and receives light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and each of the third light receiving portions is included in the visible region and includes the first wavelength. And a light having a third wavelength different from the second wavelength, each of the fourth light receiving portions receives light having a fourth wavelength outside the visible region, and the control circuit includes: First electric signal corresponding to light received by each first light receiving unit, second electric signal corresponding to light received by each second light receiving unit, light received by each third light receiving unit And a fourth electrical signal corresponding to the light received by each of the fourth light receiving portions.

  According to such a configuration, the fourth electric signal output from the control circuit includes information related to light of the fourth wavelength outside the visible region. That is, if the sensor IC is employed, a contact image sensor and an image reading apparatus that perform reading using infrared light or ultraviolet light can be realized.

  In a preferred first embodiment of the present invention, each of the first light receiving sections transmits a first color filter that transmits light of the first wavelength and light that has passed through the first color filter. A first photoelectric conversion element that receives light, wherein each of the second light receiving portions transmits a second color filter that transmits light of the second wavelength, and light that has passed through the second color filter. Each of the third light-receiving portions has passed through the third color filter that transmits the light of the third wavelength, and the third color filter. A third photoelectric conversion element that receives light, and each of the fourth light receiving sections passes through a fourth color filter that transmits light of the fourth wavelength and the fourth color filter. And a fourth photoelectric conversion element that receives the received light.

  In a preferred first embodiment of the present invention, the fourth light receiving part row is provided between the first light receiving part row and the third light receiving part row.

  In a preferred first embodiment of the present invention, the sensor IC is provided separately from the first output terminal for outputting the first electric signal and the first output terminal. A second output terminal that outputs the second electrical signal; a third output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and that outputs the third electrical signal; The fourth output terminal is provided separately from the first output terminal, the second output terminal, and the third output terminal, and outputs the fourth electric signal.

  In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor IC further includes a fifth light receiving part row having a plurality of fifth light receiving parts arranged along the main scanning direction, The light receiving section row is located between the first light receiving section row and the third light receiving section row, and the fourth light receiving section receives infrared light and receives the fifth light receiving section. The unit receives ultraviolet light, and each of the fifth light receiving units transmits a fifth color filter that transmits the ultraviolet light; and a fifth photoelectric conversion element that receives the light that has passed through the fifth color filter; The control circuit outputs a fifth electrical signal corresponding to the ultraviolet light received by each of the fifth light receiving portions.

  In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor IC is provided separately from the first output terminal for outputting the first electric signal and the first output terminal. A second output terminal for outputting the second electrical signal, the first output terminal, and the second output terminal are provided separately from each other, and a third output for outputting the third electrical signal. A fourth output terminal that is provided separately from the terminal, the first output terminal, the second output terminal, and the third output terminal, and that outputs the fourth electrical signal; A fifth output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal, the second output terminal, the third output terminal, and the fourth output terminal, and that outputs the fifth electrical signal. It has.

  In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the first light receiving sections transmits a first color filter that transmits light of the first wavelength and light that has passed through the first color filter. A first photoelectric conversion element that receives light, wherein each of the second light receiving portions transmits a second color filter that transmits light of the second wavelength, and light that has passed through the second color filter. Each of the third light-receiving portions has passed through the third color filter that transmits the light of the third wavelength, and the third color filter. A third photoelectric conversion element that receives light, and each of the fourth light receiving units includes light of the first wavelength, light of the second wavelength, light of the third wavelength, and And a fourth photoelectric conversion element that receives light of the fourth wavelength.

  In a preferred third embodiment of the present invention, the second light receiving part row and the third light receiving part row are provided between the first light receiving part row and the fourth light receiving part row. It has been.

  In a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor IC is provided separately from the first output terminal for outputting the first electric signal and the first output terminal. A second output terminal that outputs the second electrical signal; a third output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and that outputs the third electrical signal; The fourth output terminal is provided separately from the first output terminal, the second output terminal, and the third output terminal, and outputs the fourth electric signal.

  A contact-type image sensor provided by the second aspect of the present invention includes a sensor IC according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, light of the first wavelength, light of the second wavelength, A light source for emitting light having the third wavelength and light having the fourth wavelength and illuminating the object to be read and the light from the object to be read are connected to the sensor IC at the same erect magnification. And a lens array for imaging.

  Preferably, the light source includes a light emitting unit having an LED chip and a light guide that has an elongated shape extending in the main scanning direction and guides light emitted from the light emitting unit.

  Preferably, the LED chip emits ultraviolet light, the fourth light receiving portion receives ultraviolet light, and the lens array is made of glass.

  The contact-type image sensor provided by the third aspect of the present invention includes a sensor IC based on the second embodiment of the present invention, the light having the first wavelength, the light having the second wavelength, and the third light. A light source for emitting light including infrared light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light to illuminate the reading object, and a lens for imaging the light from the reading object on the sensor IC at an erecting equal magnification And an array.

  Preferably, the light source includes a light emitting unit having an LED chip and a light guide that has an elongated shape extending in the main scanning direction and guides light emitted from the light emitting unit.

  Preferably, the lens array is made of glass.

  The contact-type image sensor provided by the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a sensor IC based on the third embodiment of the present invention, the light of the first wavelength, the light of the second wavelength, and the third light. And a light source for illuminating the object to be read, and the light from the object to be read formed on the sensor IC at an equal magnification. And a lens array.

  Preferably, the light source includes a light emitting unit having an LED chip and a light guide that has an elongated shape extending in the main scanning direction and guides light emitted from the light emitting unit.

  Preferably, the LED chip emits ultraviolet light, the fourth light receiving portion receives ultraviolet light, and the lens array is made of glass.

  An image reading apparatus provided by a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a contact image sensor according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first electric signal, the second electric signal, and the third electric signal. A signal processing unit that receives the signal and the fourth electrical signal, and the signal processing unit includes a first color information based on the first electrical signal and a second electrical signal. Pixel information including: second color information based on the third color information based on the third electrical signal; and fourth color information based on the fourth electrical signal. .

  An image reading apparatus provided by a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a contact image sensor according to the third aspect of the present invention, the first electric signal, the second electric signal, and the third electric signal. A signal processing unit that receives the signal, the fourth electric signal, and the fifth electric signal, and the signal processing unit includes first color information based on the first electric signal; , Second color information based on the second electrical signal, third color information based on the third electrical signal, fourth color information based on the fourth electrical signal, and the fifth electrical information. Pixel information including fifth color information based on the signal is output.

An image reading apparatus provided by a seventh aspect of the present invention includes a contact image sensor according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first electric signal, the second electric signal, and the third electric signal. A signal processing unit that receives the signal and the fourth electric signal,
The signal processing unit includes first color information based on the first electrical signal, second color information based on the second electrical signal, third color information based on the third electrical signal, Pixel information including fourth color information relating to light outside the visible region is output.

  Preferably, the signal processing unit derives the fourth color information using the first electric signal, the second electric signal, the third electric signal, and the fourth electric signal. To do.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part schematic sectional drawing of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the sensor IC shown in FIG. 2. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of sensor IC shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. It is a principal part schematic sectional drawing of the image reading apparatus based on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of the sensor IC shown in FIG. It is a principal part schematic sectional drawing of the image reading apparatus based on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of sensor IC shown in FIG. It is a principal part schematic sectional drawing of the image reading apparatus based on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of sensor IC shown in FIG. It is a principal part schematic sectional drawing of the image reading apparatus based on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of sensor IC shown in FIG. It is a principal part schematic sectional drawing of the image reading apparatus based on 6th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the sensor IC shown in FIG. 14. It is a principal part enlarged plan view of sensor IC shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the light-receiving part of the conventional sensor IC.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment includes a contact image sensor 201, a signal processing unit 400, an image processing unit 500, a transfer unit 600, and a control unit 700. The image reading apparatus 101 has a main scanning direction x and a sub-scanning direction y orthogonal to the main scanning direction x, and the main scanning is performed by one scan while conveying the reading object 800 in the sub-scanning direction y. The elongated strip-shaped reading area 801 along the direction x is read. The reading target 800 of this embodiment is a color original such as a photograph.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the contact image sensor 201 cut along a plane orthogonal to the main scanning direction x. As shown in FIG. 2, the contact image sensor 201 includes a sensor IC 301, a housing 21, a light source 22, a translucent cover 23, and a lens array 24.

  The casing 21 is a component that occupies most of the appearance of the contact image sensor 201 and has an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape that extends long in the main scanning direction x. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 21 opens in the vertical direction in the figure, and the translucent cover 23 is fitted in the upper opening and the sensor IC 301 is fitted in the lower opening. A light source 22 and a lens array 24 are accommodated in the housing 21.

  The light source 22 includes a first LED chip 221 that emits blue light, a second LED chip 222 that emits green light, a third LED chip 223 that emits red light, and a first LED chip that emits infrared light. 4 LED chips 224 and an elongated light guide 220 extending long in the main scanning direction x. The light guide 220 of the present embodiment is made of, for example, acrylic resin, and the light emitted from the first LED chip 221, the second LED chip 222, the third LED chip 223, and the fourth LED chip 224. Is emitted toward the reading area 801 while guiding the image in the main scanning direction x.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lens array 24 is disposed directly below the reading area 801 in the drawing, and causes the light from the reading area 801 to be imaged on the sensor IC 301 at an equal magnification. Such a lens array 24 can be realized, for example, by arranging a plurality of rod lenses along the main scanning direction x.

  2 and 3, the sensor IC 301 includes a substrate 31, a reading unit 32, a control circuit 35, a first output terminal 361, a second output terminal 362, a third output terminal 363, and a fourth output. The output terminal 364 is provided.

  The substrate 31 is made of, for example, glass epoxy resin, and is formed in an elongated rectangular shape that extends long in the main scanning direction x, as shown in FIG. The reading unit 32 is located in a region closer to the upper side in FIG. 3 in the sub-scanning direction y of the substrate 31, and the control circuit 35 is provided to a position closer to the lower side in FIG. The first output terminal 361, the second output terminal 362, the third output terminal 363, and the fourth output terminal 364 are provided at positions along the lower edge in FIG. 3 in the sub-scanning direction y of the substrate 31. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reading unit 32 is disposed directly below the lens array 24 in the drawing. As shown in FIG. 3, the reading unit 32 includes a first light receiving unit row 321, a second light receiving unit row 322, a third light receiving unit row 323, and a first light receiving unit row 323 each extending long along the main scanning direction x. There are four light receiving section rows 324. The first light receiving part row 321, the second light receiving part row 322, the third light receiving part row 323, and the fourth light receiving part row 324 are provided at different positions in the sub-scanning direction y. That is, the first light receiving part row 321, the second light receiving part row 322, the third light receiving part row 323, and the fourth light receiving part row 324 are arranged along the sub-scanning direction y. In the present embodiment, the positions of both ends in the main scanning direction x of the first light receiving part row 321, the second light receiving part row 322, the third light receiving part row 323, and the fourth light receiving part row 324 are the same. It has become.

  In the present embodiment, the fourth light receiving part row 324 is arranged so as to be between the first light receiving part row 321 and the third light receiving part row 323 in the sub-scanning direction y. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, from the top in the drawing, the first light receiving part row 321, the fourth light receiving part row 324, the second light receiving part row 322, and the third light receiving part row 323 are arranged in this order. Are lined up. In other words, the fourth light receiving unit row 324 is provided at a relatively central position rather than the upper and lower ends in FIG. 3 in the reading unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first light receiving part row 321 has a plurality of first light receiving parts 321 a arranged in a line along the main scanning direction x at a constant pitch. The first light receiving section row 321 is for receiving blue light from the first LED chip 221. For convenience, in FIG. 4, each first light receiving portion 321 a is denoted by B. Each first light receiving unit 321 a includes a first color filter 331 and a first photoelectric conversion element 341. The first color filter 331 is provided so as to cover the first photoelectric conversion element 341, and only the light that has passed through the first color filter 331 is incident on the first photoelectric conversion element 341. In the present embodiment, the first color filter 331 transmits blue light and blocks light of other wavelengths. The blue light emitted from the first LED chip 221 corresponds to light having the first wavelength in the claims of the present invention.

  The second light receiving section row 322 has a plurality of second light receiving sections 322a arranged in a line along the main scanning direction x at a constant pitch. The second light receiving section row 322 is for receiving the green light from the second LED chip 222. For convenience, in FIG. 4, each second light receiving unit 322 a is denoted by G. Each second light receiving unit 322 a includes a second color filter 332 and a second photoelectric conversion element 342. The second color filter 332 is provided so as to cover the second photoelectric conversion element 342, and only light that has passed through the second color filter 332 is incident on the second photoelectric conversion element 342. In the present embodiment, the second color filter 332 transmits green light and blocks light of other wavelengths. The green light emitted from the second LED chip 222 corresponds to light having the second wavelength in the claims of the present invention.

  The third light receiving part row 323 has a plurality of third light receiving parts 323a arranged in a line along the main scanning direction x at a constant pitch. The third light receiving section row 323 is for receiving red light from the third LED chip 223. For convenience, in FIG. 4, each third light receiving portion 323a is denoted by R. Each third light receiving unit 323 a includes a third color filter 333 and a third photoelectric conversion element 343. The third color filter 333 is provided so as to cover the third photoelectric conversion element 343, and only the light that has passed through the third color filter 333 is incident on the third photoelectric conversion element 343. In the present embodiment, the third color filter 333 transmits red light and blocks light of other wavelengths. The red light emitted from the third LED chip 223 corresponds to the light having the third wavelength in the claims of the present invention.

  The fourth light receiving part row 324 has a plurality of fourth light receiving parts 324a arranged in a line along the main scanning direction x at a constant pitch. The fourth light receiving section row 324 is for receiving infrared light from the fourth LED chip 224. For convenience, in FIG. 4, each fourth light receiving portion 324 a is denoted by IR. Each fourth light receiving unit 324 a includes a fourth color filter 334 and a fourth photoelectric conversion element 344. The fourth color filter 334 is provided so as to cover the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344, and only the light that has passed through the fourth color filter 334 is incident on the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344. In the present embodiment, the fourth color filter 334 transmits infrared light and blocks light of other wavelengths. Note that the infrared light emitted from the fourth LED chip 224 corresponds to light having a fourth wavelength in the claims of the present invention.

  Note that although distinguished in the above description, the first photoelectric conversion element 341, the second photoelectric conversion element 342, the third photoelectric conversion element 343, and the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344 are products of the same type. You can use it.

  The control circuit 35 is connected to each first light receiving part 321a, each second light receiving part 322a, each third light receiving part row 323a, and each fourth light receiving part 324a. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 35 is divided into three parts and arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other along the main scanning direction x. Each first light receiving portion 321a, each second light receiving portion 322a, each third light receiving portion row 323a, and each fourth light receiving portion 324a are relatively relatively out of the three locations in order to suppress the attenuation of the electric signal. It is connected to a control circuit 35 located at a short distance.

  The control circuit 35 includes a first electric signal S1 corresponding to light received by the plurality of first light receiving units 321a, a second electric signal S2 corresponding to light received by the plurality of second light receiving units 322a, and a plurality of signals. The third electric signal S3 corresponding to the light received by the third light receiving unit 323a and the fourth electric signal S4 corresponding to the light received by the plurality of fourth light receiving units 324a are output. More specifically, when each first photoelectric conversion element 341 receives light, it transmits an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the light to the control circuit 35. The control circuit 35 amplifies and outputs a plurality of electrical signals from the plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements 341 arranged along the main scanning direction x. The first electric signal S1 is obtained by connecting a plurality of amplified electric signals in accordance with, for example, the arrangement order of the first photoelectric conversion elements 341 that are the transmission sources. The second to fourth electric signals S2 to S4 are obtained by performing the same processing as that of the first electric signal S1 on the signals from the corresponding second to fourth light receiving units 322a to 324a, respectively. Generated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first output terminal 361, the second output terminal 362, the third output terminal 363, and the fourth output terminal 364 are provided separately. As shown in FIG. 5, the first output terminal 361 outputs the first electric signal S <b> 1 from the control circuit 35 to the signal processing unit 400. The second output terminal 362 outputs the second electric signal S2 from the control circuit 35 to the signal processing unit 400. The third output terminal 363 outputs the third electric signal S3 from the control circuit 35 to the signal processing unit 400. The fourth output terminal 364 outputs the fourth electric signal S4 from the control circuit 35 to the signal processing unit 400.

  The signal processing unit 400 receives the electrical signals S1 to S4 output from the sensor IC 301, generates pixel information Ip based on the received electrical signals S1 to S4, and transmits the generated pixel information Ip to the image processing unit 500.

  The pixel information Ip includes first color information based on the first electrical signal S1, second color information based on the second electrical signal S2, third color information based on the third electrical signal S3, 4th color information based on 4 electric signals S4. The first electric signal S1 is obtained by amplifying the electric signal from the first light receiving unit 321a that reads blue light, and the first color information is information obtained by reading the reading region 801 with blue light. The second electric signal S2 is obtained by amplifying an electric signal from the second light receiving unit 322a that reads green light, and the second color information is information obtained by reading the reading region 801 with green light. The third electric signal S3 is obtained by amplifying an electric signal from the third light receiving unit 323a that reads red light, and the third color information is information obtained by reading the reading region 801 with red light. The fourth color information is obtained by amplifying an electric signal from the fourth light receiving unit 324a that reads infrared light, and the fourth color information is information obtained by reading the reading region 801 with infrared light. .

  The image processing unit 500 generates a color reading image of the reading area 801 based on the pixel information Ip, and generates a color reading image of the reading object 800 by joining the color reading images of the reading area 801 obtained for each scan. The image processing unit 500 according to the present embodiment generates a color read image of the reading area 801 using the first to third color information of the pixel information Ip, and performs correction processing on the generated color read image. The image processing unit 500 uses the fourth color information when performing the correction process. Specifically, the image processing unit 500 uses the fourth color information to check whether there is a scratch on the reading area 801 or the translucent cover 23, and minute dust is generated between the reading area 801 and the translucent cover 23. Detect if there is no intervening.

  The transfer means 600 is a combination of a plurality of drive rollers, and is controlled by the control means 700. The control unit 700 moves the reading object 800 by a predetermined feed width every time the contact image sensor 201 performs scanning along the main scanning direction x. The feed width of the reading object 800 is, for example, the same length as the pitch of the plurality of first light receiving parts 321a in the first light receiving part row 321.

  Next, operations of the sensor IC 301, the contact image sensor 201, and the image reading apparatus 101 will be described.

  The contact image sensor 201 of this embodiment includes a fourth LED chip 224 that emits infrared light, and can scan the reading object 800 using infrared light. Furthermore, the sensor IC 301 of the present embodiment has a fourth light receiving unit row 324 having a plurality of fourth light receiving units 324a that receive infrared light, and can read infrared light. As described above, the image reading apparatus 101 incorporating these can correct a color read image using information obtained by scanning using infrared light, and can obtain a color read image with higher accuracy. Can be obtained.

  The sensor IC 301 of this embodiment is fixed in the contact image sensor 201 so that the reading unit 32 is directly below the lens array 24. The fourth light receiving unit row 324 for receiving infrared light is provided relatively near the center in the reading unit 32, and is more than the first light receiving unit row 321 or the third light receiving unit row 323. It is in an advantageous position for receiving light from the lens array 24. Infrared light tends to be attenuated more easily than visible light. For example, part of the infrared light emitted from the lens array 24 may be blocked by the fourth color filter 334. Under such circumstances, it is a reasonable configuration to arrange the fourth light receiving section row 324 at a position where the light from the lens array 24 is more easily received.

  The sensor IC 301 of the present embodiment includes first to fourth output terminals 361 to 364, and can divide the electrical signals S1 to S4 from the control circuit 35 for each color of light to be output simultaneously. . By using such a communication method, the communication time between the sensor IC 301 and the signal processing unit 400 can be shortened. Therefore, the image reading apparatus 101 has a configuration that can easily reduce the time from scanning to output of an image.

  6 to 17 show other embodiments of the present invention. In these drawings, the same or similar elements as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above embodiment.

  6 and 7 are for explaining an image reading apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 102 shown in FIG. 6 is configured to read the reading object 800 using the contact image sensor 202 in which the sensor IC 302 is incorporated. The contact image sensor 202 performs illumination using ultraviolet light instead of infrared light, and the sensor IC 302 is configured to read ultraviolet light instead of infrared light.

  Ultraviolet light has a greater effect on resin products than light of other wavelengths. For this reason, the contact image sensor 202 of the present embodiment includes a lens array 24 ′ made of, for example, quartz glass instead of the resin lens array 24. The light source 22 includes a quartz glass light guide 220 ′ instead of the resin light guide 220. Furthermore, the fourth LED chip 224 of the present embodiment emits ultraviolet light.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth light receiving part row 324 is arranged between the first light receiving part row 321 and the second light receiving part row 322. Further, the third light receiving part row 323 is arranged below the second light receiving part row 322 in the drawing.

  The fourth light receiving section row 324 of the present embodiment is for receiving ultraviolet light from the fourth LED chip 224. For convenience, in FIG. 7, each fourth light receiving portion 324a is denoted by UV. Each fourth light receiving unit 324 a includes a fourth color filter 334 and a fourth photoelectric conversion element 344. The fourth color filter 334 is provided so as to cover the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344, and only the light that has passed through the fourth color filter 334 is incident on the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344. In the present embodiment, the fourth color filter 334 transmits ultraviolet light and blocks light of other wavelengths. Note that the ultraviolet light emitted from the fourth LED chip 224 of the present embodiment corresponds to light having the fourth wavelength in the claims of the present invention.

  Note that ultraviolet light tends to be more easily absorbed than visible light, and even the fourth color filter 334 that transmits ultraviolet light partially absorbs it. For this reason, the intensity of the ultraviolet light that has passed through the fourth color filter 334 tends to be small, and the fourth light receiving part row 324 is made to be a lens array than the first light receiving part row 321 or the third light receiving part row 323. It is reasonable to arrange it at a position where it can easily receive light from 24 '.

  Even when ultraviolet light is used, information that cannot be obtained only by reading with visible light can be obtained as in the case of using infrared light. Similar to the image reading apparatus 101, the image reading apparatus 102 according to the present embodiment can correct a color read image using information obtained by scanning using ultraviolet light, and can perform color reading with higher accuracy. An image can be obtained.

  8 and 9 are for explaining an image reading apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 103 illustrated in FIG. 8 is configured to read the reading target 800 using the contact image sensor 203 in which the sensor IC 303 is incorporated.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the sensor IC 303, the second light receiving part row 322 is located adjacent to the lower side of the first light receiving part row 321 in the figure, and the fourth light receiving part row 324 is the second light receiving part. It is located between the part row 322 and the third light receiving part row 323. Other configurations of the sensor IC 303 are the same as those of the sensor IC 302.

  Also in the present embodiment, the fourth light receiving part row 324 is more advantageous than the first light receiving part row 321 or the third light receiving part row 323 in receiving light from the lens array 24 ′.

  In addition, it is good also as a structure which reads using infrared light instead of ultraviolet light, employ | adopting the arrangement | positioning of the 4th light-receiving part row | line | column 324 in this embodiment.

  10 and 11 are for explaining an image reading apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 104 shown in FIG. 10 is configured to read a reading object 800 using a contact image sensor 204 in which a sensor IC 304 is incorporated.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the sensor IC 304 of the present embodiment, the fourth light receiving unit row 324 is disposed at the lower end of the reading unit 32 in the drawing. Other configurations of the sensor IC 304 are the same as those of the sensor IC 301.

  Even with such a configuration, if the amount of light emitted by the fourth LED chip 224 is sufficient, reading using infrared light can be realized.

  12 and 13 are for explaining an image reading apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. An image reading apparatus 105 shown in FIG. 12 is configured to read a reading object 800 using a contact image sensor 205 in which a sensor IC 305 is incorporated.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the sensor IC 305 of this embodiment, the fourth light receiving unit row 324 is arranged at the lower end in the drawing in the reading unit 32. Further, each fourth light receiving unit 324a of the present embodiment is configured by only the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344. In other words, the sensor IC 305 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the fourth color filter 334 is removed from the sensor IC 304.

  Each fourth photoelectric conversion element 344 of the present embodiment receives light having a first wavelength, light having a second wavelength, light having a third wavelength, and light having a fourth wavelength. The fourth electric signal S4 output from the control circuit 35 is obtained by amplifying the electric signal output from the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344, and includes light having a first wavelength, light having a second wavelength, It contains information on the light of the wavelength and the light of the fourth wavelength.

  The signal processing unit 400 of the present embodiment derives the fourth color information using the first electric signal S1, the second electric signal S2, the third electric signal S3, and the fourth electric signal S4. To do. Specifically, by subtracting the first electric signal S1, the second electric signal S2, and the third electric signal S3 from the fourth electric signal S4, the electric signal generated by the light of the fourth wavelength is obtained. Can be calculated.

  In the present embodiment, since the fourth color filter 334 is not provided, the intensity of light incident on the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344 is higher than that of the other first to third photoelectric conversion elements 341 to 343. It tends to be strong. For this reason, it is reasonable to dispose the fourth light receiving section row 324 at a position relatively far from the lens array 24.

  In the present embodiment, the contact image sensor 205 is configured to perform reading using infrared light, but may be configured to perform reading using ultraviolet light, such as the contact image sensor 202. .

  14 to 17 are for explaining an image reading apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 106 illustrated in FIG. 14 is configured to read the reading target 800 using the contact image sensor 206 in which the sensor IC 306 is incorporated. The image reading device 106 is for performing five-color reading by adding both infrared light and ultraviolet light to visible three-color light, and the other configuration is the same as that of the image reading device 101.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the light source 22 of this embodiment includes a fourth LED chip 224 that emits infrared light and a fifth LED chip 225 that emits ultraviolet light. In this embodiment, a light guide 220 'and a lens array 24' made of quartz glass are used to transmit ultraviolet light.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the sensor IC 306 of this embodiment includes first to third light receiving part rows 321 to 323 for reading visible light, and a fourth light receiving part row 324 for reading infrared light. And a fifth light receiving section row 325 for reading ultraviolet light. The sensor IC 306 includes first to fifth output terminals 361 to 365 provided separately from each other.

  The fourth light receiving part row 324 has a plurality of fourth light receiving parts 324a arranged in a line along the main scanning direction x at a constant pitch. For convenience, in FIG. 16, each fourth light receiving portion 324a is denoted by IR. Each fourth light receiving unit 324 a includes a fourth color filter 334 and a fourth photoelectric conversion element 344. The fourth color filter 334 is provided so as to cover the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344, and only the light that has passed through the fourth color filter 334 is incident on the fourth photoelectric conversion element 344. In the present embodiment, the fourth color filter 334 transmits infrared light and blocks light of other wavelengths.

  The fifth light receiving part row 325 includes a plurality of fifth light receiving parts 325a arranged at a constant pitch in a line along the main scanning direction x. For convenience, in FIG. 16, each fifth light receiving portion 325a is denoted by UV. Each fifth light receiving unit 325 a includes a fifth color filter 335 and a fifth photoelectric conversion element 345. The fifth color filter 335 is provided so as to cover the fifth photoelectric conversion element 345, and only light that has passed through the fifth color filter 335 is incident on the fifth photoelectric conversion element 345. In the present embodiment, the fifth color filter 335 transmits ultraviolet light and blocks light of other wavelengths.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the fourth light receiving part row 324 and the fifth light receiving part row 325 are arranged between the first light receiving part row 321 and the third light receiving part row 323. . It is reasonable to dispose the fourth light receiving section row 324 and the fifth light receiving section row 325 that receive infrared light and ultraviolet light, which are relatively weak in light intensity, at positions relatively close to the lens array 24 ′. The configuration is suitable for.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the control circuit 35 of the present embodiment outputs a fifth electrical signal S5 corresponding to the light received by each fifth light receiving unit 325a. When each fifth photoelectric conversion element 345 receives light, it transmits an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the light to the control circuit 35. The control circuit 35 amplifies and outputs a plurality of electrical signals from the plurality of fifth photoelectric conversion elements 345 arranged along the main scanning direction x. The fifth electric signal S5 is obtained by connecting a plurality of amplified electric signals in accordance with, for example, the arrangement order of the fifth photoelectric conversion elements 345 that are the transmission sources.

  The fifth output terminal 365 outputs the fifth electric signal S5 from the control circuit 35 to the signal processing unit 400.

  The signal processing unit 400 receives the electrical signals S1 to S5 output from the sensor IC 306, generates pixel information Ip based on the received electrical signals S1 to S5, and transmits the generated pixel information Ip to the image processing unit 500. The pixel information Ip of the present embodiment further includes fifth color information based on the fifth electric signal S5. The fifth color information is obtained by amplifying an electric signal from the fifth light receiving unit 325a that reads ultraviolet light, and the fifth color information is information obtained by reading the reading region 801 with ultraviolet light.

  According to such a configuration, the image reading apparatus 106 can correct a color read image with higher accuracy by further using information read by not only infrared light but also ultraviolet light.

  The sensor IC, the contact image sensor, and the image reading device according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. The specific configurations of the sensor IC, the contact image sensor, and the image reading device according to the present invention can be varied in design in various ways.

  For example, in the contact image sensors 201 to 205 described above, the light source 22 is configured to pass the light from the first to fourth LED chips 221 to 224 through the light guides 220 to 220 ′. A white light source may be used. Or you may use together the light source provided with the fluorescent lamp etc. and the LED chip and the light guide. The contact image sensor 206 may also use a white light source such as a fluorescent lamp.

101-106 Image reading devices 201-206 Contact image sensors 301-306 Sensor IC
x Main scanning direction y Sub scanning direction 21 Case 22 Light source 23 Translucent cover 24, 24 ′ Lens array 220, 220 ′ Light guide 221 First LED chip 222 Second LED chip 223 Third LED chip 224 First 4 LED chip 225 Fifth LED chip 31 Substrate 32 Reading unit 321 First light receiving unit row 321a First light receiving unit 322 Second light receiving unit row 322a Second light receiving unit 323 Third light receiving unit row 323a 3rd light receiving part 324 4th light receiving part row 324a 4th light receiving part 325 5th light receiving part row 325a 5th light receiving part 331 1st color filter 332 2nd color filter 333 3rd color filter 334 1st 4 color filter 335 5th color filter 341 1st photoelectric conversion element 342 2nd photoelectric conversion element 343 3rd photoelectric conversion element 344 4th photoelectric conversion element 345 5th photoelectric conversion element 35 Control circuit 361 1st output terminal 362 2nd output terminal 363 3rd output terminal 364 4th output terminal 365 5th output terminal 400 Signal processing part 500 Image processing unit 600 Transfer means 700 Control means 800 Reading object 801 Reading area

Claims (22)

A first light receiving part row having a plurality of first light receiving parts arranged along the main scanning direction;
A second light receiving part row having a plurality of second light receiving parts arranged along the main scanning direction;
A third light receiving part row having a plurality of third light receiving parts arranged in the main scanning direction;
A fourth light receiving part row having a plurality of fourth light receiving parts arranged along the main scanning direction;
A control circuit connected to the plurality of first light receiving units, the plurality of second light receiving units, the plurality of third light receiving units, and the plurality of fourth light receiving units;
With
The first light receiving portion row, the second light receiving portion row, the third light receiving portion row, and the fourth light receiving portion row are along a sub-scanning direction that coincides with the direction in which the reading target is conveyed. Are lined up,
Each of the first light receiving portions receives light of a first wavelength included in the visible region,
Each of the second light receiving portions receives light having a second wavelength that is included in the visible region and is different from the first wavelength,
Each of the third light receiving units receives light of a third wavelength that is included in the visible region and is different from the first wavelength and the second wavelength,
Each of the fourth light receiving parts receives light of a fourth wavelength outside the visible region,
The control circuit includes a first electric signal corresponding to light received by the first light receiving units, a second electric signal corresponding to light received by the second light receiving units, and the third electric signals. A sensor IC that outputs a third electrical signal corresponding to light received by the light receiving unit and a fourth electrical signal corresponding to light received by each of the fourth light receiving units. Each of the first light receiving portions includes a first color filter that transmits the light of the first wavelength, and a first photoelectric conversion element that receives the light that has passed through the first color filter. ,
Each of the second light receiving portions includes a second color filter that transmits the light of the second wavelength, and a second photoelectric conversion element that receives the light that has passed through the second color filter. ,
Each of the third light receiving units includes a third color filter that transmits the light of the third wavelength, and a third photoelectric conversion element that receives the light that has passed through the third color filter. ,
Each of the fourth light receiving portions includes a fourth color filter that transmits the light of the fourth wavelength, and a fourth photoelectric conversion element that receives the light that has passed through the fourth color filter. The sensor IC according to claim 1.   The sensor IC according to claim 2, wherein the fourth light receiving part row is provided between the first light receiving part row and the third light receiving part row. A first output terminal for outputting the first electrical signal;
A second output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal and outputs the second electrical signal;
A third output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and that outputs the third electrical signal;
The first output terminal, the second output terminal, and the third output terminal are provided separately from the first output terminal, and the fourth output terminal outputs the fourth electric signal. The sensor IC according to any one of 1 to 3. A fifth light-receiving portion row having a plurality of fifth light-receiving portions arranged along the main scanning direction,
The fifth light receiving part row is located between the first light receiving part row and the third light receiving part row,
The fourth light receiving unit receives infrared light,
The fifth light receiving unit receives ultraviolet light,
Each of the fifth light receiving parts includes a fifth color filter that transmits ultraviolet light, and a fifth photoelectric conversion element that receives light that has passed through the fifth color filter.
4. The sensor IC according to claim 3, wherein the control circuit outputs a fifth electrical signal corresponding to the ultraviolet light received by each of the fifth light receiving units. 5. A first output terminal for outputting the first electrical signal;
A second output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal and outputs the second electrical signal;
A third output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal and the second output terminal and outputs the third electric signal;
A fourth output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal, the second output terminal, and the third output terminal, and that outputs the fourth electrical signal;
A fifth output that is provided separately from the first output terminal, the second output terminal, the third output terminal, and the fourth output terminal, and that outputs the fifth electrical signal. The sensor IC according to claim 5, further comprising a terminal. Each of the first light receiving portions includes a first color filter that transmits the light of the first wavelength, and a first photoelectric conversion element that receives the light that has passed through the first color filter. ,
Each of the second light receiving portions includes a second color filter that transmits the light of the second wavelength, and a second photoelectric conversion element that receives the light that has passed through the second color filter. ,
Each of the third light receiving units includes a third color filter that transmits the light of the third wavelength, and a third photoelectric conversion element that receives the light that has passed through the third color filter. ,
Each of the fourth light receiving units receives a fourth photoelectric conversion that receives the light of the first wavelength, the light of the second wavelength, the light of the third wavelength, and the light of the fourth wavelength. The sensor IC according to claim 1, further comprising: an element.   The sensor IC according to claim 7, wherein the second light receiving part row and the third light receiving part row are provided between the first light receiving part row and the fourth light receiving part row. A first output terminal for outputting the first electrical signal;
A second output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal and outputs the second electrical signal;
A third output terminal that is provided separately from the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and that outputs the third electrical signal;
The first output terminal, the second output terminal, and the third output terminal are provided separately from the first output terminal, and the fourth output terminal outputs the fourth electric signal. The sensor IC according to 7 or 8. A sensor IC according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A light source for emitting light including the light of the first wavelength, the light of the second wavelength, the light of the third wavelength, and the light of the fourth wavelength and illuminating a reading target;
A lens array that images the light from the reading object on the sensor IC at an equal magnification upright;
A contact image sensor, comprising:   11. The contact type according to claim 10, wherein the light source includes a light emitting unit having an LED chip, and an elongated light guide that extends in the main scanning direction and guides light emitted from the light emitting unit. Image sensor. The LED chip emits ultraviolet light,
The fourth light receiving unit receives ultraviolet light,
The contact image sensor according to claim 10, wherein the lens array is made of glass. The sensor IC according to claim 5 or 6,
A light source for emitting light including the first wavelength light, the second wavelength light, the third wavelength light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light to illuminate a reading target;
A lens array that images the light from the reading object on the sensor IC at an equal magnification upright;
A contact image sensor, comprising:   The contact light source according to claim 13, wherein the light source includes a light emitting unit having an LED chip, and an elongated light guide that extends in the main scanning direction and guides light emitted from the light emitting unit. Image sensor.   The contact type image sensor according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the lens array is made of glass. A sensor IC according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
A light source for emitting light including the light of the first wavelength, the light of the second wavelength, the light of the third wavelength, and the light of the fourth wavelength and illuminating a reading target;
A lens array that images the light from the reading object on the sensor IC at an equal magnification upright;
A contact image sensor, comprising:   The contact light source according to claim 16, wherein the light source includes a light emitting unit having an LED chip, and a light guide that has an elongated shape extending in the main scanning direction and guides light emitted from the light emitting unit. Image sensor. The LED chip emits ultraviolet light,
The fourth light receiving unit receives ultraviolet light,
The contact image sensor according to claim 17, wherein the lens array is made of glass. A contact image sensor according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
A signal processing unit that receives the first electric signal, the second electric signal, the third electric signal, and the fourth electric signal;
The signal processing unit includes first color information based on the first electrical signal, second color information based on the second electrical signal, third color information based on the third electrical signal, Pixel information including the fourth color information based on the fourth electric signal is output. A contact image sensor according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
A signal processing unit that receives the first electric signal, the second electric signal, the third electric signal, the fourth electric signal, and the fifth electric signal;
The signal processing unit includes first color information based on the first electrical signal, second color information based on the second electrical signal, third color information based on the third electrical signal, An image reading apparatus that outputs pixel information including fourth color information based on the fourth electric signal and fifth color information based on the fifth electric signal. A contact image sensor according to any one of claims 16 to 18,
A signal processing unit that receives the first electric signal, the second electric signal, the third electric signal, and the fourth electric signal;
The signal processing unit includes first color information based on the first electrical signal, second color information based on the second electrical signal, third color information based on the third electrical signal, Pixel information including fourth color information relating to light outside the visible region is output.   The signal processing unit derives the fourth color information using the first electric signal, the second electric signal, the third electric signal, and the fourth electric signal. Item 22. The image reading device according to Item 21.

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