JPH01106178A - Document editing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To store a large quantity of original read data by adding an attachable/detachable IC memory card to a hand scanner image reading device) via a connector. CONSTITUTION:An image reading part 11 is set on an original 35 and manually moved on the original 35. Thus the image of the original 35 is read as image data via an image sensor 12 and inputted to a control part 23 according to the state of an analog signal. This analog signal is turned into a digital signal through the part 23 and stored in an IC memory card 17 set via a memory connector 20. If the card 17 has the shortage of its capacity, a light emitting diode 14 blinks. Thus a user puts a new card 17 into the connector 20 so that new image data is stored.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a document editing device such as a Japanese word processor or a personal computer, and particularly relates to a document editing device such as a Japanese word processor or a personal computer. The present invention relates to a document editing device equipped with an image reading device such as a hand scanner that reads image information.

[Conventional technology]

An increasing number of Japanese word processors and personal computers, which have become rapidly popular in recent years, are equipped with MW image reading functions.

In Japanese word processors and personal computers that are generally capable of reading images and editing or printing the image data, there are 5 image reading units.
2. Description of the Related Art A hand scanner is known that reads an image while manually moving it over the image of a document.

However, conventional hand scanners do not have their own memory, and therefore must be connected to the main body of a Japanese word processor or personal computer using a cable. This was inconvenient because it could only be used at the location where it was installed.

What was considered as a countermeasure for this was Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-164
It is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 368 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-51365, which are hand scanners equipped with a storage section. This hand scanner uses a memory IC or a floppy disk as a storage unit to store scanned image data, but if a memory IC is used as a storage unit, the memory capacity is limited due to the portable size of the hand scanner. Even if it is separated from the document editing device and used in a remote location, the amount of image data that can be stored is small (about 174 images for an A4 size document).
Therefore, when reading a number of documents in succession, it is necessary to carry the main body of the document editing device and connect the two for use, which poses a problem in practicality. Furthermore, when a floppy disk is used as a storage unit, its size is large and the power supply capacity for driving it is also large, so it is not a practical size for a hand scanner, and it is inconvenient to carry around as a portable device. be. Furthermore, since no consideration has been given to the ability to select and output the necessary image data from among the large number of image data stored on the floppy disk, it is difficult to edit or print image data using the document editing device itself. This was inconvenient because it read all the image data stored on the floppy disk and selected the necessary image data from among them. Furthermore, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-51365, there is a device that is equipped with a display such as a liquid crystal display to display the read image information so that the read information can be confirmed. There was a problem in that increasing the size of the reading section 1 led to an increase in price.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the above conventional technology, the image reading section of the document editing device is provided with an image data storage section so that it can be used separately from the main body of the document editing device. Since the memory capacity of these devices is small, the image reading section alone cannot read many sheets of originals, and devices with increased storage capacity using floppy disks are bulky and have problems with portability. Further, in devices in which the read image information is displayed on a display such as a liquid crystal display so that the information can be checked, there is a problem in that the size of the device is large and portability is compromised.

The object of the present invention is to provide a document editor with a practical image reading unit that takes portability into consideration and can read a large amount of originals, and has a small and inexpensive means for checking the read image information. There is a need to provide equipment.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a document editing device including an image reading device that reads image information by scanning an image of a document, which is separated from a main body. It is characterized in that it is detachably connected to the main body and includes the following elements.

That is, a connector to which a storage means for storing read image information is detachably attached, an information means for informing of insufficient storage capacity of the storage means, a switch for selecting whether or not to store image information, and a display for displaying the read image signal. It is a display means for

An IC card is preferable as the storage means detachably provided in the image reading device, and a light emitting diode is preferable as the display means for displaying the image signal to be read.

[Effect]

For example, an IC memory card used as a storage means can be detachably attached to an image reading device via a connector, and if the memory capacity of the IC memory card is insufficient, a notification means such as a light emitting diode will notify the user. Therefore, if the user wants to continue reading images of originals by preparing an IC memory card for Yuwei, it is necessary to read a large amount of originals by replacing the IC memory card. Can be done.

In addition, the image information may not be read correctly due to factors such as an inappropriate speed at which the image reading device is moved over the document, but whether or not the image information is read correctly depends greatly on the image information. For example, this can be determined by checking the blinking state of a display means such as a light emitting diode, and if the reading is not performed correctly, the reading is performed again. Preferably, display means such as a light emitting diode is provided to indicate whether the speed at which the reading device is moved over the document is appropriate.

Further, since a switch is provided for selecting whether or not to store the read image information in the IC memory card, it is possible to prevent the memory from being wasted.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a document editing device such as a Japanese word processor having an image reading function according to the present invention. The document editing device main body 1 has character codes and figures 2M
A display device 2 (hereinafter referred to as CRT) for displaying manuscripts, etc., a keyboard input device 3 (hereinafter referred to as /B) for inputting character codes and figures + JtX drafts, etc., and an output device for printing character codes, figures, manuscripts, etc. 4. Storage device 5 for storing character codes, figures, manuscripts, programs, etc.; IC for storing (or storing) image data read by the image reading unit;
A memory connector 7 for making the memory card 17 removable, a sensor 8 for detecting that the IC memory card 17 is inserted into the memory connector 7, and a sensor 8 for connecting the document editing device main body 1 to an image reading section 11 to be described later. It is composed of an interface section (hereinafter referred to as I/F section) 9, an overall control device 10 that controls these as a whole, and a cable connector 27.

The image reading section 11 includes an image sensor 12. , a light source 13 for illuminating the document, a light emitting diode 14 that indicates that there is no remaining memory, a light emitting diode 15 that indicates an abnormality in the reading speed, a light emitting diode 43 that displays the read image data, and a density adjustment volume that adjusts the reading density. 44
, a sensor 16 for detecting rotation of the drive roller. A memory ON switch 181 sends a signal to store only necessary image data in the IC memory card 17. A buffer section 19 temporarily stores and saves the image data, and an IC memory card 17 is connected to the image reading section 11 to store the image data. A memory connector 20 for attaching and detaching the IC memory card 17, a sensor 21 for detecting that the IC memory card 17 is inserted into the memory connector 20, and an interface section (hereinafter referred to as I) for connecting the image reading section 11 to the document editing device main body 1. /
(referred to as F section) 22, a control section 23 for controlling these as a whole, a power switch 24, a battery 25, a charging connector 26, and a cable connector 28. The document editing device main body 1 and the image reading section 11 are connected by a cable 29 via connectors 27 and 28.
The overall control device 11 of the document editing device main body 1 determines whether there is a cable connection between the document editing device main body 1 and the image reading section 11.
0 can be recognized, as shown in FIG.
a. The connector 27 is provided with a ground detection terminal 27a. When both are grounded with cable 29, signal R
EADY becomes high level.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. 4(a) to 4(d) are a top view, a front view, a side view, and a rear view of the image reading device shown in FIG. 3, respectively. Figures 5(a)-(C
) are sectional views showing the internal structure of the image reading device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively.

In FIG. 3, 11 is an image reading device.

30 is a lower case, 33 is an upper case, 35 is a document to be read, in FIGS. 4(a) to (d), 38 is an opening provided in the lower case 30, 17 is an IC memory card,
15 is a light emitting diode that indicates an abnormality in the reading speed;
14 is a light emitting diode that indicates when there is no remaining memory; 43
18 is a memory ON switch; 24 is a power switch; 33a is a small window provided in the upper case 33;
2 is an Nα reset switch, 44 is a concentration adjustment volume, 26 is a charging connector, 28 is a cable connector for connecting to the main device, and in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), 25 is a battery, 40a, 40b, 41a.

41b is a rib, 31a and 31b are drive rollers, 32 is a slit disk, and 16 is a drive roller 31a.

A sensor for detecting the rotation of 31b, 39 a board for the control unit 23 (FIG. 1), 12 an image sensor, 36 a lens,
20 is a connector to which the IC memory card 17 is inserted and removed; 1
3 is a light source that illuminates the original 35; 34 is a slit-shaped opening; and 37 is a sensor substrate. At the bottom of the lower case 30 of the image reading unit 11, there are a pair of left and right drive rollers 31a, 3.
1b is provided, and a slit disk 32 is provided integrally with one drive roller 31a, and the rotation detection sensor 1
6 is provided facing the outer peripheral edge of the slit disk 32. A slit-shaped opening 34 is provided in the lower part of the upper case 33 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the image reading section 11 (indicated by arrow A in FIG. 3). This opening 34
A light source 13 made of a light emitting diode array or the like for illuminating the original is provided above, and a lens 36 is provided at a position where the light reflected from the original 35 can be reflected, and an image is formed on the imaging surface of the emitted light. The sensor 12 is connected to the power switch 2
4. Memory ON switch 18. Light emitting diode indicating no remaining memory 14. and a light emitting diode 15 that indicates an abnormality in the reading speed. Inside the case, in addition to the above, there is a lower case 30.
memory connector 20. into which the IC memory card 17 is inserted and connected through the opening 38 of the memory connector 20. Charging connector 262, cable connector 28 for main body connection, and the aforementioned rotation detection sensor 1
6 is provided on the board 39 of the control unit 23 (components such as a control IC of the control unit 23 are not shown), and furthermore, the control unit 23,
Rechargeable battery 2 for supplying power to the light source 13 etc.
5 is provided.

An IC memory card 1 is placed in the lower case 30 and upper case 33.
Ribs 40a, 40b and ribs 41a, 41b are provided as guides when inserting the slider 7. In addition, in order to improve handling when operating the single-image reading unit 11, the IC memory card 17 is placed in the memory connector 20 so that it is placed in a position closer to the thumb side so that the eight fingers can be placed on it, as shown in FIG. has been established.

In the image reading section 11 of the sentence 9Ig collection device configured as described above, the control section 23. Image sensor 12. Light source 13. Turn on the power to the IC memory card 17, etc. using the power switch 2.
4, the image reading unit 11 is set on the document 35 to be read as shown in FIG. 5, and is manually moved over the document 35.
'b rotates.

At the same time, the rotation angle is detected by the slit disk 3°2 and the encoder by the sensor 16, and this signal is sent to the control unit 2.
3 is input. At the same time, the light source 13 is also turned on, and the reflected light from the MH 35 is imaged by the lens 36 onto the image sensor 12, read as image data, and input to the control unit 23 in the form of an analog signal.

This analog signal is output in synchronization with the signal from the encoder that detects the rotation angle. This analog signal is converted into a digital signal within the control section 23 and sent to the board 39 of the control section 23.
The IC memory card 17 inserted into the upper connector 20 (
In this embodiment, the IC memory card has only a memory section and no other control devices, and an external control section 23
However, some IC memory cards are equipped with a microcomputer for control in addition to the memory section, and when such a card is used, there is a functional section for control. It is no longer necessary to provide the external control section 23. ). When storing data in the IC memory card 17, the image data is already stored in the memory section, and when trying to store new image data, the memory capacity of the memory section runs out and cannot be stored. It is also possible. In order to notify this, a light emitting diode 14 is provided to indicate the insufficient remaining memory capacity; it blinks and emits light when the memory capacity is insufficient. When the memory capacity of the IC memory card 17 becomes insufficient, a new IC memory card 17 is inserted into the connector 20, and image data is stored in the IC memory card 17 again. When storing image data to the IC memory card 17, the light emitting diode 14 for indicating insufficient remaining memory capacity indicates the completion of the storage by causing the light emitting diode 14 to continuously emit light, By distinguishing between this and the blinking light emission when the memory capacity of the IC memory card 17 is insufficient as described in 1. above, the number of light emitting diodes for displaying these lights can be reduced. The presence or absence of the IC memory card 17 set in the connector 20 is detected by a sensor 21 (see also FIG. 1). The image data converted into a digital signal is temporarily stored in a buffer section 19 provided on the board 39 of the control section 23, and by turning on the memory ON switch 18, the image data is transferred from the buffer door 19 to the IC memory card 17 and is stored in the memory section. It is something to remember. If the document is read again without turning on the memory ON switch 18 (without transferring the image data from the buffer section 19 to the IC memory card 17), new image data will be temporarily stored in the buffer section 19.
The image data temporarily stored in the buffer 19 is erased.

When the movement of the image reading unit 11 on the document 35 is stopped, the drive roller 3. The rotation of la and 31b is stopped, and at the same time, the rotation of the slit disk 32 is also stopped, and the signal for detecting the rotation angle from the sensor 16 is also stopped. If the signal from the sensor 16 is not input for a predetermined period of time or more, the control unit 23 controls the light source 13 to stop lighting and the input of image data from the image sensor 12 to stop.

1 when reading the original 35 in the image reading unit 11
Since the image reading unit 11 is moved manually, the reading speed tends to fluctuate, and the reading performance of the image sensor 12 may be influenced by the reading speed. If the cable 39 connection between the image reading unit 11 and the document editing device main body 1 is disconnected, the read image data cannot be displayed on the CRT 2 of the document editing device main body 1 and the reading result cannot be checked. When reading the original 35, when the moving speed of the image reading section 11 changes, the rotation of the drive rollers 31a and 31b also changes, causing the output signal of the sensor 16 to change, so this is used as the reference signal generated by the control section 23. When compared, if the reading speed is out of the predetermined speed range, the light emitting diode 15 emits light to indicate an abnormality in the reading speed. When a reading error occurs, the document 35 is read again, and the light emitting diode 15
By turning on the memory ON switch 18 after confirming that the image data does not emit light, the control unit 23 controls the image data to be transferred from the buffer unit 19 to the IC memory card 17 and stored therein.

Even when the moving speed (reading speed) of the image reading section 11 is normal (as long as the light emitting diode 15 does not emit light), the image reading section 11 includes a density adjustment volume 44 for adjusting the reading density according to the density of the original 35.
By adjusting this, clean and clear reading results can be obtained. In a state where the image reading section 11 is separated from the document editing device main body 1 and the reading result cannot be confirmed on the display on the CRT 2,
A means to confirm the read image data is required. The image reading unit 11 reads the original 35, and the analog signal that is the image information is converted into a digital signal by the control unit 23 of the image reading unit 11. As a means for checking the image data, the light emitting diode 43 converts the image data into a digital signal. The digital signal from the control unit 23 is used to control the lighting 2 blinking in synchronization, and the lighting (blinking) state of the light emitting diode 43 is compared with the original 35 to check whether the read image data is correct. It is something that can be known. Therefore, compared to a method in which reading results are displayed and confirmed using a display such as a liquid crystal display, the same effect can be obtained at low cost without increasing the size of the image reading section.

There is no need to store unnecessary image data such as when the original 35 is read on a trial basis in the IC memory card 17, and there is a problem if it is stored. Therefore, such unnecessary image data is transferred from the buffer unit 19 where it is temporarily stored to the memory unit of the IC memory card 17, and is erased by storing new image data in the buffer unit 19 again without storing it. , a signal for selecting this is input to the control section 23 by the memory ON switch 18 so that the memory capacity of the IC memory card 17 can be used effectively.

When outputting the image data stored in the IC memory card 17, the connector 28 of the image reading section 11 and the connector 27 of the document editing device main body 1 are connected with a cable 29, and the overall control of the document editing device main body 1 is performed. The device 10 reads out all the image data stored in the IC memory card 17, selects and extracts the necessary data from the image data according to instructions from the N/B3, and controls the overall control device 10 if necessary. A method of adding a data TG collection and printing it with an output device, and a method of adding a data TG collection and printing it with an output device, and
Connect the C memory card 17 to the connector 2 of the image reading section 11.
Either method may be used, such as removing the image data from the document editing apparatus 9 and directly inserting it into the dedicated connector 7 provided in the main body 1 of the document editing apparatus 9, and similarly reading out the image data and printing.

When storing image data in the IC memory card 17, the control unit 23 stores the image data Ha that distinguishes the image data.
The control program and the like are automatically output sequentially from 1 from the storage unit, and are stored together with the image data as a data name at the beginning of the image data. The output of the image data Ha from the control unit 23 can be performed by using the Nα reset 5W42 (FIG. 1) provided inside the image reading unit 11 as needed, and the small window 33a (fifth As shown in Figure (C)), image data Nα can be restarted from 1 by turning it on with a pen tip or the like.

The image data stored in the IC memory card 17 is once read out by the overall control device 10 of the document editing device main body 1, and after displaying it on the CRT 2 and confirming the read image data as image data Nα, the user On a label (not shown) attached to the surface of the memory card 17, the name of the image data corresponding to the image data Nα is written together with the image data Nα.

To simplify this, input the image data name within the specified number of digits from N/B3, and
Although it is possible to store the image data together with the image data Nα at the beginning of the image data stored in the IC memory card 17, in this embodiment, as described above, in order to effectively utilize the memory capacity of the IC memory card 17, Check the information on the label attached to the surface of the IC memory card 17, and then
The image data Nα automatically written at the beginning of the image data by the control unit 23 of the document editing device 1 is transferred to the document editing device main body 1.
Image data stored in the IC memory card 17 can be selected and read out from the IC memory card 17 by inputting the image data from the IC memory card 17 to the overall control device 40 from the IC memory card 17. Thereby, when the image data stored in the IC memory card 17 is subsequently read out by the overall control device 10 of the document editing device main body 1 and outputted by the output device 4, only the image data Nα is inputted from the N/B3. , it is possible to select and read out only the necessary image data.

When reading the original 35 with the image reading section 11 and the document editing device main body 1 connected by the cable 29, there is a method of storing the image data in the IC memory card 17 or a method of storing the image data in the storage device 5 of the document editing device main body 1. There are two possible ways to store image data; this selection is made by detecting with the sensor 21 whether or not the IC memory card 17 is inserted into the connector 20 of the image reading section 11. When an IC memory card 17 is inserted into the connector 20 of the section 11, image data is stored in the memory card 17.

FIG. 6 shows the control section 2 in the image reading section 11 mentioned above.
FIG. 7 shows a control processing flowchart by the overall control device 10 in the document editing device main body 1.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention includes
It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and that various changes and improvements can be made within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention allows a storage means such as an IC memory card to read images through a connector, to be detachable from the device, and to notify when the storage capacity of the memory is insufficient. Since the information is notified by the means, the user can read a large number of original images by preparing a spare IC memory card and replacing it as necessary. In addition, whether or not the read original image is correct can be determined by checking the blinking state of a display means such as a light emitting diode that follows the image information, and whether or not the read image information needs to be stored can be determined using a selection switch. Since it can be selected, wasteful use of memory can be prevented. Furthermore, by connecting this image reading device and the main body of the document editing device via a signal cable, the read image information can be input to the main body of the document editing device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the document editing device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a connection section for detecting the presence or absence of connection between the main body of the document editing device and the image reading device, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the document editing device of the present invention. 4th perspective view showing the usage state of the image reading unit according to the invention;
Figures (a) to (d) are the same. 5A to 5C are a top view, a front view, a side view, and a rear view showing the external appearance of the document reading device, respectively; FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control processing by the control section of the image reading device, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of control processing by the overall control device of the main body of the document editing device. 1... Document editing device main body, 10... Overall control device,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Image reading device, 12... Image sensor, 13... Light source, 14... Light emitting diode (memory empty notification means), 15... Light emitting diode, 1
6... Rotation detection sensor, 17... IC memory card (storage means), 18... Memory ON switch (selection switch), 19... Buffer section, 20... Memory connector, 21... Card detection sensor, 23...Control unit, 29...Signal cable, 43...Light emitting diode (image signal display means), 44...Reading density adjustment volume.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In a document editing device that is provided with an image reading device that reads image information by scanning an image of a document and is separated from a main body, the image reading device is detachable from the main body by a signal cable. The image reading device is freely connected and includes: a) a connector to which a storage means for storing the read image information is detachable; b) a notification means for notifying the lack of storage capacity of the storage means; c) a connector for storing the image information. 1. A document editing device comprising: a switch for selecting whether or not to store; and d) display means for displaying a read image signal. 2. The document editing device according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is an IC memory card. 3. The document editing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means is a light emitting diode.