JPH01195757A - Image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the working efficiency and the operability of original reading by performing the start and interruption control of a reading operation manually, and shifting a state to an original waiting state by interrupting the reading operation at an arbitrary timing. CONSTITUTION:In a state where an ordinary automatic scan mode is set, a carrier C starts scanning from a scan start position and reads the image information of an original sequentially by an image reading sensor 13 when a scan command is inputted from a host computer E, and when the scan of a designated area is completed, the carrier C is returned to the original scan start position, then, a waiting state is set. Meanwhile, in the state where a mode is set at a manual scan mode by the command from the host computer E, no scan is started even when the scan command is inputted from the host computer E, which maintains the waiting state, and the scan is started by performing the button operation of an operating panel 3, and by performing the button operation again, the scan is interrupted, then, the carrier is returned to the original position, and it is set at the waiting state. In such a way, since the start and the interruption of the scan can be performed manually, the operability can be improved.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an image input device that reads image information of a document in response to a command from an external host computer, and particularly relates to an image input device that can manually start and interrupt a scanning operation. [Prior Art] Image information of a document placed on a document reading table is read by an image reading sensor mounted on a carrier that scans (moves) in one direction of the document reading table at a constant speed, and converts it into digital image data. Conventionally, in an image input device that converts images into images and sends them to an external host computer, the communication means between the image input device and the external host computer is a serial/ Parallel conversion methods and bidirectional parallel transmission methods are often used. By connecting such an image input device as an input device and a laser printer or the like as an output device to a terminal serving as a host computer, an OA device as shown in Fig. 9 called a desktop publishing system is configured. Ru. However, in such a system, transmission and reception between each input/output device and the terminal is always performed on a one-to-one basis, so the operator has exclusive use of the input/output device, which has the advantage of being able to be used without waiting time. However, the problem arises that the operating efficiency is low. In 1986, the ANS
S CS I (Small Compute
orSystel! 1Interf'ace) standard was established. In other words, according to this SCSI standard, as shown in Figure 10, up to eight devices can be connected to one bidirectional bus (SCSI bus), and in the case of differential/synchronous type, the cable length is 25 m, Transmission speed 4 MB ytes/
See is defined. Therefore, this SCS
By adopting the I standard, it will be possible to connect multiple devices on the same bus, albeit on a small scale, by improving the transmission speed, and it will not only be possible to share multiple devices with multiple terminals, but also increase the transmission speed. This makes it possible to obtain a low-cost, high-performance system.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, even in the image input device incorporated as an input device in a system adopting the SCSI standard as described above, the following problems still need to be solved. That is, the operator of this system sets a document on the document reading table of the image input device, operates a terminal consisting of a host computer, declares that he/she will use the image input device, and receives permission from the system to use the image input device. Actually, address numbers 0 to 7 are set for each bus, and bus acquisition processing is executed. In this bus acquisition process, priority is given to bus acquisition in descending order of address number, and this is followed if the bus is in a free state. The next device to be used (in this case, the image input device) is selected, and when a permission response is sent from the device, a line is formed. When permission for use is granted, a scanning command is sent from the terminal to the image input device instructing the image input device to read image information of the document. As a result, the image input device starts reading the document. That is, at this point, the original must be set on the original reading table. Therefore, even if the user realizes that he or she has forgotten to set a document on the image input device after performing an operation on the terminal, the image reading operation of the image input device cannot be stopped. In addition, as input devices such as image input devices and output devices are shared by multiple terminals as shown in Figure 10, they are often placed in limited locations within an office, and a laser printer may not be used as the output device. For example, the laser printer side is equipped with a paper feed cassette, etc., so it is ready to print on a large number of sheets of paper continuously, but the image input device side requires the operator to set the document on the document reading stand each time. There is. After setting the original, the user returns to the terminal and executes an operation to send a scanning command to the image input device. Then, the image input device that receives the scanning command immediately starts a reading operation. Therefore, after operating the terminal, the operator returns to the location where the image input device is installed, and there is no time to correct the slight inclination of the document set on the document reading table with respect to the reference line. Therefore, there is a concern that image information may be read while the document is tilted. Furthermore, in image input devices, reading operation (scanning operation)
Once started, it is impossible to interrupt the reading operation until the series of reading operations is completed. In other words, the carrier carrying the light source and the image reading sensor starts moving at a constant speed from the scanning start position, and when the scanning of the specified reading area of the original set in advance from the terminal side is completed, the carrier returns to the original scanning starting position. It does not stop operating until it returns to . Therefore, even if you inadvertently find that the original has been set skewed or off the reference line, the reading operation cannot be interrupted, and the remaining images that are determined to be defective data cannot be interrupted. A re-reading operation for the same document cannot be started until after the information has been read. As a result, time is wasted and the image input device and terminal are forced to perform unnecessary processing operations. The present invention is driven and controlled by an external host computer in accordance with the SCSI standard, and can also manually start and interrupt the reading operation, and can interrupt the reading operation at any timing and return to the original standby state. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input device that can significantly improve the work efficiency and operability of document reading. [Means for Solving the Problems] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention transmits image information of a document B placed on a document reading table A to a carrier C that is scanned in one direction of the document reading table. The installed linear image reading sensor D sequentially reads the images and sends them to an external host computer E, and in response to a scanning command F from the host computer, the carrier starts scanning from a predetermined scanning start position to scan a specified area. In an image input device having an automatic scanning mode that returns to the original scanning start position and enters a standby state when the scanning operation is completed, there is a button G provided on the operation panel for inputting a start/interruption command for carrier scanning operation, and a host A manual scanning start means H enters a standby state according to a command from the computer, and starts scanning the carrier in response to an odd-numbered button G operation executed in this state, and a manual scanning start means H starts scanning in response to an even-numbered button G operation. The scanner is equipped with manual scanning interrupting means H for stopping the carrier, returning the carrier to the scanning starting position, and transitioning to a standby state. In addition to each of the above-mentioned means A to H, another means of the invention includes:
Manual scanning in which the host computer enters the standby state, and in response to an even-numbered button operation performed in this state, scanning is stopped, the carrier is returned to the previous document reading start position, and the shift is to the standby state. It is equipped with an interrupting means ■'. [Function] With an image input device configured as described above, when a scan command is input from the host computer when the image input device is set to the normal automatic scan mode, the carrier starts scanning from the scan start position and reads the image. The image information of the document is sequentially read by the sensor, and when the scanning of the designated area is completed, the carrier returns to the original scanning start position and enters a standby state. On the other hand, when the manual scanning mode is set according to a command from the host computer, even if a scanning command is input from the host computer, scanning will not start and the standby state will be maintained, and the buttons on the operation panel will not be operated. If you press the button again, scanning will start, and if you press the button again, scanning will be interrupted and you will return to the original scanning start position and enter a standby state. Therefore, scanning can be started and interrupted manually while maintaining the SCSI standard, and operability is greatly improved. Another advantage of the invention is that in addition to the above-mentioned effects, when scanning is interrupted, the carrier returns to the previous reading start position instead of the predetermined scan start position, so that when the same document is read, the carrier returns to the previous reading start position. Time is reduced. [Example] An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an external view showing the image input device of the embodiment. A window is formed on almost the entire top surface of the case 1, which is shaped like a box, and a document reading stand 2 made of transparent glass or the like is fitted into the window. One end of the document reading table 2 is covered with a cover 8 rotatably attached to the case 1 with a hinge. An operation panel 3 is attached to the front of the top surface of the case 1, and a power lamp 4. After the power is turned on, a ready lamp 51 indicates that the initial processing has been completed and the host computer is connected online and is in a standby state for inputting various commands.
Pause button 6. and various other control switches etc. are provided. Note that the start/interrupt button 6 accepts button operations only when the ready lamp 5 is lit. Further, a power switch 7 is attached to the side of the case 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration. A light source 12 such as a fluorescent lamp and an image are placed on a carrier 11 that is controlled to move by a carrier motor 10 in the longitudinal direction of the document reading table 2 shown by the arrow a at a position below the document reading table 2 on which the document 9 in the case 1 is set. A reading sensor 13 is mounted. Said carrier 1
1 waits at the scanning start position (reference position) indicated by the arrow in the figure after the power is turned on and various initial processes are executed. Further, the image reading sensor 13 is a sensor in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are linearly arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper, and the carrier 11
When the scanner starts scanning (moving) from the scanning start position in the direction of arrow a, it reads at once the image information for one horizontal line of the document 9 illuminated by the light source 12, and outputs it from the reference clock oscillator 14 shown in FIG. output as a serial analog image signal in synchronization with the clock signal. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image human power device. An MPU (microprocessor unit) 15, which includes various input/output boards and executes various information calculation processes, controls the entire image input device according to a control program stored in a ROM 16. And this MPU
A 5CSI interface 20.15 is connected to an external host computer 18 via a data bus 17 and an SC5I bus (bidirectional bus) 19. A RAM 21 in which a buffer for temporarily storing read digital image data is formed. The digital image data stored in the buffer of this RAM 21 is directly scanned without going through the MPU 15.
A DMA control unit 22 and the like for transferring to the 3I interface 20 are connected. Furthermore, the MPU 15 operates on the carrier motor 10 and the light source 1.
High voltage generation circuit 231 that lights up image reading sensor 1
A/D converts the distortion-corrected analog image signal outputted from the waveform shaping circuit 24, which performs shading correction on the analog image signal outputted from 3, into digital image data by converting it into binary or multivalued data including halftones. Controls each operation of the converter 25 and the like. The digital image data output from the A/D converter 25 is temporarily stored in the buffer of the RAM 21. Furthermore, button operation information of the start/interrupt button 6 provided on the operation panel 3 is input to the MPU 15 . Further, a driving voltage is supplied from a power supply circuit 26 to each of the electronic components mentioned above. Next, a part of the information transmission procedure according to the SC3I standard via the host computer 18 and the 5CSI bus 19 will be explained. For example, when one command is input from the host computer 18 to the image input device, the MPU 15 of the image input device receives the data following this command, and then returns the status to the host computer 18 to inform the host computer 18 of the reception status of the command. Inform the other side. In this embodiment, when a status of "Good" is sent, it indicates that the command was received without any problem, and when a status of "Condition check" is sent, there is no problem in receiving or executing the command. Indicates that there is. In addition, -
Once the start/interrupt button 6 is operated, the status of this "condition check" is returned as a response to a data transmission command and data count transmission command, which will be described later, which are input from the host computer 8. That is,
Since the image input device is controlled by various commands from the host computer 18, if the scanning operation is interrupted midway, the program procedure on the host computer 18 side will be adversely affected. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain approval from the host computer 18 before starting the actual scanning interruption operation, so the above-mentioned "condition check" status is sent to the host computer 18 in order to input information to the effect that the scanning will be interrupted. This is to cause the host computer 18 to transmit an internal state transmission command, which will be described later, to the image input device. ” When the transmission of any of the statuses listed in item 1 is completed, the execution status of the received command is transmitted as a message to the host computer 18 side. In other words, if the processing for the relevant command is executed and completed normally, "command completed" is displayed.
message will be sent. With this, the response processing on the image input device side to one command input from the host computer 18 is completed, and the image input device enters a state of waiting for input of the next command. Next, the types of commands sent from the host computer 18 to the image input device in this embodiment will be explained. (1) Internal status transmission command (request 5ens
cosvand)...This is a command from the host computer 18 requesting the image input device to send the internal status of the image input device to the host computer side, and the status of "condition check" is sent from the image input device side. When received, this command is sent out. (2) Reading condition setting command (deNne window
araa+crters coaa+and) - An instruction for the host computer 18 to set reading conditions such as a designated area indicating the reading range of the document and reading density for the image processing apparatus. (3) Scanning command (5can coavand) -・=
A command from the host computer 18 requesting the image input device to start reading image information of a document. (4) Data count transmission command (get data stat
uscommand)...The host computer 18 stores data in the RAM 21 for the image input device that is in the reading operation.
This is a command requesting that the host computer be notified of the amount of digital image data stored in the buffer of the computer. In this embodiment, if this data count transmission command is input while the image input device is not in the reading operation, this data count transmission command changes the scan mode of the image input device from automatic scan mode to manual scan mode. Acts as a mode change command. (5) Data transmission command (read command)
) --A command that requests the host computer 18 to send the digital image data stored in the buffer of the RAM 21 to the image input device during the reading operation to the host computer 18. Therefore, the MPU 15 of the image input device is configured as shown in FIGS.
The program is configured to execute a process of reading the image information of the document 9 and transmitting it to the host computer 18 according to the flow chart shown in the figure. In FIG. 5, when the power switch 7 is turned on, various initial processes are executed. At this point, the operator sets the original 9 face down on the original reading table 2. However, Pl
When various switches other than the start/interrupt button 6 are operated from the operation panel 3, the process corresponding to the switch operation is executed. When a command is received from the host computer 18 at P2, the type of the command is checked at P3 to P6. If the command is not a data count transmission command at P3, a scan command at P4, and an internal state transmission command at P5, data of the current internal state is transmitted to the host computer 18. Further, if the reading condition setting command is issued in P6, various reading conditions such as a designated area indicating the subsequent reading range, a distance from the scanning start position to the actual document reading start position, and reading density are set in the RAM 21 or the like. When a scanning command is input at P4, this image input device
automatic scanning mode], and the interruption flag stored in the RAM 121 is reset to O at Pl. And light source 1
2 is turned on, and the carrier motor 10 starts scanning (moving) the carrier 11 from the scanning start position in the direction of the arrow a. Then, the image reading sensor 13 sequentially reads the image information of the document. If there is still a data storage area in the buffer of the RAM 21, the read image data will be stored one after another. When the buffer storage area is full, the process will wait for a command input from the host computer 18 at P8, and the data will be stored at P9. When a transmission command is input, the image data stored in the buffer is transmitted to the host computer 18. When the transmission of the image data in the buffer of the RAM 21 is completed, after confirming that the interruption flag is still cleared to 0 in Plo, a "good" response to the data transmission command is sent.
A "command complete" message is sent to the host computer 18 indicating that the status and data transmission processing for the command has been completed. Then, the process advances to Pll, the state of the buffer in the RAM 21 is determined again, and the read image data is stored. PI3
Confirm that the start/interrupt button 6 on the operation panel 3 is not pressed at , and when a command is input from the host computer 18 at P1B, if the command is a data transmission command at P9, the image in the buffer is Send the data to host computer 18. The input command is not a data transmission command at P9, but P9 in Figure 6.
If I3 is a command to send the number of data, and PI3 has not finished scanning the designated area set by the reading condition setting command, PI3 will send the number of image data stored in the buffer. Send. Then, the PI 3 confirms that the interruption flag has been cleared to 0, transmits a "good" status and a "command completed" message, and returns to the pH shown in FIG. 5 again. If the scanning of the specified area is completed in PI3, the number of data - 0 is transmitted. Therefore, the host computer 18
It can be confirmed that scanning of one original document 9 has been completed. Thereafter, the PI3 transmits a "good" status and a "command completed" message in response to the data count transmission command. Thereafter, scanning of the carrier 11 is stopped at P2O, and the carrier 11 is returned to the scanning start position shown in FIG. Then, the process returns to the beginning of the flowchart in FIG. 5 and enters a standby state for the next command or switch operation. This completes the series of image reading processes in the [automatic scanning mode]. Next, image reading processing in [manual scanning mode] will be explained. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, if the command input at P2 is the data number transmission command at P3, at this point, this image input device has not yet started the image reading operation, so the data number transmission is The command is determined to be a mode switching command to manual scan mode control. Then, the ready lamp 5 is turned on and the process waits for the start/interrupt button 6 to be operated. However, during the standby state, a command is input at P21,
At P22, if the command is again a data count transmission command or a data transmission command, this time the buffer data 〇 is transmitted. If it is another command, proceed to PI3 in Figure 6.
Send "good" status and "command completed" messages. Then, the carrier 11 is returned to the scanning start position. In other words, the mode returns to [automatic scanning mode]. When the start/interrupt button 6 of the operation panel 3 is operated at P2B in FIG. 5, this is the first (odd-numbered) button operation, so
At P24, the interruption flag is reset to 0, the light source 12 is turned on, and scanning of the carrier 11 is started. Then, RA at pH
The status of the buffer of M21 is checked and the read image data is stored. If the start/interrupt button 6 is not operated on PI3, PlB
It waits for instructions from the host computer 18. P
When a command is input at 1B, the subsequent operations are the same as those in the automatic scanning mode described above, so the explanation will be omitted. When the start/interrupt button 6 is operated on the PI 3, since this is the second (even numbered) operation, the interrupt flag is set to 1 to interrupt the scanning operation. If the command input at PIB is a data transmission command, the image data in the buffer is transmitted, and since the interrupt flag is set to 1 at PIO, the "condition check" status is transmitted. As a result, the next command input at PlB is P in FIG.
If the internal status transmission command is 0 at 25, the host computer 18 determines that the scanning interruption has been accepted and transmits a "good" status and a "command complete" message. Thereafter, the carrier motor 10 is stopped at P26, and the scanning operation by the carrier 11 is interrupted. And P2
At step 7, the carrier 11 is returned to the scanning start position (reference position) shown in FIG. Then, the process returns to P21 and waits for the button operation of the start/interrupt button 6 indicating the start of scanning in the manual scanning mode. Furthermore, even though the "Condition Check" status is transmitted in response to the command input at PI3, if this "Condition Check" is ignored and a data count transmission command is input at PI3 in Figure 6, After sending the number of data in the buffer, send the "Condition Check" status again. In addition, if the command input in PI3 is not a data transmission command, a data count transmission command, or an internal status transmission command, P2g will display the "condition check status" and "command completed" messages. After transmitting , forcibly return the carrier 11 to the scanning start position (reference position) in P29, cancel the [manual scanning mode], return to the beginning of the flowchart in Figure 5, and press the switch on the operation panel or the host It enters a state of waiting for command input from the computer 18. Note that when the carrier 11 returns to the scanning start position, the light source 12 is also turned off. In the image input device configured as described above, the operation when using the image input device in the [automatic scanning mode] will first be described. That is, the operator sets the original 9 on the original reading table 2 with the power switch 7 turned on, operates the host computer 18, and inputs reading conditions such as a designated area indicating the reading range to the image input device. When set, a reading condition setting command is input to this image input device. Next, when the start key on the host computer 18 side is operated, a scanning command is input to this image input device, the carrier 11 automatically starts scanning, and the image information of the document 9 is sequentially read and converted into digital image data. The data is sent to the host computer 18 as a. And 1
When the reading operation for the original sheet 9 is completed, the apparatus enters a waiting state for inputting the next scanning command. Next, the operation when using in [manual scanning mode] will be explained. First, the operator turns on the power switch 7 to shift this image input operation to a standby state. Then, the host computer 18 is operated to send a data number transmission command to this image input device. Then, the image input device
Manual scan mode]. Then, the operator
When the start/interrupt button 6 of the operation panel 3 is pressed after setting the document on the document reading table 2, scanning of the carrier 11 is started, and the image information of the document 9 is sequentially read and sent to the host as digital image data. transmitted to computer 18. Then, when the reading operation of one sheet of original 9 is completed,
The carrier 11 returns to the scanning start position and enters a standby state for the next button operation of the start/interrupt button 6. In this case, after first operating the start/interrupt button 6 to start scanning, for example, if the original is set tilted,
If the start/interrupt button 6 is immediately operated again when the carrier 11 is deviated from the reference line, the scanning operation is interrupted and the carrier 11 returns to the original scanning start position (reference position). Therefore, set document 9 correctly and start again.
When the interrupt button 6 is operated, the reading operation for the same document is restarted from the beginning. In addition, in this embodiment, even if the reading operation of the original 9 is being executed in [automatic scanning mode], the fifth
When the start/interrupt button 6 is operated at PI3 in the flowchart shown in the figure, the scanning operation is interrupted at that point, and the carrier 11
returns to the scanning start position and waits for the next scanning command input. Therefore, even when operating in [automatic scanning mode], it is possible to interrupt the reading operation at a necessary timing. In this way, the operator can start scanning and interrupt scanning at any timing as needed, so the operability of the human-powered image device can be greatly improved. Moreover, even if manual operation is made possible, the advantages of adopting the SCSI model described above will not be diminished in any way. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of an image input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same parts as in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation of the overlapping parts will be omitted. Further, other parts including the external view and the block configuration diagram are the same as those in FIGS. 2 to 6, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. According to this embodiment, as shown by P2O in FIG. 8, the carrier 11
When the scanning operation is interrupted, the carrier 11 is returned not to the scanning starting position shown in FIG. 3, but to the previous reading starting position of the document previously set by the reading condition setting command. Generally, the purpose of interrupting the scanning operation is to perform the reading operation again on the same document because the document was not set correctly. Therefore, when the scanning operation is interrupted, the carrier 11 returns to the previous reading start position, so unnecessary operations of the carrier 11 can be omitted, the reading time is shortened when the same document is read, and the operation of the entire image input device is simplified. You can further improve your sexuality. [Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the image input device of the present invention, the drive is controlled by an external host computer in accordance with the SCSI standard, and the reading operation can be started and interrupted manually, and can be freely controlled. It is possible to interrupt the reading operation at the timing of , and return to the original standby state. Therefore, SCS
The work efficiency and operability of document reading can be greatly improved while maintaining the advantages of adopting the I standard.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, Figs. 2 to 7 show an image input device according to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is an external view, and Fig. 3 is an external view. Schematic cross-sectional diagram,
FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram, FIGS. 5 to 7 are flowcharts showing the operation, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of an image input device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a general OA device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Case, 2...Document reading table, 3...Operation panel, 6...Start/interrupt button, 9...Document, 11...
・Carrier, 12...Light source, 13...Image reading sensor, 15...MPU, 18...Host computer, one...S CS, 1 bus, 20...5CSI interface, 21 ...RAM, 25...A/D
converter. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) The image information of the document placed on the document reading table is sequentially read by a linear image reading sensor mounted on a carrier that scans in one direction of the document reading table and is transmitted to an external host computer. An image having an automatic scanning mode in which the carrier starts scanning from a predetermined scanning starting position in response to a scanning command from the host computer, and when scanning of a specified area is completed, returning to the original scanning starting position and transitioning to a standby state. The input device includes a button provided on the operation panel for inputting a start/interrupt command for the carrier scanning operation, and an odd-numbered button that is placed in a standby state by a command from the host computer and executed in this state. A manual scanning start means that starts scanning the carrier in response to an operation, and a manual scanning interrupting means that stops the scanning in response to an even-numbered button operation, returns the carrier to the scanning start position, and enters a standby state. An image input device comprising: (2) The image information of the document placed on the document reading table is sequentially read by a linear image reading sensor mounted on a carrier that scans in one direction of the document reading table and transmitted to an external host computer. An image having an automatic scanning mode in which the carrier starts scanning from a predetermined scanning starting position in response to a scanning command from the host computer, and when scanning of a specified area is completed, returning to the original scanning starting position and transitioning to a standby state. The input device includes a button provided on the operation panel for inputting a start/interrupt command for the carrier scanning operation, and an odd-numbered button that is placed in a standby state by a command from the host computer and executed in this state. A manual scan start means that starts scanning the carrier in response to an operation, and a manual scan that stops the scanning in response to an even-numbered button operation, returns the carrier to the previous document reading start position, and enters a standby state. An image input device comprising: interrupting means.