JPH01206773A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the read position precision of a document and the operability by laying out image data of the document read once again for the read paper size. CONSTITUTION:A document 5 is set on a document read base 2 in accordance with a reference position mark 6 of a read paper size 12. When a start key 3 is operated, image information on the document 5 is read and is stored in a read buffer 25. Image data stored in the read buffer 25 is stored in a center area (oblique-line part) set in a transmission buffer 26 in accordance with counted values Y and X of a line counter 18a and a pixel counter 18b, a document start position coordinates Ys end Xs, and a width WI and a length LN of the document paper size. White blank data is stored in the peripheral area other than the oblique-line part of the transmission buffer 26. Consequently, a host computer omitted in the figure re ceives data of the read paper size 12 where image data of the document 5 is laid out in the center and the peripheral part is filled up with blank data.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads image information of a document placed on a document reading table using an image reading sensor and sends it to a host computer. The present invention relates to an image reading device that sends image data to a host computer in a reading paper size larger than the paper size.

[Prior Art] In an image reading device that reads two-dimensional image information of a document and sends it to a host computer, as shown in FIG. A document reading table 2 made of glass or the like is fitted into the window. Further, in front of the document reading table 2, an operation panel 3 is installed which includes a reading sheet size designation key 3a, a start key 3b, etc.

Further, the document reading table 2 is covered with a cover 4 with a document set thereon.

As shown in FIG. 7, on the document reading table 2, a reference position mark 6 and a plurality of types of paper size marks 7 are drawn for aligning the corners of the document 5 when the document 5 is to be loaded. .

Therefore, the original document 5 is usually aligned with one corner of the original reading table 2.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the general configuration of the image reading device. A carrier 9 is provided below the document reading table 2 in the case 1 and is controlled to move in the vertical direction (line direction) of the document reading table 2 as indicated by the arrow in the figure by a carrier motor 8. Irradiation lamp 1 consisting of a light
An image reading sensor 1 formed by linearly arranging 0 and a large number of photoelectric elements is mounted.

In such an image reading device, with the document 5 facing down, the reference position mark 6 is placed at the corner of the document 5 as shown by the solid line in FIG.
After specifying the paper size of the original 5 using the reading paper size specification key 3a on the operation panel 3, when the start key 3b is operated, the carrier 9 starts moving (scanning) in the direction of the arrow and starts irradiation. The image reading sensor 11 reads the image information of the original 5 illuminated by the lamp O one line at a time.
The image data is sequentially read by a multi-value conversion circuit (not shown), converted into digital values, and transmitted to a host computer as digital image data.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, even in the image reading device configured as described above, there are still some problems to be solved as follows.

That is, as described above, when sending the image data of the original 5 read by this image reading device to the host computer, the reading paper size requested by the host I computer and the actual paper size of the original 5 must match. For example, if the reading paper size requested by the host computer is larger than the actual document paper size of the original document 5 in order to compare it with other image data or perform image processing later on the host computer side. may occur.

In such a case, the reading paper size is set to be larger than the original paper size using the reading paper size designation key 3a, or the reading paper size is automatically set by the host computer. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the reading paper size shown by the broken line 12 is specified, the actual original 5 is set at the center position of the area of the reading paper size 12 as shown by the two-dot chain line 13, and then , start key 3b of operation panel 3
operate. Then, the image data sent to the host computer is in a state in which the image information of the original 5 is stored in the center position of the reading paper size 12.

However, the document reading table 2 reads the document 5 with paper size]2
Since the guide for setting the document 5 to the center position is not clearly indicated, it is difficult for the operator to set the document 5 to the center position of the reading sheet size as shown by the dashed line 13 in FIG. Very annoying. therefore,
The original 5 is often set at an angle, and when a large number of originals 5 are read, the arrangement of the image data of the original 5 in the image data for the size of the reading paper input to the host computer may be different for each original. If this data is printed out on paper of the same size as the reading paper size, the image information of the original 5 will not be printed in the center position, which will spoil the aesthetic appearance and result in a decrease in print quality. become.

The present invention provides the following advantages: - By rearranging the image data of the scanned original according to the reading paper size, even if the original is read aligned with the reference position mark on the original reading stand, the host computer will not be able to read the original. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device that is sent out in a state where it is placed at the center of the paper size, and can improve the accuracy of the document reading position in the entire device, as well as greatly improve the operability.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides image information of a document having a predetermined document paper size placed on a document reading table by a line mounted on a carrier that is scanned in one direction of the document reading table. When a document is set at the reference position on the document reading table in an image reading device that sequentially reads the image using a 3-dimensional image reading sensor, incorporates it into image data on a paper size larger than the document paper size, and sends it to an external host computer. A reading buffer stores image data corresponding to the document paper size read by the computer, a transmission buffer stores image data corresponding to the document paper size to be sent to the host computer, and a transmission buffer stores image data corresponding to the document paper size read by the host computer. ); a line counter and a pixel counter that count the position in the reading pixel unit; and a storage area setting means that uses the count values of each counter to set a storage area for the document paper size at a central position in the transmission buffer; The image data setting means stores the image data stored in the reading buffer in the storage area, and the blank data setting means stores blank data in a surrounding area other than the area in which the image data of the transmission buffer is stored. It is something.

[Function] With an image reading device configured in this way, when a document is set at the reference position on the document reading table and the image information of this document is read, the image data corresponding to the document paper size is temporarily stored in the reading buffer. be remembered. The image data stored in the reading buffer is stored in a storage area set at the center of the transmission buffer, which has an area corresponding to the size of the reading paper, according to the count values of the line counter and pixel counter. Further, blank data is stored in the remaining surrounding area in the transmission buffer. If all the data in this transmission buffer is transmitted, data in which the image data of the document is accurately incorporated in the center position of the reading paper size will be transmitted to the host computer.

[Example] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image reading device according to an embodiment. Note that the external view and cross-sectional view showing the mechanical configuration are the same as those in FIGS. 6 to 8, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the same parts as in each of the above figures are given the same reference numerals. In the figure, 15 is a CPU (central processing unit) that executes various information processing in response to various commands input from the host computer 19 and various key operations on the operation panel 3. , a ROM 17 that stores control programs, a RAM 18 that stores variable data such as read buffers and transmission buffers, an interface 20 connected to the host computer 19, an operation panel 3, a lamp drive circuit 21 of the irradiation lamp 10, and an image reading sensor 11. A multi-value conversion circuit 22 that converts an input analog image signal into digital image data, a drive circuit 23 that applies a reading lock signal to the image reading sensor 11 to output an image signal, and a carrier motor that drives the carrier motor 8. A drive circuit 24 and the like are connected.

On the operation panel 3 arranged around the document reading table 2,
As shown in FIG. 1(a), in addition to the reading paper size designation key 3a and start key 3b for specifying the reading paper size indicated by the broken line 12 mentioned above, there are also keys that are actually set on the document reading table 2. A document paper size designation key 30 is provided for specifying the document paper size of the document 5, which is indicated by a solid line.

Further, within the RAM 18, as shown in FIG. 26 is formed. The storage area sizes of the reading buffer 25 and the sending buffer 26 are determined by the original paper size designation key 30 and the reading paper size designation key 3a on the operation panel 3.
Specified by.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the RAM 18 contains
A line counter 18a and a pixel counter 18b are formed to count the position Y in the scanning (line) direction and the position X in the width (pixel) direction of the set reading paper size 12 in units of reading pixels. A paper length counter 18c and a paper width counter 18d are formed to count the position J in the longitudinal direction (scanning direction, vertical direction) and the position K in the width direction of the document paper size in units of reading pixels. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4(b) and 4(a), the vertical and
Reading paper size memory 1 that stores horizontal lengths LI and PI
8e, the height of the original paper size specified on the operation panel 3,
Manuscript paper size memory 1 that stores horizontal lengths LN and WI
8f1 and the position Ys in the scanning direction and width direction of the starting position of the original 5 when it is located at the center within the original paper size or the reading paper size 12, as shown in FIG. 4(c).
, Xs is formed. In addition, each of the above memories 18e, 18f, :18g
are automatically set in response to the selection operation of the reading paper size and original paper size on the operation panel 3.

Then, specify the original paper size and reading paper size on the operation panel 3, set the original 5 in alignment with the reference position mark 6 of the original reading table 2 as shown in FIG. 1(a), and start. When the key 3b is operated, the carrier 9 starts scanning in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

Thereafter, the CPU 15 transfers the image data in the reading buffer 25 to the transmission buffer 26 according to the flowchart in FIG.
Execute the process to store it inside. Once the flowchart is started,
RAM]-8, the count value Y of the line counter 18a is initialized to 1, and if the count value Y has not reached the starting position Ys in the scanning direction of the original 5 at P1, the count value Y in the transmission buffer 26 is set at P2. Blank data is stored in the entire area of one horizontal line indicated by position Y. In the embodiment, this blank data is white data.

Then, 1 is added to the count value Y of the line counter 18a, and the process returns to Pl to check whether the count value Y after the addition has reached the document start position ys.

When the position (count value) Y in the scanning direction reaches the document start position Ys at the paper length counter], the count value J of the paper length counter], 8c is set to the initial value 1. Then, when it is confirmed in P3 that the count value J has not reached the length LN of the original 5, the reading paper size 12 of the pixel counter 18b is
A count value X indicating the horizontal position within is initialized to 1.

Then, if the count value X has not reached the horizontal position Xs of the document start position in P4, one blank data is sent to each position Y, X indicated by the count value Y, X in the transmission buffer 26 in P5. Store.

Then, the count value X of the pixel counter 18b is incremented and the process returns to P4.

When the increased count value X reaches the document start position Xs in P4, the count value K of the paper width counter 18d is set to the initial value 1. Then, at P6, one piece of image data at the position specified by the count value J of each counter 18c, 18d in the reading buffer 25 is read out and transferred to the transmission buffer 2.
The count values Y and X of 6 are stored in the designated positions. Then, each count value X, K in the horizontal direction is added by 1.

If the count value K after addition at Pl does not exceed the width Wl of the original 5, the process returns to P6, reads the next piece of image data from the reading buffer 25, and transfers it to the position Y of the transmission buffer 26.
, stored in X.

When the count value K of the paper width counter 18d exceeds the paper width W1 at P1, it is confirmed at P8 that the count value X of the pixel counter 18b has not reached the width PI of the reading paper size]2. Then, in P9, one piece of blank data is stored in the position specified by each callan I and position Y and X in the transmission buffer 26. Then, the count value in the width direction
Add 1 to . Then, return to P8.

At P8, the count value X after addition is the reading paper size 12.
If the width PI of the transmission buffer 26 is exceeded, the scanning direction (
Since the data storage process for one horizontal line from X=0 to X=PI at the Y position in the vertical direction has been completed, 1 is added to each count value Y and J in the vertical direction, and the process returns to P3.

When the count value J of the paper length counter 18c exceeds the paper length LN at P3, all the image data in the reading buffer 25 has been stored in the transmission buffer 26, so the count value Y of the line counter 18a is changed at P9. After confirming that the length of the reading paper size 12 does not reach the length LI, blank data is stored in the entire area of one horizontal line at the vertical position Y of the transmission buffer 26 in PLO.

Then, 1 is added to the count value Y, and the process returns to P9.

At P9, the count value Y is the length LI of the reading paper size 12
When reaching this point, the process of storing data in the entire area of the transmission buffer 26 ends.

After that, the original 5 stored in this transmission buffer 26
All data, including image data, are sent to the host computer 19 via the interface 20.

In the image reading apparatus configured as described above, after selecting and setting the reading paper size and the original paper size using the reading paper size selection key 3a and the original paper size selection key 30 on the operation panel 3, the original 5 is placed in the position shown in FIG. As shown in a), the document is set on the document reading table 2 in alignment with the reference position mark 6 set at the corner of the document size 12. Then, when the start key 3 is operated, the image information of the document 5 is read and stored in the reading buffer 25. The image data stored in the reading buffer 25 is processed according to the flowchart in FIG. The data is stored in the shaded area in FIG. 1(b) set in the transmission buffer 26 by the values Wl and LN. For example, white blank data is stored in the surrounding area of the transmission buffer 26 other than the area surrounded by diagonal lines. Therefore, the host computer 19
It is possible to receive data of reading paper size 12 in which the image data of the original 5 is embedded in the center position and surrounded by blank data.

In this way, the paper size of the original 5 is the reading paper size 12.
If the original is smaller, simply set the original 5 aligned with the reference position mark 6 on the original reading table 2, and the image data of this original 5 will be incorporated into the center position of the reading paper size 12 and one host computer will be able to read it. Therefore, the operator does not need to set the original 5 at the center position of the reading paper size]2 as shown by the two-dot chain line 13 in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the document 5 from being misaligned or being set diagonally. As a result, manuscript 5
The work efficiency of the set positioning work can be greatly improved, and the operability can be improved.

Further, even if the original paper size and the reading paper size are changed, there is no need to change the setting position of the original 5, and it is sufficient to always set the original 5 in alignment with the reference position mark 6.

In addition, data in which the image data of the original 5 is accurately incorporated in the center position is input to the host computer 19, so even if this input data is printed on paper that corresponds to the reading paper size, the original will not be printed correctly. Since it is printed in the center, even if many originals are scanned and printed,
The printing position will not be uneven (and the printing quality can be improved).

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the image reading device of the present invention, -
The image data of the original that has been read is rearranged in the storage unit according to the paper size to be read. Therefore, even if the original is read by aligning it with the reference position mark on the original reading table, the image data of the original will be sent to the host computer with it placed in the center position of the reading paper size, and the image data of the original will be sent to the host computer with the image data aligned with the reference position mark on the original reading table. The accuracy of the document reading position can be improved, and the operability can be greatly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 5 show an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing the set position of manuscript paper on the manuscript reading table, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data sent to the host computer, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the memory of the storage unit, and FIG.
The figure shows each paper size, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation, and FIG. 6 is an external view showing a general image reading device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a document reading table of the apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the general structure of the apparatus. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Case, 2...Document reading table, 3...Operation panel, 5...Document, 6...Reference position mark, 9...
Carrier, 10... Irradiation lamp, 11... Image reading sensor, 12... Reading paper size, 15... CPU,
18...RAM, ]-8a... Line counter, 18
b...Pixel counter, 19...Host computer, 25...Reading buffer, 26...Transmission buffer. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue-19= Figure 1-AQri- (b) Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] A linear image reading sensor mounted on a carrier that scans in one direction of the document reading table sequentially reads the image information of a document having a predetermined document paper size placed on the document reading table, and reads the image information of the document having a predetermined document paper size placed on the document reading table. In an image reading device that incorporates image data of a larger reading paper size and sends it to an external host computer, an image corresponding to the original paper size that is read when the original is set at the reference position of the original reading table. a reading buffer that stores data, a transmission buffer that stores image data for the reading paper size to be sent to the host computer, and a reading buffer that reads the position in the scanning (line) direction and width (pixel) direction of the reading paper size in pixel units. a line counter and a pixel counter for counting, a storage area setting means for setting a storage area corresponding to the document paper size at a central position in the transmission buffer using the count values of each counter, The image data setting means stores image data stored in a buffer, and the blank data setting means stores blank data in a surrounding area other than the area where the image data is stored in the transmission buffer. image reading device.