JPH01316064A - Device for inputting picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To highly accurately fetch picture information by forming images of divided pictures obtained by dividing an allowable input area into small areas in an image pickup element through a telecentric optical system and converting the images into digital information in fixed order. CONSTITUTION:An image pickup system 30 forms the image of the picture of a film 22 in a CCD 33 through lenses 31 and 32. A diaphragm 34 is provided on the focal position of the lens 31 and the lenses 31 and 32 constitute a telecentric optical system together with the diaphragm 34. All of the picture information obtained by the CCD 33 are tentatively stored in a 1st memory 48. Coincidence between the number of picture elements of the CCD 33 and that of a divided picture is not always required and the picture data of the divided picture are transferred by the number of the picture elements when the picture data are transferred to an optical disk 45 from the memory 48 in the form of the divided picture. When a process control section 40 sends a command to a timing generator 46, the data of the divided picture stored in the memory 48 are sent to the optical disk 45 through a data selector 49a.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

The present invention relates to an image input device that converts an image into digital information with high precision.

[L1 Good 1 Conventionally, image input devices such as drum scanners and linear CO
There is an image scanner using D. [Drum Scanner] A drum scanner wraps an image information source (for example, photographic paper or film) around a drum, and rotates the drum. 1. Light is irradiated onto this image information source and a detector detects the intensity of the reflected light (or transmitted light). In other words, one rotation of the drum means scanning for one scanning line. Scanning in a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction is performed by moving a spot light and a detector along the drum rotation axis. [Image scanner using linear COD] Scanning for one scanning line is performed using linear COD. Scanning in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of linear COD is
The detection section consisting of OD or the image information source is
This is done by moving the OD in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction of the OD, 1. Need to scan at low speed. Therefore, there is a problem in that it takes time to convert an image information source into digital information. Image scanners using linear COD have a finite number of pixels, making it difficult to scan large image information sources with high resolution. It had a wide field of view and was susceptible to lens distortion. In both cases, at least one axis is mechanically scanned, moving the image information source or the detection unit.
The accompanying vibrations made it difficult to perform high-resolution, high-precision scanning. Furthermore, when installing the image information source, drum scanners tend to sag when the image information source is wound around the drum, and image scanners using linear COD require the image information source to be moved as it is. It was difficult to obtain complete, high-resolution, and high-precision image data. 11 Principal pressure hill The present invention provides a high-resolution, high-precision image input device. 11 Bite 11 This invention is summarized in the claims. The image input device of the present invention focuses on the problems caused by conventional mechanical continuous scanning and the problems caused by a wide field of view, and divides the allowable input range into small areas. This is an image input device that forms divided images obtained by dividing onto a semiconductor image sensor using a telecentric optical system, and sequentially converts each divided image into digital information according to a predetermined order. In this image recording apparatus, it is preferable to carry out the following procedure. ■ To eliminate the effects of vibration, the relationship between the semiconductor image sensor and the image should be kept stationary while the semiconductor image sensor is capturing image information (keeping it stationary is disadvantageous in terms of image input operation speed). However, this is not a problem because the semiconductor image sensor captures a large amount of data at one time.) (2) Furthermore, in the image input device of the present invention, in order to eliminate lens distortion, the telecentric optical system is a same-magnification optical system in which identical lenses are arranged symmetrically. (2) The image input devices described in (1) to (4) above are preferably carried out as follows. In order to simplify the movement control of the image formed on the semiconductor image sensor, the moving means is a two-axis system of orthogonal X and Y axes, and the movement in X and Y is performed on the semiconductor image sensor. Match the pixel arrangement direction of the semiconductor image sensor (within one pixel within the divided image). (2) The image input devices described in (1) to (4) above are preferably carried out as follows. In order to completely fix the image information source, the image information source is sandwiched between glass plates. Image distortion due to glass refraction is eliminated through the use of telecentric optics. Circle 11: An image in the specification does not mean a one-dimensional information group consisting of scanning lines, but rather a two-dimensional information group with a plurality of scanning lines. [Image Input Stage] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image input stage of the present invention. An X-axis motor 2 attached to a base 1 moves an X-stage 5 along X-axis guides 3 and 4. Further, the Y-axis motor 6 attached to the X-stage 5 moves the Y-axis stage 9 along the Y-axis guide 7.8. The linear encoder 10 attached to the base 1 and the X detector 11 attached to the X stage 5
It measures the position of The X detector 11 generates the number of Iζ pulses in its output according to the amount of movement of the X stage 5. Similarly, the linear encoder 12 attached to the X stage 5 and the Y detector 13 attached to the Y stage 9 are
This is to measure the position of the stage 9. Y detector 13
generates a number of pulses corresponding to the amount of movement of the Y stage 9 at its output point. An R image system is installed inside the base 1. Further, an illumination system is installed inside the illumination arm 14 connected to the base 1. These imaging systems and illumination systems will be explained later. [Film Fixing Unit] A film fixing unit 15 for fixing the film is placed on the Y stage 9, and is fixed with screws (not shown). FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the film fixing part 15 and the film 22. The film fixing part 15 includes glass plates 16, 17, fixing fittings 18, 19, and screws 20. It has a metal fitting 21. The film 22 is sandwiched and fixed between glass plates 16,17. The glass plate 16 is fixed by fastening the presser metal fittings 21 to the fixing metal fittings 18 and 19 attached to the glass plate 17 with screws 20 at four locations. Since the image information source is firmly fixed by the glass plate in this way, the image information source does not move unnecessarily. Therefore, it is possible to capture image information sources with high resolution and precision. [Optical System] FIG. 3 shows an optical system for inputting images. In the embodiment, the image information source of interest is film 22, which is an example of a transillumination optical system. This optical system may be a reflective illumination system, and in this case, it is sufficient if one side of the film 22 is a glass plate. In the illumination system 23, the focal positions of the lamp 23a and the lens 24 are mutually linked by the lens 25, and the optical system provides uniform illumination to the film 22. Further, a diaphragm 26 is arranged at the focal point of the lens 25, and a diffuser plate 27 is provided near the diaphragm 26 to obtain more uniform illumination. The imaging system 30 captures the image on the film 22 through lenses 31 and 32.
Semiconductor image sensor 3 known as area COD etc.
3. Focus on the image. A diaphragm 34 is attached to the focal position of the lens 31, forming a so-called telescopic link optical system. Therefore, the off-axis chief ray 91°Q2. ... are parallel to the optical axis, and even if the distance between the film 22 and the lens 31 changes, the size of the image is not affected. This also means that the refractive index of the glass plate 17 does not affect the size of the image, and the thickness of the glass plate 17 is also independent of the size of the image. Also, lenses 31 and 32 use the same lenses,
It is a telecentric optical system of equal magnification that is arranged symmetrically. Therefore, asymmetrical aberrations such as dispersion are eliminated (in principle, completely eliminated). U Electrical System] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the electrical system of the image input device. 1st
See also figure. The processing control unit 40 uses an X motor drive unit 41 to move the X stage 5 and Y stage 9 in FIG.
and the Y motor drive unit 42, respectively. As a result, the X motor drive unit 41 and the Y
The output of the motor drive unit 42 is received by the X-axis motor 2 and the Y-axis motor 6, respectively, to move the X stage 5 and the Y stage 9. As the X, Y stages 5 and 9 move, the X and Y detectors 11
．． The pulses generated at the outputs of X and Y counters 43. '14 overturns the count. This X, Y counter 43,
The count value at 4/l is X and Y motor drive unit/11, respectively.
．． 42, and the X and Y axis motors 2 and 6 are sent to the processing control unit 4.
When each count value matches the X and Y position designation from 0, it stops. That is, the X detector 11, the X counter 43,
The system composed of the motor drive section 41 and the X-axis motor 2 is an X servo system. Also, Y detector 13, Y counter 44, Y
The system composed of the motor drive unit 42 and the Y-axis motor 6 is a Y-revo system. Here, the counted values of the X and Y counters 43 and 44 are read by the processing control section 40, and are recorded on an optical disc 45, which is a randomly accessible recording device, if necessary. The image information is converted into an electrical signal by the CCDI image element 33 according to timing pulses from the timing generator 46. This electrical signal is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 47 and sent to the first memory 48. At this time, the address counter 49 manages the addresses of the first memory 48 by counting timing pulses from the timing generator 46. Therefore, the image information converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 47 is stored in the first memory 48. Here, the address counter is composed of four counters corresponding to row and one column addresses, and the row counter is configured to count the number of the column counters. Further, the address counter 49 is configured such that the count values for generating a carry in the column counter and the row counter can be changed and set by the processing control section 40. In other words, when reloading and reading from the first memory 48, the range of row and column addresses to be sequentially specified is set by the processing controller 48.
It can be changed to 0. The first memory 48 temporarily stores the image information obtained by the CCD lff1 image element 33. Here, the number of pixels of the CCDlff1 image element 33 and the number of pixels of the divided image do not necessarily have to match, and the image data in units of divided images is divided when transferring the image data from the first memory 48 to the optical disk 45. It can be obtained by transferring the number of pixels of the image. The divided image data stored in the first memory 48 is
The processing control section 40 issues a command to the timing generator 46. The data is sent to the optical disk 45 in one pass through the data selector 49a and recorded. The data selector 49a selects the output of the first memory 48 and the output of the second memory 50 and sends the selected output to the optical disc 45. In this case, the output of the first memory 48 is sent to the optical disk 45 according to a signal from the processing control section 40. Also the first
While data is being transferred from the memory 48 to the optical disk 45, the data is also being supplied to the second memory 50. The second memory 50 is a storage unit for storing compressed images. The compressed image may be obtained by sampling (for example, sampling one piece of data in 16×16) or averaging (for example, averaging 16×16 to make one piece of data). Here, an example of sampling processing will be given to simplify the explanation. Address selector 51 sends the output of address converter 52 to second memory 50 in accordance with a signal from processing control section 40 . The address converter 52 is the addressing part of the second memory 50 for obtaining the compressed image. In other words, the address converter 52 multiplies the output values of the four address counters by the compression ratio, and outputs the result obtained by adding the first address indicated by the processing control section 40 to the output values. For example, when the compression ratio is 1/16 and the first address is 0,0 (row 1 column address), the output of the address converter 52 is:
Row 1 of address counter 49 in order from 0.0 in row 9 column value
For each column value incremented by 16, each row 9 column value is incremented by 1. That is, the data of the divided images is sequentially supplied from the first memory 48 to the second memory 50 in accordance with the contents of the address counter 49;
The output of is the same value in the 16×16 minute image area, and in the end, the last pixel data supplied in the 16×16 minute image area remains in the second memory 50, and when all the data of the divided image has been supplied, it is divided. An image obtained by compressing the image to 1/16 is stored in the second memory 50. The second divided compressed image, which is an image obtained by compressing this divided image,
As for the storage position in the memory 50, the start address is the start address indicated by the processing control unit 40. Note that the calculation of 1/16 can be substituted by shifting the output of the address counter 49 downward by 4 bits, and the number of pixels in the row and column of the divided image stored in the first memory 48 J
:The start address is composed of bits 1 to 1 above the bits of the row and 2 column address indicating the inside of the divided image. In other words, if the compression ratio is 1/16 and the number of pixels in each row and column of the divided image is both an integer power of 2, the address converter 52 will be used for both rows and columns, and the 5th bit and above of the address counter 49 will be This can be achieved by simply connecting the bits so that they are output as the lower bits and the bits of the start address from the processing control unit 40 are output as the upper bits. In the following embodiments, it is assumed that the address converter 52 is configured in this manner. The data of each divided image obtained by sequential photographing is sequentially and temporally stored in the first memory 48 and then recorded on the optical disc 45. Further, the data of each divided image is stored in the first memory 48.
Each time a divided compressed image is transferred from
is formed within memory 50. When forming this divided compressed image, each divided compressed image is connected each time.
The processing control unit 40 specifies the start address. Therefore, when all data transfer for each divided image is completed, the second memory 5
A compressed image of the photographed range is formed within 0. For the compressed image formed in the second memory 50, the processing control unit 40 issues a signal to the address selector 51 to send the output of the address counter 49 to the second memory 50,
Furthermore, a signal is sent to the data selector 49a to send the output of the second memory 50 to the optical disk 45, and a command is issued to the timing generator 46, so that the output is transferred to the optical disk 45 and recorded. The compressed image obtained in this way means a low-magnification image that has complete positional correspondence with each divided image. Therefore, the compressed image can also be used as an index for each divided image. The area from which the image data is to be taken is specified by the operator using the input section 55. Accordingly, the processing control section 40 calculates the arrangement of the divided images and controls each section to take the data of each divided image. [Relationship between the divided images and the image sensor] FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the divided images and the image sensor. The divided image area DIM corresponding to the size of the divided image is one portion surrounded by a broken line. The divided image area DIM is set smaller than the imaging area SIM indicating the size of the CCDR image element 33 (the divided image area DIM must be smaller than the imaging area SIM).
. The imaging area SIM is a portion surrounded by a thick solid line. Furthermore, the size of the divided image area DIM is in rows. The pitch is set to an integer multiple of the column pixel pitch, but in particular in the case of the embodiment, as already mentioned, it is set to an integer power multiple of 2 of the row and 9 column pixel pitch to simplify the configuration for obtaining a compressed image. be. Here, W and ■ in FIG. 5 are the number of pixels in the 9th row and 9th column in the divided image area DIM. The moving directions of the X, Y stages 5 and 9 in FIG. 1 and the boundary line of the divided image area DIM in FIG. 5 are made to coincide (within one pixel) in the embodiment for ease of control. In addition, the boundary line of the divided image area DIM (the direction in which the divided images are arranged) and the pixel U
The arrangement directions of the IMs are almost the same (within 1 pixel). [Example of Necessary Image Information for Film] FIG. 6 shows an example of necessary image information for the aerial photography film 22. The necessary image information is obtained from the index FP1. FP2. These are the image information of FP3°FP4 and the image information indicated by the required area NIM. Therefore, in this case, the image information is imported using divided images DIF1.2, 3°4.
and DIFO, O~N, M. Index image information divisional image DIF (1°2.3.4)
The information is obtained by inputting approximate values of each index coordinate by the operator in an interactive manner. However, since the positions of the indexes FP1, FP2, FP3, and FP4 with respect to the film are predetermined, it is not possible to move the Y stages 5 and 9 and import them automatically. In this case, it is necessary to be able to set the film shown in FIG. It is recommended to set the film 22 according to the positioning mark on the film fixing part 15, and set the film 22 according to the mark.Refer to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. The operation of the processing control unit 40 related to image information capture will be described below. Refer to Figures 4 and 6. ■ The required area NIM is set by the operator at the required area designation point SP.
1. 1 by setting SP2, and the fourth
The processing control unit 40 shown in the figure has two required area designation points SP1. S
The difference between P2 on the X and Y axes is taken to find ΔX and ΔY indicating the size of the required area NIM. And this ΔX, △
Divide Y by the length of the X and Y axes of the divided image to find the number of divided images in the X and Y directions (however, the number of divided images is rounded up to the nearest whole number). Here, N indicates the maximum divided image number in FIG.
M is X. It is the value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of divided images in the Y direction (here, n
= O~N 1m = O-M). ■ Next, the processing control unit 40 controls the divided image (1i!IDIF(0
, 0) correspond to the image pickup device 33 in the relationship shown in FIG. Here, image information is being captured while the X and Y stages are stationary. This is not affected by adverse effects such as vibration, and is useful for high resolution and high precision. ■ And to create compressed image data, Vxn /16
and Wxm/16 are calculated, and the resulting value is sent to the address converter 52 in FIG. 4 as the column 1 row value of the first address. (2) When the processing control section 40 issues a command to the timing generator 46, the divided images are transferred to the optical disk 45 as described above, and the divided compressed images are formed in the second memory 50. ■ Perform the operation on the divided image DIF (0,0) in ■ on the divided image DIF (1,0), and from ■
Perform the same operation. The same process is performed up to the divided image DIF(N,M). When the above operations are completed, the transfer of the divided images is completed and a compressed image is formed in the second memory 50. (2) To transfer the compressed image, the address selector 51 and data selector 49 are set for transferring the output data of the second memory 50 as described above, and a command is issued to the timing generator 46. As a result, the compressed image formed in the second memory 50 is transferred to the optical disc 45. During the steps described above, the processing control unit 40 sets the count value for generating a carry in the row counter and column counter of the address counter 49 as the number of pixels of the image sensor (row 2 column) in the case of ■, and the number of pixels of the image sensor (row 2 columns) in the case of ■. In the case of (2), the number of pixels of the divided image (V.W) is set, and in the case of (2), the value corresponding to the number of data of the compressed image (rows and 9 columns) is set. Note that when transferring and recording divided images on the optical disk 45, the X and Y counters 4 are used to clarify the position of each image.
The contents of 3.44 may also be transferred and recorded. 11 In the image input device according to claim 1, the range of the image information source to which the semiconductor image sensor corresponds is limited, the field of view of the ti carrier image is narrow, and the illumination range is also small. Therefore, it is possible to capture highly accurate image information with less influence of lens distortion caused by the imaging system and with less uneven illumination. And it uses a telecentric optical system. Therefore, even if the X and Y stages change in the optical axis direction, there is no adverse effect, and image information can be captured with high precision. Further, even if the film is roughly fixed in the optical axis direction, there is no adverse effect.According to the image input device of claim 2, a symmetrical equal-magnification optical system is further used as the precentric optical system. Therefore, there is no lens distortion and image information can be captured with high precision.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the image input stage of the image input device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the film fixing part and the film, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the optical system of the image input device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the electrical system of the image input device, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the correspondence of divided images to R image elements, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of necessary image information of the film. 1...Base 2...X-axis motor 5...X-stage 6...Y-axis motor 9 ...... Y stage 15 ... Film fixing section 22 ... Film 23 ... Lighting system 30 ... Imaging system Agent Person Patent Attorney 1) Toru BebeFigure 1Figure 3Figure 5Figure 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. When inputting an image, the allowable input range is divided into small areas, the divided images obtained by the division are imaged on a semiconductor image sensor by a telecentric optical system, and each image is divided into small areas according to a predetermined order. An image input device characterized by sequentially converting divided images into digital information. 2. The image input device according to item 1, wherein the telecentric optical system is composed of a same-magnification optical system in which identical lenses are arranged symmetrically.