JPH0416054A - Picture input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need for erasure processing of an undesired picture and to improve the operability by providing a designation means designating variably a picture input width and an image pickup optical system receiving a picture by a picture input width designated by the designation. CONSTITUTION:The user sets a picture input width to an optional width by moving indexes 2, 3 and moves a case 1 toward this side on a picture being an input object while depressing a start button 6. In this case, in interlocking with the set width by the indexes 2, 3, light emitting elements in the inside of the case 1 are lighted in response to the same width as the set width and the light radiates the picture, then only the picture data for the designated range by the indexes 2, 3 is outputted from a photodetector being a photoelectric conversion means receiving the reflected light from the picture. Since the user sets the input picture width optionally freely and inputs only the picture of required and minimum quantity to a word processor or the like, the delete processing of undesired picture is not required and the operability is improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image input device that reads images such as characters and photographs and converts them into image signals, and particularly relates to a handy scanner that reads images while moving the case by hand. It is suitable for this type of image input device.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a handy scanner type image input device as shown in FIG. 5 has been provided. This device is generally called an image reader, etc., and is housed in a small case (housing). Place the case on top of the image and pull it forward by hand to read the image at any location. It has a function of transmitting image signals to an information processing device such as a word processor or a personal computer. This device freely and easily reads visual sources such as photographs and illustrations, and the read image information is transmitted to a word processor or the like, combined with a document, and printed. Furthermore, this device can be easily used as a means for inputting non-standard characters when registering non-standard characters in a word processor.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, in the conventional image input device as described above,
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, an index indicating the image input width is marked on the case (casing) by printing or engraving, and the image reading width is always a fixed width. Therefore, for example, when trying to read a small image on a magazine or newspaper, unnecessary images surrounding the target image are also read, and unnecessary images can be removed by tedious and cumbersome tasks using a keyboard and mouse. Had to delete it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image input device that eliminates the above-mentioned problems and allows the image reading width to be freely changed so that only necessary images can be input.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a specifying means for variably specifying an image input width, and an imaging optical system that inputs an image by the image input width specified by the specifying means. It is characterized by having the following.

Further, the present invention provides an image input device that receives reflected light from an image and converts it into an electrical signal, and provides a movable index that variably specifies the image input width, and a movable index that corresponds to the designated image input width in conjunction with the index. a detector that outputs a level signal for illuminating the image, and a control means that calculates a designated image input width according to the output level of the detector and selectively lights up a light emitting element of a light emitter for image illumination based on the calculated value. It is characterized by having the following.

[Function] The present invention includes a specifying means for movably specifying the image input width, and an imaging optical system that inputs an image by the image input width specified by the specifying means, so that the user can adjust the input image width. can be set arbitrarily and only the minimum necessary images can be input into a word processor or the like, eliminating the need to delete unnecessary images and improving operability.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the external configuration of a hand-held image input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, 1 is a compact case that stores various parts of the device, 2 and 3
2 and 3 are a pair of indicators respectively attached to the distal end portion of the housing 1 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction, and the user sets the image input width by sliding the indicators 2.3 to an arbitrary width.

4 is a scale printed or engraved at regular intervals on the housing 1 at the movement position of the tip of the index 2.3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a window for viewing the image to be read, and is generally made of transparent glass or an acrylic plastic plate. 6 is a start button (button) for instructing the start and end of image reading, and 7 is a display that displays various information necessary for the image reading operation. A liquid crystal display or the like can be used as the display 7, and the display 7 can appropriately display text to inform the operator of the setting input width, warning of erroneous operation, next operation guidance, number of inputtable lines, etc. 23 is a code for transmitting image data read by this device to a device such as a word processor.

In use, the user moves indicators 2 and 3 to set the desired reading width, presses the start button 6, and moves the housing 1 over the image to be input in the direction of the arrow in the figure. let At this time, in conjunction with the set width of indicators 2 and 3, the light emitting body inside the housing 1, which will be described later, emits light with the same width as the set width in the second section, and irradiates the image, so the reflected light of the image The light receiving section serving as a photoelectric conversion means that receives the light outputs image data only in the range designated by the index 2.3. This read image data is output to an external device through the code 23. Further, when the start button 6 is released from the finger, it is turned off and the manual image operation is completed.

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the image input device shown in FIG. It extends at least to the maximum image input width, and uses, for example, a light emitting diode array. 9 is a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from an image and converts it into an electrical signal (image signal) corresponding to the amount of received light; for example, an image of a rod lens and a COD (electronic code coupling device) that forms an image of the reflected light. Consists of sensors. The light emitted from the light emitter 8 passes through a slot 20 opened at the bottom of the housing 1 and is irradiated onto the image, and the reflected light from the image passes through the slot 2o again and is received by the light receiving section 9.

lO is a running roller attached to the bottom of the housing 1, 15
is an encoding plate that measures the rotation of the running roller IO, and the rotation of the running roller IO is transmitted to the encoding plate 15 via electric gears (or friction rollers) 11,' 12.13.14, and the rotation of the encoding plate 15 is The corner is detected by the photocoupler 15A.

Therefore, the correlation between the moving distance of the housing 1 and the light reception signal is determined via the running roller 10 and the encoder plate 15. 21 is a light emitter 8, a light receiving section 9, a photocoupler 15A
22 is another running roller.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic circuit configuration of the electrical system of the image input device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 16 and 17 in the same figure
is a variable resistor whose resistance value changes in conjunction with indexes 2 and 3, and 24 is the analog output (voltage) of variable resistor 16 and 17.
25 is a CPU (central processing unit) such as a one-chip microcomputer that executes the arithmetic control according to the present invention, and 26 is a work area of the CPU 25. RAM (Random Access Memory) used for

In the above configuration, the index 2 is used to set the image reading width.
．． 3 changes the length of the resistor inside the variable resistor 16, 17, so the voltage (or current) supplied to it changes according to Ohm's law (see Figure 4). This amount of change is transmitted to the CPU 2 via the A/D converter 24.
5, the CPU 25 converts the amount of change into a distance and sends a command to the light emitter 8 to cause the light emitting element to emit light by an amount corresponding to the distance. Therefore, the luminous body 8
Since the light emitting elements in the unnecessary image portion do not emit light, the image in that portion is not read by the light receiving unit 9.

Note that it is clear that the present invention can also be applied to a hand-held copying machine.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the present invention includes a specifying means for movably specifying an image input width, and an imaging optical system that inputs an image by the image input width specified by the specifying means. Therefore, the user can freely set the input image width and input only the minimum necessary image into a word processor, etc., eliminating the need to delete unnecessary images and improving operability. There is.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of an image input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the internal configuration of the device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the output characteristics of the variable resistor shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a conventional example. 1... Housing, 2.3... Index, 4... Scale, 5... Window, 6... Start button, 7... Display, 8... Light emitter, 9... ...Light receiving unit, lO...Traveling roller, 15...Encoding plate, 16, 17...Variable resistor, 24...A/D converter, 25...CPU Fig. 3 Fig. 4

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) An image input device comprising: a specifying means for variably specifying an image input width; and an imaging optical system that inputs an image by the image input width specified by the specifying means. 2) An image input device that receives reflected light from an image and converts it into an electrical signal, which includes a movable index that variably specifies the image input width, and a level signal that corresponds to the specified image input width in conjunction with the index. and a control means that calculates a specified image input width according to the output level of the detector and selectively lights up a light emitting element of a light emitter for image illumination based on the calculated value. An image input device characterized by: