JPH0535655Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image input device, and more specifically, to an image input device that captures an image of a document and sends out a video signal.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art Image input devices are provided that capture an image of a document with a video camera and send the resulting video signal to a CRT monitor or video deck. As a first example of such image input devices, as shown in FIG. A fluorescent lamp 34 fixed to the cover 33 illuminates the document 35 placed on the document placement surface 32 . The image of the document 35 illuminated in this way is projected onto the main body base 31 by a mirror 36 attached to the cover 33.
The structure is such that the light is reflected toward a video camera 37 installed inside the camera.

Another example is an image input device in which a support with a video camera attached is installed upright at the base of the main body, and a lighting lamp attached to the base of the main body illuminates the document to take an image, or a video camera. There is also known an image input device that captures an image by attaching illumination lights to both sides of a column that is attached to the column so as to be rotatable.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

However, in the image input device 30 as in the first example, since the video camera 37 is built into the main body base 31, it is difficult to make the main body base 31 thinner, which poses an obstacle to making the entire device more compact. There is. Furthermore, since the fluorescent lamp 34 is fixed to the cover 33 of a limited size, for example, when capturing an image of a glossy color print or the like as the original 35,
As shown in the optical path 40 in FIG. 5, the light from the fluorescent lamp 34 is reflected by the original 35 and the mirror 36 and is directly incident on the video camera 37, which has the disadvantage that flare is likely to occur and the image contrast is likely to decrease. be.

Furthermore, with a support and a light provided at the base of the main unit, it is not possible to store the video camera, light, etc. in a compact manner when storing or carrying when not in use, and the support is mounted on both sides of the support. Those equipped with illuminating lights had the disadvantage that the illuminating lights could not be accommodated within the outline of the base of the main body when folded.

[Purpose of invention]

This invention was developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it can be folded compactly within the contour of the base of the main body when not in use.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input device equipped with an illumination means capable of illuminating a document placed on a document placement surface without causing uneven illumination during use.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a head support member having an imaging head rotatably attached to the top thereof, which can be freely raised and lowered at the base of the main body provided with a document placement surface, and a head support member that is rotatably attached to the top of the head support member. A movable arm is provided, and an illumination light for illuminating the document placement surface from the side and obliquely upward is rotatably attached to the arm.

In addition to the above configuration, by setting the illumination lamp outside the document placement surface, the light from the illumination lamp is prevented from reflecting off the document surface and directly entering the photographing head, and furthermore, the arm and It is advantageous to provide a pair of illumination lights on each side of the head support member to provide uniform illumination.

Further, by forming the cross section of the arm having the above configuration into a right-angled trapezoid shape, one side of the arm is parallel to the document placement surface in the set state.

[Effect]

According to the above configuration, when in use, the head support member to which the imaging head is attached is erected, the imaging head is rotated and set at a predetermined position, and the arm that is housed along the head support member is moved. Then, rotate the illumination light to set it diagonally above and to the side of the document placement surface. next,
Place the original on the original placement surface. Since reflected light from the document surface and direct light from the illumination lamp, which would make the imaged image unclear, do not enter the imaging head, it is possible to clearly image the original and send out a video signal. Further, when not in use, the arm and the illumination lamp can be rotated in the reverse order of the setting procedure, the imaging head can be rotated, and the head support member can be laid down to make it portable.

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

〔Example〕

In FIG. 1 showing the usage state of the image input device 1 of the present invention, the image input device 1 is roughly divided into a main body base 2 forming the bottom of the image input device 1, and a main body base 2 that is rotatably provided. It consists of a pair of support columns 4, a head portion 3 rotatably attached to the free end side of the support columns 4, and an illumination lamp 5 supported by the support columns 4 via a pair of arms 6. .

A smooth stage 10 for placing a document 9 is provided on the upper surface of the main body base 2, and an operation panel 11 is formed at the rear end. The operation panel 11 is provided with a main switch 24, a video switch 25 for sending out a video signal from the head section 3, a lighting switch 26 for the illumination lamp 5, and the like. In addition, on the side of the main body base 2,
An outlet 13 for taking in AC power and a connector 14 for sending out a video signal are attached. Note that a circuit unit and the like for driving the head section 3 are built in below the operation panel 11.

A box-shaped cover 7a is integrally fixed to the back side of the support column 4, and this cover 7a can be folded together with the support column 4 about the shaft 12 toward the main body base 2 side. A cover 7a is also provided on this shaft 12.
A mechanism (not shown) is provided for locking the support column 4 in a predetermined position when it is raised.
Note that a handle 7c (see FIG. 2) is attached to the rear part of the cover 7a to facilitate carrying.

The head section 3 consists of an imaging section 15 equipped with a well-known CCD solid-state imaging device inside, and a zoom lens 16 attached to the tip of the imaging section 15, converts the captured image into a video signal, and converts the captured image into a video signal. 4
The data is sent to an external CRT monitor or video floppy recorder via a cable 17 and connector 14 provided inside. Note that the cable 17 also includes a connection cord with a driver for driving the imaging section 15.

A pair of metal fittings 20 are provided on both outer sides of the pillar 4.
is fixed. Two projecting pieces 20a and 20b (see FIG. 3) are formed on this metal fitting 20.
One end of the arm 6 is rotatably attached via the projections 20a, 20b and the shaft 21.
Further, an illumination lamp 5 is rotatably attached to the other end of the arm 6 via a shaft 22.

The arm 6 has a right-angled trapezoidal cross section as shown in FIG. The illumination lamp 5 is set parallel to the surface of the stage 10. The illumination lamp 5 is composed of a prismatic umbrella part 5a with an open bottom and a fluorescent lamp 8 mounted inside the umbrella part 5a.As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the umbrella part 5a is It is stored in close contact with the side surface 6a of the arm 6.

Note that after setting the lighting lamp 5 at the desired position,
Each connecting part has a moderate amount of friction to prevent it from turning accidentally. Also,
A cord 18 for lighting the fluorescent lamp 8 is connected to the shaft 2.
2. It passes through the inside of the arm 6 and the center of the metal fitting 20, and is connected to the lighting switch 26 through the inside of the support 4.

FIG. 2 shows the above-described image input device 1 in a stored state. Inside the image input device 1, the head section 3 is housed with the zoom lens 16 inserted between the support columns 4, and the arm 6 and illumination lamp 5 are installed between the support columns 4 and the side wall of the cover 7a. It is folded and stored. A cover 7b is provided above the head portion 3 to cover it. This cover 7b is mounted by being engaged with grooves provided at the four corners of the stage 10.

To use the image input device 1 configured as described above, first remove the cover 7b from the state shown in FIG. 2, hold the top of the support column 4, and lift it up. As a result, the support column 4 and the cover 7a are rotated about the shaft 12, erected to a predetermined angle, and locked.

Next, rotate the head section 3 to bring the zoom lens 16 directly toward the stage 10, hold the end of the illumination lamp 5, and pull it toward you until the illumination lamp 5 forms a right angle with the arm 6. Rotate around the center. Next, by rotating the arm 6 by 90 degrees about the shaft 21, the arm 6 and the illuminating lamp 5 are set in the state shown in FIG.

The head section 3 and lighting lamp 5 set in this way
In FIG. 4 showing the relationship between the illuminating lamp 5 and the stage 10, the illuminating lamp 5 is set at a sufficiently distant position from the stage 10 and at an appropriate angle to the stage 10. The previously irradiated light uniformly illuminates the surface of the stage 10. Further, since the direct light from the illumination lamp 5 and the reflected light from the stage 10 are not directly incident on the zoom lens 16, it is possible to capture an even and clear image.

Next, the plug of the power cord and the connector on the CRT monitor side are respectively connected to the outlet 13 and the connector 14, and the main switch 24 is turned on, and the head section 3 starts to operate. stage 1
Place the original 9 on the 0 and turn on the lighting switch 26.
At the same time, the video switch 25 is turned on to send a video signal to the CRT monitor. By operating the zoom lens 16 while observing the image displayed on the CRT monitor, focusing, determining the photographing magnification, and adjusting the brightness of the image, the video image of the document 9 is clearly displayed on the CRT monitor.

To store the image input device 1 of the present invention, fold the arm 6 in the reverse order of the setting procedure described above.
Once they are aligned with the outer surfaces of the columns 4, the head portion 3 is rotated to insert the zoom lens 16 between the columns 4, and the locking mechanism built into the shaft 12 is released from the locked state, so that the columns 4 are laid down. let Pillar 4
When it is laid down, the operation panel 11 is covered by the cover 7a as shown in FIG.

Next, the other opening is moved to the stage 1 so that one opening end of the cover 7b is brought into contact with the cover 7a.
Cover 7b
Four protrusions (not shown) provided on the stage 10 are engaged with grooves provided on the four corners of the stage 10, and the cover 7b is attached to the main body base 2. In this way, the image input device 1 of the present invention is housed in a thin attaché case, and can be stored anywhere.
Alternatively, the handle 7c makes it easy to carry.

If the head section 3 is rotated and the zoom lens 16 is set so as to directly face a wall, images of large-sized originals that cannot be placed on the stage 10 can be pasted on the wall, etc. Therefore, it can be easily converted into a video signal.

[Effect of idea]

As explained above, according to the image input device of the present invention, a head support member having an imaging head rotatably attached to the top thereof is provided on the base of the main body provided with a document placement surface so that it can be raised and lowered freely. A rotatable arm is provided on the head support member, and an illumination lamp for illuminating the document placement surface from the side and diagonally above is rotatably attached to the arm. Therefore, when in use, it is possible to provide illumination light to the document placed on the document placement surface without causing uneven illumination, and when not in use, the imaging head and illumination lamp can be folded compactly within the outline of the base of the main body. This makes it possible to provide an image input device that is highly portable and can be stored in a computer.

In addition to the above configuration, by setting the illumination lamp outside the document placement surface, it is possible to prevent the light from the illumination lamp from reflecting on the document surface and directly entering the photographing head. This makes it possible to obtain images with good contrast.

Further, in addition to the above configuration, by providing a pair of arms and illumination lights on the left and right sides of the head support member, more uniform illumination of the document can be achieved.

Furthermore, by forming the cross section of the arm of the above configuration into a right-angled trapezoid, one side of the arm is parallel to the document placement surface in the set state, so even a small number of movable axes can be used. The illumination lamp can be set parallel to the document placement surface.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the use state of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the storage state of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the use state of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing the use state of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the use state of the first conventional example. 1: Image input device, 2: Main body base, 3:
Video camera, 4... pillar, 5... lighting, 6...
…Arm, 10…stage.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) A main unit base with a document placement surface, an imaging head that takes an image of the original and sends out a video signal, and this imaging head is rotatably supported above the main unit base. an arm that is rotatably attached at one end to the head support member; and an arm that is rotatably attached to the other end of the arm and supports a document set on the document placement surface. An image input device comprising a lighting lamp for illumination. (2) The arm is characterized in that the illumination light is set outside the document placement surface so that the illumination light from the illumination light does not directly reflect on the document placement surface and enter the imaging head. An image input device according to claim 1 of the utility model registration claim. (3) The image input device according to claim 2, wherein the arm and the illumination lamp are provided in pairs on each side of the head support member. (4) The arm has a cross-section shaped like a right-angled trapezoid, and one side of the arm is parallel to the document placement surface when set. image input device.