JPH06138551A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image reader which is unnecessary to consider a storing order when plural cartridges are stored in a cartridge storing part and also unnecessary to store the cartridge in the storing part again when plural images which should be separated are recorded on one microfilm. CONSTITUTION:The image reader is provided with a roll film carrier (recognizing means) 3 for recognizing the Roll Nos., of plural cartridges B stored in a stacker (cartridge storing part) 26, a mouse (retrieving means) 24 for retrieving the frame based on the Roll No. and information on the blip mark of the microfilm F, a microfilm scanner (reading means) 100 for reading the image recorded on the frame and a host computer (separating means) 250 for separating the image read from the microfilm F based on the separation information when plural images which should be separated are recorded on one microfilm F.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, more specifically, a microreader for enlarging and projecting an image on a microfilm onto a screen for viewing, a reader printer for copying the image, and a CCD as a solid-state image pickup device for reading the image. The present invention relates to a micro film scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A reader printer has been known as an image reading apparatus for microfilm. A plurality of cartridges are stored in the stacker, which is the cartridge storage unit of this reader printer. Cartridge numbers are attached to these cartridges, respectively.
The cartridge holds microfilm, and the microfilm has a plurality of frames numbered by frame numbers. Then, in this reader printer, the frame of the microfilm is searched by Mars based on this frame number. Further, the image recorded on the searched frame is read by the microfilm scanner.

And such a reader printer is
For example, at the head office, all customer information is processed at once,
When the information is stored in a database, it is used as a host device for customer inquiries for each branch.

That is, when a customer makes an inquiry to a branch, the customer number of the customer is given. Is sent from the branch office to the headquarters by FAX. The head office that receives the information uses the host computer to access the above database and
o. Roll No. of microfilm cartridge containing customer information corresponding to. And its address (what frame of the microfilm) are searched in the order of request. Roll No. of cartridges in the order of request. And its address. Then, these addresses are transmitted from the host computer to Mars in the search order. At the same time, Roll of each cartridge
l No. Are output in the search order from the printer controlled by the host computer. Based on this printout, from the storage shelf where many cartridges are stored,
Each cartridge containing the image of the required customer information is selected. These cartridges are set in the stacker in the above search order. This stacker is attached to the cartridge loader. That is, a plurality of cartridges are loaded in the reader printer in the search order. Then, for each cartridge, the microfilm is searched for each frame by Mars. The microfilm scanner reads the image recorded on the searched frame. Then, the read image is sent to the branch office in the order of the above requests.
X is transferred.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional reader printer, in order to correctly fax the requested search information to the branch office, the cartridges are transferred to the stacker in the search order corresponding to the reception order of the head office. Must be stowed. This is because, if the cartridges are stored in the wrong order, Mars searches for an incorrect microfilm frame. As a result, the wrong microfilm image is determined to be the correct image,
It was faxed to the branch.

Furthermore, in order to improve the efficiency of FAX transfer from the head office to each branch, the images of customer information are searched collectively for each branch. At this time, if the customer information requested by two or more branches exists in one microfilm, it is necessary to store the microfilm cartridges in the stacker that many times and retrieve the images that many times. In other words, if the efficiency of FAX transfer is improved, the time for retrieving the customer information such as re-accommodation of the cartridge becomes long.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to store a plurality of cartridges in a cartridge storing section without having to consider the storing order, and to record a plurality of images to be separated on one microfilm. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading device that does not require the cartridge to be re-stored in the storage portion when the printer is in use.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge accommodating portion for accommodating a plurality of cartridges, each cartridge having a cartridge number and a plurality of frame numbers. In an image reading apparatus holding a microfilm having a frame, a recognition means for recognizing a cartridge number of a cartridge housed in the cartridge housing section, and a frame of the microfilm based on the recognized cartridge number and the frame number. And a reading means for reading the image recorded on the searched frame.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is provided with a searching means for searching a desired frame from a microfilm having a plurality of frames, and a reading means for reading an image recorded on the searched frame. When a plurality of images to be separated are recorded on one microfilm, the image reading device may separate the image read from the microfilm by the reading device based on the separation information. Be prepared.

[0010]

In the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the cartridge housing portion houses a plurality of cartridges. Each of these cartridges has a cartridge number. Further, the cartridge holds microfilm, and this microfilm has a plurality of frames with frame numbers. When the recognition means recognizes the cartridge number of the cartridge, the searching means searches for the microfilm frame based on the recognized cartridge number and frame number. The image recorded on the searched frame is read by the reading means. In this way, the microfilm frame is searched based on the cartridge number and the frame number. For this reason,
When a plurality of cartridges are stored in the cartridge storage section, correct images can be read without considering the storage order.

In the image reading apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the search means searches for a desired frame from the microfilm having a plurality of frames. The image of the searched frame is read by the reading means. When a plurality of images to be separated are recorded on one microfilm, the separating device separates the image read from the microfilm by the reading device based on the separation information.
The image thus obtained is separated based on the separation information. Therefore, when a plurality of images to be separated are recorded on one microfilm, it is not necessary to store the cartridge in the storage portion again. That is, even if the cartridge is not stored in the storage portion again,
The images are separated.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment,
2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the reader printer, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the optical system of the reader printer, FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the stacker of the cartridge loader, and FIG. 5 is a block showing the control circuit of the microfilm scanner. It is a figure.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the image reading apparatus generally includes a roll film carrier 3, a merce 24, a micro film scanner 100, a host computer 250, and a FAX 260. ing. The reader printer 240 includes the roll film carrier 3, the merce 24, and the microfilm scanner 10.
0, and is configured. The reader printer 240 can take a reader mode and a print mode. The roll film carrier 3 includes Roll Nos. Of the plurality of cartridges B stored in the stacker 26 of the cartridge loader 20. Are recognized respectively. Mars 24 uses this recognized Roll No.
Also, the frame of the microfilm F is searched based on the blip mark information of the microfilm F having a plurality of frames. Micro film scanner 100
Is for reading the image recorded in the searched frame. Further, when a plurality of images to be separated are recorded on one microfilm F, the host computer 250 separates the image read from the microfilm F by the microfilm scanner 100 based on the separation information. It is a thing. Furthermore, the above FA
X260 is for transmitting this separated image.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the optical system of the reader / printer 240, the light from the light source 1 is condensed by the condenser lens 2, and the roll film retrieval / conveying device, that is, the roll film carrier 3 is provided. The image of the microfilm F located between the pressure plate glasses (not shown) is illuminated from below and passes through. Then, the image on the microfilm F is magnified and projected by the projection lens 4, and reaches the mirror 6 through the prism 5 which adjusts its direction as needed.

In the reader mode, the reader optical path 7 is formed as shown by the broken line in FIG. That is,
The leader optical path 7 is bent by the stopped mirror 6 and further bent by the fixed mirrors 8 and 9 to be formed toward the screen 10. As a result, the image on the microfilm F is displayed on the reader printer 2
A screen 10 provided on the entire upper surface of the device body of 40
The image is enlarged and projected for viewing.

Next, in the print mode, the reader optical path 7 is replaced with the printer optical path 11 as shown by the solid line in FIG.
Is formed. That is, the optical path is switched by rotating the mirror 6 by 90 degrees about the incident optical axis for scanning, and is bent by the fixed mirrors 12, 13, 14, 15 and the like, and the microfilm scanner 100.
Of the CCD line sensor 301. Then, as will be described later, copying is performed by the printer 150, and the copied copy paper P is discharged to the tray 18 (see FIG. 2) at the lower front surface of the apparatus main body.

By the way, the roll film carrier 3 is
A take-up reel 19 and a stacker 26 are provided on the left and right of the central platen glass. The stacker 26 is loaded with the cartridge B, and the rewind reel 21 is held in the cartridge B. This rewind reel 2
The microfilm F is wound around the film 1. Then, the take-up reel 19 and the rewind reel 21 are appropriately driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions, whereby the microfilm F is conveyed in the forward and reverse directions between the reels 19 and 21 via the pressure plate glass, and is stopped. It In FIG. 3, 22 is a guide roller of the roll film carrier 3, and 23 is a film mark detecting means of the roll film carrier 3. Reference numeral 24 in FIG. 2 denotes a controller (Mars).

The cartridge loader 20 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the reader printer 240 for projecting an image of the microfilm F is attached,
A stacker 26 for accommodating a plurality of microfilm F cartridges B side by side, a loading mechanism for sequentially guiding the cartridges B from the stacker 26 to the supply section of the roll film carrier 3, and a discharge for returning the cartridges B sequentially from the supply section to the stacker 26. And a mechanism. The cartridge B initially set in the stacker 26 before the cartridge B is taken out by this loading mechanism.
And the direction of the cartridge B returned to the stacker 26 after being discharged by the discharging mechanism are different. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine whether or not each cartridge B has been searched or copied.

The stacker 26 has a long box shape,
As shown in FIG. 4, about 10 to 20 cartridges B are horizontally arranged in the stacker 26.
The stacker 26 is the cartridge loader 2 described above.
Incorporated into 0. Doors 31 and 33 are provided on the front left and right ends of the stacker 26, respectively. Door 31,
33 can be opened and closed by rotating around axes 27 and 28, respectively.

The door 31 is located on the loading side of the cartridge B, and is pushed by the cartridge B taken out from the stacker 26, and is rotated from the closed state to the open state shown in the drawing each time it is loaded. On the other hand, the door 33 is positioned on the return side of the cartridge B, and the cartridge loader 20 of the stacker 26
At the time of assembling into the above, the projecting portion 29 is pushed by a stopper (not shown) to rotate from the closed state to the open state shown in the figure. The door 33 holds the open state while the stacker 26 is incorporated in the cartridge loader 20, and forms a return port for the cartridge B returned to the stacker 26.

As shown in FIG. 5, the CCD line sensor 301 of the microfilm scanner 100 includes a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a straight line and a CCD shift register for sequentially outputting the charges output from each light receiving element. And are equipped with. The CCD shift register is driven by the clock signal output from the clock generation circuit 302. The CCD line sensor 301 is a micro film F
When the light transmitted through the film (light transmitted through the film) is received, a voltage corresponding to the intensity of this light is output. The output signal of the CCD line sensor 301 is input to the A / D conversion circuit 303 via a preamplifier and a low pass filter (not shown).

The A / D conversion circuit 303 converts the input signal into image data represented by, for example, an 8-bit digital signal. The image processing circuit 304 is composed of a line memory or the like, and performs processing such as shading correction, edge enhancement, and scaling on image data. The image processing circuit 304 can also be configured by a DSP (digital signal processor).
The binarization circuit 305 binarizes the image data output from the image processing circuit 304 or performs halftone processing.

The character generation circuit 306 reads font data corresponding to the character code determined by the CPU 300 from the font ROM 307 and outputs it. This font data represents the page number or the like printed on the paper together with the image.

The selector 308 outputs either image data or font data according to the select signal output from the character generation circuit 306.
It outputs to 09. The output interface circuit 309 is composed of an output buffer or the like, and synthesizes the input image data and font data, and then the printer 150
Is for converting image data and the like into a data format that can be input. The data output from the output interface circuit 309 is input to the printer 150, and the page number and the like are printed on the paper together with the image.

The image data or font data output from the output interface circuit 309 is input to the host computer 250 without being combined.
The host computer 250 stores the input image data and font data in the memory of the host computer 250, an external storage device, or the like. The image data and font data stored in the external storage device or the like are read out as appropriate, and are combined and output to the display or printer 150.

The roll film carrier 3 is a CPU 300.
According to the search signal output from the micro film F, the micro film F is run in both forward and reverse directions to find a desired frame of the micro film F. When the roll film carrier 3 finishes searching for the desired frame, it sends a READY signal to the CPU 3
Output to 00. As a result, the CPU 300 determines that the search has been completed.

The mars 24 has a status display device 24A and an operation panel 24B. The state display device 24A is composed of a liquid crystal display device, a light emitting diode, and the like, and displays the operating state of the microfilm scanner 100, the occurrence of errors, the number of prints, the number of scans, the image density, and the like. The operation panel 24B is composed of switches and the like, and is used to set the operating state of the microfilm scanner 100, set the character addition function, and give a scan (search) start instruction.

The character addition function referred to here is a function of printing a page number and the like together with an image. The setting relating to the character addition function is, for example, a page number display method,
Start page of page number, total number of pieces searched, step number of page number, increment / decrement of page number, etc. Micro film scanner 100
The operation state setting is input as state information, the setting relating to the character addition function is input as composite character information, and the scan start instruction is input as a scan start signal to the CPU 300 from the operation panel 24B. The CPU 300 executes a predetermined process based on the setting information, the combined character information, and the scan start signal.

The CPU 300 is a microprocessor, RO
Micro film scanner 100 including M, RAM, etc.
It controls the whole operation. Clock generation circuit 3
Reference numeral 02 is provided with a crystal oscillator or the like and generates a clock signal of a predetermined frequency. This clock signal is supplied to the shift register of the CCD line sensor 301 and the CPU 300.
Entered in.

Next, for example, when this image reading device is installed in the head office, all the customer information is collectively processed in this image reading device, and the information is stored in a database, a response to the inquiry work from each branch is given. A case where this image reading apparatus is used for processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, each customer makes an inquiry to A branch, B branch, C branch, .... Then, those customer names or customer numbers. A request form with the following contents describing the above will be sent by fax etc. from each branch to the head office (see Fig. 7). Sending contents: Branch A Customer No. # 00001 # 00004 B Branch Customer No. # 00003 # 00005 # 00007

That is, from the A branch to the head office, the customer number.
# 00001, customer number. There is an inquiry about the information of # 00004. Further, from the B branch to the head office, the customer number. #
00003, customer number. # 00005, Customer No. # 0
There is a query for 0007 information. There will be no inquiries from the C branch.

At the head office that receives them, the contents to be sent from each branch (branch name, customer No.) are input to the host computer 250 (step S401). The database of this host computer 250 is used, and each customer No. RollN of the cartridge B holding the microfilm F on which the customer information is recorded based on
o. And the address on the microfilm F for the customer information are searched (step S402). An example of a screen showing the search result is shown in FIG. That is, customer N
o. In order, the Roll No. , The address on the microfilm, and the branch name of the request destination are output to the display of the host computer 250.

Next, the Roll of the requested cartridge
l No. Is output from the printer connected to the host computer 250 (step S403). That is, the printout is as follows. Printout: Roll No. 100 300 400 500

At the same time, the Roll No. of the cartridge B, which is the search information. And the address thereof are transmitted online from the host computer 250 to the search function Mars 24 (step S406). The contents of this transmission are as follows. Transmission content: Roll No. 100 addresses 10 300 30 400 40 500 500 50 400 70

Then, based on the above printout,
From a storage shelf that stores a large number of cartridges B, roll
l No. 100, Roll No. 300, Roll
No. 400, Roll No. The cartridge B of 500 is selected (step S404). These cartridges B are stored in the stacker 26 in any order (irrelevant to the selection order), and the stacker 26 is mounted on the cartridge loader 20 (step S405). For example, Roll No. Is 400, 300, 100, 50
The cartridges B are stored in the stacker 26 in the order of 0.

Next, from the stacker 26 to the cartridge B
One by one is loaded in the supply section of the roll film carrier 3, and the Roll No. Is recognized by the roll film carrier 3 (step S4
07). In this recognition method, a microfilm F is loaded and an IMC (image management code) photographed on the microfilm F is read. In addition,
The bar code attached to the cartridge B may be read.

Ro of the read cartridge B is read here.
ll No. Is set to 400, for example. This Roll N
o. Based on 400 and the search information (Roll No. 400, address 40) transmitted to Mars 24 in advance, Mars 24 determines the address to be searched and searches. The image to be searched corresponding to this address 40 is the 40th frame. That is, the image detection blip marks recorded on the margins of each frame of the microfilm F are detected by the film mark detecting means 23 of the roll film carrier 3, and the microfilm F is positioned so that the 40th frame is located between the pressure plate glasses. Stop. Micro film scanner 1
00 reads the image of the 40th frame of the microfilm F. Then, the read image information is transferred to the host computer 250 (step S408). The transferred read image information is the Roll No. of the cartridge B.
It is stored in the memory of the host computer 250 in association with (roll number) and the like (step S409). That is, the contents of the read image information stored in this memory are the roll number (400) of the cartridge B, the address (40), and the image.

Next, it is judged whether or not the searching and reading have been completed for all the cartridges B (step S41).
0). This determination is not the determination of the end of the search for all the cartridges B stored in the stacker 26, but S40.
Roll No. 1 in which data was input in 1. It is determined whether or not the search for all the cartridges B has been completed. That is, the stacker 26 can store 10 to 20 cartridges B, but the number of cartridges B to be searched may exceed the number that the stacker 26 can store. At this time, the search for the cartridges B stored in one stacker 26 is completed. At this point, the stacker 26 that stores the cartridge B that has been searched is replaced with the stacker 26 that stores the unsearched cartridge B, and the search is continued (S407, S408, S409). At the time of this replacement, if the search for all the cartridges B in the stacker 26 has been completed, a display requesting the operator of the mars 24 to replace the stacker 26 or the cartridge B is displayed. At the same time, the roll number of the unsearched cartridge B may be displayed or printed. Next, Stacker 2
When the replacement (reinstallation) of No. 6 is detected, the search for the unsearched cartridge B is restarted.

That is, if N in step S410,
In step S407, the information of another cartridge B is repeatedly stored in the memory of the host computer 250. Therefore, in the order in which they are stored in the stacker 26, R
ol No. The cartridge B of 300, 100, 500 is searched.

Next, when the search for all the cartridges is completed (Y in step S410), the stored read image information is stored in the host computer 2 as follows.
50 for each requestee (branch) (step S
411). Branch A: Roll No. 400 image information of address 40 100 image information of 10 B branch: Roll No. 400 70 image information 300 30 image information 500 50 image information, that is, the customer number requested by each branch. The images corresponding to are separated and grouped for each branch.

Next, it is judged whether or not each image is collected for each branch (step S412). If they are collected, the process proceeds to step S413 (Y in S412). If not grouped (N in S412), the process returns to step S411.

Next, the image information of the customer information collected for each branch is transferred to the FAX 260, and this FA
Faxes are transferred to each branch by X260 (step S413). Next, it is determined whether or not each branch has actually received the requested image information (step S414). When the reception is completed (Y in S414), all the steps are completed. If the reception is not completed (N in S414), the process returns to step S413.

Further, in order to improve the efficiency of FAX transmission, the host computer 250 collects the read image information for each branch, and completes the collection of customer information requested by one branch. FAX from what was done
It may be transferred to 260. In this case, when the image information of the third cartridge B (Roll No. 100) is read, the grouping of the A branch ends. Therefore, the fourth image information (Roll No. 500) can be faxed to the A branch before being read.

In this way, the image read is the Roll No. of the cartridge. And are being searched based on their address. Therefore, when a plurality of cartridges B are stored in the stacker 26, correct images can be read without considering the storage order.
The images obtained in this way are separated based on each branch. Therefore, separation (grouping)
When a plurality of images to be recorded are recorded on one microfilm F, it is not necessary to store the cartridge B in the stacker 26 again. That is, the images are separated and put together without the cartridge B being stored in the stacker 26 again. And for each branch, F
AX is to be transmitted.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of cartridges are stored in the cartridge storage portion, it is not necessary to consider the storage order. further,
When a plurality of images to be separated are recorded on one microfilm, it is not necessary to store the cartridge in the storage portion again.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of a reader printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optical system of a reader printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a stacker of the cartridge loader mounted on the reader printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a microfilm scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a list of data displayed on a display of a host computer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a business system diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 B Cartridge F Microfilm 3 Roll film carrier (recognition means) 24 Mars (search means) 26 Stacker (cartridge housing) 100 Microfilm scanner (reading means) 250 Host computer (separating means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus, comprising: a cartridge housing portion for housing a plurality of cartridges, wherein each cartridge is provided with a cartridge number and holds a microfilm having a plurality of frames with frame numbers. Recognizing means for recognizing the cartridge number of the cartridge stored in the cartridge storing section, searching means for searching the microfilm frame based on the recognized cartridge number and frame number, and the searched frame. An image reading apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads a recorded image. 2. An image reading apparatus comprising: a search unit for searching a desired frame from a microfilm having a plurality of frames; and a reading unit for reading an image recorded on the searched frame, the image reading apparatus comprising: When a plurality of images to be recorded are recorded on one microfilm, the image reading is characterized by including a separating means for separating the image read from the microfilm by the reading means based on the separation information. apparatus.