JPH07164679A - Braille copier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately and rapidly input data to be outputted by a braille output means in an extremely easy manner. CONSTITUTION:A data processing means processing the density data read at a pixel unit by an image reading means 2 and an output conversion means converting the processed data due to the data processing means to binary or multi-value dot data to output the same to braialle output means 18 are provided and the image containing a character or pattern read by the image reading means 2 is made uneven by the braille output means 18 to be expressed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a Braille copying apparatus for expressing character data, line drawing data, and other general image data by means of unevenness.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a dedicated driving machine for obtaining a Braille document. In recent years, a method of outputting a document created by a word processor or the like from a printer dedicated to Braille has been considered. Further, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-76391, there is also one that converts a character code into a braille code and outputs it by a dedicated braille head.

[0003]

The above method cannot output images other than characters. Moreover, even if the character information is input, there is a problem that the input labor is very large.

[0004]

The invention according to claim 1 is
A braille output means is provided for making the image uneven by giving a minute impression to the braille paper, and a data processing means for processing the density data read in pixel units by the image reading means, and a data processing means for processing the data. Output processing means for converting the processed data into binary or multi-valued dot data and outputting it to the Braille output means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a data processing means for processing the density data including line drawing processing is used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, an image reading unit having a higher reading pixel density than the output dot density of the Braille output unit is used.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a Braille output unit is provided which makes the image uneven by giving a minute impression to the Braille paper, and the data read in pixel units by the image reading unit is used as a character area and a pattern. Depending on the area processed by the area processing means for determining the area, the data processing means for performing character recognition on the area determined to be the character area by the area determination means, and processing the character data. And output converting means for converting to output dot data and outputting to the Braille output means.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the area determination means for determining at least two points of the image area to determine the character area and the pattern area is used.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the area determining means for determining the character area and the pattern area based on the density data read by the image reading means is used.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a Braille output unit is provided which expresses an image by making minute indentations on the Braille paper to make the image uneven, and the data read by the image reading unit pixel by pixel is used as a character region and a pattern. The area determination means for determining the area, the data processing means for processing the density data for the area determined to be the picture area by the area determination means, and the data processed by the data processing means are binary or multi-valued. And output conversion means for converting the output dot data to output to the Braille output means.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the area determining means is used for determining at least two points of the image area to determine the character area and the picture area.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the seventh aspect of the invention, the area determining means for determining the character area and the pattern area based on the density data read by the image reading means is used.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the data processing means for processing the density data including the line drawing processing is used.

[0014]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the image including the characters and the pattern read by the image reading means can be expressed by the Braille output means by making it uneven.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pattern image read by the image reading means can be expressed by making it uneven by the braille output means. Since it is possible to faithfully output high-density data of the image reading means, it is possible to facilitate the design of the Braille output means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the data read in pixel units by the image reading means can be determined as a character region and a pattern region, and density data can be obtained for the region determined as the character region. Since it can be processed in correspondence with the character information, it becomes possible to automatically convert the character information into Braille when the character information is mixed with the picture information.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the character information is mixed with the picture information, the character area and the picture area are judged only by designating two points in the image area to make the character information into braille. As a result, the circuit configuration for area determination can be simplified and the area determination accuracy can be improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the character area and the picture area can be automatically determined based on the density data read by the image reading means, the operator can mix the character information mixed in the picture information. Even without recognition, the character information can be converted into braille.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the data read in pixel units by the image reading means can be determined as a character area and a picture area, and density data can be obtained for the area judged as the picture area. Since it can be processed corresponding to the pattern information, it becomes possible to express the pattern information mixed in the character information by making it uneven by the Braille output means.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, when the picture information is mixed with the character information, the picture area and the character area are judged and the picture information is output in Braille only by designating two points in the image area. It is possible to make it uneven by means of means, thereby simplifying the circuit configuration for region determination and improving the region determination accuracy.

Since the character area and the picture area can be automatically determined based on the density data read by the image reading means, the operator can mix the picture information mixed in the character information. Even without recognition, it is possible to express the pattern information by making it uneven by the Braille output means.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, when the picture information is mixed in the character information, the picture information is subjected to line drawing processing by the data processing means, and the contour of the picture information is expressed by making it uneven by the Braille output means. It will be possible.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a printer body, and an image reading means (scanner) 2 is placed on the upper surface of the printer body 1. The image reading means 2 includes a contact glass 3
A document (not shown) placed on the document is pressed by the document pressure plate 4, and the carriage 7 having the fluorescent lamp 5 and the CCD image sensor 6 mounted thereon is moved along the contact glass 3 in the sub-scanning direction Y.
The image reflected from the original is formed on the CCD image sensor 6 in the process of moving the image to the CCD. Further, the image reading unit 2 is provided with an image leading edge sensor 8 for detecting a state where the carriage 7 reaches the leading edge of the document, and a scanner control device 9.

Further, in the printer body 1, a paper feed roller 12 for drawing out the uppermost braille paper 11 stacked in the paper feed cassette 10, a paper feed passage 13, and a registration roller 1.
4, a receptor 15, a conveyor belt 16, a paper discharge tray 17, and a Braille head 18 that is a Braille output unit that faces the receptor 15. This Braille head 18
Is, as shown in FIG. 3, the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y.
A plurality of needles 19 arranged in a row and these needles 1
4 includes a plurality of solenoids (not shown) for projecting the respective 9 toward the receptor 15 side, and a solenoid driver 44 (see FIG. 5) for driving these solenoids.
As shown in FIG. 3, the belt is supported by a part of the endless belt 20. Therefore, by rotating the belt 20 forward or backward by a motor (not shown), the Braille head 1
8 is reciprocally driven in the main scanning direction X. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a groove 21 corresponding to the needle 19 is formed on the upper surface of the receptor 15 in the moving direction of the Braille head 18 (main scanning direction).
It is formed along. Therefore, when the Braille paper 11 is conveyed onto the receptor 15 and the needle 19 is driven, minute indentations are formed on the Braille paper 11. By forming a large number of indentations corresponding to the image pattern,
Images can be recognized by touch.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a system control device 22, a printer control device 23, and an image processor unit section (hereinafter referred to as an IPU section) 24 are provided inside the printer body 1. There is. This IP
The U section 24 includes an interface board 25 and two image processor unit boards (hereinafter referred to as IPU boards) 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, an editing device (editor) 4a for designating areas and coordinates in the document is arranged on the surface of the document pressure plate 4, and a coordinate reference on the editor 4a is used. A mark 4b indicating a mark is formed. Reference numeral 27 is a connector for connecting an external device (application), and 28 is an operation plate. The operation plate 28 is provided with various operation keys 29, a liquid crystal display 30, and an application key 31 for selecting a copy mode and an application mode.

The function of the system controller 22 will be described below. The system control device 22 transmits a reading condition such as a scaling ratio and a start signal to the scanner control device 9 of the image reading means 2. Further, a command for controlling the operation of the registration roller 14 and the paper feed roller 12 is output to the printer unit (the printer control device 23) by a signal from the image leading edge sensor 8 of the image reading unit 2. To do. Further, the IPU unit 2
For the IPU board 26 of No. 4, line drawing processing instructions, scaling factors, data movement amount for editing, various data processing information, etc. are set, and for the interface board 25 of the IPU unit 24, , The transmission direction of the pattern information, the character information, and the image area information is designated.

Further, the interface board 25
Displays the image data from the image reading means 2 or the image data input from the outside via the connector 27.
Image data input from the image reading unit 2 in response to an instruction from the system control device 22 is output to the outside via the connector 27.

Next, the configuration of an electronic circuit required for reading an image to outputting Braille will be described with reference to FIG. First, a CCD circuit 32 to which the CCD image sensor 6 (see FIG. 1) is connected, and an A / D for converting analog data output from the CCD circuit 32 into digital data.
A conversion circuit 33 and a shading correction circuit 34 for correcting sensitivity unevenness between the respective elements of the CCD image sensor 6 are sequentially connected. The shading correction circuit 34 includes a γ conversion circuit 35 that converts the output of the shading correction circuit 34 into a density value that matches the scanner characteristics, and a region determination circuit 36 that is a region determination unit that determines the image region into a character region and a pattern region. , The γ conversion circuit 35 is connected to the A input of the selector 37, and the area determination circuit 36 is connected to the B input of the selector 37 and the interface circuit 38. The CCD
Each circuit from the circuit 32 to the selector 37 is provided in the scanner control device 9. The interface circuit 38 is provided on the interface board 25 of the IPU unit 24.

An edge detecting circuit 39 and a font producing circuit 40 are connected to the interface circuit 38, and the edge detecting circuit 39 is connected to the A input of the selector 42 via the output density converting circuit 41, and the font producing circuit is connected. 40 is connected to the B input of the selector 42. The circuits from the edge detection circuit 39 to the selector 42 are provided on the IPU board 26. Then, the selector 42 updates the image data for one line and writes the updated data to the solenoid driver 44 via the line buffer 43.
It is connected to the. The solenoid driver 44 drives each solenoid to which the needle 19 of the Braille head 18 (see FIG. 1) is connected.

The edge detection circuit 39 functions as data processing means for processing the density data for the picture area when the read image area is recognized as the picture area by the area judgment circuit 36. In this embodiment, line drawing processing is performed as one method of processing the density data. The output density conversion circuit 41 functions as an output conversion unit that converts the data processed by the edge detection circuit 39 into binary or multivalued dot data and outputs the dot data to the solenoid driver 44 of the Braille head 18. . Further, the font producing circuit 40, when the read image area is determined to be a character area by the area determining circuit 36, data processing means for performing character recognition on the character area and processing it into character data, It functions as an output conversion means for converting the processed character data into dot data and outputting it to the solenoid driver 44.

With this structure, when copying,
When the start signal is transmitted from the system control device 22, the printer control device 23 drives the paper feed roller 12 to feed the Braille paper 11 in the paper feed cassette 10, and the Braille paper 11 reaches the registration roller 14. Paper feed roller 1 at the time
Stop 2. On the other hand, the scanner control device 9 drives the carriage 7 in response to the start signal to start reading the image of the document. At this time, when the image leading edge sensor 8 detects the carriage 7, the detection signal is sent to the system controller 2.
2, the system control device 22 commands the printer control device 23 to drive the conveyance system such as the registration rollers 14. As a result, the Braille paper 11 is conveyed to the Braille head 18.

The Braille head 18 drives the needle 19 by the output from the solenoid driver 44 in the process of moving in the main scanning direction X, whereby an image due to unevenness is formed on the Braille paper 11. In the present embodiment, since the arrangement interval of the needles 19 in the main scanning direction X is 2 dots, the braille head 18 is moved to the main scanning direction X as shown in FIG.
3 times to output all the data of one line, and after sending the braille paper 11 by one line in the sub-scanning direction Y, the braille head 18 corresponds to the second line in the fourth to sixth movement processes. After outputting all the data for one line and sending the braille paper 11 for one line in the sub-scanning direction Y, the first line corresponding to the third line in the 7th to 9th movement process of the braille head 18
Output all data for a line. By repeating such operations, the read image of the document 45 as shown in FIG. 7A is copied and the Braille document 4 as shown in FIG.
Get 6. The Braille document 46 on which the image is formed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 17 by the conveyor belt 16 in FIG.

Next, the processing of data from the reading of the image to the output to the Braille head 18 will be described with reference to FIG. Read by CCD image sensor 6 and A / D
The data converted by the conversion circuit 33 and corrected by the shading correction circuit 34 are converted into density data by the γ conversion circuit 35, and at the same time, by the area determination circuit 36, as shown in FIG. The area P is determined. When it is determined that the character area is C, the image data is converted into a character code by the area determination circuit 36, and the character code is selected by the selector 37 and transmitted to the interface circuit 38. The character area recognition signal (0 or 1) is also transmitted from the area determination circuit 36 to the interface circuit 38. When the image data is determined to be the picture area P by the area judgment circuit 36, the picture data converted as the density data by the γ conversion circuit 35 is selected by the selector 37 and the interface circuit 3 is selected.
8 is sent. In this case, as shown in FIG.
By designating two points P1 and P2 as the picture area P and designating two points C1 and C2 as the character area C, the circuit configuration for the area determination can be simplified and the determination can be performed. The accuracy can be increased.

When the data output from the interface circuit 38 is data in the pattern area, the data is subjected to line drawing processing by the edge detection circuit 39, converted into dot data by the output density conversion circuit 41, and then the selector 42. Are stored in the line buffer 43.

If the data output from the interface circuit 38 is data in the character area, the font creating circuit 40 converts the data into character data (braille font data). This character data is selected by the selector 42 as dot data and stored in the line buffer 43.

The dot data converted from these picture data and character data is controlled by the system controller 22 to move the braille head 18 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning of the braille paper 11 as described above. By outputting to the solenoid driver 44 line by line in synchronism with the intermittent feeding operation in the direction, as shown in FIG. The Braille document 46 expressed in Braille can be obtained.

In FIG. 2, image data read from the outside is input through the connector 27, the data is input to the interface circuit 38 as shown in FIG. 5, and the solenoid driver 44 is processed by the above-described processing. It can also be output. As a result, in this embodiment,
Although the copying machine in which the image reading unit 2 and the printer are integrated as one device has been described, the image reading unit 2 and the printer may be separated.

[0039]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, data processing means for processing the density data read in pixel units by the image reading means, and the processed data processed by the data processing means are binary or multivalued. Since the output conversion means for converting to dot data and outputting to the Braille output means is provided, the image including the characters and the pattern read by the image reading means can be expressed by the Braille output means in a concavo-convex manner. Since the data to be output can be input by reading the image, the labor required for input can be significantly reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the data processing means for processing the density data including the line drawing processing is used. Therefore, the picture image read by the image reading means is displayed in braille. It can be expressed by making it uneven by the output means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image reading means having a higher read pixel density than the output dot density of the braille output means is used. Since the high-density data of the image reading means can be faithfully output, the Braille output means can be easily designed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided area determination means for determining the data read in pixel units by the image reading means into a character area and a picture area, and an area determined to be a character area by the area determination means. On the other hand, since the data processing means for performing character recognition and processing into character data and the output conversion means for converting into output dot data according to the data processed by the data processing means and outputting to the Braille output means are provided, It is possible to determine the data read in pixel units by the image reading unit into a character area and a picture area, and to process density data corresponding to character information in the area determined to be a character area. Therefore, when the character information is mixed with the pattern information, the character information can be automatically converted into Braille.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the invention of claim 4, the area determining means for determining at least two points of the image area to determine the character area and the picture area is used. When is mixed with the picture information, the character information and the picture area can be judged and the character information can be converted into braille simply by designating two points in the image area and judging. The circuit configuration can be simplified and the area determination accuracy can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 4, the area determining means for determining the character area and the pattern area based on the density data read by the image reading means is used. Since the character area and the picture area can be automatically determined based on the density data read by the image reading means, even if the operator does not recognize the character information mixed in the picture information, the character information is braille. Can be converted.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided area determination means for determining data read in pixel units by the image reading means into a character area and a pattern area, and an area determined to be the pattern area by the area determination means. On the other hand, since the data processing means for processing the density data and the output conversion means for converting the data processed by the data processing means into binary or multi-valued output dot data and outputting it to the Braille output means are provided. The data read in pixel units by the image reading means can be determined as a character area and a picture area, and
Since the density data can be processed corresponding to the pattern information in the area determined to be the pattern area, the pattern information mixed in the character information can be expressed in an uneven shape by the Braille output means.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in the invention according to claim 7, the area determining means for determining at least two points of the image area to determine the character area and the pattern area is used. When the character information is mixed with the character information, it is possible to judge the pattern area and the character area only by designating two points in the image area and to make the pattern information uneven by the Braille output means and express it. The circuit configuration for area determination can be simplified and the area determination accuracy can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 9, in the invention of claim 7, the area determining means for determining the character area and the pattern area based on the density data read by the image reading means is used. Since the character area and the picture area can be automatically determined based on the density data read by the image reading means, even if the operator does not recognize the picture information mixed in the character information, the picture information is braille. It can be expressed by making it uneven by the output means.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the data processing means for processing the density data including the line drawing processing is used, when the picture information is mixed in the character information, the picture information is processed by the data processing means. The contour of the picture information can be processed and expressed by the Braille output means by making it uneven.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of Braille output means.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the operation of the Braille output device in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of output to Braille paper.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a manuscript and a Braille document.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 image reading means 11 braille paper 18 braille output means 36 area determination means 39 data processing means 40 data processing means, output conversion means 41 output conversion means P picture area C character area

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A data processing means for processing the density data read in pixel units by the image reading means, provided with braille output means for making the image uneven by expressing minute impressions on the braille paper, and this data. A Braille copying device comprising: output conversion means for converting the processed data processed by the processing means into binary or multivalued dot data and outputting the dot data to the braille output means. 2. The Braille copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a data processing means for processing the density data including at least line drawing processing is used. 3. The Braille copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image reading unit having a read pixel density higher than the output dot density of the Braille output unit is used. 4. An area for determining a character area and a pattern area based on data read in pixel units by the image reading means by providing a braille output means for making an image uneven by giving a minute impression to the braille paper. The determination means, the data processing means for performing character recognition on the area determined to be the character area by this area determination means and processing it into character data, and the output dot data according to the character data processed by this data processing means A Braille copying device comprising: an output converting unit for converting and outputting to the Braille output unit. 5. The Braille copying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least two points in the image area are designated to use an area determination unit for determining a character area and a picture area. 6. The Braille copying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an area determination means for determining a character area and a pattern area based on the density data read by the image reading means is used. 7. An area in which a Braille output means for expressing an image in a concavo-convex manner by providing minute impressions on a Braille paper is provided, and data read in pixel units by the image reading means is determined as a character area and a pattern area. Judgment means, data processing means for processing the density data for the area judged to be a picture area by this area judgment means, and data processed by this data processing means are converted into binary or multivalued output dot data. And a Braille output device for outputting to the Braille output device. 8. A braille copying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least two points of the image area are designated to use a region judging means for judging a character region and a picture region. 9. The Braille copying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an area determination means for determining a character area and a pattern area based on the density data read by the image reading means is used. 10. The Braille copying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a data processing means for processing the density data including line drawing processing is used.