JPH08317116A - Scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a scanner capable of solely using its printer function by outputting an image entered in a scanner section to a personal computer or the like selectively connected externally, allowing the personal computer to apply image processing or the like and inputting the processed image to a print section in the scanner. CONSTITUTION: The scanner has a scanner section 1 receiving an input and a printer section 2 printing out the image and connected to an external personal computer, and also has a connector section 6 for connecting to a personal computer capable of detecting whether or not the personal computer is connected, and a control section (CPU) 3 controlling the connection of the scanner section 1, the printer section 2 and the connector section 6 selectively. When the personal computer is not connected, the image fatched by the scanner section 1 is printed out directly from the printer section 2 and when the personal computer is already connected, the scanner is in operation in a desired use form while the scanner 1 and the printer section 2 are in switching control independently in response to a command from the personal computer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a scanner device having a scanner section and a printer section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application No. 6-182760 discloses an example of a scanner device having a printer section. That is, an example is disclosed in which an image scanned and input is output to a monitor screen of an externally connected personal computer or the like.
However, in such a conventional technique, data from an external personal computer or the like cannot be printed out by the printing unit provided in the scanner device.

[0003]

Therefore, a plurality of functions,
Especially, in the conventional scanner device which has both input and output functions and is integrally configured, there is a limitation in separately operating the functions that it has, and as a result, it is not possible to properly adapt to the operation form that the user really desires. There were many cases.

Therefore, the present invention has a structure in which the scanner unit and the printer unit are integrated, and the image input by the scanner unit can be selectively output to a personal computer or the like connected to the outside. An object of the present invention is to provide a scanner device having the convenience that the printer unit can be used alone by inputting the result of image processing again to the print unit in the scanner device.

[0005]

A scanner device of the present invention is a scanner device having a scanner section for inputting an image and a printer section for printing out, and is connectable to an external personal computer apparatus. A connector unit for connecting to the personal computer device capable of detecting that the personal computer device is connected, the scanner unit, the printer unit, and a signal switching unit respectively connected to the connector unit, When it is determined that the personal computer device is not connected, the image captured by the scanner unit is directly output from the printer unit, and when it is determined that the personal computer device is connected, the scanner unit and the The printer unit is independently provided with a mode setting unit that controls the signal switching unit so as to respond to an instruction from the personal computer device.

Further, the scanner unit is for inputting a photographic film image. Further, it is provided with an input section for operating instructions and a display section for displaying operating states, and when a print instruction is input after image input of the positive film, a connection request of the personal computer device is displayed. Configure a scanner device that does.

Therefore, with the above-described structure, the present scanner apparatus which controls the scanner section and the printer section and can be selectively connected to the personal computer to the outside through the connection section, includes the microcomputer (including the function of the signal switching section). The CPU) determines whether or not the personal computer is connected to the personal computer, and when the personal computer is connected to the personal computer, the scanner unit or the printer unit is caused to perform an independent operation based on a command from the personal computer. On the other hand, when it is determined that the personal computer is not connected, the image input by the scanner unit is directly printed out from the printer unit. Therefore, the convenience of use can be improved and the size of the required memory can be significantly reduced.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of the main part of a scanner device 10 of the present invention. Scanner device 10 of the present invention
Is mainly composed of a scanner unit 1 for inputting an image, a printer unit 2 for printing out the input image, and a control unit 3 for controlling the entire scanner device. Further, it has a connecting portion 6 for connecting to an external device, and can also be connected to the personal computer 20 via the connector of the connecting portion. For example, when the personal computer 20 is interconnected with an interface such as SCSI or RS232C as shown in the figure, the control unit 3 sends an instruction (command command) sent from the personal computer 20 to the scanner device 10. The determination is made to cause the scanner unit 1 and the printer unit 2 to perform an operation based on the command.

The scanner unit 1 and the printer unit 2 can also operate independently, and the personal computer 20
Even if there is no command from, it can be operated by the manual operation of the user. For example, print output can be performed independently by pressing a print output switch (Print SW in FIG. 3, which will be described later).

That is, when it is determined that the personal computer 20 is not connected to the connection section 6 of the present scanner device, the control section 3 controls the scanner section 1 and the printer section 2 independently and inputs the data through the scanner section 1. The image image from a film or the like can be directly printed out from the printer unit 2.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram relating to functional blocks constituting the scanner device of the present invention. According to this figure, it is understood that the data bus and various signal lines are connected to the microcomputer (CPU) 3 which plays a central role in controlling the apparatus.

The scanner unit 1 is a unit for inputting an image printed on a film. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, this is particularly illustrated and described as a so-called “film scanner unit”, but technically, the scanner unit has a function of scanning and inputting an image image such as a printed matter or a printed photograph. However, it is within the scope of application as an embodiment of the present invention.

The printer unit 2 is a unit for printing image data, which is delivered via a data bus, and receives a plurality of color signals Y (Yellow). M (Magenta). C (Cyan). K (Bla
ck) (or YMC) is printed on the print paper.

The scanner unit 1 and the printer unit 2 and the microcomputer (CPU) 3 for controlling those parts are connected to each other by a data bus as shown in the drawing, and the memory 4 and the buffer 7 are also connected on this data bus. Has been done.

The memory 4 performs image processing (mainly color correction, Y.
M. C. It is a memory provided as a buffer area for K conversion or the like or as a work memory, and does not need to be used when the microcomputer 3 has a sufficient free memory area.

The microcomputer 3 controls the scanner unit 1,
Controlling the printer unit 2, sending predetermined display data to the display unit 5, and connecting the personal computer 2 via the connector 6
It controls the data transmitted and received to and from 0. As a microcomputer as a control unit for this scanner device,
The "RISC type" is suitable, but the "CISC type" may be used if high-speed processing is required.

The display unit 5 is an LCD or a simple LED.
But it doesn't matter. The connector 6 is composed of a data bus, a timing signal line, and the like such as "SCSI".
However, the connector 6 may use various printer connectors other than SCSI, or an interface bus dedicated to a personal computer (that is, PCI, ISA, VL, etc.).

The buffer 7 is a portion for interfacing with the personal computer 20, and may be a functional simple buffer or a bus controller IC.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an overall image of the scanner device 10 of the present invention. This figure is an example of the main body of the apparatus as seen from an oblique direction on the back side. Two "SCSI connectors" are provided on the back of the main unit (
However, it is connected to a personal computer (not shown)). Further, a power source SW1 of the apparatus, a print SW2 for starting printing, and a negative / positive switching SW3 for designating the type of film to be input are arranged on the upper surface of the main body. Further, the display unit 5 is provided at a position where it is easy to see.

After the power source SW1 is pressed down, the scanner device becomes operable, and after the user inserts the film holder 9 into the film holder insertion portion 8, a command from the personal computer 20 or a manual pressing operation of the print SW2 is performed. The scanner unit 1 scans the image on the film surface in the film holder 9 and takes it in the scanner device as input data.

The image image captured by the scanner unit 1 is normally printed out as it is from the printer unit 2. However, if the user wants to perform some image processing (for example, editing such as correction, trimming, or composition) on the captured image image, the personal computer 20 or the like connected to the outside of the scanner device 10 can be used. After sending the image data through the connector 6 to an external device capable of controlling the scanner device 10 and having an image editing function, and after the user performs a required editing process in the personal computer 20. ,
When the edited image data is sent back to the printer unit 2 in the scanner device 10 via the connector 6 again, the print output results are sequentially inserted from the printer unit 2 as shown in the figure.

The image forming method of the printer section 2 described above includes so-called "sublimation type thermal transfer", "fusion type thermal transfer",
"Light fixing type heat sensitive" or "ink jet method" can be applied as desired.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the optical system of the scanner section 1 of the apparatus of the present invention. The optical system processes the film 11 in the film holder 9 inserted in the film holder insertion portion 8 of FIG. 3 as follows. That is, the light emitted from the light source 12 is made uniform by the diffuser plate 13 arranged on the entire surface thereof and is transmitted through the film 11. The light transmitted through the image image in this film is imaged on the area CCD 15 arranged behind it via the lens system 14. Then, this image is electrically converted, sent to the printing unit 2 (not shown) via the above-mentioned data bus, and printed out.

(Operation and Effect) As described above, the present scanner device can be used as a stand-alone scanner or printer when it is not connected to an external personal computer. If it is connected to a personal computer, the scanner function inputs the image image according to the instruction from the personal computer and transmits it to the personal computer along with the desired image image editing processing, and then switches to the printer function to perform this editing processing. The printed image data can be printed out. As described above, the scanner device of the present invention in which a plurality of functions are integrated can be well adapted to the usage form of the user and exhibits convenience. In addition, the convenience is improved, and the size of the memory that is essential for the device is significantly reduced as compared with the conventional one.

(Modification 1) In FIG. 3 of the above description, the film holder 9 is used as an example for storing the film, but a negative film cut into a unit of several frames is directly attached to the input portion of the scanner device. It may be operated in a form that can be set.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cassette for storing the developed film in a rolled state. This example shows the case where the continuous developed film is returned to the user while being wound in the cassette, and the cassette can be directly image-input to the input portion of the apparatus. This is a modified example of the scanner unit improved in this way.

As shown in FIG. 5, the film cassette 4
The film 45 sent out from No. 1 is wound around the spool 42 and is driven by the film feeding motor 25 via the switching drive system 44.

In this film 45, a plurality of perforations 45b and 45c are opened in the front and rear portions above the screen 45a of the film 45 as shown. The feed position of the film 45 is changed by the PR (Photo Reflecter) 27 by the change of the reflected light and the perforations 45b and 45c
It is determined by detecting the position. The above PR
27 may be replaced with a photo interrupter (PI) having light emitting and light receiving sensors on both sides of the film 45.

The light from the light source section 23 passes through the film 45 and the optical system 43 composed of a predetermined lens system to form a linear image on the image forming surface of the line sensor 12. . If necessary, the light source unit 23 and the film 45
An appropriate optical system or a diffusion plate may be inserted between them.

The magnetic head 29 has the film 45.
It is in contact with the magnetic recording track 45d provided above, and the photographing data recorded on this track 45d can be read.

When the film 45 is rewound, the switching drive system 44 is switched and the cartridge shaft 41a of the cartridge 41 is rotationally driven to rewind the film. Next, the operation of the scanner device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart relating to control performed by the microcomputer for controlling the scanner device. In this example, it is assumed that an application software program such as this flowchart for controlling the scanner device may be resident on the personal computer side, and the processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. Will be described below.

When the power source SW1 of the scanning device is turned on, the operation of the microcomputer 3 is started, and various ports of the microcomputer 3 are initialized (initialization) (S1).

Next, the state of the print SW2 is checked (S2), and if it is "ON", it operates in the mode of printing out while scanning the film.
That is, first, "scanning print" is displayed on the display unit 5 (S11) and the image is printed out while scanning the image on the film (S1).
2).

The microcomputer 3 carries out processing such as correction of the scanned image for printing. After that, when the print output processing of the image is finished, a display (“Scan Print”) indicating “printable” is performed (S6),
The process returns to step S2 and the print SW2 is checked again.

On the other hand, when the print SW 2 is in the "OFF" state, it is checked whether the external personal computer 20 is connected via the connector 6. The checking method may be a method based on a data communication protocol or a method using a dedicated timing communication line.

If the personal computer 20 is connected, and a command for scanning operation is delivered from the personal computer 20, the microcomputer (CPU) of the present scanning device
The display unit 3 displays "Scanning" on the display unit 5 ("Scan") (S7), and causes the scanner unit 1 to perform a scanning operation (S8). Similarly, when the print operation instruction command is delivered, the display ("Print") during "print" is performed (S9), and the printer unit 2 is caused to perform the print output operation (S10).

After each processing is completed, "printable" is displayed ("Scan Print") (S6), and the process returns to step S2 and the print SW2 is checked (S2).

When the personal computer 20 is not connected, the display of "printable"("ScanPrint") is continued at least until the print SW2 is manually switched (S6).

(Effect 1) As described above, since the scanner device 10 main body only needs to perform simple image input and print output, the hardware and software in the main body can be considerably simplified. Further, the scanner device 10 itself can operate with a scanner function alone.
High-quality image processing of the input image and processing such as desired trimming synthesis can be performed in the main body of the personal computer 20 as desired. Moreover, the processing result can be output to the printer unit 2 of the scanner device 10 via the same connector 6.

(Modification 2) Further, FIG. 7 shows an example for further simplifying the software related to the scanner section shown in FIG.

A part different from the logic shown in FIG. 6 is that a step (S20) is provided to judge whether the input film is a "negative" film or a "positive" film when the print SW2 is ON. It is that you are.
The slide switch of the negative / positive switch SW3 is "negative"("NE
In the case of G "), the captured Y, M, C, and K data can be output to the printer unit 2 almost as it is, so print out as it is. If it is not negative, that is," Positive "(" POSI ") In this case, the "PC connection request" display ("Paso con") is blinked on the display unit 5 to notify the user, and the printout processing alone is not performed at least until the PC is connected.

(Function and Effect 2) In other words, in this case, since the negative / positive conversion process is set to the specification that can be performed only by the connected personal computer main body, the processing performed by the main body of the scanner device 10 becomes very simple. Occurs.

8 (a) to 8 (e) show examples in which the respective states relating to the scanning operation and the printing operation of the main scanning device are displayed on the display section. The display of FIG. 8A is a display showing a "printable" state, and "Scan Print" is displayed in the center of the screen, prompting the user to start the printer function.

The display of FIG. 8 (b) shows "Scan Pr
"int" blinks (blinks) and prompts to activate the "scanning and printing" function. In the display of FIG. 8 (c), "Scant" blinks near the top of the screen, indicating that the "scanning" operation is in progress.

The display of FIG. 8 (d) shows "Pri" near the bottom of the screen.
"nt" blinks, indicating that "printing" is in progress. In the display of Fig. 8 (e), "Paso con." For "PC connection request" is displayed in blinking, prompting the user to connect the PC to the outside.

Although the description has been given based on the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention includes the following inventions. (1) In a scanner device that has a scanner unit for inputting an image and a printer unit for printing out, and is connectable to an external personal computer device, it is possible to detect that the personal computer device is connected. When it is determined that the connector unit for connecting with the scanner unit, the printer unit, the signal switching unit respectively connected to the printer unit, and the personal computer device are not connected, the scanner unit When the captured image is directly output from the printer unit and it is determined that the personal computer device is connected, the scanner unit and the printer unit may be independent of each other so as to respond to an instruction from the personal computer device. And a mode setting unit for controlling the signal switching unit.

(2) The scanner device according to (1), wherein the scanner section inputs a photographic film image. (3) An input section for operation instructions and a display section for displaying operation states are provided, and when a print instruction is input after image input of a positive film, a connection request for the personal computer device is displayed. The scanner device according to (2).

(4) A scanner device comprising a scanner unit for inputting an image, a printing unit for printing out an image read from the scanner unit, and a connecting unit connectable to an external personal computer. If the personal computer is not connected, and if the personal computer is not connected, switch to the print mode to directly print out the image input from the scanner unit, and the personal computer is connected. In this case, the scanner device further comprises a switching unit that switches the scanner unit and the printer unit to an independently operable mode based on an instruction from the personal computer.

(5) The judging section and the switching section are
Characterized by comprising a microcomputer (4)
Scanner device according to. (6) The scanner device according to (5), wherein the microcomputer is a RISC type microcomputer.

(7) The scanner device according to (5), wherein the scanner unit inputs a film image. (8) Image data input in a scanner device including a scanner unit for inputting an image, a print unit for printing out an image read from the scanner unit, and a connection unit connectable to an external personal computer As opposed to
When outputting a negative print, it becomes possible to operate in units of the scanner device, and when outputting positive print for the input image data, it becomes possible to operate only when it is connected to the personal computer. .

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, the scanner and the printer can be used as stand-alone devices, but the functions of the scanner and the printer can be used as independent functions. If a personal computer or the like is connected, the image data subjected to the desired image processing on the personal computer can be printed out from the scanner device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a main part of a scanner device.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram relating to functional blocks that form a scanner device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an overall image of a scanner device.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating an optical system of a scanner unit of a scanner device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cassette that stores a developed film in a wound state.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart regarding control for controlling the scanner device.

FIG. 7 is another flowchart relating to control for controlling the scanner device.

FIG. 8 is an example of a status display related to scanning and printing, where (a) is a printable status, (b) is a scan / print function operation, (c) is a scanning operation, and (d) is a print operation. Inside, (e) is an example of the display layout showing the connection request of the personal computer respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Scanner section, 2 ... Printer section, 3 ... Control section
(CPU including signal switching section), 4 ... memory section, 5 ... display section, 6 ... connection section (connector), 7 ... buffer (data interface), 8 ... film insertion section, 9 ... film holder, 10 ... scanner device , 11, 45 ... Film, 12, 23 ... Light source, 13 ... Diffuser, 14 ... Lens system, 15 ... CCD, 20 ... Personal computer (external terminal device),
25 ... Motor, 29 ... Magnetic head, SW1 ... Power switch, SW2 ... Print switch, SW3 ... Negative / positive changeover switch.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A scanner device having a scanner unit for inputting an image and a printer unit for printing out, which is connectable to an external personal computer device, capable of detecting that the personal computer device is connected,
When it is determined that the connector unit for connecting to the personal computer device, the scanner unit, the printer unit, and the signal switching unit respectively connected to the connector unit, and the personal computer device are not connected, When the image captured by the scanner unit is directly output from the printer unit and it is determined that the personal computer device is connected, the scanner unit and the printer unit are independent of each other, and the instruction from the personal computer device is received. A scanner device comprising: a mode setting unit that controls the signal switching unit so as to comply with the above. 2. The scanner device according to claim 1, wherein the scanner unit inputs a photographic film image. 3. An input section for operating instructions, and a display section for displaying operating states, and displaying a connection request for the personal computer when a print instruction is input after image input of a positive film. The scanner device according to claim 2, wherein: