JPH089102A - Image scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a stand type image scanner providing high flexibility and utilization efficiency. CONSTITUTION:The stand type image scanner reading image data from an upper side of an original 33 is made up of an image read unit 1, a stand arm 2 and an original platen 3. The image read unit 1 is integrally formed with a lighting device 11, an image sensor 13, a lens 14, a reflecting mirror 15, a notice light 17 and a hood 19, and the propriety of a height from the original 33 is informed by the lighting of the notice light 17 and the illuminance is automatically adjusted by the lighting device 11. The stand arm 2 has a notch mechanism that uses two upper/lower arms 21, 22 and a fixed part 23 being a connection part to hold the image read unit 1 at a prescribed fold angle. The image read unit 1 of electric stand shape is contained foldedly or expanded easily through the folding of the stand arm 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image scanner device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an indirect image scanner apparatus generally employs a method of placing a document on a dedicated table and reading the document from several tens of centimeters above. This indirect reading camera type image scanner device has a feature that an image on the surface can be easily read regardless of whether the original is a thick book or a plate-shaped rigid body. Further, since the image is read from the upper surface, it is possible to easily visually specify the reading range and set the proper document position.

A typical configuration example of a conventional image scanner device is shown in FIG. The conventional image scanner device includes a document table 117 on which a reading range frame 116 is drawn, an illuminator 115 that illuminates the document table 117, and a reading mechanism including a lens 107, a reflecting mirror 114, and an image sensor 106. It

The image sensor 106 is used to read an image.
If the line type is used, a scanning mechanism is required. In order to read a document with the image scanner device having this structure, it is necessary to hold the image sensor 106 for a predetermined time at a height separated from the document table 117 by a certain distance. The predetermined time is determined by the sensitivity of the image sensor 106, the brightness of the illumination, the required resolution, etc., and is, for example, 1 second to 30 seconds. The height is determined by the size of the lens 107 and the required reading range, and is, for example, 40 cm. Furthermore, the image sensor 1
When the sensitivity of 06 is low and the reading time is short, a dedicated illuminator 115 is required.

The procedure for reading an original using the conventional image scanner apparatus is to place the original on the original table 117 within a predetermined reading range frame 116, start reading,
The document is placed still until the image sensor 106 finishes reading. When reading is completed, the original is removed and the series of operations is completed.

Specific examples of the above image scanner device include various standard products such as "Document Camera" (trademark of NEC Corporation) and "Image Scanner DS-3000" (trademark of Chinon Corporation). .

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned conventional image scanner device is a device exclusively for reading image data and cannot be used for other purposes. In addition, the image scanner device that occupies a larger space requires a larger size of the entire device and requires a dedicated place on the desk for installing the document table 117. Further, a step is generated between the document table 117 of the image scanner device and an office desk or the like installed adjacently, and the image reading unit attached to the stand is located around the user's head, and the unit is moved. I can't do that Further, in the case where the dedicated illuminator 115 is provided, there is a problem that the illuminator and its stand arm become an obstacle.

The configuration of such an image scanner device reduces the flexibility and flexibility of the device. Offices in recent years require a comprehensive work environment and work efficiency, and office equipment installed in the office is required to be compatible with other office equipment installed adjacently. As mentioned above, the image scanner has potentially useful functions, but the hardness of the configuration as an office device hinders its integration into the office environment, reducing work efficiency and use efficiency. I am letting you.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image scanner device having high flexibility and high utilization efficiency.

[0010]

In order to achieve such an object, an image scanner device of the present invention comprises an image forming means for forming a predetermined image and an image formed by the image forming means into an electric signal. An image reading unit having an image reading unit for converting and detecting and an illuminating unit for illuminating a predetermined image. The image reading unit is configured by integrating the image forming unit, the image reading unit and the illuminating unit, and the configuration of the apparatus is simplified. Is characterized by.

The image scanner device according to the present invention further comprises a stand means, and the stand means comprises:
It is preferable that the image reading unit can be held at a predetermined height for a predetermined image.

Further, the image reading unit has a height detecting means for detecting the height of the image reading means with respect to a predetermined image, and the height detecting means has the detected height with respect to the predetermined height. It is advisable to check whether it is within a predetermined allowable range.

The image reading unit may further have a notification means for notifying the result of the check, and the notification means may be configured to notify whether the detected height is within the allowable range.

Further, the illuminating means has an illuminance adjusting means for adjusting the illuminance of a predetermined image by the illumination, and the illuminance adjusting means may automatically adjust the illuminance of the image.

[0015]

Therefore, according to the image scanner device of the present invention, each of these functional units for forming a predetermined image, converting the formed image into an electric signal for detection, and illuminating the predetermined image. Are configured as one. By integrating each of these main functional parts, the structure of the device is simplified, and it is easy to achieve downsizing and downsizing of the device, simplification of handling, improvement of design, and multi-functionality / multi-use. .

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of an image scanner device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a stand-type image scanner device of the present invention.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external structure of a stand-type image scanner device. In this embodiment, an image reading unit 1 for reading image data of an original and converting it into an electric signal, a stand arm 2 for holding the image reading unit 1 and capable of height adjustment, and an original read by the image reading unit 1 are installed. And a document setting table 3 for performing the operation.

The constituent parts of the above embodiment are further decomposed as follows. The image reading unit 1 includes an illuminating device 11 which is an illuminating means, and an image sensor 1 which is an image reading means.
3, a lens 14 and a reflecting mirror 15 which are image forming means, and a notification lamp 17 which is a notification means, and are covered with a hood 19.

The stand arm 2 has two arms, an upper arm 21 and a lower arm 22, and a fixture 23. The details of the fixtures 23a and 23b are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the upper arm 21 and the upper arm 21 are separated by the ball 26 and the spring 27 which are components of the notch mechanism for setting the refraction angle of the upper arm 21. It connects with the lower arm 22.

Further, the original placing surface 3 of the original placing table 3 shown in FIG.
A predetermined manuscript 33 is placed on top of the document 1.

The apparatus of the embodiment having the above configuration constitutes a stand type image scanner apparatus. The major feature of this embodiment is that the image sensor 13, the lens 14, the reflecting mirror 15, and the illumination device 11 are integrally configured as the image reading unit 1, and a stand arm that holds the integrated image reading unit 1. The point 2 is that it is configured to be refractable. The details will be described below.

The illuminating device 11, which is a component of the image reading unit 1, is an illuminating device for illuminating the original 33 on the original table 3. The illuminating device 11 is for supplementarily illuminating when the image sensor 13 reads an image of the document 33 on the document table 3 and the obtained sensitivity is insufficient. For this purpose, a lighting control unit (not shown) that controls lighting of the lighting device 11 only during an image reading operation period is provided. The detection of insufficient illuminance is performed by preliminary scanning when reading an image from the image sensor 13 or by analyzing detection data at the time of initial scanning.
In the present embodiment, the power consumption of the illuminating device 11 is 2
It uses a small fluorescent lamp that bends at 7W.

As the above-mentioned illumination device 11, it is preferable that the CCD which is the image sensor 13 emits a wavelength that can be captured with the highest sensitivity, and the above-mentioned CCD (model uPD3733 / manufactured by NEC Corporation) has a light wavelength of 550 nm. There is a peak of sensitivity,
It is preferable to illuminate relatively green wavelengths. In this embodiment, since the CCD has a relatively high sensitivity, it can be sufficiently operated by illumination with a general fluorescent lamp. Further, the lighting device 11 is
By providing a means for increasing the light amount only during the image reading period, the sensitivity of the image sensor 13 is compensated, the reading speed is increased, and the power consumption efficiency is increased.

The image sensor 13 is an element for converting an image formed on the image sensor into an electric signal. In the embodiment, a line type CCD image sensor (more specifically, model uPD3733 / manufactured by NEC Corporation) is used. Since this is a line type image sensor, it requires a scanning mechanism for detecting the image of the entire surface of the document. In this embodiment, scanning is performed by rotating the reflecting mirror 15.

The lens 14 is an optical lens for forming an image of the original 33 placed on the original placing surface 31 on the original placing table 3 on the image sensor 13. In this embodiment,
A lens with a diameter of 30 mm and a focal length of about 40 mm is used. The optimum height between the image surface of the original 33 and the reading unit 1 is determined by the characteristics of the optical system and its positional relationship, and is about 40 cm in this embodiment.

The notification light 17 is a confirmation light for notifying the operator whether or not the height from the reading surface of the original 33 to the reading unit 1 is the optimum height. For example, L
The ED is used to turn on green when normal and red when abnormal.

The stand arm 2 is a mechanism portion that holds the integrated image reading unit 1 and maintains the height between the image surface of the original 33 and the reading unit 1. The stand arm 2 includes two fixing tools 23a and 23 in addition to the two arms, the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22, as described above.
b It is composed of four balls 26 and four springs 27.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connecting portion of the upper arm and the lower arm. The left and right two connecting portions 22a and 22b of the lower arm 22 are disassembled, and one connecting portion 22b is broken and separated. The configuration of the combination is shown in a form that is easier to understand. Further, FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the connecting portions 21a, 22a, 22b of the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22.

The connecting portion 21a of the upper arm 21 is formed in a circular flat plate shape. In the center of this circular plate,
Through shaft hole 211 for passing the connecting shaft, and this shaft hole 2
A total of four circular recesses 212 are formed on both left and right surfaces at two upper and lower positions with 11 as the center. Further, the connecting portions 22a and 22b of the lower arm 22 are formed in a U shape, and the connecting portions 22a and 22b are the connecting portions 21a of the upper arm 21.
It has the same circular shape and is connected together. A shaft hole 221 is formed at the center of the circular flat plate, and a total of three through holes, notch holes 222, are formed at the upper and lower portions of the shaft hole 221 in the respective connecting portions 22a and 22b. It The notch hole 221 is formed in the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22.
In the bent state, the upper arm 21 can be easily repeatedly set to a predetermined bending angle.

When the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22 are assembled, the left and right connecting portions 22 of the U-shaped portion of the lower arm 22 are connected.
A circular connecting portion 21a of the upper arm 21 is provided between a and 22b.
Is inserted. One ball 26 and one spring 27 are inserted into the left and right notch holes 221 of the lower arm 22. In this state, from the left and right of the connecting portions 22a and 22b of the lower arm 22,
It is sandwiched by the fixtures 23a and 23b, and fixed by the central shaft holes 211 and 222.

In the arm in the assembled state, the upper arm 21 is bendable, and the notch hole 222 and the recess 2 are provided.
A predetermined angle maintaining force is formed at the corresponding bending angles of the 12 hole positions. The magnitude of the angle maintaining force is determined by the extension force of the spring 27, the hole diameter of the recess 212, the depth of the hole of the recess 212, and the like. Also, the upper arm 21 where the notch is generated
The angle of refraction is determined by the position of the mutual holes 212, 222 of the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22.

In the stand-type image scanner device constructed as described above, the arm 2 is bendable, and the upper arm 21 is fixed to the notch at the optimum height of the image reading unit 1. The distance between the image reading unit 1 and the original placement surface 31 changes depending on the size of the original 33. To cope with this change, by setting the depth of focus of the image reading unit 1 deep, it is possible to keep the distance change in a general document within an allowable range. The allowable height in this embodiment is about 40 mm. For documents that exceed this allowable height, it is necessary to remove the notch and change the angle of the upper arm 21. When the upper arm 21 is fixed at a position other than the notch position, it can be temporarily held by frictional resistance of the connecting portion, but it can also be fixed firmly by re-tightening the fixture 23.

When the stand-type image scanner device is not used, the upper arm 21 can be further bent or extended so that the height position of the image reading unit 1 can be changed and placed. When reading image data, place the original you want to read under the image reading unit 1.
The upper arm 21 is bent to the notch position of the image reading unit 1 or the position where the notification light 17 lights up in green.

After confirming that the notification light 17 is lit in green, a reading start switch (not shown) is operated. By this switch operation, the image reading unit 1 starts reading the image data of the original 33.

At the start of reading image data, the image reading unit 1 checks whether the illuminance and focus are appropriate.
When the illuminance is insufficient, the illumination device 11 is automatically turned on or the illuminance is increased, and the image data is read. In the case of poor focus, the notification light 17 is turned on by the red flash and the image data is not read. The operator selectively selects and sets the position where the notification light 17 is turned on in green by adjusting the bending of the upper arm 21 or the position of the original 33. Subsequent reading of the image data is similar to the above.

Image reading unit 1 and arm stand 2
The image scanner device of the present embodiment having the above can be used as a stand-type image scanner device when reading an image and as a lighting fixture (so-called desk lamp) when performing general office work.

By having the height fixing means by such a notch, optimum height adjustment becomes easy. When the image is not read, the notch can be removed and the reading unit 1 can be moved to a free position.

Further, the notification lamp 17 is turned on when the reading unit 1 reaches the optimum height, or the light emission intensity is maximized when the reading unit 1 is set at the optimum position, and is gradually increased at other heights. It is also possible to use a procedure such as weakening the light emission intensity.

Although the above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this, and other than the above-described variations, the scope of the present invention is not deviated. Various modifications can be implemented in.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, the stand-type image scanner device of the present invention forms a predetermined image, converts the formed image into an electric signal, and illuminates the predetermined image. , These functional units are integrated. By integrating the main functional parts and simplifying the device, downsizing, downsizing, simplification of handling, improvement of design, and multi-functionality / multi-purpose can be easily achieved. As a result of these achievements, it becomes possible to reduce the cost and increase the needs of a stand-type image scanner device as an office machine, and to expand its applications.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a stand-type image scanner device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view showing a connecting portion of the arm of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the connecting portion of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing a configuration example of a conventional image scanner device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Reading Unit 2 Stand Arm 3 Original Setting Table 11 Illumination Device 13 Image Sensor 14 Lens 15 Reflector 17 Notification 19 Hood 21 Upper Arm 22 Lower Arm 23 Fixing Tool 26 Ball 27 Spring 31 Original Setting Surface 33 Original

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming unit for forming a predetermined image, an image reading unit for converting the image formed by the image forming unit into an electric signal and detecting the electric signal, and an illuminating unit for illuminating the predetermined image. And an image reading unit configured by integrating the image forming unit, the image reading unit, and the illuminating unit, thereby simplifying the configuration of the device. 2. The image scanner apparatus further comprises a stand means, which is configured to hold the image reading unit at a predetermined height with respect to the predetermined image. The image scanner device according to claim 1. 3. The image reading unit further comprises height detection means for detecting the height of the image reading means with respect to the predetermined image, and the height detection means is such that the detected height is the predetermined height. The image scanner device according to claim 2, wherein it is checked whether or not the height is within a predetermined allowable range. 4. The image reading unit further includes notification means for notifying the result of the check, and the notification means notifies whether or not the detected height is within the allowable range. The image scanner device according to claim 3, wherein 5. The illuminating means has illuminance adjusting means for adjusting the illuminance of the predetermined image by the illumination, and the illuminance adjusting means automatically adjusts the illuminance of the image. The image scanner device according to claim 1.