JPH09321950A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress occurrence of the image-omitted areas and to prevent occurrence of failures including the second reading of an original, etc., by detecting the overlapping degree of scan areas and notifying this overlapping degree. SOLUTION: A scanner main body 1 is moved zigzag on an original to read the original image, and an overlapping detection circuit detects every overlapping part of the read original image. Then the pixel data are connected together as a large sheet of image. Under such conditions, a notification means 4 consisting of an LED attached on a side face of the main body 1 notifies the overlapping state between a scan area and the scan area of the original image that is scanned in a reciprocating scan mode as the information on an overlapping degree (size) and also includes ten pilot lamps 4a consisting of the light emitting elements such as IEDs. Then the means 4 controls the number of lamps 4a which emit the light in response to the rate of overlapping scan area value set against the reading area of a certain reading position.

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, and more particularly to an improvement of a hand scanner that manually scans an original by scanning the main body of the scanner to read an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a scanner, which is an apparatus for reading an image of a document or the like using an image sensor and obtaining the image as image data, has a unit in which the image sensor is fixed by placing the document on a reading table. There are used a stationary type that drives the side and a hand type that manually drives (scans) a small scanner body itself equipped with an image sensor with respect to a document. Generally, the stationary type is equipped with a large image sensor and can read a large document, while the hand type is equipped with a small image sensor and is usually used for reading a small image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional hand-type scanner. In the figure, 1001 is a scanner body, and 1 is a scanner body.
002 is a reading head with an image sensor built-in,
Reference numeral 1003 is a roller attached to the reading head and rotating in contact with the original, and 1004 is a line image sensor.

To read an original using the scanner having the above-described structure, as shown in FIG.
01 in hand and read head 10 on manuscript 1000.
This is performed by bringing 02 into contact with each other and moving the original 1000 in a fixed direction. At this time, a pulse is generated from the encoder as the roller 1003 rotates, the position of the image sensor is detected using the pulse, and the position of the image data is calculated based on the detected position. By using this detection mechanism, the position on the coordinate of the image data based on the detected scanning position is calculated and stored in a predetermined address of the image memory to eliminate the influence of camera shake and meandering due to manual scanning. Thus, image data without distortion can be obtained.

By the way, the applicant of the present application has previously filed Japanese Patent Application No. 7-8.
No. 0568, images obtained by reciprocal scanning of the scanner on the document surface by forward scanning and backward scanning are
An application is filed for an image processing apparatus capable of obtaining image data larger than the image data obtained when the scanner is forward scanned by combining the detected original reading positions. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a scanning locus in the original image reading area at that time.
On 0, the scanner body is moved in a zigzag manner as indicated by the arrow to read the original image 1005 on the original 1000. Then, each overlapping portion of the read original image 1005 is detected by using a method such as pattern matching and spliced together, so that one large image can be obtained.

[0006]

The hand-type scanner, which is a conventional image reading device, is configured as described above and can read an original image larger than the reading width of the scanner. When scanning, when the scanner reaches the end of the target reading area of the original image, the angle of the scanner body must be manually changed to change the scanning direction diagonally. The size of the angle to be set needs to be set by the user based on his / her experience according to the reading width of the document. Therefore, as shown by the hatched portion in FIG. Area)), and as a result, problems such as white streaks appearing in the image and the quality of the image are significantly deteriorated. Is, there is a problem that the operability is not good.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when a document image is read by reciprocally scanning an image sensor on a document, a missing image input can be prevented and the operability is excellent. The purpose is to obtain an image reading device.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a scanning area on a document image scanned at the time of the forward scanning of the image reading means and at the time of the backward scanning. Overlap area detection means for detecting the amount of overlap with the scan area on the scanned original image, and the overlap of the scan area on the original image during the forward scan and the backward scan according to the output of the overlap area detection means. And a notifying means for notifying the state.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention has, as the notification means, a plurality of light emitting elements provided in the document reading width direction of the reading means, and has a position corresponding to the overlap scanning area. A device for controlling the lighting of the light emitting element is used.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention, as the notifying means, the overlapping state of the scanning regions at the time of the forward scanning and the time of the backward scanning is numerically displayed using a liquid crystal display device. Is used.

In the invention according to claim 4 of the present invention, as the notification means, a warning sound is generated according to the overlapping state between the forward scanning and the backward scanning, or the forward scanning and the backward scanning are performed. This is one that generates a monitor sound whose sound quality continuously changes according to the overlapping state during scanning.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a scanner that is an image reading device according to a first embodiment. In the figure, 1 is a scanner main body, 2 is an image sensor attached to the bottom surface of the scanner main body 1, 3a and 3b are two rollers installed at both ends of the image sensor 2, and rollers 3a and 3b are provided.
The position of the image sensor 2 on the document is detected from the output of an encoder (not shown) that detects the rotation of b. Reference numeral 4 denotes a notification means formed of an LED mounted on the side surface of the scanner body 1, and the width thereof is substantially the same as the reading width of the image sensor 2 and includes ten display lamps 4a. Since the scanner body having the above-described configuration can be easily operated in any direction, the user should bring the scanner body into contact with the document and reciprocate on the document to manually read and scan in a line shape. The original image having a width larger than the reading width of the image sensor is read.

A method of scanning an original by the scanner which is the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below. First, in FIG. 2A, the image sensor 2
When the pixels at both ends of A are B and A, respectively, the image sensor 2 is reading on the line connecting the points A and B (hereinafter referred to as "reading position AB").

First, the reading position AB is set as a scanning start position, and the original 1000 is linearly scanned up to the reading position CD. At this time, each pixel in the image data obtained by reading the area ABCD surrounded by the four points A, B, C, D is newly added to the image memory in FIG. 4 described later based on the signal output from the encoder. Stored in. Such a scanning area is referred to as a new scanning area.

Next, when the scanning is performed up to the reading position CD, the image sensor 2 is folded back and moved from the reading position CD to the reading position E-F direction, and from the reading position CD to the reading position E-F. Scan up to. At this time, the area DFG surrounded by the three points D, F, and G is a new scanning area, and the area CDEG surrounded by the four points C, D, E, and G is an area where the images are read in duplicate (hereinafter, It is referred to as "overlapping scanning area").

As described above, the scanner body is moved in a zigzag manner over the original to read the original image, and the overlapping portions of the read original images are detected by the overlap detection circuit shown in FIG. By combining the pixel data, one large image can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the circuit configuration of the scanner from reading the original image to obtaining one image. The data of each pixel of the image data obtained by performing the reading scanning as described above is stored in a predetermined address of the image memory 6, but if there is no position error in the read scanning position coordinates, the overlapping scanning area CDE
Even if the read image data of G is overwritten in the image memory, it overlaps with a considerable portion of the new scanning area ABGEC, and at the joint portion of the scanning area CDEG, there is no deviation in the read image in the image memory. It is possible to obtain a clear image. However, when a position error of a size that cannot be ignored occurs at the scanning position, the position deviation correction circuit 7 shown in this figure performs the position deviation correction to prevent the composite deviation of the image caused by the error of the scanning position coordinates. The operation of the position shift correction circuit 7 is almost the same as that of the position shift correction circuit disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 7-80568 previously filed by the applicant of the present application, and the position shift is performed by a method such as pattern matching. Correction is performed.

Next, a notification method by the notification means 4 at the time of reading the original will be described with reference to FIG.
The notifying means 4 gives the overlapping state of the scanning area on the original image scanned during the forward scanning and the scanning area on the original image scanned during the backward scanning as information on the degree (size) of the overlapping amount. For example, it is composed of ten display lamps 4a which are light emitting elements such as LEDs. The notification means 4 is 90% of the reading area at a certain reading position.
If the above is the overlap scanning area, 10 of the display lamps 4a emit light, and if 80% or more and less than 90% thereof is the overlap scanning area, 9 of the display lamps 4a emit light. In addition, the number of display lamps 4a that emit light is controlled according to the ratio of the overlap scanning area amount to the reading area at a certain reading position. The display lamp 4a does not emit light when the overlapping scanning area is less than 10%.

The operation of the notification means 4 will be described in detail below. In FIG. 2B, the display lamp 4a does not emit light because it is a new scanning area from the reading position AB to the reading position CD. Since 60% of the reading area at the reading position HI is an overlapping scanning area, six of the display lamps 4a emit light, and 10% of the reading area at the reading positions EF overlaps the scanning area. Therefore, one of the display lamps 4a emits light.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a scanner for controlling the light emitting state of the display lamp as described above.
Judgment signal 701 output from the overlap area detection circuit 71
With the scanning position coordinates 801 as input, the overlapping area designating circuit 10 determines an overlapping scanning area based on the presence / absence of overlapping of each pixel data, and outputs the determination signal to the driving circuit 11. The drive circuit 11 outputs to the notification means 4 a signal indicating which of the plurality of display lamps 4a should emit light in accordance with the input determination signal. The notification means 4 emits a display lamp to be displayed according to the input signal.

By using the scanner having the structure in which the overlapping area is detected and displayed in real time at the time of operation, reciprocal scanning on the original can be performed in a state where the overlapping scanning area always exists at the time of operation. Therefore, the original image can be read without generating an image missing area.

Next, when the document is read by reciprocally scanning the scanner by the above-mentioned operation, an image missing area is erroneously generated, and the quality of the obtained image is deteriorated as it is. The method will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3A, the scanning operation of the image sensor 2 from the reading position AB to the reading position CD is similar to the above case, and the area ABCD is a new scanning area. Then, when the scanning is performed up to the reading position CD, the image sensor 2 is folded back and moved in the direction from the reading position CD to the reading position LM, and is moved from the reading position CD to the reading position JK. The scanning is performed up to the reading position L-M, but if the change angle of the scanning direction of the scanner body at the reading position C-D is too large for the reading width, the overlapping scanning area is obtained by moving to the reading position L-M. May disappear. That is, since the reading area at the reading position L-M is a new scanning area, the display lamp 4a of the notification means 4 is used.
Does not emit light at all. If the scanning of the scanner body 1 is continued in such a state, an image missing area is generated and the quality of the image is adversely affected.

Therefore, in such a situation as described above, as shown in FIG. 3B, when there is no overlapping scanning area in the reading area at the reading position LM, the display lamp 4a of the notifying means 4 is displayed. Does not emit light at all, the user may move to the reading position LM
It can be seen that if the scanner continues to scan in this state, an image missing area will occur and the image quality will be adversely affected. Therefore, in order to correct the scanning area, the user reverses the moving direction of the scanner body and starts scanning again in the forward scanning direction, and then the two or three display lamps 4a.
Scanning is performed back to the position where the light is emitted (the reading position N-O in this figure), and the scanner body 1 is moved again in the backward scanning direction, that is, the reading position P-Q direction,
The original image 1004 is read by scanning to the reading position P-Q while keeping the display lamp 4a on the area ABCD side lit.

In this way, the user can immediately know the time when the image missing area is generated by the notifying means 4, so that the reading scanning area is corrected so that the image missing area does not occur. Then you can read it.

Although the notification means 4 is provided on the side surface of the scanner body 1, the location of the notification means 4 is not limited to this, and the notification means 4 may be provided at a position where the user can easily confirm. do it.

Although a light emitting element such as an LED is used as the notifying means 4, for example, the ratio of the overlapping amount of the scanning area on the original image scanned during the forward scanning and the backward scanning is determined by the liquid crystal panel or the like. It may be used to display%. In the case of such a configuration, if the ratio of the overlap scanning area amount in the backward scanning to the forward scanning shows a value of, for example, 10% or less, at that point, the scanner is folded back in the same manner as the above operation, and, for example, After scanning back to the position showing the value of 30%, it is folded back in the backward scanning direction again, and correction correction scanning of the original image is performed so that the ratio of the overlapping scanning area does not become 10% or less. By avoiding this, it is possible to avoid deterioration of image quality as a result.

Further, as the notification means 4, when the ratio of the overlapping amount of the scanning areas on the original image scanned during the forward scanning and the backward scanning is less than a predetermined value, a warning sound is emitted using a speaker or the like. When the warning sound is heard, the scanner turns back in the direction opposite to the direction it was scanning up to and returns to the position where the warning sound stops, and then the scanning direction turns back to the opposite direction and the warning sound is emitted. By performing the correction reading scan of the original image without making a noise, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

As the notification means 4 for issuing the warning sound, the volume increases and the sound quality increases as the ratio of the overlapping amount of the scanning areas on the original image scanned during forward scanning and backward scanning decreases. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which, etc., change stepwise.

Further, as the notification means 4, the L
Both the display means such as ED and the audio output device such as a speaker may be used in combination.

[0030]

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the overlapping area for detecting the overlapping amount of the respective scanning areas on the original image scanned during the forward scanning and the backward scanning of the image reading means. Since the detection means and the notification means for notifying the overlapping state of the scanning area on the original image at the time of the forward scanning and the backward scanning in accordance with the output of the overlapping area detecting means, the original at the time of scanning is provided. Since it is possible to perform scanning while confirming which part of the image has already been read, it is difficult for an image missing area to occur, and even if the image missing area occurs, that area can be detected.
By scanning the area again, there is an effect that the image-missing area can be restored to obtain one image, and a failure such as redoing can be prevented at the time of reading the document.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing an image dropout area when a document is read by using the scanner according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a scanning area of the image sensor when the scanner is scanned;
It is a figure for demonstrating the notification method of the notification means at the time of making a scanner scan.

3A and 3B are views for explaining a scanning area of an image sensor and a notification method of a notification unit when an image missing area occurs when an original is read using the scanner according to the above embodiment. It is a figure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the above embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional hand-type scanner.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation image of an image sensor and a scanning area when an image missing area occurs when reading an original by a conventional hand-type scanner.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 scanner body, 2 image sensor, 3a, 3b
Roller, 4 notification means, 4a display lamp, 5 mapping circuit, 6 image memory, 7 misalignment correction circuit, 10 overlapping area designation circuit, 11 driving circuit, 71 overlapping area detection circuit, 72 image correlation circuit 73 correction amount calculation circuit,
74 position correction circuit, 500 high density pixel data, 6
00 bus, 701 determination signal, 702 offset value, 703 position correction amount, 704 correction position coordinate, 80
0 scanning position coordinates, 900 image data, 1000 originals, 1001 scanner body, 1002 reading head, 1003 roller, 1004 line image sensor, 1005 original image.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Akiyuki Naka, 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Atsumi Soga At 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for reading an original image and reciprocating scanning of the image reading unit on the original image, and using the image data read for each scan, 1
In an image reading device for synthesizing one image, an overlap detecting an overlap amount between a scanning area on the original image scanned by the image reading means during the forward scanning and a scanning area on the original image scanned during the backward scanning. An image comprising area detection means, and notification means for notifying the overlapping state of the scanning areas on the original image at the time of the forward scanning and the backward scanning in accordance with the output of the overlapping area detection means. Reader. 2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit has a plurality of light emitting elements provided in a document reading width direction of the reading unit, and emits light at a position corresponding to the overlap scanning region. An image reading apparatus, which controls lighting of an element. 3. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification means uses a liquid crystal display device to determine an overlapping state of the scanning regions during the forward scanning and the backward scanning. An image reading apparatus, which displays numerical values. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification means generates a warning sound according to an overlapping state between the forward scanning and the backward scanning, or the forward scanning and the backward scanning. An image reading apparatus, which generates a monitor sound whose sound quality continuously changes according to an overlapping state with time.