JPH0950507A - Picture reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to quickly read out a required picture without mutually shifting a picture reader and a pointing device between both user's hands by displaying the position of the reader based upon a movement signal related to the moving direction and distance of the reader. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a picture reader (e.g. a handy scanner) 1 for reading out a picture from an original, a track ball 9 for outputting a movement signal related to the moving direction and distance of the reader 1 and a monitor 3b for displaying the position of the reader 1 based upon the movement signal. When the track ball 9 is operated, a movement instruction for a cursor displayed on the monitor 3b connected to a personal computer 3a is outputted, and when a click button 14 is clicked, an instruction output signal for indicating the instruction displayed on the monitor 3b is outputted. Since the track ball 9 and the click button 14 are arranged on a scanner body 1, a user can quickly read out a picture without mutually shifting the picture reader and the pointing device between both the hands.

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 for reading an image on a reflective original or a transparent original.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been an image reading device such as a handy scanner. There was also a pointing device such as a mouse. Pointing devices are used on computer displays to operate computers or peripherals. The user has read an image by the following operation, for example.

The user holds the image reading device with his / her hand and moves it over the document to align the document with the image reading device. After alignment, switch to a pointing device. Then, the cursor on the monitor of the personal computer is moved, the reading software is instructed to select a necessary item, and the reading operation is started to operate the image reading apparatus.

[0004]

However, the image input device and the pointing device must be exchanged each time in order to perform the alignment and the reading work command. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to read an image. In addition, when the holder is changed, the image reading device may be misaligned with respect to the original even if the position is carefully adjusted. Therefore, there is a problem that the image desired by the user cannot be read. Therefore, it is an object of the image reading apparatus of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of reading an image desired by a user in a short time without switching the image reading apparatus and the pointing device.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the image reading apparatus of the invention according to claim 1 is arranged so that the image reading means 5 for reading the image of the original and the external control means 3a are operated. The cursor moving means 9, 11 and 12 for outputting the movement command signal of the cursor 30 displayed on the connected display means 3b and the cursor moving means 9, 11 and 12 which are operated, are displayed on the display means 3b connected to the external control means 3a. The instruction means 14 for outputting an instruction instruction signal for instructing an instruction is provided.

According to the image reading apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the first aspect, the external control means 3a can set the image reading of the image reading means 5, and the instructing means 14 can perform the setting. It was decided to instruct the settings related to image reading. The image reading apparatus according to the invention of claim 3 is
In addition to claim 1, the external control means 3a is the image reading means 5
It is possible to set a scan mode in which an image is read by means of and a preview mode in which an image is read more roughly by the image reading means 5 than in the scan mode. did.

The image reading system according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an image reading device 1 for reading an image on a document, and moving signal output means 9, 11 for outputting a moving signal relating to a moving direction and a moving distance of the image reading device 1. , 12 and display means 3b for displaying the position of the image reading device 1 based on the movement signal.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The outline of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment,
A handy scanner will be given as an example of the image reading apparatus. The handy scanner is composed of a scanner body 1 and an interface box 2.
The scanner body 1 has a weight and size that can be held and moved by a user. The interface box 2 is used by connecting to the personal computer 3a. The scanner body 1 is connected to the interface box 2. The interface box 2 sends an instruction to the scanner body 1 in response to an instruction from the personal computer 3a. Scanner body 1 is interface box 2
Drive by the command from. Also, the scanner body 1 sends the image data to the personal computer 3 through the interface box 2.
Output to a.

Scanning software is used in the personal computer 3a to operate the handy scanner. The user selects the scanning software item displayed on the monitor 3b,
It can be selected by a pointing device described later. The personal computer 3a sends a command to the interface box 2 according to the scanning software. FIG. 2 shows the main configuration of the image reading unit of the scanner body 1.

A document 4 is a document for the scanner body 1 to read an image. The aperture 1a is an opening that defines the readable range of the document 4. The CCD 5 is a monochrome surface sensor, and is for photoelectrically converting the image of the original 4 and outputting image data. The projection lens is an optical system for focusing the light from the original 4 on the CCD 5. The scanner body 1 has three Xe tubes 6 as an illumination unit.
Filters 7a, 7b, and 7c are attached to the Xe tube 6 from the top in the order of red, green, and blue, respectively. The originals 4 are sequentially irradiated with light of three colors by sequentially causing the respective Xe tubes 6 to emit light. Therefore, the image of the original 4 is separated into three colors.

Next, the pointing device attached to the scanner body 1 will be described. The pointing device is composed of a trackball unit and a click button unit. As shown in FIG.
A recess is provided in the upper part of the scanner body 1, and a trackball unit is attached thereto.

Next, the structure of the trackball unit will be described with reference to FIG. The trackball 9 has a spherical shape, and partly projects from the upper surface of the scanner body 1. The amount of protrusion is less than the hemisphere of the trackball 9. The trackball 9 is fastened with a mouthpiece 10 so as not to fall off from the scanner body 1. On the lower hemisphere side of the trackball 9 (inside the scanner body), the holding means 11a and 11b and the displacement reading means 1 are provided.
2 are installed. The holding means 11a and 11b are
It has a cylindrical shape, and rotates according to the movement of the trackball 9. The holding means 11a and 11b are used for the trackball 9
It is attached with a pressure that does not hinder the rotation of the track ball 9 and that follows the rotation of the trackball 9 without slipping. The trackball 9 can rotate in any direction. The displacement reading means 12 uses the trackball 9
The rotation angle, rotation speed, and rotation direction at the time of rotation are read. The displacement reading means 12 reads the rotation of the trackball 9 indirectly from the rotation of the holding means 11a. Alternatively, the displacement reading means 12 may be brought into direct contact with the trackball 9 to read the rotation. This displacement reading means 12
Sends a trackball rotation signal to the interface box 2. Therefore, when the user rotates the trackball 9, the displacement reading means 12 transmits the trackball rotation signal to the interface box 2. The interface box 2 sends this trackball rotation signal to the personal computer 3a. The personal computer 3a uses the monitor 3 as shown in FIG. 4 based on the trackball rotation signal.
The movement amount, speed and direction of the cursor 30 on b are calculated. Then, the cursor 30 on the monitor 3b is displayed based on the calculation result. That is, the user can move the cursor 30 on the monitor 3b by moving the trackball 9.

A click button 14 is provided near the trackball unit. Click button 14
Is an input unit for selecting a menu displayed on the monitor 3b and for instructing a command to be executed. When the user presses the click button 14, the signal is transmitted to the interface box 2 and is transmitted to the personal computer 3a. Use the trackball 9 to move the cursor on the monitor 3b,
When the user clicks the click button 14 on the selected portion, a menu or the like on the monitor 3b can be selected.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, document reading will be briefly described. The user aligns the desired portion of the original 4 placed on a flat surface such as a desk with the reading range on the lower surface of the scanner body 1. In the image reading apparatus of the first embodiment, the scanner main body 1 is not moved and the document is read while being placed on the document 4.

Then, the scanning software is started on the personal computer 3a. Then, the screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the monitor 3b. The user moves the trackball 9 and places the cursor 30 on the preview button 31.
When the click button 14 is operated while the cursor 30 is over the preview button 31, a preview command is sent from the personal computer 3a to the interface box 2. Further, the interface box 2 sends a preview command to the scanner body 1. 3 Xe tubes 6
It emits light once in order of red, green, and blue. Since the red, green, and blue emission intervals are short during the preview, the image can be read in a shorter time than the scan described later. Further, since the image is roughly read during the preview, the amount of image data is small, and the personal computer 3a can perform image processing in a shorter time than during scanning. The 45-degree mirror 16 reflects the reflected light from the original 4 of each color. The projection lens 17 forms an image of the reflected light on the CCD 5. CCD5 is C
It is connected to the CD substrate 18, and the reflected light that has formed an image is read as image data. That is, the three images to be read are separated into three colors of red, green and blue. The read three image data are output from the CCD substrate 18 to the interface box 2. Further, the interface box 2 sends the image data of three colors to the personal computer 3a. By superimposing the three image data on the personal computer 3a, the read image can be displayed in color on the monitor 3b.

When the preview image is read, a display as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor 3b. The user can make various settings for image reading on this screen. For example, when the click button 14 is operated while the trackball 9 is operated and the cursor 30 is placed on the mode button 33, the reading mode is switched each time the click button 14 is operated. The reading modes are color, monochrome, and gray scale, and each time it is clicked, it switches to the next mode.

The resolution setting button 34 is a button for setting the image reading resolution. When the click button 14 is operated in the state where the cursor 30 is over the resolution setting button 34a, the set resolution is lowered. When the click button 14 is operated while the cursor 30 is over the resolution setting button 34b, the set resolution is increased. The user can set a desired resolution by clicking the resolution setting button 34.

The selection range frame 35 is a frame for designating a range to be scanned. The selection range frame 35 can be changed by operating the click button 14 and the trackball. When the click button 14 is pressed while the cursor 30 is over the selection range frame 35, the selection range frame 35 is grasped. When the trackball 9 is moved in that state, the size of the selection range frame 35 changes in synchronization with the movement of the trackball. In accordance with the change in the size of the selection range frame 35, the unit (cm, inch) of the specified range selection width, height, capacity, or selection range length is displayed on the monitor 3b.

The density button 36 is a button for setting the image reading density. When the click button 14 is operated while the cursor 30 is over the density setting button 36a, the set density becomes low. Density setting button 36
Click button 1 with cursor 30 over b
When 4 is operated, the set density becomes high. The contrast button 37 is a button for setting the image reading contrast. When the click button 14 is operated in the state where the cursor 30 is over the contrast setting button 37a, the set contrast becomes low. With the cursor 30 over the contrast setting button 37b,
When the click button 14 is operated, the set contrast becomes high.

When the click button 14 is operated while the cursor 30 is over the scan button 32 at the stage where the various settings are completed, the personal computer 3a outputs a scan start command to the scanner body 1. Alternatively, when the scan button 8 is operated, scanning is started. The three Xe tubes 6 sequentially emit light once in the order of red, green, and blue. 45
The degree mirror 16 reflects the reflected light from the original 4 of each color onto the projection lens 17. The projection lens 17 forms an image of the reflected light on the CCD 5. The CCD 5 is connected to the CCD substrate 18 and takes in the reflected light that has formed an image as image data. The captured three image data are stored in the CCD substrate 18
Is output to the interface box 2. Further, the interface box 2 sends the image data of three colors to the personal computer 3a. The personal computer 3a displays the image read based on the setting at the time of preview on the monitor 3b.

Since the scanner body 1 has the pointing device as described above, the user does not need to switch the scanner body 1 and the pointing device such as the mouse from the preview to the scanning. Therefore, after making a preview, while making various settings, the scanner body 1 and the original 4
It is possible to prevent the slippage. Especially when reading an image of a book, the scanner main body 1 is likely to be displaced from the original because the pages of the book are about to be turned up, but there is no risk of misalignment because the scanner main body 1 can be operated while being held down. Therefore, the user can read the desired image.

The arrangement of the three-color filters 7a to 7c and the light emission order of the three Xe tubes 6 are not limited to the above. Alternatively, only one Xe tube 6 may be arranged to read an image in black and white. The start of scanning can also be instructed by pressing the scan button 8 on the upper surface of the scanner body 1. The selection of which one of the personal computer 3a and the scan button 8 is used to instruct the scan start can be set by using the scanning software.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the trackball 9 and the click button 14 are arranged close to each other on the upper surface of the scanner body 1, but the following arrangement may be adopted. . Instead of newly installing the click button 14 as shown in FIG. 6, the scan button 8a of the scanner body 1 may also be used as the click button. The changeover switch 15 is a switch for switching between the scan button function and the click button function. When the scan button is switched by the changeover switch 15, the red LED built in the changeover switch 15 lights up to notify the user.

The change-over switch 15 may not be provided in the scanner body 1 but may be changed over by scanning software. In the case of the apparatus of FIG. 6, since the changeover switch 15 is smaller than the click button and the scan button, the space on the scanner body can be saved. Further, when the user operates the personal computer 3a with the pointing device, the user does not accidentally perform the scan operation.

As shown in FIG. 7, click button 1
Two 4 may be arranged. FIG. 7 shows an example in which two or more click buttons 14 are arranged near the trackball 9 on the upper surface of the scanner body 1. One of the two buttons can be set as a normal click button, and the other as a double click button or a drag button. This setting can be selected by the user on the scanning software by using the personal computer 3a.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the click button 1
4 may be arranged near the scan button 8 of the scanner body 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the trackball 9 may be attached to the side surface portion of the scanner body 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the scan button 8 and the pointing device may be arranged on different surfaces. By doing so, when the user is operating the personal computer 3a with the pointing device, the user will not accidentally perform the scan operation. In addition, since the user can support the scanner main body 1 with two surfaces even during the operation, the positional deviation is reduced.

Further, the pointing function may be used on the personal computer 3a without launching the scanning software. By doing so, even when the scanner is not used, it can be used as a normal pointing device such as a mouse. The trackball 9 does not necessarily have to be used as the pointing mechanism. For example, a stick, a track point, or a pad that can move the cursor by touching with a finger may be used instead of the track ball 9.

11 and 12 are views showing the outline of the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the scanner body 1
A recess is provided in the lower surface of the and the trackball unit is attached. The method of holding the trackball 9 and the method of sensing the rotation angle, direction and speed are the same as those in the first embodiment. The displacement reading means 12 reads the rotation speed, the rotation angle, and the rotation direction of the trackball 9 indirectly or directly.
However, unlike the case of the first embodiment, the protrusion amount of the trackball 9 from the lower surface of the scanner body is equal to or more than that of the convex portion 1b on the lower surface of the scanner body. The convex portion 1b is attached to stabilize the scanner body 1 on the desk.
However, when the scanner body 1 is placed on a flat surface such as a desk, the trackball 9 must be in contact with the flat surface. The trackball 9 is attached so that the trackball 9 follows and rotates even if the user slides the scanner body 1 in any direction while holding the scanner body 1 by hand on the desk. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the click button 14 is arranged on the upper surface of the scanner body. When the user presses the click button 14, the signal is transmitted to the interface box 2 and is transmitted to the personal computer 3a.

If the user holds it by hand on a flat surface such as a desk and slides the scanner body 1, the trackball 9 rotates due to friction with the flat surface. The displacement reading means 12 senses the rotation angle, rotation speed, and rotation direction,
It is transmitted to the personal computer 3a via the interface box 2. The cursor on the monitor 3b is moved in synchronization with the signal. By pressing the click button 14, the selection operation on the monitor 3b can be performed. In this way, it can be used in exactly the same way as a commercially available mouse.

However, when the scanning operation is performed, the scanner body 1 is moved for alignment. At this time, the trackball 9 also rotates and the cursor on the monitor 3b also moves. If the changeover switch 13 is attached to the scanner body 1, it becomes possible to change whether or not the cursor of the monitor 3b is moved by the rotation of the trackball 9.

The rotation signal of the trackball 9 is always transmitted to the personal computer 3a regardless of the changeover of the changeover switch 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the movement amount of the trackball 9 may be displayed on the monitor 3b as numerical values of X and Y coordinates based on this signal. This display allows the user to know the amount of movement of the scanner body 1 and serves as a reference for reading alignment. By selecting the reset button 19 in FIG. 4, the position of the trackball 9 at that time can be set as the origin.
Further, the display unit of the movement amount can be selected by the display unit setting button 20. Although the display is in mm in FIG. 4, it is of course possible to change the display to cm or inch.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15. The trackball 9 and the click button 14 can be detached from the scanner body 1 as a trackball unit 21 and a click button unit 23, respectively. Commands from the trackball unit 21 and the click button unit 23 are transmitted to the scanner body 1 via the connection terminal male 22 and the connection terminal female 26. Scanner body 1
Is transmitted to the interface box 2. Although the connection terminal male 22 has four pins in the drawing, the number of pins may be increased as necessary.

The trackball unit 21 and the click button unit 23 are attached to the attachment portion 24 of the scanner body 1. By providing a plurality of mounting portions 24 as shown in FIG. 15, the trackball unit 21 and the click button unit 23 can be replaced depending on the user's preference, the direction of the scanner body 1 when used, and the like.
For example, when the user is a right-handed person, the trackball unit 22 is attached to the upper surface of the scanner body and the click button unit 23 is attached to the left side surface. As a result, it is possible to move the trackball 9 while holding the scanner body 1 with the right hand and operate the click button 14 with the left hand. Further, if the trackball unit 21 and the click button unit 23 have the same shape, it is not necessary to divide the mounting portion into two kinds, that is, the trackball and the click button. By making the shapes the same, the degree of freedom of the replacement position is increased.

Further, in both the trackball unit 21 and the click button unit 23, the pins of the connection terminal male 22 are at positions displaced from the center. The position of the connection terminal female 26 also corresponds to the connection terminal male 22. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connection terminal male 22 and the connection terminal female 26 from being incorrectly connected. By attaching the lid 25 to the attachment portion that is not used, it also protects the connection terminal, and it is easy to hold by hand and does not spoil the appearance.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, since the cursor moving means and the pointing means are arranged in the image reading device, the user needs to switch between the image reading device and the pointing device. Without, you can read the image quickly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a scanner body according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a trackball unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display on a monitor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display on a monitor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a scanner body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a scanner body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a scanner body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a scanner body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a scanner body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a scanner body according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a scanner body according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a trackball unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a click button unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an appearance of a scanner body according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Scanner Main Body 2 Interface Box 3a Personal Computer 3b Monitor 4 Original 5 CCD 6 Xe Tube 7a Red Filter 7b Green Filter 7c Blue Filter 8 Scan Button 9 Trackball 10 Tracker 11a Holding Means 11b Holding Means 12 Displacement Reading Means 13 Change Switch 14 Click Button 15 Changeover switch 16 45 degree mirror 17 Projection lens 18 CCD board 19 Reset button 20 Display unit setting button 21 Trackball unit 22 Connection terminal male 23 Click button unit 24 Mounting part 25 Lid 26 Connection terminal female 30 Cursor 31 Preview button 32 Scan Button 33 Mode button 34 Resolution setting button 35 Selection range frame 36 Density setting button 37 Contrast setting button

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location H04N 1/387 H04N 5/44 A 5/44 1/04 A

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image reading means for reading an image of a document, and a cursor moving means for operating to output a cursor movement command signal displayed on a display means connected to an external control means. Accordingly, the image reading apparatus includes: an instruction unit that outputs a command instruction signal that instructs a command displayed on the display unit, which is connected to the external control unit. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the external control means is capable of setting the image reading of the image reading means, and the instructing means is instructing the setting of the image reading. Reader. 3. The external control means can set a scan mode for reading an image by the image reading means and a preview mode for reading an image roughly by the image reading means as compared with the scan mode, and the instructing means The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction to set the scan mode or an instruction to set the preview mode is issued. 4. An image reading device for reading an image of a document, a movement signal output means for outputting a movement signal relating to a moving direction and a moving distance of the image reading device, and a position of the image reading device based on the movement signal. An image reading system having a display unit for displaying.