JPH10136166A - Image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost of the device through simplified components and miniaturization of the device that reads a reflection original and a transparent original. SOLUTION: In this device, a transparent original holder 12 with negative film loaded thereto or a photo print is carried by the same carrier system and a CCd line sensor 1 picks up an image of the negative film or the photo print. The carrying system is provided with drive rollers 5A(5A), 5B(5B) driven by a motor 11 and pinch rollers 6A(6A), 6B(6B) opposed to the rollers 5A(5A), 5B(5B) and the pinch rollers 6A, 6B are energized by springs and freely retracted. Thus, the transparent, original holder 12 and the photo print whose thickness differ from each other are carried while being nipped between the drive rollers 5A(5A), 5B(5B) and the pinch rollers 6A(6A), 6B(6B). Furthermore, in the case of picking up an image of an original, a reflection/transparent discrimination sensor 15 senses the position of the pinch roller 6A to senses the thickness of the original. Thus, whether the original is the negative film or the photo print is discriminated and the setting of the optical system is properly switched.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input apparatus, and more particularly, to a reflection document or a transmission document which is conveyed on the same conveyance path, and the reflection or transmission document is imaged by the same image pickup means to input an image. To an image input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an apparatus which captures a reflection document or a transmission document by a line sensor and inputs an image of the document. JP-A-7-23180 has a first optical system for reading a reflection original and a second optical system for reading a transmission original, and these first and second optical systems are merged to form the same line. An image reading device that reads a reflection document and a transmission document using a sensor is described. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
JP-A-107275 has a document table on which a reflective document or a transparent document is placed, and moves an illumination lamp for illuminating the document placed on the document table and a line sensor for imaging the document. And an image scanner device that reads an image.

[0003]

However, the image reading apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-23180 is
The reflection original and the transmission original are placed at dedicated reading positions, respectively. When reading the reflection original, the first optical system including the line sensor is scanned. When reading the transmission original, the transmission original is scanned. For this reason, there is a problem that the driving mechanism for reading the image of the reflection document and the image of the transmission document are greatly different, the number of parts is increased, and the structure is complicated and large.

The image scanner described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-107275 discloses an optical system including an illumination lamp for illuminating a document and a line sensor.
There is a problem that the structure is complicated and large. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an image input device for reading a reflective original and a transparent original, which reduces costs by simplifying components and reducing the size of the device. With the goal.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides one transporting means for transporting a reflective original and a transmissive original having a different form from the reflective original, and an image light incident on a light receiving surface. A line sensor that outputs a corresponding electric signal, and a first line sensor that illuminates a reflection original conveyed by the conveyance unit and forms an image light reflected on the reflection original on a light receiving surface of the line sensor. An optical system, a second optical system that illuminates the transparent original conveyed by the transporting unit, and forms an image light transmitted through the transparent original on a light receiving surface of the line sensor, and is transported by the transporting unit. Document discriminating means for discriminating whether the document is a reflective document or a transmissive document, and, when the document discriminating means determines that the document is a reflective document, the image light imaged by the first optical system to the line sensor Is incident, when it is determined that the transparent original by said original determination means is characterized in that it consists of a switching means for entering the imaged image light on the line sensor by the second optical system.

According to the present invention, a reflection original and a transparent original having a different form from the reflection original are conveyed by one conveying means. Then, the images of the reflection original and the transmission original are imaged by the first and second optical systems, and read by one line sensor. At that time, the document discriminating means discriminates whether the document conveyed by the conveying means is a reflection document or a transmissive document. If the document is discriminated as a reflection document, the image light formed by the first optical system is detected by a line sensor. And if it is determined that the original is a transmissive original, the image light formed by the second optical system is incident on the line sensor.

[0007] This makes it possible to input images of these originals by one line sensor while transporting the reflective original and the transmissive original by one transport means, thereby simplifying the components and miniaturizing the apparatus. Can be achieved.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image input device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image input device according to the present invention is connected to, for example, an image processing device such as a personal computer, a printer, or the like, inputs an image of a transparent document or a reflective document, and outputs image data obtained thereby to the image processing device, the printer, or the like. To transfer.

The following image input apparatus is described as an apparatus for reading a negative image of a 35 mm negative film as a transparent original and for reading a photograph (photograph print) printed on L-size photographic paper as a reflective original. . When inputting an image of a negative film in the image input device, the negative film is loaded into the dedicated transparent original holder 12 shown in FIG. 1 (for example, the developed negative film cut into six frames is used to insert the transparent negative holder). 12) Insert into the image input device. The transparent document holder 12 is made of an opaque member, and is provided with a window 2 on the opposite side according to the arrangement of each frame image of the negative film.
0, 20,... Are provided. Then, a negative film is loaded in accordance with each frame image in accordance with each of these windows 20, 20,. Further, frame detection holes 18, 18,... Are formed at a predetermined distance from the tip of each window 20. The apparatus controls the timing of reading the frame image of each window 20 by detecting the frame detection holes 18, 18,.... Instead of the frame detection holes 18, 18,..., The frame position may be specified by a detectable member such as a reflection sheet.

[0010] As shown in the figure, a rack 19 is provided above the transparent document holder 12. Although the rack 19 can reliably transport the transparent document holder 12 by a pinion, it is not always necessary to use the rack 19. FIG. 2 is an external view showing an embodiment of the image input device according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG.
0A and a transparent document holder 12 loaded with a negative film or an L-size photographic print is inserted into the insertion port 30A.
And input the image of the negative film or photo print. Then, the obtained image data is transferred to an image processing device such as a personal computer by a cable 55.
To transfer through.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are a top perspective view and a side perspective view showing the structure of the image input device according to the present invention. As shown in these figures, the image input device includes a transport unit that transports a transparent original (negative film) or a reflective original (photo print) inserted from the insertion slot 30A to a photographing position, and a document transported to the photographing position. And an imaging unit for photographing. The transport unit has drive rollers 5A, 5A, 5B, and 5B at the upper part of the transport path for transporting the original inserted from the insertion port 30A to and from the imaging unit, and the drive rollers 5A, 5A, and 5B.
B, 5B, a pinch roller 6 is provided at the lower part of the conveyance path.
A, 6A, 6B and 6B are provided. And these pinch rollers 6A, 6A, 6B, 6B are spring 7A,
It is urged upward by 7A, 7B, 7B. As a result, the transparent document holder 12 and the photographic print 13 having different thicknesses can be reliably fixed to the drive rollers 5A, 5A, 5B, 5D.
B and pinch rollers 6A, 6A, 6B, 6B.

The driving rollers 5A, 5A, 5B and 5B
The rotating shafts 32A and 32B are fixed to the rotating shafts 32A and 32B.
Gears 34A and 34B are fixed to A and 32B. Gear 3
The gear 4A and the gear 34B are connected to a drive gear train 10 via gears 35A and 35B, respectively. The drive gear train 10 is connected to a gear 11A fixed to a rotating shaft of the motor 11. Thus, when the motor 11 rotates, the driving rollers 5A, 5A, 5B, and 5B rotate in the same direction at the same speed. The drive gear train 10 reduces the rotation of the motor 11 and transmits the rotation to the drive rollers 5A, 5A, 5B, and 5B.

The driving roller 5A and the driving roller 5
Document guides 17, 17, 17 are provided at the upper part of the conveyance path between B, and springs 7C, 7C, 7
P pinch rollers 6C, 6 urged upward by C
C and 6C are provided at the lower part of the transport path. Thereby, the flatness of the imaging surface of the photographic print 13 is improved. The imaging unit has a CCD line sensor 1 and sequentially forms image light of one line of a document traveling on a transport path on the CCD line sensor 1 by a lens 2. In the case of a negative film,
The image light illuminated by the transmissive document lamp 9 provided between the pinch rollers 6A and 6B at the lower portion of the transport path and transmitted through the negative film passes through the mirror 3 provided at the upper portion of the transport path.
And enters the CCD line sensor 1 via the lens 2.

On the other hand, in the case of photographic printing, the image light reflected by the photographic print is illuminated by the reflecting document lamp 8 provided between the driving rollers 5A and 5B at the upper portion of the transport path. The light is reflected by the mirrors 4A and 4B, and enters the CCD line sensor 1 via the lens 2. When taking a picture print, the mirror 3 is rotated (or moved) by a drive mechanism (not shown) from the state shown in FIG. 4 and retracts from the optical path through which the image light of the picture print is guided.

Since a photographic print as a reflection original has a larger image size than a negative film as a transmission original,
The photographing optical path is switched such that the optical path length of the photographic print is configured to be longer than the optical path length of the negative film so that the image can be read in the imaging area of the CCD line sensor 1 (so that the imaging size is equal to the negative film). I have. For this reason, the position of the lens 2 is switched at the time of photographing the negative film and the photographic print, and the focus is adjusted.

On the other hand, when reading an image, it is necessary to set the same resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. The optical system is switched according to the type of the original, and a predetermined original area is imaged on the CCD line sensor 1. Therefore, the resolution in the main scanning direction is determined by the optical magnification and the resolution of the CCD line sensor 1. Here, if the sub-scanning is always performed at a constant speed regardless of the type of the original, the resolution in the sub-scanning direction differs by the ratio of the optical magnification.
The document conveying speed (sub-scanning speed) is changed in accordance with the type of the document, that is, the optical magnification, without changing the readout timing of the CCD line sensor 1 so that the resolution in the main scanning direction matches the resolution in the sub-scanning direction on the document. I have.

By the way, various sensors are attached to each position of the image input device. These sensors will be described with reference to the circuit configuration diagram of FIG.
A document detection sensor 14 is provided at 0A. The document detection sensor 14 is, for example, a photo interrupter, and detects insertion of a document by detecting an end of the document. The detection result of the document detection sensor 14 is output to the CPU 50. When the CPU 50 detects that the document has been inserted by the document detection sensor 14, the CPU 11 rotates the motor 11 to rotate the driving rollers 5A, 5A, 5B, and 5B. The original is transported inside.

A reflection / transmission determining sensor 15 is mounted on the pinch roller 6A. The reflection / transmission determining sensor 15 detects the position of the pinch roller 6A to detect the thickness of the document, and determines whether the inserted document is a negative film or a photo print. That is, when the thickness of the original is larger than the predetermined value, it is determined that the original is a negative film loaded in the transparent original holder 12, and when it is smaller than the predetermined value, it is determined that the original is a photo print.

The detection result of the reflection / transmission discrimination sensor 15 is output to the CPU 50. When the inserted document is recognized as a negative film, the CPU turns on the transmission document lamp 9 and moves the mirror 3 as shown in FIG. Is set so that the image light of the negative film is reflected in the direction of the CCD line sensor 1. Further, the position of the lens 2 is switched to the focus position at the time of imaging of the negative film, and the image light illuminated by the transparent original lamp 9 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 1.

On the other hand, when the inserted document is recognized as a photographic print, the reflecting document lamp 8 is turned on and the mirror 3 is retracted from the optical path. Further, the position of the lens 2 is switched to the focus position at the time of photographing a photographic print, and the image light illuminated by the reflecting document lamp 8 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a reading timing sensor 16 is provided near the pinch roller 6A at the lower portion of the transport path. The reading timing sensor 16 is, for example, a photo interrupter, and adjusts the timing of reading an image. When the inserted document is a negative film, the CPU 50 shown in FIG. 5 detects the frame detecting hole 18 provided in the transparent document holder 12 by the reading timing sensor 16. When a predetermined time (a length determined from the leading edge of the window frame 20 to the frame detection hole 18 and a time determined from the image reading position and the reading timing sensor 16 and the conveyance speed) elapses after the detection of the frame detection hole 18, the CCD line is detected. Image reading by the sensor 1 is started. When the time for reading one frame image has elapsed, the image reading is terminated.

On the other hand, when the inserted document is a photo print, the reading timing sensor 16 detects the front end of the photo print. When the front end of the photo print is detected, the image reading by the CCD line sensor 1 is started, and when the time for reading the image of the photo print elapses, the image reading is ended. As shown in FIG. 5, image data read by the CCD line sensor 1 is recorded in a frame memory 54 after various image signal processing is performed by an image signal processing circuit 52.
The image data recorded in the frame memory 54 is transferred by a data transfer circuit 56 to an external image processing device or the like.

Next, the operation of the image input device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a document is inserted from the insertion port 30A of the image input device (step S
10), the CPU 50 detects the insertion of the document by the document detection sensor 14 provided in the insertion slot 30A (step S12), and starts the rotation of the motor 11 (step S14). Then, the original is driven by the driving rollers 5A, 5A.
And the pinch rollers 6A, 6A, the reflection / transmission determination sensor 15 determines the type of the original. That is, it is determined whether the inserted original is a transparent original (negative film) or a reflective original (photo print) (step S1).
6).

When the type of the original is determined by the reflection / transmission determining sensor 15, the CPU 50 switches the lamps to be turned on (the transparent original lamp 9 and the reflective original lamp 8) based on the determined type, and the state of the mirror 3 (non-evacuated and retracted). ), Focus of the lens 2 (focus (short-distance shooting) when shooting a transparent original, focus (long-distance shooting) when shooting a reflective original), and transport speed (transport speed when shooting a transparent original) (Low speed), transport speed (high speed) when shooting reflective originals)
And the image reading timing (the reading timing based on the detection of the frame detection hole 18 of the transparent document holder 12 and the reading timing based on the detection of the leading edge of the document) are switched (step S18).

When the original is conveyed by the drive rollers 5A and 5A, the leading edge of the original or the frame detecting hole 18 of the transparent original holder 12 is detected by the reading timing sensor 16. That is, when the original is a transparent original (negative film), the CPU 50 detects the frame detection hole 18 of the transparent original holder 12 by the reading timing sensor 16, and when the original is a reflective original (photo print), the CPU 50 detects the leading end of the original. Detect (Step S20) The CPU 50 starts reading an image by the CCD line sensor 1 based on the timing signal output from the reading timing sensor 16 (Step S20).
22). Then, when the reading time for one image has elapsed, the reading of the image ends (step S24). When reading a frame image of a negative film, the CPU 50
Reads a plurality of images by accessing a desired frame according to an external operation or a program.

When the image reading is completed, the motor 1
1 is rotated to discharge the document from the discharge port 30B (see FIG. 4). As described above, in the above embodiment, the optical paths until the images are formed on the transmission original and the reflection original with different lengths so that the sizes of the images obtained by imaging the transmission original and the reflection original are equal. The configuration is not limited to this, and the size of the image may be adjusted by switching the focal length of the lens 2 using a zoom lens or a bifocal switching lens as the lens 2. In this case, the image light of the transmission original and the reflection original can be imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 1 by one optical path.

FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure in this case. As shown in the figure, the procedure of step S38 is different from the above embodiment. In step S38, the lamps to be turned on (transparent original lamp and reflective original lamp) are switched, the lens magnification (magnification (large magnification at the time of photographing the transparent original, large reflection), and reflection) depending on the type of the original between the transparent original and the reflective original. Switching of magnification (small magnification) when shooting a document, focus adjustment, switching of transport speed (transport speed (low speed) when shooting a transparent document, transport speed (high speed) when shooting a reflective document), image reading The timing (reading timing based on detection of the frame detection hole 18 of the transparent document holder 12 and reading timing based on detection of the leading edge of the document) is switched.

Further, in the above embodiment, the transparent original holder 12 is transported by the driving roller. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the transparent original holder 12 may be transported by the rack 19 of the transparent original holder 12. . For example,
A pinion is provided on the drive rollers 5A and 5B shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in accordance with the position where the rack 19 passes (see FIG. 9), and the pinion is engaged with the rack 19 to transport the transparent document holder 12. You may do so. In this case, by setting the roller diameter outside the transparent document holder 12 (in a range where the transparent document holder 12 does not contact) larger than the pinion, the reflection document can be conveyed on the roller surface.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which images of a transparent original and a reflective original (a 35 mm negative film and an L-size photo print) of a prescribed size are input. It is not limited to this. For example, the size of the document may be arbitrarily set. In this case, the optical path length to the CCD line sensor or the lens magnification, the document conveyance speed, and the like are switched according to the size.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the thickness of the original is used to determine whether the inserted original is a reflection original or a transparent original. However, the present invention is not limited to this. (Light transmittance) or the like may be used.

[0030]

As described above, according to the image input apparatus of the present invention, a reflection original and a transmission original having a different form from the reflection original are conveyed by one conveying means, and the reflection original and the transmission original are transmitted. An image is formed by the first and second optical systems and read by one line sensor. At that time, the document discriminating means discriminates whether the document conveyed by the conveying means is a reflective document or a transmissive document, and if it is determined that the document is a reflective document, the image light formed by the first optical system is sent to a line sensor. And if it is determined that the original is a transmissive original, the image light formed by the second optical system is incident on the line sensor.

This makes it possible for a single line sensor to input images of these originals while transporting the reflective original and the transmissive original by one transport means, thereby simplifying and miniaturizing the components of the apparatus. Can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a transparent document holder 12 for loading a negative film.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing the structure of the image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view showing the structure of the image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram of an image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of another embodiment of the image input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a driving roller when the transparent original holder is transported by a pinion and a rack;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CCD line sensor 2 ... Lens 3 ... Mirror 4A, 4B ... Mirror 5A, 5B ... Drive roller 6A, 6B ... Pinch roller 8 ... Reflection original lamp 9 ... Transparent original lamp 10 ... Drive gear train 11 ... Motor 12 ... Transparent document holder 14 Document detection sensor 15 Reflection / transmission detection sensor 18 Frame detection hole

Claims (6)

[Claims] A transport unit for transporting a reflective original and a transparent original having a different form from the reflective original; a line sensor for outputting an electric signal corresponding to image light incident on a light receiving surface; A first optical system that illuminates a reflection original conveyed by the means and forms image light reflected on the reflection original on a light receiving surface of the line sensor; and illuminates a transmission original conveyed by the conveyance unit. A second optical system that forms an image on the light-receiving surface of the line sensor with image light transmitted through the transmissive document; and a document discriminating unit that discriminates whether the document conveyed by the conveying unit is a reflective document or a transmissive document. When the document is determined to be a reflection document by the document determination unit,
The image light formed by the first optical system is made incident on the line sensor, and when the document is determined to be a transparent document by the document determining means, the image light formed by the second optical system is converted to the image light by the second optical system. An image input device, comprising: switching means for causing light to enter a line sensor. 2. The image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transparent original is a developed photographic film, and said conveying means conveys a holder on which said photographic film is mounted. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying unit is urged in the direction of the driving roller so as to press a reflection original or the holder against the driving roller rotated by a driving motor. 3. The image input device according to claim 2, further comprising a pinch roller that moves forward and backward in response to the command. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying unit conveys the holder by a pinion that meshes with a rack provided in the holder, and conveys the reflective original out of the range of the holder when conveying the reflective original. 3. The image input device according to claim 2, wherein the sheet is conveyed by a driving roller provided such that a contact surface protrudes from the rack. 5. The image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said document discriminating means discriminates whether the document is a reflection document or a transmission document based on at least one of the width and thickness of the document. 6. According to the magnification of the first and second optical systems,
2. The image input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is read by switching a transport speed of the transport unit.