JPH11313193A - Image scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an stand type image scanner with high flexibility and utilization efficiency. SOLUTION: This stand type image scanner for reading image data from the upper part of an original 33 is constituted of an image read unit 1, a stand arm 2 and an original installation base 3. The image read unit 1 is provided with an illumination device 11, an image sensor 13, a lens 14, a reflection mirror 15, a notification lamp 17 and a hood 19 and integrally constituted, the propriety of a height position from the original 33 is notified by the lighting of the notification lamp 17 and illuminance is automatically adjusted by the illumination device 11. The stand arm 2 is provided with a notch mechanism capable of holding the image read unit 1 at a prescribed bent angle by two upper and lower arms 21 and 22 and the fixing tool 23 of a connection part. The image read unit of an electric stand type is easily folded, housed and unfolded by the bend 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.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an indirect image scanner generally employs a method in which a document is placed on a dedicated table and the document is read from a position tens of centimeters above. This camera-type image scanner device that reads indirectly has a characteristic that it can easily read an image on the front surface even if the document is a thick book or a plate-shaped rigid body. In addition, since the image is read from the upper surface, the reading range can be specified and the position of the original can be easily set by visual observation.

FIG. 4 shows a typical configuration example of a conventional image scanner device. The conventional image scanner device includes a document table 117 on which a reading range frame 116 is drawn, an illuminator 115 for illuminating the document table 117, and a reading mechanism including a lens 107, a reflecting mirror 114, and an image sensor 106. You.

To read an image, an image sensor 106 is used.
Requires a scanning mechanism when using a line type. In order to read a document with the image scanner having this structure, it is necessary to hold the image sensor 106 at a predetermined distance from the document table 117 for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is determined by the sensitivity of the image sensor 106, the brightness of the illumination, the required resolution, and the like, 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. Further, the image sensor 1
When the sensitivity is low and the reading time is short, a dedicated lighting device 115 is required.

A procedure for reading a document using a conventional image scanner device is as follows. A document is placed in a predetermined reading range frame 116 on a document table 117 and reading is started.
The document is kept stationary until the image sensor 106 finishes reading. When the reading is completed, the original is removed and a series of operations is completed.

[0006] Specific examples of the above image scanner apparatus 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-described conventional image scanner is a device for reading image data only and cannot be used for other purposes. In addition, an image scanner device that occupies a larger space portion becomes large in size as a whole, and requires a dedicated place for installing the document table 117 on a desk. Further, a step is generated between the document table 117 of the image scanner device and the office desk or the like placed adjacent thereto, and the image reading unit attached to the stand is located around the user's head, and the unit is moved. It is in the way because it cannot be done. Further, when the dedicated lighting fixture 115 is provided, there is a problem that the lighting device and its stand arm are in the way.

Such a configuration of the image scanner apparatus reduces the flexibility and flexibility of the apparatus. In recent years, offices demand a comprehensive work environment and work efficiency, and office equipment installed in an office room must be compatible with other office equipment installed adjacently. As described above, image scanners have potentially convenient functions, but the rigidity of the configuration as office equipment hinders dissolution into the office environment, reducing work efficiency and utilization efficiency Let me.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image scanner device with high flexibility and high use efficiency.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an image scanner according to the present invention comprises an image forming means for forming a predetermined image, and the image formed by the image forming means is converted into an electric signal. An image reading unit integrally formed with image reading means for detecting and detecting an image, and illuminating means for illuminating a predetermined image; and stand means for holding the image reading unit in a movable state. The unit is characterized in that the unit is held at a predetermined height facing a predetermined image when in use, and is configured to move and expand the space when not in use.

The movable state described above is preferably constituted by a rotating structure having a latch mechanism, and this structure can hold a predetermined height.

Still further, the image scanner device has lighting control means for illuminating a predetermined image by the illuminating means, and the lighting control means switches the illuminating means when the sensitivity obtained when reading the image is insufficient. Lighting control should be performed.

[0013]

Therefore, according to the image scanner apparatus of the present invention, each of these functional units forms a predetermined image, converts the formed image into an electric signal, detects the electric signal, and illuminates the predetermined image. Are integrated into an image reading unit.

The image reading unit is held in a movable state, is held at a predetermined height facing a predetermined image when used, and moves when not in use to enlarge a space.

Therefore, the structure of the device is simplified, the size and size of the device are reduced, the handling is simplified, the design is improved,
It is easy to achieve multifunctionality and versatility.

[0016]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an image scanner according to the present invention; FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a stand type image scanner according to the present invention.

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

Each component of the above embodiment is further decomposed as follows. The image reading unit 1 includes a lighting device 11 serving as a lighting unit, and an image sensor 1 serving as an image reading unit.
3. It has a lens 14 and a reflecting mirror 15 as image forming means, and a notification lamp 17 as notification means, and is configured to be 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. The lower arm 22 is connected.

Also, a document setting surface 3 of the document setting table 3 shown in FIG.
A predetermined document 33 is placed on the top of the document 1.

The apparatus of the embodiment having the above configuration constitutes a stand type image scanner. A major feature of the present embodiment is that the image sensor 13, the lens 14, the reflecting mirror 15, and the illumination device 11 are integrally formed as an image reading unit 1, and a stand arm for holding the integrated image reading unit 1. 2 is configured to be refractible. 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 document 33 on the document table 3. The illuminating device 11 is used to supplementally illuminate when the sensitivity obtained when the image sensor 13 reads the image of the document 33 on the document table 3 is insufficient. For this purpose, a lighting control unit (not shown) that controls lighting of the lighting device 11 only during the image reading operation period is provided. The detection of insufficient illuminance is performed by pre-scanning when reading an image from the image sensor 13 or by analyzing detection data at the time of initial scanning.
In this embodiment, the lighting fixture of this lighting device 11 has a power consumption of 2
A 7W bent and small fluorescent lamp is used.

It is preferable that the illuminating device 11 emits a wavelength which can be captured by the CCD which is the image sensor 13 with the highest sensitivity. The above-mentioned CCD (model uPD3733 / manufactured by NEC Corporation) has an There is a sensitivity peak,
It is preferable to provide illumination that is relatively biased toward the green wavelength. In the present embodiment, since the sensitivity of the CCD is relatively high, illumination with a general fluorescent lamp is sufficient. In addition, the lighting device 11
By providing a means for increasing the amount of light only during the image reading, the sensitivity of the image sensor 13 is compensated for, the reading speed is increased, and the power consumption efficiency is improved.

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, a scanning mechanism for detecting an image on the entire surface of the document is required. In this embodiment, scanning is performed by rotating the reflecting mirror 15.

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

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

The stand arm 2 is a mechanism that holds the integrated image reading unit 1 and maintains the height between the image surface of the document 33 and the reading unit 1. The stand arm 2 includes two fixing members 23a and 23a in addition to the two arms of the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22 as described above.
b, constituted by 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 two connecting portions 22a and 22b of the lower arm 22 are disassembled, and one connecting portion 22b is cut and separated. The configuration of the combination is shown in a form that is easier to understand. 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,
A shaft hole 211 through which the connecting shaft passes, and this shaft hole 2
A total of four circular recesses 212 are formed on the left and right sides at two locations above and below the center 11. 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 connected to the connecting portion 21a of the upper arm 21.
It is a circle of the same shape connected with the. A total of three through holes, a shaft hole 221 at the center of the circular flat plate and two notches 222 above and below the shaft hole 221, are formed in the left and right connecting portions 22 a and 22 b. You. The notch hole 221 is provided between the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22.
The upper arm 21 can be easily set repeatedly at a predetermined bending angle in the flexible connection state.

When the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22 are assembled, the right and left connecting portions 22 of the U-shaped portion of the lower arm 22 are connected.
a, 22b between the circular connecting portion 21a of the upper arm 21
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 between the fixtures 23a and 23b in a sandwich shape, and is fixed by the central shaft holes 211 and 222.

In the arm in the assembled state, the upper arm 21 can be bent freely, and the notch hole 222 and the recess 2
At a bending angle at which the twelve hole positions coincide, a predetermined angle maintaining force is formed. 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. In addition, the upper arm 21 where a notch is generated
Is determined by the positions of the mutual holes 212 and 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 can be bent freely, and the upper arm 21 is notch-fixed at the optimum height of the image reading unit 1. The distance between the image reading unit 1 and the document placement surface 31 changes depending on the thickness of the document 33. In order to cope with this change, the depth change of the focal length of the image reading unit 1 can be set within a permissible range by configuring the depth change of a general document. The allowable height in this embodiment is approximately 40 mm. For a document exceeding this allowable height, it is necessary to remove the notch and change the angle of the upper arm 21. The upper arm 21 can be temporarily fixed at a position other than the notch position by frictional resistance of the connecting portion, but can be firmly fixed by retightening the fixture 23.

When the stand-type image scanner is not used, the upper arm 21 can be further bent or extended to change the height of the image reading unit 1 when not in use. When reading image data, place the original to be read directly below the image reading unit 1;
The upper arm 21 is bent until the image reading unit 1 reaches the notch position or the position where the notification lamp 17 is turned on in green.

After confirming that the notification lamp 17 is lit in green, a switch (not shown) for starting reading is operated. With this switch operation, the image reading unit 1 starts reading image data of the document 33.

At the start of reading image data, the image reading unit 1 checks whether the illuminance and the focus are appropriate.
If the illuminance is insufficient, the illuminating device 11 is automatically turned on or the illuminance is increased, and image data is read. In the case of a poor focus, the notification light 17 is turned on in red flash, and the reading of image data is not performed. The operator selects and sets a position where the notification lamp 17 is turned on in green by adjusting the bending of the upper arm 21 or the position of the document 33. The subsequent execution of reading the image data is the same as described above.

Image reading unit 1 and arm stand 2
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.

The provision of such a notch height fixing means facilitates optimum height adjustment. When not reading an image, the notch is removed and the reading unit 1 can be moved to a free position.

The notification light 17 is turned on when the reading unit 1 is at the optimum height, or when the reading unit 1 is set at the optimum position, the light emission intensity is maximized. It is also possible to use a procedure such as weakening the light emission intensity.

Although the above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Various modifications are possible.

[0040]

As is apparent from the above description, the image scanner device of the present invention forms a predetermined image, converts the formed image into an electric signal, and illuminates the predetermined image. Each functional unit is integrated as an image reading unit. The image reading unit is held in a movable state, is held at a predetermined height facing a predetermined image when used, and is configured to move and expand a space when not in use. With this configuration, miniaturization and downsizing of the device, simplification of handling, improvement of design, multifunctionality and versatility can be easily achieved. With these achievements, it is possible to reduce the cost and increase the needs of office equipment of the stand-type image scanner device, and to expand the applications.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view showing a connecting portion of the arm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a connecting portion in FIG. 2;

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

[Description of Signs] 1 Image reading unit 2 Stand arm 3 Document setting table 11 Illumination device 13 Image sensor 14 Lens 15 Reflector 17 Notification etc. 19 Hood 21 Upper arm 22 Lower arm 23 Fixing device 26 Ball 27 Spring 31 Document setting surface 33 Manuscript

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image forming means for forming a predetermined image, an image reading means for converting the image formed by the image forming means into an electric signal and detecting the same, and an illuminating means for illuminating the predetermined image. And a stand means for holding the image reading unit in a movable state, wherein the image reading unit has a predetermined height facing the predetermined image during use. An image scanner device, wherein the image scanner device is configured to be held at the same time and to be movable when not in use to expand the space. 2. The image scanner device according to claim 1, wherein said movable state is constituted by a rotating structure having a latch mechanism, and said structure is capable of holding said predetermined height. 3. The stand-type image scanner device according to claim 1,
Further, there is provided lighting control means for illuminating the predetermined image by the lighting means, and the lighting control means controls lighting of the lighting means when the sensitivity obtained when reading the image is insufficient. The image scanner device according to claim 1, wherein the image scanner device includes: