JPS61136372A - Image reader capable setting of read area - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate waste for repeating a complicated area setting operation by moving in parallel a read area which has been set once, and setting a new read area, in case when only the position of the read area is different and its shape and size are constant. CONSTITUTION:A read head is moved along the paper surface of an original by a read head moving device. An area to be read by this read head is set by storing the position data of plural points for specifying the area, in a storage means, by the first area setting operation device. In addition to this first area setting operation device, the second area setting operation device is provided. In such a state, in case of executing the read of plural read areas having an optional shape and size, the first read area is set by operating the first area setting operation device, but as for the second read area and thereafter, one point out of plural points for prescribing its read area is set by the first area setting device, and subsequently, said area is moved in parallel by the second area setting device, and the whole area is set.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention Technical Field The present invention relates to an image reading device that reads images on paper, and particularly relates to an image reading device that can read only images within an arbitrarily set area on paper. It is something.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Image reading devices that read images (including characters) on paper are already known, but conventionally, in this type of device, by specifying the size of the paper, the image of the entire surface of the specified paper is read. was supposed to be read.

Therefore, the present applicant has developed a reading head that reads an image only within an arbitrary area with the paper, and a reading head that moves the reading head relatively along the paper surface by moving at least one of the paper and the reading head. a mobile device;
(C) storage means for storing data indicating the positions of a plurality of points specifying the area to be read by the reading head;
(d) a first region setting operation device that is operated to set the reading region by sequentially storing data indicating the positions of the plurality of points one point at a time in its storage means;
e) a reading command operating device operated to command the start of reading; and if) storing position data of the plurality of points one point at a time in a storage means each time the first region setting operating device is operated. and a control device having a first area setting means for setting the reading area and a reading control means for causing the reader to perform reading according to the operation of the reading command operating device.

According to this image reading device, it is possible to read only the figures and graphs in a document and transfer them to another document, or to create a single document by combining descriptions from multiple documents. The application fields of reading devices will become wider.

Defining the reading area generally requires defining the positions of multiple points. For example, if the reading area is rectangular, it is necessary to define the positions of two diagonal corners, such as the upper left corner and the lower right corner, or the upper right corner and the lower left corner. For this purpose, previously developed image reading devices are equipped with a reading area setting operation device that includes cursor keys, margin set keys, etc. The reading head is moved to each point defining the reading area by operating the cursor keys. The margin set key is operated on the selected position, and the position data of each point is stored in the storage means, thereby setting the reading area.

Problem to be Solved by the Invention This point is the same even when it is necessary to read images of multiple areas whose reading areas have the same shape and size but differ only in position. had to be done. However, if the shape and size of the reading area is the same, but only the position of the reading area is different, it should be possible to set a new reading area by moving the previously set reading area in parallel, which is a troublesome area. It is wasteful to repeat the setting operation every time.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to provide an image reading device that can eliminate waste as described above, and its gist is as shown in FIG. Said (al read head,
(b) reading head moving device, (C) storage means, (d) area setting operation device, (e) reading command operation device, and ([1
In an image reading device including a control device, a second region setting operation device is provided separately from the +iif region crotch region setting operation device (area setting operation device), and the control device includes:
[111] After the position data of the specific point, which is one of the back points of the plurality of points, is stored in the storage means, the second region setting operating device Q) second area setting means that, when operated, sets position data of points other than the specific point to have a predetermined relative positional relationship with respect to the specific point, and stores the position data in the storage means; This is because we have established

Although it is possible to provide the second area setting operation device completely independently of the first area setting operation device, the second area setting operation device can be installed simply by using the first area setting operation device and changing its operation method. It is possible to make it function as j). For example, if the first area setting operation device is equipped with a plurality of cursor keys, an upper left margin set key 15, and an E1 lower margin set key, the upper left margin cent key or the lower right margin set key cannot be pressed alone. When operated, the function of the first area setting operation device is obtained, and when two margin set keys are operated at the same time, it is also possible to obtain the function of the second area setting operation device. . In addition, by providing another operating member, for example, a code key, this code key and the above 2i
It is also possible to function as a second area setting operation device by simultaneously operating any of the margin set keys of the VA.

In addition, it is only necessary to set the positions of points other than the specific point to have a predetermined relative positional relationship with respect to the position of the specific point, for example, set the same relative positional relationship as the area of the previous reading. It is possible to set the relative positional relationship in a predetermined base fI reading area.

Actions and Effects If points other than the specific point are configured to have the same relative positional relationship as in the previous reading area, when reading multiple reading areas with arbitrary shapes and sizes, the first To set the reading area, it is necessary to set the reading area by actually moving the reading head to multiple points necessary to define the reading area by operating the first area setting operation device. The subsequent reading area can be set simply by setting one point out of a plurality of points that define the reading area by operating the first area setting operating device and then operating the second area setting operating device. That is,
There is no need to move the read head to all of the multiple points required to define the read area, thereby reducing the time required to set the read area.

In addition, the base tlj+
, if the reading area is configured to be set, the second area setting operating device can be used from the first reading area setting, and it is not necessary to move the reading head to positions corresponding to multiple points. Since there are no errors, the efficiency of the reading area setting work is further improved.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows only the mechanical part of the image reading device with recording device. In this figure, 10 is a main body frame, and a platen 12 is hung between both side walls 11 of the main body frame 10. has been done. A paper guide 14 is provided integrally with the main body frame 10 at the rear of the platen 1.2, and the paper inserted while being guided by this paper guide 14 is moved by a paper feed motor 16. The paper is sent in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the platen 12 by a paper feeding device f22 consisting of a feeding roller 18 and the like.

A guide loft 24 is arranged parallel to the platen 12, and a guide rail 26 is formed integrally with the main body frame 10, and a first carriage ji8 is provided so as to be able to slide on these.

This first carriage 28 is connected to a carriage drive motor 30
．． Pinion 32. Gear 34. Timing Boo U36.
Carriage drive device 4 consisting of timing belt 38 etc.
0 along the platen 12.

As is clear from FIG. 3, a notch is formed in the portion of the seventh carriage 28 on the platen 12 side, and the second carriage 42 is accommodated within this notch. This second carriage 42 has a thermal head 44 as a recording head.
and a reading head 46 are fixed. The thermal head 44 is provided with a recording section 48 in which a plurality of heating elements are arranged in dark blue, that is, parallel to the paper feeding direction, and the reading head 46 is similarly provided with a reading section 50 that is long in the paper feeding direction. . The reading section 50 has one light-emitting fiber and one light-receiving fiber! The end faces of each fiber are arranged vertically in pairs (16 pairs in this embodiment), and the end face of each fiber is located a short distance from the surface of the thermal head 44.
For example, it is in a retracted state of 0.15 mm. Fourth
As schematically shown in the figure, the light-emitting side fibers T, ~Tn
The end faces of the light-receiving side fibers R□ to Rn on the reading unit 50 side are opposed to the respective reading points D1 to Dn on the paper, but the end faces on the opposite side face the light-emitting elements L to Ln and the light-receiving element P, respectively. They are facing each other. The light emitting elements L~Ln, the driving circuits C□~Cn for driving them, the light receiving element P and the amplifier A for amplifying their output signals are built into the casing 52 of the reading head 46 shown in FIG. Input signals to the drive circuits C□ to Cn and output signals from the amplifier A are guided by a belt-shaped flexible cable 54. Further, input signals to each heating element of the thermal head 44 are guided through a flexible cable 56 which is overlapped with a flexible cable 54 .

The second carriage 42 is configured to move along the guide rod 24 together with the first carriage 28;
At the same time, the thermal head 44 is rotatable around the guide rod 24, and is supported by a spring (not shown).
The reading head 46 is urged to rotate in a direction away from the platen 12. The end of the second carriage 42 opposite to the side supported by the guide loft 24 is pressed against a bar 58, not shown in FIG. The second carriage 42 is rotated by being moved upward by a head pressing device 64 consisting of a bell crank 62 or the like, and the thermal head 44 and reading head 46 are moved toward the platen 12 7 and are supported by the platen 12. The paper surface Z of the paper is pressed.

As best seen in FIG. 3, a cursor 70 is secured to the first carriage 28. cursor 7
The thermal head 44 is made of transparent synthetic resin.
and a plate-shaped member having a notch for accommodating the reading head 46, and is fixed to the first carriage 28. The cursor 70 is curved so that its upper end follows the surface of the paper as closely as possible, and a cross-shaped marker 72 is provided at that portion. This marker 72 is provided at a position a certain distance away from the reading section 50 of the reading head 46 in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the sheet of paper so that it can be easily seen by the operator.

The printing mechanism configured as described above is housed in a case 74 as shown in FIG. 5, and this case 74 includes a recording device operation panel 76 and a reading device operation panel 80.
and is provided. The reading device operation panel 80 includes
As shown in FIG. 6, cursor keys 82. Upper left margin set key 84° Lower right margin set key 86. Area check key 88. A mode selection key 90, a start key 92, etc. are provided. The cursor key 82 is operated to move the reading head 46 in four directions (up, down, left and right) relative to the paper, and the upper left margin set key 84 and the lower right margin set key 86 are used to move the upper left margin and right margin set key 86, respectively. It is operated to set the bottom margin. The cursor key 82 and both margin set keys 84 and 86 constitute a first area setting operation device, and when both margin set keys 84 and 86 are operated simultaneously as described later, a second area setting operation device is formed. It also functions as The area check key 88 is operated to check the reading area set by operating the margin set keys 84 and 86, and constitutes a reading area check operation device. Also, the mode selection key 90 is pressed to read the gutter 4.
6 reading units, i.e. 4 reading heads per reading
The start key 92 is operated to start reading.The start key 92 is operated to start reading. In other words, the start key 92 constitutes a reading command original device. 94 is a light emitting diode.

FIG. 7 shows the control circuit of this image reading device. The main body of the control circuit is a microcomputer consisting of a CI)U (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory) 102, and a RAM (random access memory) 104, each of which has a paper feed drive circuit 10.
6. Carriage drive circuit 10 days, solenoid drive circuit 1
10 and a paper feed motor 16 via a thermal head drive circuit 112. Gear ridge drive motor 30. The solenoid 60 and the thermal head 44 are controlled. CPUI 00 is further multiplied ■/Kusa 114
A command signal is sequentially issued to each of the drive circuits C0 to Cn of the reading head 46 to cause the light emitting elements L1 to Ln to sequentially emit light, and at that time, a detection signal appearing in the amplifier A is sequentially received. There is.

Further, the CPU 100 is configured to be able to exchange information with other devices such as a word processor and a computer via an ink face (not shown).

The RAM 104 constitutes a storage means for storing data indicating the positions of a plurality of points specifying the area to be read by the reading head 46 and the read data. The ROM 102 also stores various control programs including the program shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. R
A microcomputer consisting of the OMIO 2 and the RAM 104 constitutes the first and second reading area setting means and the reading control means, and this point will be explained below along with the operation of the entire image reading apparatus.

Rectangular reading area Ij, 5 of paper 116 as shown in FIG.
When it is necessary to read the image displayed in i118, the operator first operates the cursor keys 82 as appropriate to read the paper feed device 22 and carriage drive device 40.
, align the center of the marker 72 of the cursor 70 with the upper left corner of the reading area 118, and then move the upper left margin center,
Operate the key-84. Depending on this operation, the CPU
O executes steps S1 to S4, and stores the data of the upper left margin position, that is, the left margin position and the upper margin position, in the buffer memory of the RAM 104.

Similarly, when the operator positions the marker 72 at the lower right corner of the reading area 118 and operates the lower right margin set key 86, cputoo moves to step St.

S2. S3. S5 and S6 are executed to store data at the lower right margin position, that is, the right margin position and the lower margin position in the buffer memory of the RAM 104. Note that the determinations in steps SL, S3, and S5 are repeated together with the determinations in steps S7 and S8 until the determination result in step S8 becomes YES, that is, until the setting of the upper left margin and lower right margin is completed. Therefore, it is also possible to set the bottom right margin before the top left margin.

If the position data of the upper left margin and lower right margin are stored in the buffer memory in this way, the CPU 100
repeats step S9 and waits for the start key 92 to be operated.

Therefore, when the operator operates the start key 92, step SIO is executed by the CPUI OO. That is, it is determined whether or not both the upper left and lower right margin position data are stored in the buffer memory, and if they are not stored, it is assumed that the operation of the start key 92 is erroneous, and a buzzer is sounded in step Sll. Above, execution of the program returns to step S1. Also,
If the judgment result of step SIO is YES, step 5
12 is executed, and the upper left margin position data and lower right margin position data stored in the buffer memory are transferred to the margin position memory.

Thereafter, step S13 is executed, and the reading section 50 of the reading head 46 is moved to the left-lower margin position. However, since the marker 72 is provided at a position away from the reading section 50 of the reading throat 46 as described above, the ROM 1
With the correction data for correcting the amount of deviation stored in 02, the data of the upper left margin position and lower right margin position stored in the margin position memory as described above is corrected to obtain the true margin position. The data is obtained, and the reading head 46 is moved to the upper left margin position based on the true margin position data. In this state, the upper end of the reading unit 50 is located at the upper left corner of the reading area 118. .

Subsequently, step S14 is executed, and reading is performed from the left margin position to the right margin position.

That is, each time the reading unit 50 moves a distance of one pinch as the second carriage It2 moves, the drive circuits C, -C
The light emitting elements Ll-Ln are sequentially caused to emit light by the light receiving element P, and as a result, the electric signals emitted from the light receiving element P in accordance with the strength of the reflected light are amplified in the amplifier A, and are sequentially stored in predetermined addresses of the RAMlO4 by the CPU 100. It is.

When the reading from the left margin position to the right margin position is completed, it is determined in step S15 whether reading has been performed up to the lower margin position, and if it has not been read yet, step 816 is executed, and the At the same time as the second carriage 42 is returned to the left margin position, the paper 116 is fed in the forward direction by an amount corresponding to the length of the reading section 50.

Then, steps S14 and S15 are executed again, and if the reading of the entire reading area 118 is completed by this repetition, the determination result of step S15 becomes YES, and step s17 is executed, notifying the completion of reading. The buzzer sounds several times.

The above is a normal reading procedure, and if it is necessary to read images of multiple areas with different shapes and sizes, the above steps will be repeated, but if the shapes and sizes of multiple reading areas are the same. If only the position is different, the reading area can be set more easily. This point will be explained below.

After reading one area is completed, if the next area to be read has the same shape and size as the previous area but differs only in position, the operator operates the cursor keys 82 as appropriate in the same manner as in the above case. After positioning the marker 72 at the upper left margin position to be newly set, the upper left margin set key 84 and the lower right margin key 86 are operated at the same time.

Then, the determination result in step S7 becomes YES, and step 518 is executed. That is, it is determined whether or not the margin position data of the previous reading area is stored in the margin position memory, and if it is not stored, it is determined that the simultaneous operation of both margin set keys 84 and 86 is erroneous, and step S19 is performed. The buzzer sounds and the program execution returns to step S1. Normally, the determination result in step S18 is YES, and the lower right margin position data is automatically stored in the buffer memory in step S2Q. To explain in more detail, if the previous reading area is the area shown by the solid line in FIG. 10, and the next area to be read is the area shown by the broken line, the previous reading point Since it is sufficient to move the point Si by the same amount in the same direction, the upper left margin position data of the point T stored in the margin position memory and the upper left margin position data of the newly set point T2 The direction and amount of movement are calculated from , and the point S
By correcting the movement direction and movement amount calculated as described above to the lower right margin position data of No. 1, it is possible to obtain the lower right margin position data of the new reading area point S2. If the lower right margin position data obtained in this way is stored in the margin position memory, the setting of the upper left margin and lower right margin is completed, and the CPU OO waits for the start key 92 to be pressed. becomes. The following reading operation is the same as that described above, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

The image data read in the above manner is stored in RAM1.
Since it is stored in 0/I, CP
U 100 controls the thermal head drive circuit 112;
The read image can be recorded on another sheet of paper E by appropriately generating heat from the heating element of the thermal head 44. Of course, in this case the same paper feeder 22. that was used to read the image. Carriage drive device 40
Then, the head pressing device 64 and the like are operated. Also,
The image data stored in the RAM 104 is stored in the CPU 1.
00 and may also be transferred to other devices via an interface (not shown).

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, this is literally an illustration, and the present invention may be implemented in other embodiments. For example, it is not essential to provide a cursor 70 with markers 72;
It is also possible to attach a marker to an easily visible position, or to make the reading section of the reading head itself function as a marker.

Further, in the above embodiment, when a plurality of reading areas have the same shape and size, the reading head 46 is set by moving to the upper left margin, and the lower right margin is set with respect to the upper left margin in the previous reading. The number was set by calculation to have the same relative positional relationship as , but it is also possible to move the reading head to the lower right margin and set the upper left margin by calculation. Yes, it is also possible to do both.

Further, in the embodiment, the upper left margin seventh key 84 and the lower right margin set key 86 are the first area setting operation for setting the upper left margin position or the lower right margin position when each is operated individually. Both margin set keys 84 and 86 function as part of the device.
were operated at the same time, it functioned as a second area setting operation device that sets the lower right margin even though the reading head was not at the lower right margin position, but as a second area setting N operation device. It is also possible to provide a dedicated key that functions, or a code key that functions as a second area setting operation device when operated simultaneously with 1 or the upper left margin set key 84 or the lower right margin set key 86. .

In addition, although it is not necessary to give examples, the present invention may be modified in various ways based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art in the mechanical parts such as the reading head and the reading head moving device, the control circuit, the control program, etc. Of course, it is possible to implement the following.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing only the mechanical part of an image reading device equipped with a recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the reading head and recording head in the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the structure of the reading head. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the image reading device. FIG. 6 is a front view of the operation panel of the image reading device. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the image reading device. Figure 8 shows R in Figure 7.
It is a flowchart that extracts and shows only the portions deeply related to the present invention from among the programs stored in the OM. FIGS. 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams showing a method of setting a reading area. 10: Body frame 12 nib laten 22: Paper feeding device 28: First carriage/7th carriage 40: Carriage drive device 42: Second carriage 46: Reading head 50: Reading unit 64: Head pressing device 70: Cursor
72: Marker 82: Cursor key 84: Upper left margin set key 86: Lower right margin cent key 88: Area check key 92 Start key 116: Paper 118: Reading area Fig. 1 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 6 Fig. 5 Figure 9 Procedure Neho Seisho (self-proposal) August 21, 1985

Claims (1)

[Claims] A reading head that reads an image displayed on the surface of a sheet of paper, and a reading head moving device that moves the reading head relatively along the surface of the sheet by moving at least one of the sheet and the reading head. and a storage means for storing data indicating the positions of a plurality of points specifying an area to be read by the reading head, and causing the storage means to sequentially store data indicating the positions of the plurality of points one point at a time. a first area setting operating device that is operated to set the reading area; a reading command operating device that is operated to instruct the start of reading; and each time the first area setting operating device is operated. A first area setting means for setting the reading area by storing position data of the plurality of points one by one in the storage means, and causing the reading head to perform reading in response to operation of the reading command operating device. In the image reading apparatus, a second region setting operation device is provided, and the control device is configured to select one of the plurality of points according to the operation of the first region setting operation device. After the position data of one specific point is stored in the storage means, when the second area setting operation device is operated, the data of the position of a point other than the specific point is stored in advance for that specific point. An image reading device capable of setting a reading area, characterized in that a second area setting means is provided for setting a reading area to have a predetermined relative positional relationship and storing the position data in the storage means.