JPS6229358A - Image scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a color processing with a simple structure by providing a detection means where position detection is applied at the position of each color filter opposing to a picture element and an electromagnetic drive means moving at every color filter and applying positioning servo. CONSTITUTION:The green color filer 20G of a color filter 20 is held while being opposed to the picture element 151 of a CCD line sensor 15 at an initial state. In oscillating a reverse feed kick pulse and opposing a red filter 20R to the picture element 151, the filter is positioned in the state by a signal from a detection system 31 and a picture through the red filter 20R is read. The filters are fed in the order of green filter 20G, red filter 20B and white filter 20W by using a forward feed kick pulse from the state and each state is kept by using a signal from the detection system 31 and a picture through each filter is read. Thus, the color processing is attained with compactness and low cost without losing the resolution.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image scanner that easily inputs images via a one-dimensional image sensor, and particularly to a structure for colorizing the scanner.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image scanners have been put into practical use that have separate input units for facsimile, OCR, etc., and can easily input images to OA equipment. In this image scanner, an image of a subject such as a document is formed through a lens, and a one-dimensional image sensor sequentially reads the image in a one-dimensional main direction.
A dimensional image signal is input. There are six types of image scanners: a facsimile type, a copying machine type, and a camera type, depending on how to read an object such as a document in a two-dimensional sub-direction.

Conventional image scanners mainly input monotone images by simply reading the brightness and darkness of each pixel of a one-dimensional image sensor. Currently, colorization is being promoted due to its diversity.

For example, in a camera-type image scanner, there is a COD camera in which a matrix color filter of three primary colors is attached to each pixel of a one-dimensional image sensor.
The resolution was inferior at 00x300i degrees.

In this way, in the method of achieving colorization using a sensor with a color filter attached to each pixel of a one-dimensional image sensor, the number of pixels of the sensor is increased by six times in order to achieve a resolution of 1,700 or higher, which is the resolution of a monotone image scanner. , that is, it needs to be 5100 or more. In this case, the sensor itself becomes large, and it is extremely difficult to configure this type of sensor. Furthermore, in order to form an image of an object such as a document on a sensor having 5,100 or more pixels, a large and expensive lens with a wide field of view must be used.

This increases the size of the image scanner body, making it impossible to make it more compact. Furthermore, since the lenses and sensors are expensive, it is difficult to reduce the price.

This is particularly disadvantageous in devices such as camera-type image scanners, which have a structure in which the sensor itself is moved and are designed to be more versatile and compact.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to make an image scanner more compact and inexpensive, and to provide a color image scanner with a simple structure without sacrificing its resolution.

In order to achieve an object that is more than just a means to solve the problem, the present invention focuses on an object such as a document through a lens, reads it sequentially in a one-dimensional main direction with a one-dimensional image sensor, and generates a two-dimensional image signal. In this input device, three primary color filters having a length that covers the pixel area of the sensor are formed in front of the pixels of the one-dimensional image sensor in parallel in a substantially striped manner, and each filter of each color faces the pixel. a color filter movable in a plane direction, a detection means for detecting the position of each color filter of the color filter at a position facing the pixel, and movement of each color filter of the color filter and each of them. The structure includes an electromagnetic drive means for performing positioning servo at the position.

The image scanner of the present invention having the above-described structure moves the color filter provided in front of the pixel of the one-dimensional image sensor so as to face the pixel of the sensor for each color filter, and switches between the three primary color filters. At the same time, positioning servo is performed at each position using a signal from the detection means for each filter of each color. The movement of each filter for each color and the positioning servo at that position are sequentially switched, and a one-dimensional image sensor reads through each color filter, and a color image signal is input as a composite signal.

According to the present invention, since the color filters are switched and positioned using electromagnetic drive means (σ), high-speed switching of the color filters is possible and stability during positioning is good.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image scanner according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main part, and FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing the main part. In this embodiment, the colorization of the image scanner according to the present invention will be explained as being applied to a camera-type image scanner.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a main body of a camera type image scanner, 11 is a lens, 14 is a drive system, 15 is a CCD line sensor, and F is a formed image of a subject. The camera-type image scanner 1o includes a pair of guide shafts 12.12 disposed therein, and a pair of guide shafts 12.12 disposed therein.
A drive system 1 that moves the board 13 while scanning it at a constant stroke.
4, a CCD line sensor 15 provided on the substrate 16,
The sensor 15 is roughly configured with a lens 11 provided in front of the sensor 15, and the pixel portion of the CCD line sensor 15 corresponds to the imaging plane F of the subject imaged through the lens 11. Therefore, by repeating the reading of the image in the one-dimensional main direction by the CCD line sensor 15 and the scanning in the sub-direction by the drive system 14, the two-dimensional image formed on the imaging plane F is read. .

1, 2 and 6, 20 is a color filter, 22 is a leaf spring, 23 is a two-split optical sensor, 24
indicates an LED, and 25 indicates an electromagnetic drive system.

On the substrate 13, a CCD line sensor 15 and a two-split optical sensor 23 are arranged.
It is attached so that the two dividing lines of the two lines are substantially aligned with each other on a straight line. In front of the CCD-line sensor 15, a frame-shaped color filter mounting member 21 attaches a pair of leaf springs 22, 22 to a post 161 formed on one side of the substrate 13 (on the right in FIGS. 1 and 2). It is supported in a cantilevered manner.

The color filter 2 is placed in the opening 211 of the mounting member 21.
0 is attached. The color filter 20 includes a red light filter 20R1, a green light filter 2001, a blue light filter 2DB, a white light filter 20W, and a CCD line sensor 15, respectively.
The strip-shaped filters are arranged in a striped pattern and have a length that covers the pixel area of , and a width that covers the deviation of the tilted light at the end of the reading by a camera-type image scanner. Furthermore, a black light-opaque portion 20 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction.
1 is provided. Each of the filters 2OR, 20G, 20 of the color filter 20
B, circular light transmission hole 201R at the position corresponding to 20W
, 201G, 201B, and 201W are opened. The light-opaque portion faces the two-split optical sensor 23. Note that the color filter 20 is supported relatively close to the CCD line sensor 15, and the green light filter 20 is supported relatively close to the CCD line sensor 15.
0G is supported in a state facing the pixel portion 151 of the sensor 15. As a result, the width of each filter can be made relatively small, the movement stroke of the color filter 20 can be made small, and the rate of deformation of the leaf springs 22, 22 due to movement can be made small.

An LED 24 is attached to one end of an inverted support 132 attached to the substrate 16. LED24 is
It is provided at a position facing the two-split optical sensor 23 with the non-transparent part 201 of the color filter 20 interposed therebetween. When the color filter 20 remains supported by the leaf springs 22.22, a light transmission hole 201 corresponding to the green light filter 20G is placed on the center axis of the sensor 23 and the LED 24.
The centers of G are aligned.

An electromagnetic drive system 25 is provided on the free end side of the color filter mounting member 21. The electromagnetic drive system 25 is configured by combining an electromagnetic coil 26 and a magnetic circuit 27 formed in a closed loop by a pair of yoke bodies and a permanent magnet. The electromagnetic coil 26 is attached to the free end of the attachment member 21, and the magnetic circuit 27 is attached to the attachment wall 13≧ formed at the other end of the substrate 16.

By this electromagnetic drive system 25, the color filter 20 is moved in front of the CCD line sensor 15 in a substantially parallel arc shape centered behind the fixed portion of the leaf spring 22. By moving this color filter 20, each filter 2OR, 20G.

20B and 20W face the pixel portion 151 of the sensor 15. When these respective filters face the pixel portion 151, the corresponding light transmission holes 201R.

Light emitted from the LED 24 enters the two-split optical sensor 23 through 201G, 201B, and 201W. At this time, the light receiving parts 27IA and 23B of the two-split optical sensor 23
A differential amplifier 60 detects the difference between the light receiving portions of the filters 2OR and 20G.

Position detection of 20B and 20W is performed.

Next, each filter 20R, 2 of the color filter 20
The movement and positioning servo for each 0G, 20B, and 2OW will be explained.

FIG. 4(A) is a circuit diagram showing a servo state, FIG. 4(B) is a circuit diagram showing a moving state, and FIG. 5 shows an example of the switching order for each filter and the pulse signal at that time.

The circuit system includes a position detection system 31 consisting of a two-split optical sensor 23 and a differential amplifier 30 shown in FIG.
An analog switch '54 for switching between the position detection system 61 and the kick pulse oscillator 33, and an analog switch 34.
a noggle oscillator 65 that performs switching, and an electromagnetic drive system 25
The electromagnetic drive control system 36 generally includes an electromagnetic drive control system 36 that controls the amount and direction of current flowing through the electromagnetic coil 26.

The pulse oscillator 35 oscillates pulses with a potential difference of ±0 and +V. When this pulse is ±0, analog switch 3
4, a closed loop circuit of the position detection system 31 is formed as shown in FIG. 4(A). Then, when the pulse is +V, the analog switch 64 is switched, and a kick pulse is sent to the electromagnetic drive control system 3B as shown in FIG. 4(A).

This kick pulse is generated as a forward kick pulse and a reverse kick pulse. Each filter 2OR1 of the color filter 20 is
A current is sent to the electromagnetic coil 26 in the R-G-B-W direction so that the currents 20G, 20B, and 20W face the pixel portion 151 of the CCD line sensor 15.

Then, by the reverse kick pulse, W-B-G-
A reverse current sent in the direction of H is passed through the electromagnetic coil 26.

In the color filter 20, in an initial state, the green light filter 20G is held facing the pixel portion 151 of the CCD line sensor 15. Therefore, first, a reverse kick pulse is oscillated, and the red light filter 2OR is made to face the pixel section 151.

Then, the position is maintained in that state by the signal from the detection system 31. At this time, red light filter 2O
The image through R is read.

From this state, by successive kick pulses,
The green light filter 2001, the blue light filter 20B, and the white light filter 20W are sent in this order, and maintained in their respective states by the signal from the detection system 31, and each filter 20G, 2
Images are read through 0B and 20W.

Next, a reverse kick pulse is sent by a series of pulses, and the original red light filter 20R is returned to the position facing the pixel portion 151 of the CCD line sensor 15.

As mentioned above, R-G-B-W-R-G-B-W...
. . . Reading is performed by switching in this order. and,
Reading of the main direction by the CCD line sensor 15 and C
By repeating the scanning of the CD line sensor 15 in the sub-direction, a two-dimensional color image is input. To input this color image, the main direction reading by the CCD line sensor 15 may be performed in the order of R-G-B-W and composited, or the main direction reading and the color filter 2
It is also possible to perform switching between 0 and read and synthesize each pixel.

Furthermore, the switching order of the color filters 20 is as follows:
The sequence may be performed in the following order: R-G-B-WW-B-G-R-. In this way, the number of pulses can be reduced and the speed can be increased.

In the example, a white light filter was provided to form a color filter, but the three primary colors of light, red R and green G,
- Blue B alone is fine. If a white light filter is provided for input, a color image with excellent contrast can be obtained, so a better image can be output than one using only the three primary colors.

In addition, as a color filter, instead of using the three primary colors of light,
The three complementary primary colors of yellow, magenta (reddish-purple) and cyan (blue-green) may be used.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the shape of the color filter, in which the same parts as in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the color filter 20 is supported in an arc shape as in the previous embodiment, the color filter 20
Each of the filters 2OR-20G-20B-20W of 0 is formed into a substantially fan shape corresponding to the center direction of its movement locus. Then, each filter 2OR-20G-20
It becomes easier to make the B-20W correspond to the pixel portion of the CCD line sensor, and a part of the filter can be made smaller.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a support configuration for the color filter 20, in which the color filter 20 is supported by parallel leaf springs 28, 28. Then, the color filter 20 can be moved in parallel.

Although the embodiment has been described as being applied to a camera-type image scanner, the colorization according to the present invention can also be applied to facsimile-type and copier-type image scanners.

As described in detail, the color image scanner of the present invention uses a conventional one-dimensional image sensor and switches color filters with a simple structure, making it compact and low-cost without sacrificing resolution. You can use color image scanners at a reasonable price.

In addition, since color filter switching and positioning servo are performed by electromagnetic drive means, the color filter switching speed can be increased and the positioning state can be stabilized, so each color can be read reliably and the image The reading speed can also be relatively fast.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which the colorization of the image scanner according to the present invention is applied to a camera-type image scanner, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of its main parts, and Fig. 3 is the position of the color filter. Partial perspective view showing the detection system, Figure 4 (
A) and (B) are circuit diagrams showing the signal system, Figure 5 is a graph showing an example of the color filter switching order and its pulse signal, and Figure 6 is another example of the color filter formation shape. The plan view and FIG. 7 are partial perspective views showing other examples of support structures for color filters. 15... CCD line sensor (one-dimensional image sensor) 20... Color filter 22.28... Leaf spring

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) In a device that images a subject such as a document through a lens, reads it sequentially in a one-dimensional main direction with a one-dimensional image sensor, and inputs a two-dimensional image signal, in front of the pixel of the one-dimensional image sensor. Three primary color filters with a length that covers the pixel area of this sensor are formed in parallel in a substantially striped pattern, and each color filter is provided movably in a plane direction facing the pixel; It consists of a detection means for detecting the position of each color filter of the filter at a position facing the pixel, and an electromagnetic drive means for moving each color filter of the color filter and positioning servo at each position. . An image scanner characterized in that the image is read by the one-dimensional image sensor by sequentially switching between movement of each color filter of the color filter and positioning servo for each color filter.