JPS634767A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To arrange equally an image outputted to respective right and left pages without image shielding when the read image is outputted by controlling an image reading timing so as to form equally a left blank quantity designated from the blank quantity designating means to respective pages designated by a page designating means to both right and left pages. CONSTITUTION:A right page LED indicator 1, which comes to be a page designating indicator, lights up when the condition of a page designating changing- over switch 2 to form a page designating means exists right. A left page LED indicator 3 lights up when the condition of the page designating changing-over switch 2 to form the page designating means exists left. By pushing-down of a page fixing instructing switch 4, the reading starting position of a reading mechanism is fixed, and by pushing-down of a reading starting switch 5, the driving of a reading mechanism is started. By pushing-down a binding margin adding effective switch 6, a reading command to consider the binding margin of a left page image 51a is inputted. A blank setting switch 7 designates and inputs the blank quantity of the image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image reader fixed to a document table.

[Conventional technology]

In general, an image reader has two methods: one that reads image data while moving the original (original transport method);
As shown in FIG. 1, there is a method (original table fixed method) in which the original 41a is fixed on the document table 43 and the image scanner section is moved (scanning) to read the image data. One sheet of manuscript 4
It has the feature that it can read not only the document 1a but also a book-like document 41b.

However, in the conventional image reader (hereinafter referred to as a reader) with fixed document table, the document table 43 is flat, so when the document 41b is set on the document table 43, as shown in FIG. The binding portion 41c is curved, creating a gap between the document 41b and the document table 43, which may cause the image in that portion to become blurred or distorted.

For this reason, a model has been proposed in which a step 43a is provided at one end of the document table 43, as shown in FIG. 12, so that a good image can be obtained by eliminating this gap.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, when reading the right page of the document 41b, there are problems described below.

FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are schematic diagrams illustrating a document and an image formed thereon by a conventional image reader with a fixed document table, in which 51a is a left page image and 51b is a right page image.

Place the left page of the original 41b shown in FIG. 13(a) on the original platen 4.
When reading is performed with the setting set to 3, a left page image 51a shown in FIG. 13(b) is obtained.

Next, when reading the right page of the manuscript 41b,
The original 41b is rotated 1800 times and the original 4]b is placed on the original platen 43.
Since the image is set upward, a right page image 51b, which is upside down with respect to the left page image 51a, is obtained, as shown in FIG. 13(b). As described above, there is a problem in that the image is turned upside down for each page.

In addition, after the image read from the league 42 is output from the printer, it is customary to provide a margin on the left side as a closing margin.
141b on the document table 43, there is almost no margin for the left page image 51a.
Since the right page image 51b has a large blank area when closed and felled, when both are closed together, the left page image 51a (7
) The image near the left margin was hidden, making it extremely difficult to read.

This invention was made to solve the above problem, and when a book-like original is read, the same margins are added to the left and right pages, and the read images are output and stitched together. To provide an image reader that can evenly arrange images on left and right pages by preventing images from being hidden.

[Means for solving problems]

The image reader according to the present invention includes a page specifying means for specifying either the left or right page of a book-like document to be read, a margin amount specifying means for specifying the amount of left margin to be formed in an output image, and a page specifying means for specifying the left or right page of a book-like document to be read. A reading control means is provided for controlling the image reading timing so that the left margin amount designated by the margin amount designation means is equally formed on the left and right pages of each page.

[Effect]

In this invention, the reading control means causes the page designation means to designate the pages of the book-like original, and to cause the left and right pages of the output image to equally form margins according to the margin amount designated by the margin amount designation means. Controls image reading timing.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an image reader showing an embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as in FIG. 11 are given the same reference numerals.

In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a right page LED indicator serving as a page designation indicator, which lights up when the page designation changeover switch 2, which serves as page designation means, is in the right state. Reference numeral 3 denotes a left page LED indicator, which lights up when the page designation changeover switch 2 constituting the page designation means is in the left state. Reference numeral 4 denotes a page fixing instruction switch, and when this page fixing instruction switch 4 is pressed, the reading start position of a reading mechanism (described later) is fixed. 5 is a read start switch, and when this read start switch 5 is pressed, driving of the reading mechanism is started.

6 is a binding margin addition enable switch, and by pressing this binding margin addition enable switch 6, the left page image 51a (11th
Input a reading command that takes into account the binding margin (shown in the figure).

7 is a margin setting switch, which is used to specify and input the amount of margin for the image.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an image reading mechanism applied to the present invention, in which 11 is an exposure unit and a lamp 11a.
, scanning mirrors 11b to 11d.

It is composed of an imaging lens 11e, a photoelectric converter (for example, composed of a photoelectric conversion element such as a COD) 11f, etc., and when the read start switch 5 shown in FIG. direction). At this time, the reading start position is changed according to the page specified by the page specifying J change switch 2. That is, in the case of specifying the right page, the exposure unit 11 first moves to position X1, stops, and starts reading toward position X2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the image reader shown in FIG. 0'S1, and the same components as in FIG.

In this figure, 21 is a microprocessor (MPU)
Then, execute the control program stored in the ROM 22,
The reader 42 is generally controlled. A RAM 23 stores control information such as control flags. 24 is a switch interface (switch I/F), which connects each switch 2, 4 to
The switch status from 6 is input to the MPU 21. Reference numeral 25 denotes an LED interface, which displays the right page LED display 1 or the left page LED display 3 based on the drive command output by the MPU 21 in response to the input of the page designation changeover switch 2.
lights up. A motor driver 26 drives the pulse motor PM and controls the rotation direction and rotation speed of the pulse motor PM in accordance with instructions from the MPU 2. 27 is a lamp driver that drives the lamp 11a, and the MPU 2
The lighting of the lamp 11a is controlled according to the instruction No. 1.

An image control circuit 28 adjusts the margin of the image to be formed based on the amount of margin input from the margin setting switch 7. The image control circuit 28 controls the sending timing of the image signal output from the photoelectric converter 11f, and switches the transfer direction of the image signal from the photoelectric converter 11F. 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes a host interface (host I/F), which sends out the image signal from the photoelectric converter 11f based on instructions from the image control circuit 28.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image control circuit 28 shown in FIG.

In this figure, 31 is a left end margin counter that starts counting from the falling edge of the horizontal synchronization signal H3YNC, corresponding to the amount of margin set by the margin setting switch 7, and outputs a carry signal at the end of the count. It is output to the additional selector 32. 33 is a video enable counter, which starts from the falling edge of the horizontal synchronizing signal H5YNC.
”, the video enable signal VEC is sent to the buffer BFI.
Output to. Buffer BFI is a video enable signal V
Output E to the host. 34 is a 1 Rhino video counter, and the margin addition signal for enabling margin addition is "1".
'', the output from the left end margin counter 3 is synchronized with the signal selected by the margin addition selector 32, and outputs an image valid signal VC indicating the actual image portion to the AND gate 35.

A transfer direction selector 36 controls the transfer direction of the image signal VIDEO output from the photoelectric converter 11f in accordance with a manually inputted left or right direction control signal.

The transfer lock signal CLK is output to pants 7BF2,
It is output to the host as a video clock signal VCLK. 37 is an AND gate which takes the AND between the output of the transfer direction selector 36 and the image valid signal VC, and outputs one image signal VI.
Output DEO to host.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining each signal sending timing shown in FIG. 4, and the same parts as in FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals.

The exposure unit 11 is located at a predetermined home position,
When horizontal reading is possible, the horizontal synchronizing signal H3YNC, which is the horizontal reading synchronizing signal, is sent to the left end margin counter 31. It is output to the margin addition selector 32 and video enable counter 33. At this time, when the margin addition signal becomes "1", the output of the left end margin counter 31 is selected by the margin addition selector 32, is applied to the video counter 34 of one line, and is kept in the on state until it finishes counting a predetermined value. AND gate 3
Output to 5. Since the transfer lock signal CLK is input to the AND gate 35, when the image valid signal VC is on, the image signal VIDEO is converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric converter 11f in synchronization with the transfer lock signal CLK.
The read image signal VIDEO is input to the direction control signal (rl
J, rO]), the transfer direction is controlled and output to the AND gate 37. The direction control signal is a signal sent by the MPU 21 to the image control circuit 28 in response to the FJJ8 operation of the page designation switch 2. The page flag PF is shown in FIG. 3 and is held in a predetermined area of the RAM 23, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the video enable counter 33 receives the horizontal synchronizing signal H.
When 3YNC is input, video enable counter 3
3 is a video enable signal VEC/header BFI that remains on until the counting operation of a predetermined value is completed.
Therefore, the buffer BFI outputs the video enable signal VE to the host. Therefore, it is possible to form a margin in which no image is written during the period from the time when the video enable signal VE rises until the time when the image valid signal VC rises (the hatched section shown in FIG. 4).

Further, the image control gg circuit 28 transfers the output from the photoelectric converter 11F to the transfer direction selector 36 according to the direction control signal.
At the same time, by controlling the scanning direction of the exposure unit 11, it becomes possible to rotate the image by 180', and it is possible to obtain an output image in which the top and bottom of the book-shaped original 41a are aligned in one direction.

Next, the image reading control operation will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the outline of the image reading operation according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (8)
indicates each step.

First, it is determined whether the read start switch 5 is pressed (1), and if No, the page designation switch 2 is pressed.
If it is YES, it is determined whether the left page is currently designated by the page designation changeover switch 2.3) If it is YES, it is determined whether or not the left page is currently designated. Page flag PF
4), right page LED indicator 1
(5), return to step (1), and if No, set the page flag PF to the left page (6), turn on the left page LED display (7), and return to step (1).
Return to 1). - On the other hand, if the judgment in step (1) is YES, execute the reading control flow shown in Figure 8.8)
, after completion, return to step (2).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the reading control flow of the image reader according to the present invention. In addition,(
1) to (11) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether the book-like original 41a to be read is the left page (1), and if YES, it is determined whether or not to perform binding margin adjustment based on whether the binding margin addition enable switch 6 is pressed or not (2). If no, step (4)
), and if YES, a margin addition signal is input from a binding margin addition valid circuit (not shown) to the margin addition selector 32 (3).

Next, execute the forward read flow shown in Figure 9.
), when finished, determine whether the page fixing instruction switch 4 is pressed 5), if YES, end the reading control and return to step (3) shown in FIG. 7; if NO, set the page flag PF to the right. Set the page (6), turn on the right page LED display 1 (7), and return to step (3) shown in FIG. - On the other hand, if the judgment in step (1) is NO.

When the reverse read flow shown in FIG. 10 is executed (8), when it is finished, it is determined whether the page fixing instruction switch 4 is pressed (9), and if YES, the read control is ended and the step shown in FIG. Returning to step 3), if NO, set the page flag PF to the left page (10), turn on the left page LED display 1 (11), and return to step (3) shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the forward direction read operation according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether the exposure unit 11 is located at the forward starting position (1), and if YES, the photoelectric converter 1
The reading direction of 1F is set to the positive direction (2), and a signal for forward rotation of the pulse motor PM is sent to the motor driver 26 (3). Here, the left page of the original 41b is read (4), and the process returns to step (5) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is NO, move the exposure unit 11 to the forward reading start position (5),
Return to step (2).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the reverse read operation according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, it is determined whether the exposure unit 11 is located at the starting position of the reverse direction lJH (1), and if YES, the reading direction of the photoelectric converter 11f is set to the reverse direction (2), and a signal is sent to reverse the pulse motor PM. is sent to the motor driver 26 (3). Here, the right page of the original 41b is read (4), and the process returns to step (5) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (1) is No, move the exposure unit 11 to the reverse direction reading start position (5),
Return to step (2).

In the above embodiment, instructions for starting reading of the exposure unit 11 and switching pages are input from a switch provided in the reader 42. However, commands issued from the host via the host interface 29 May be controlled.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the original is read using an optical system consisting of the scanning mirrors 1b to 11d, the imaging lens 118, etc. that constitute the exposure unit 11 is shown, but for example, a COD or the like may be arranged on an array. , a method in which the document is read in close contact with the original may also be used.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention includes a page specifying means for specifying either the left or right page of a book-like document to be read, a margin amount specifying means for specifying the amount of left margin to be formed in an output image, and a page specifying means for specifying the left or right page of a book-like document to be read. A reading control means is provided for controlling the image reading timing so that the left margin amount specified by the margin amount specification means is formed equally on both left and right pages for each page to be read. , it is possible to read an image with the same margin added to both the left and right pages, and when the read image is output, there is no hidden image, and the images output to the left and right pages can be placed evenly. Has excellent advantages.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an image reader according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an image reading mechanism applied to this invention, and FIG. 3 is the same as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the control configuration of the image reader, FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the image control circuit shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is for explaining the timing of sending each signal shown in FIG. 4. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining page flags, FIGS. 7 to 10 are flowcharts for explaining the image reading control operation according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a configuration of a conventional image reader. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a conventional stepped image reader, and FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) illustrate a document and its formed image using a conventional image reader fixed to the document table. FIG. In the figure, 1 is the right page LED indicator, 2 is the page selection switch, 3 is the left page LED indicator, 4 is the page fixing switch, 5 is the read start switch, 6 is the binding margin addition enable switch, and 7 is the margin A setting switch 28 is an image control circuit 41a. 41b is a manuscript. 'LV Bamboo↓j Figure 1 Figure 2 X-F Figure 3 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an image reader that photoelectrically converts and reads a document placed on a fixed document table, a page specifying means for specifying either the left or right page of a book-like document to be read;
a margin amount specifying means for specifying the amount of left margin to be formed in an output image; and a left margin amount specified by the margin amount specifying means for each page specified by the page specifying means so as to be formed equally on both left and right pages. 1. An image reader comprising: a reading control means for controlling image reading timing; and a reading control means for controlling image reading timing.