KR100294219B1 - Apparatus and method for scanning - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reading apparatus and a method of allowing a color reading module and a black and white reading module mounted together to read out the same reading to compensate for the read image and thereby improve the image quality of the read image.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the image quality of a full color original image by clearly processing black and white when reading a color original, and to read a monochrome original by converting it to gray scale through a color reading module. The grayscale data read by the read module compensates for the image to improve the black and white image quality.

To this end, the present invention irradiates light to a predetermined portion of the original through the color reading module to read the color data through the reflected light reflected, and moves the color reading module and the black and white reading module one line in the original reading direction through the moving means. After rewriting, a portion of the document is reread at a gray scale through a black and white reading module, and the color data and the black and white reading are read through the color reading module according to the reading method of the original by an image processor. Based on the gray ratio data read through the module, a read image for a portion of the original is enhanced.

According to the present invention, when reading a color document, black and white can be clearly processed to improve the image quality of the entire color document, and the color reading module converts the black and white document to gray scale to read it. When the gray ratio data read by the black and white read module to compensate for the image has the effect of improving the black and white image quality.

Description

Read device and method {Apparatus and method for scanning}

The present invention relates to a reading apparatus and a method, and more particularly, a color reading module and a black and white reading module, which are mounted together, read the same reading to compensate for the read image, thereby improving image quality of the read image. An apparatus and method are provided.

A scanner is a device that converts documents, pictures, and films into digital data that can be stored on a computer. It can not only make a graphic file of a picture using appropriate software, but also convert a book, document, etc. into text that can be recognized by a computer. Can be.

The basic operation of the scanner is similar to that of a copier. Of course, it is ahead of copiers in terms of resolution and color resolution, but it is similar in that it measures the amount of reflection by scanning light onto an object.

The operation sequence of the scanner is to first scan the object, measure the amount of reflected light and then generate a voltage that is proportional to the amount of light, so that the voltage is fixed by a circuit built into the scanner. Convert to a pattern.

In the end, it is the scanner that reflects the light, measures the amount, and images it.

Referring to FIG. 1 to read an original using a CCD image sensor, which is one of the general reading modules of such a scanner, first, the CCD image sensor 130 includes a photoelectric converter 131 and a charge transfer unit 132. , The signal detector 133 is divided into two, and the photoelectric converter 131 absorbs the reflected light of the light emitted from the light source 100 and irradiated onto the document 120 to generate electrons. It can be composed of three types of unit devices: conductor, photo diode, and photo gate.

Meanwhile, the charge transfer unit 132 transfers the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit 131 to the signal detector 133, and the signal detector 133 detects the signal charge at the end of the charge transfer unit. By using a method of detecting a current from a charge and a method of detecting a voltage, image information received by the photoelectric converter 131 is finally converted into an electrical signal and exported to the outside world.

The scanner system equipped with the above-described CCD image sensor scans the document while generating an electrical signal by receiving light reflected from the document 120 through a light source 100 such as a fluorescent lamp.

The scanner is classified into a color scanner or a black and white scanner according to the type of the read module, that is, the color read module or the black and white module. When the paper is pushed up like a printer, the sheet feed scanner reads as the paper moves downward, and the flatbed that reads as the reading module moves under the glass when the object to be read is placed on the glass in the most widely used manner. It can be classified into a flat bed scanner.

Referring to Figure 2, a simple flatbed scanner, the document to be read 210 is fixed and the color or black and white reading module 220 is moved to read the original.

However, when reading a black and white (eg, black) document using the color reading module, the color reading module generates black and white (eg, black) by properly combining RGB, so that the entire read image is blurred.

In addition, when reading a color document including black and white through the color reading module, there is a problem in that the entire color image is not clear because the black and white are not processed exactly as described above.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and when the color original is read, black and white are clearly processed to improve the image quality of the full color original image.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the black and white image quality by compensating the image through the gray scale data read by the black and white reading module when the black and white document is read and converted to gray scale through the color reading module.

1 shows a general CCD image sensor,

2 shows a typical flatbed scanner,

3 (a) to (b) is a conceptual diagram for explaining the concept of the reading apparatus according to the present invention,

4 shows a connection relationship between a reading apparatus and a host computer according to the present invention,

5 shows components of a video processor of a reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

6 illustrates an image enhancement mapping table experimentally configured to enhance an image of a color read original stored in an image enhancement mapping table storage unit according to the present invention;

7 shows components of a video processor of a reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention,

8 illustrates an image enhancement mapping table experimentally configured to enhance an image of a black and white read document using a color reading module stored in an image enhancement mapping table storage unit according to the present invention.

9 shows a reading method according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols of main parts of drawing>

310: Original 320: Color reading module

330: monochrome reading module 340: pixels

410: central processing unit 420: ROM

430: image processor 440: first amplifier

450: image memory 460: motor driver

470: step motor 480: the second amplifier stage

490: Interface unit 500: host computer

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a color reading module for reading color data through the reflected light reflected by irradiating light to a predetermined portion of the document; A black and white reading module for rereading a portion of the original at a gray scale; Moving means for moving the color reading module and the black and white reading module to read the document; A readout including an image processor for reinforcing a readout image of a portion of the document based on color data read out through the color readout module and grayscale data read out through the monochrome readout module in accordance with the readout manner of the document. An apparatus is disclosed.

Preferably, the image processor, the color data input unit for receiving the color data read through the color reading module; A black and white data input unit configured to receive gray ratio data read through the black and white read module; An image enhancement mapping table storage unit preset and storing the enhanced image data values corresponding to the color data and the gray ratio data; When the reading mode of the reading apparatus is the color mode, a final image of a predetermined portion of the document read out by reinforcing image data values corresponding to the input color data and gray ratio data from the image enhancement mapping table storage unit. And a processing unit for outputting data.

Preferably, the image processor, the color data input unit for receiving the color data read through the color reading module; A gray ratio converter for converting the input color data into first gray ratio data; A black and white data input unit configured to receive second gray ratio data read through the black and white read module; An image enhancement mapping table storage unit preset and storing the enhanced image data values corresponding to the first gray ratio data and the first gray ratio data; When the reading mode of the reading apparatus is a black and white mode, the image data values corresponding to the first gray ratio data and the second gray ratio data are retrieved from the image enhancement mapping table storage unit to a predetermined portion of the original read. And a processing unit for outputting the final image data.

Preferably, the size of a portion of the document is one line size as a unit size for reading the document through the color reading module and the black and white reading module.

Preferably, the image processor performs image enhancement processing on each pixel of a line read through the color reading module and the black and white reading module.

Preferably, the monochrome reading module reads a portion of the original by the color reading module, and then the monochrome reading module is rearwarded to the color reading module based on the original reading direction in order for the monochrome reading module to reread a portion of the original. Attach to.

Preferably, the black and white reading module reads a portion of the document and the color reading module is rearwarded to the color reading module based on the document reading direction so that the color reading module rereads the portion of the document. Attach to.

Preferably, the reading device according to the present invention comprises: a second amplifying stage for amplifying an electronic signal of data read through the color reading module and transmitting it to the image processor; And a first amplifying stage for amplifying an electronic signal of data read through the black and white reading module and transmitting the amplified electronic signal to the image processor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, by irradiating light to a portion of the document to read the color data through the reflected light reflected, and re-read a portion of the document in a gray scale (Gray scale), the reading of the document Disclosed is a reading method comprising an image processing step of reinforcing a read image for a portion of the original based on the read color data and the read gray ratio data according to a scheme.

Preferably, in the image processing step, when the reading method of the reading apparatus is a color mode, the read color data is input, the read gray ratio data is input, and then the preset color data and the gray ratio data are received. The enhanced image data values corresponding to the input color data and gray ratio data are retrieved from the image enhancement mapping table storing the enhanced image data values corresponding to the output image data as final image data of the read original.

Preferably, in the image processing step, when the reading method of the reading apparatus is a black and white mode, the read color data is received and converted into first gray ratio data, and after receiving the read second gray ratio data, The enhancement corresponding to the input first gray ratio data and the second gray ratio data from an image enhancement mapping table storing enhanced image data values corresponding to the preset first gray ratio data and the second gray ratio data; The retrieved image data values are output as final image data for the read originals.

Preferably, in the color reading step and the black and white reading step, a portion of the original is read in line units.

Preferably, the image processing step performs an image enhancement process on each pixel of the read color read data and one line of black and white read data.

Preferably, a portion of the original is read by black and white reading means, and a portion of the original is read again by color reading means.

Hereinafter, the objects, features, and advantages of the present invention described above will be described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

The terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may vary according to the intention or custom of a person skilled in the art, and the definitions should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

Looking at the concept of the scanner according to the present invention with reference to Figure 3, the scanner irradiates light on a portion of the document 310 through the color reading module 320 to convert the reflected reflected light into an electrical signal to convert the color data Read and re-read a portion of the document 330 read by the color reading module 320 through the gray reading module 330 tightly coupled with the color reading module 320 in the gray scale (Gray scale).

At this time, the number and arrangement of the scratch elements (for example, CCD elements) constituting the color reading module 320 and the black and white reading module 330 are the same as shown in Figure 3b, the color reading module 320 and the black and white reading The distance between the modules 330 is one pixel difference.

Therefore, the scanner according to the present invention, when the color reading module 320 reads one line and reads the color reading module 320 by moving to the next line, the black and white reading module 330 moved together is the color reading module ( The data read immediately before 320 is reread to enhance the image quality of one line read by the color reading module 320 through an image processor to be described later.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the color reading module is configured at the rear of the black and white reading module based on the original reading direction to read a certain portion of the original by the black and white reading module, and then the color reading module continuously reads a predetermined portion of the original. Can be configured to be.

Looking at the main components of the scanner according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG.

The central processing unit 420 executes an operation program stored in the ROM 410 and a general control program.

The color reading module 320 receives the driving clock under the control of the image processor 430 and outputs an RGB color image signal in which a predetermined portion of the original is read in line, and the first amplifier 440 outputs the line read image data. DC coupling, offset voltage, and gain amplification.

The image processor 430 performs shading correction on the input analog data, generates the digital data, and temporarily stores the digital data in the image memory 450.

The motor driver 460 drives the step motor 470 to move the color reading module 320 and the black and white reading module 330 in units of lines when reading the original under the control of the CPU 410.

On the other hand, the image processor 430 supplies a driving clock to the black and white reading module 330 to read a predetermined portion of the original read by the color reading module 320 again to read the gray scale image signal read out. The second amplifier 480 receives the line-scanned gray ratio image data and performs DC coupling, offset voltage, and gain amplification.

The image processor 430 performs shading correction on the analog data for the input gray scale image signal, and then generates the digital data.

The image processor 430 is read based on the color reading module 320 according to the original reading method, based on the color data temporarily stored in the image memory 450 and the gray ratio data read through the black and white reading module 330. The read image for a portion of the image is enhanced and stored in the image memory 450.

Preferably, the document reading method may be classified into a black and white reading method for reading a black and white document and a color method for reading a color document.

The interface unit 490 serves as a bridge that receives image data through an interrupt with the central processing unit 410 and passes the data to the host computer 500.

Finally, the host computer 500 uploads the data received from the interface unit 490, and displays the uploaded data on the monitor, the image data scanned by the application software driver.

The image processor 430 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a color data input unit 431 for receiving color data read through the color reading module 320 and gray scale data read through the black and white reading module 330. The black and white data input unit 432 that receives the signal, and the enhanced image data values (Out_Red, Out_Green, Out_Blue) corresponding to the color data (for example, red, green, blue) and gray ratio data (Gray) as shown in FIG. Image enhanced mapping table storage unit 433 and the enhanced image data values corresponding to the input color data and gray ratio data when the reading method of the reading apparatus is the color mode. And a processing unit 435 for outputting, to the image data output unit 434, the final image data of a predetermined portion of the document retrieved from the unit 433.

For example, an image enhancement process for color image data may be performed. For example, a red value of a color data value read through the color reading module 320 is hexadecimal 2F, and a green value is hexadecimal FF. When the blue value is hexadecimal 33 and the gray ratio data value read through the monochrome reading module 330 is hexadecimal FF, the enhanced image data value corresponding to EXAM1 (ie, R) as illustrated in FIG. 6. Hexadecimal FF as the value, Hexadecimal FF as the G value, Hexadecimal FF as the B value) are output as final image data for a certain portion of the original.

That is, when the gray ratio data value read by the monochrome read module is hexadecimal FF (white value), the color read value is processed to be output in white, and the gray ratio data value read by the monochrome read module is the hexadecimal number OO. In the case of (black value), the color read value is treated as black, and black and white are clearly processed to enhance the entire color image.

Preferably, the values stored in the image enhancement mapping table storage unit 433 are empirically obtained through experiments.

The image processor 430 according to another embodiment of the present invention converts the color data input unit 431 that receives the color data read through the color reading module 320 and the input color data into the first gray ratio data. The gray ratio converter 431a, the black and white data input unit 432 that receives the second gray ratio data read through the black and white read module 330, and the first gray ratio data Gray1 as shown in FIG. And an image enhancement mapping table storage unit 433 preset and storing the enhanced image data value Output_Gray corresponding to the first gray ratio data Gray2, and the first gray when the reading method of the reading apparatus is a black and white mode. An image data value corresponding to the ratio data and the second gray ratio data is retrieved from the image enhancement mapping table storage section 433 to display the final image data for a portion of the original read. And a processing unit 435 for outputting to the data output unit 434.

According to the present invention, an image enhancement process for black and white image data is performed. For example, the first gray ratio data converted with respect to the color data values R, G, and B read through the color reading module 320 may be used. When the value Gray1 is hexadecimal F0 and the gray ratio data value read through the monochrome reading module 330 is hexadecimal FE, as shown in FIG. 8, the enhanced image data value corresponding to EXAM2 (ie, Gray). As a value, hexadecimal FE) is output as final image data for a portion of the original.

In this case, the enhanced image data value of the image enhancement mapping table storage unit 433 may be obtained according to the following formula.

In this case, f is a characteristic value coefficient of the reading apparatus.

Preferably, the values stored in the image enhancement mapping table storage unit 433 are empirically obtained through experiments through the above-described formula.

Preferably, the image processor 430 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be configured differently as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 according to the reading method of the original, and placed in the image enhancement mapping table storage unit 433. Since the image enhancement mapping table is configured for one case, it can be configured to handle two cases through one image processor.

Looking at the reading method applied to the reading apparatus according to the present invention with reference to FIG.

The central processing unit 410 drives the step motor 470 through the motor driver 460 to move the color reading module 320 and the black and white reading module 330 to the position where the original is to be read. The color reading module 320 is controlled through the processor 430 to irradiate light onto a predetermined portion of the original (for example, one line of the original) to read color data through the reflected reflected light (step S901).

After controlling the color reading module 320 to read a part of the document, the central processing unit 410 drives the step motor 470 through the motor driver 460 to read the color reading module 320 and the monochrome reading module. By moving 330 one line in the original reading direction, a portion of the original read by the color reading module 320 is read again in a gray scale through the black and white reading module 330 (step: S902). At this time, since the color read module 320 reads the next line, the read operation is performed in parallel.

Color reading and black and white reading are performed on one line to acquire color data and gray ratio data, and then the reading method of the document is determined (step S903).

If the original reading method is color, the image processor 430 receives the read color data through the color reading module 320 (step S904).

Subsequently, the gray ratio data read through the black and white read module 330 is input (step S905).

After receiving the read color data and the gray ratio data, the image reinforcement storing predetermined information on the image enhancement as shown in FIG. 6 to obtain enhanced image data values for the input color data and the gray ratio data. The mapping table storage unit 433 is searched for (step S906).

Subsequently, the retrieved image data value is regarded as the final image data for the read original document portion and outputted (step S907). That is, black and white are clearly distinguished and processed from the color images of one line read by the color reading module 320, thereby outputting enhanced image quality.

On the other hand, as a result of determining the reading method of the document in step S903, when the reading method of the document is black and white, the image processor 430 receives the color data read through the color reading module 320 (step: S909).

After receiving the read color data, the image processor 430 converts the color data input through the gray ratio converter 431a into first gray ratio data (step: S909).

After converting the input color data into the first gray ratio data, the second gray ratio data read through the black and white reading module 330 is input (step: S910).

After receiving the converted first gray ratio data and the read second gray ratio data, the image shown in FIG. 8 is obtained to obtain enhanced image data values for the converted first gray ratio data and the read second gray ratio data. The image enhancement mapping table storage unit 433 storing predetermined information on the image enhancement as described above is searched (step S911).

Subsequently, the retrieved image data value is regarded as the final image data for the read original document portion and outputted (step S912). That is, the black and white image of one line read by the color reading module 320 is reinforced and output.

As described above, according to the present invention, when reading a color document, black and white can be clearly processed to improve the image quality of the entire color document image. When reading by converting the image to black and white reading module to compensate the image through the gray ratio data read by the black and white image quality is improved.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be appreciated that modifications or variations may be made. Therefore, changes in the future embodiments of the present invention will not be able to escape the technology of the present invention.

Claims (14)

A color reading module for reading color data through reflected light reflected by irradiating light on a predetermined portion of the original; A black and white reading module for rereading a portion of the original at a gray scale; Moving means for moving the color reading module and the black and white reading module to read the document; A readout including an image processor for reinforcing a readout image of a portion of the document based on color data read out through the color readout module and grayscale data read out through the monochrome readout module in accordance with the readout manner of the document. Device. The method of claim 1, wherein the image processor, A color data input unit for receiving color data read through the color reading module; A black and white data input unit configured to receive gray ratio data read through the black and white read module; An image enhancement mapping table storage unit preset and storing the enhanced image data values corresponding to the color data and the gray ratio data; When the reading mode of the reading apparatus is the color mode, a final image of a predetermined portion of the document read out by reinforcing image data values corresponding to the input color data and gray ratio data from the image enhancement mapping table storage unit. Read device including a processing unit for outputting data. The method of claim 1, wherein the image processor, A color data input unit for receiving color data read through the color reading module; A gray ratio converter for converting the input color data into first gray ratio data; A black and white data input unit configured to receive second gray ratio data read through the black and white read module; An image enhancement mapping table storage unit preset and storing the enhanced image data values corresponding to the first gray ratio data and the first gray ratio data; When the reading mode of the reading apparatus is a black and white mode, the image data values corresponding to the first gray ratio data and the second gray ratio data are retrieved from the image enhancement mapping table storage unit to a predetermined portion of the original read. And a processing unit for outputting the final image data. The method of claim 1, wherein the size of the portion of the document, And a line size as a unit size for reading the document through the color reading module and the black and white reading module. The method of claim 4, wherein the image processor, And an image enhancement process is performed on each pixel of a line read through the color reading module and the black and white reading module. The method of claim 1, The black and white reading module is attached to the rear end of the color reading module based on the original reading direction so that the black and white reading module reads a predetermined portion of the original by the color reading module, and then the black and white reading module reads back a predetermined portion of the original. Read device, characterized in that configured. The method of claim 1, The color reading module is attached to the rear end of the black and white reading module based on the original reading direction so that the color reading module reads a predetermined portion of the original by the black and white reading module, and then the color reading module rereads the predetermined portion of the original. Read device, characterized in that configured. The method of claim 1, A second amplifying stage for amplifying an electronic signal of data read through the color reading module and transmitting the amplified electronic signal to the image processor; And a first amplifying stage for amplifying an electronic signal of data read through the black and white reading module and transferring the electronic signal to the image processor. An original color reading step of reading color data through reflected light reflected by irradiating light on a predetermined portion of the original; A black and white reading step of re-reading a portion of the original at a gray scale; And an image processing step of reinforcing a read image for a portion of the original based on the read color data and the read gray ratio data according to the read method of the original. The method of claim 9, wherein in the image processing step, when the reading method of the reading apparatus is a color mode, A color data input step of receiving the read color data; A black and white data input step of receiving the read gray ratio data; Originals retrieved by reading the enhanced image data values corresponding to the input color data and gray ratio data from an image enhancement mapping table storing the preset color data and enhanced image data values corresponding to the gray ratio data. And a processing step of outputting the final image data for the. The method of claim 9, wherein in the image processing step, when the reading method of the reading apparatus is a black and white mode, A color data input step of receiving the read color data; A gray ratio conversion step of converting the input color data into first gray ratio data; A black and white data input step of receiving the read second gray ratio data; The enhancement corresponding to the input first gray ratio data and the second gray ratio data from an image enhancement mapping table storing the enhanced image data values corresponding to the preset first gray ratio data and the second gray ratio data; And a processing step of retrieving the obtained image data value and outputting the final image data of the read original document. 10. The reading method according to claim 9, wherein a predetermined portion of the original is read line by line in the color reading step and the black and white reading step. The method of claim 9, wherein the image processing step, And an image enhancement process is performed on each pixel of the read color read data and the black and white read data line. The method of claim 9, And a predetermined portion of the original is read by a black and white reading means, and a portion of the original is read again by a color reading means.