JP3472469B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for reading an image of an original, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus capable of arbitrarily reading a reflective original and a transparent original.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus for reading a reflective original and a transparent original has an original 10 at the top as shown in FIG.
A transparent mounting glass for mounting 0, that is, a document table 1
01 is provided, and an optical system 102 that optically scans a document and an element that photoelectrically converts the image of the document scanned by the optical system and reads the document, such as a CCD 103, are provided below the device 01. The optical system 102 includes a lamp 102a for illuminating the original 100 and a first reflecting mirror 10 for reflecting light from the original.
A first scanning unit 102c provided with 2b and running parallel to the right side in the figure with respect to the document table 101, and second and third reflection mirrors 102d that further reflect light on an image from the document and direct it toward the CCD 103. , 102e, and a second scanning unit 102f that travels in the same direction as the first scanning unit 102c and at a speed half the traveling speed of the first unit 102c, and the light guided from the document. Lens 10 for forming an image on CCD 103
It is composed of 2g.

The original 100 is placed on the upper side of the original table 101.
A removable document holder 104 made of a white plate is provided to bring the document into close contact with the document table 101. Above the document holder 104, there is provided a transparent document reading section 105 which is used especially when reading a transparent document. The transparent original reading unit 105 includes a diffusion plate 106 at a portion facing the original 100 and a transparent original lamp 107 that illuminates the transparent original on the diffusion plate 106.

The first and second scanning units 102c,
It has the 1st drive unit 108 in order to run 102f. Then, the transparent original lamp 107
As with the first scanning unit 102c, they are driven to travel at the same speed. The transparent original lamp 107 is driven and driven by the second drive unit 109.

In the above arrangement, when the original 100 is a reflective original, as shown in FIG. 9A, the original holder 104 is attached to the reading section 105 side of the transparent original so as to correspond to the diffusion plate 106. The reflective original 100 placed on the original table 101 is pressed from above. In this state, the lower lamp 102a is turned on, and the first and second scanning units 102c and 102f are caused to travel via the first drive unit 108, whereby the reflected light from the original 100 is sequentially transferred to the CCD.
An image is formed on 103. As a result, the reflection original 100
Image is read, converted into an electric signal, and output.

When reading a transparent original, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the original document holder 104 is removed, and the transparent original document 100 placed on the original document platen 101 is brought into close contact with the original document platen 101 via the diffusion plate 106 of the upper transparent original document reading unit 105. Then, the transparent document lamp 107
Is turned on, and the transparent document lamp 107 is driven by the second drive unit 109. At the same time, also in the lower scanning optical system 102, the first and second scanning units 102c and 102f are caused to travel via the first driving unit 108, and particularly the first scanning unit 102c is set to the scanning speed of the transparent original lamp 107. Match.

As a result, the lamp 10 is connected to the diffusion plate 106.
The light from 7 is diffused and evenly illuminates the transparent original 100. Therefore, the transmitted light transmitted through the transparent original 100 is imaged on the CCD 103 through the optical system 102, and the images are sequentially read and converted and output as an electric signal similarly to the reflective original. At this time, the lamp 102a of the optical system 102 is turned off.

As described above, in the conventional document reading apparatus, the same optical system 102 is used for the transparent document or the reflective document as necessary.
It can be read by the CCD 103 via the.

[0009]

In the conventional image reading apparatus described above, it is possible to read both a transparent original and a reflective original as shown in FIG.

However, it is very troublesome to read out the transparent original and to read the reflective original, because it is necessary to remove or attach the white original holder 104. Moreover, if the attachment and the removal are mistaken, the image cannot be read. Therefore, when reading the transparent original, it is necessary to separately provide a means for recognizing the existence of the original holder 104 and notifying the operator that the original holder 104 is removed if the original holder 104 is present.

Further, the original and other images and character data cannot be read at the same time. In other words, it is necessary to read the image of the original document first and then combine the other characters and images on the computer.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and in reading a transparent original or a reflective original, a reading error occurs without removing or attaching the original holder. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading device that can reliably read an image.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of simultaneously reading another image while reading the image.

Therefore, the present invention provides the image reading apparatus with a liquid crystal shutter or the like, and achieves the above-mentioned object by utilizing this liquid crystal shutter.

Here, in an apparatus for reading an image, a device provided with a liquid crystal shutter is, for example, an actual flat panel 7-4.
It is described in Japanese Patent No. 4994. However, the one described in this publication is used for reading a color image by using a liquid crystal shutter, and a liquid crystal shutter is provided so as to overlap a color separation filter, and light from a white light source is emitted through a color separation filter to obtain a desired color. Only the light is transmitted and the color original is illuminated to read the color image from the color original. Such a thing described in the above publication only specifies the technical idea of using a liquid crystal shutter for reading a color image, and is not provided for reading a transparent original or a reflective original.

Therefore, according to the present invention, by effectively using the liquid crystal shutter as described above, the reflective original or the transparent original can be reliably read without making a reading error.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The read images of the present invention for achieving the above object apparatus, the image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document placed on a document platen, said platen to First irradiation means for irradiating the original with light, second irradiation means for irradiating the original with light from the side opposite to the original table side, and arbitrarily transmitting light from the second irradiation means. And a liquid crystal shutter that transmits or blocks light,
An image reading element for photoelectrically converting the original placed on the original table by receiving reflected light from the original or transmitted light transmitted through the original, and reading the transparent original on the original table, The first irradiation means is turned off and the second irradiation means is turned on. When the reflection original is read, the first irradiation means is turned on.
Irradiating means and turns on the second irradiation means, the system and control means for causing the image reading guide the transmitted light or reflected light from the transparent original or reflective original to the image reading device
The control means is the liquid crystal shutter when reading a transparent original.
Display the desired image at any position on the
The light from the irradiating means of 2 is blocked, and the image by the transparent original is
It is also characterized in that the displayed images are simultaneously read and processed .

According to the image reading apparatus having such a configuration,
When the image of the transparent original is read, the placed transparent original is irradiated by the second irradiation unit. At this time, the liquid crystal shutter is open in all areas, that is, light is transmitted. When irradiating the transparent original with the second irradiating means, it is preferable to irradiate the light through the diffusion plate in order to uniformly irradiate the light. Then, since the transparent original is irradiated by the second irradiation means through the liquid crystal shutter, the transmitted light is guided to the image reading element, and the image of the transparent original is read.

On the other hand, when the reflective original is read, the back surface of the reflective original is illuminated by the second illuminating means through the liquid crystal shutter, for example, in the entire area. Therefore, even in the area where the document is not present, the white plate is placed on the reflective document in an overlapping manner, and the white level reading process is performed. Further, the reflection original is illuminated by the light irradiation by the first irradiation means, and the reflected light from the original is guided to the image reading element to read the image. Therefore, it is not necessary to attach or detach a white plate or the like for distinguishing the transparent original or the reflective original. In addition, it is possible to eliminate a reading error when the white plate or the like is attached / detached incorrectly, and it is possible to reliably perform the reading process regardless of the transparent original or the reflective original.

[0020] Further, example embodiment For Referring transparent original (1) to FIG. 2, a desired image on the liquid crystal shutter (8) (2
1) is displayed, and at the same time, the reading process can be performed in a state where it is combined with the image of the transparent original (1). Therefore, there is no need to perform a combining process with other image data after reading, which simplifies the process.

Further, in the image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, the liquid crystal shutter area corresponding to an arbitrary image position of the transparent original is displayed as a halftone dot, a halftone dot, or a black solid state, and any area of the transparent original is displayed. It is also possible to perform the reading process by the emphasized reading of the image or the image erasing . Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, halftone dots (23) are displayed on the liquid crystal shutter (8) at a position corresponding to an arbitrary image (22) of the transparent original (1). Therefore, it is possible to obtain the read image data 24 that has been subjected to the reading process in the state where the transparent original and the image of the liquid crystal shutter are combined and the emphasis process has been performed. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a solid black image (25) is formed on the liquid crystal shutter (8).
Is displayed, the read processing is performed with the image 22 of the transparent original (1) being erased in black as read image data. Therefore, you can read with unnecessary images erased,
Alternatively, the reading process can be performed as an emphasized image.

Here, in the image reading apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration,
Light through the platen on which the above document is placed.
A second liquid crystal shutter that shields the liquid crystal
If you set it to display an arbitrary image,
Desired in any area, whether original or reflective
Images can be combined and read at the same time.
It is possible to simultaneously perform the reading process in which the image is erased or emphasized.

[0023]

That is, when reading the reflection original, the second
Display a desired image on any position of the liquid crystal shutter of
The display section shields the light from the first irradiation means and
By blocking the reflection of the
It is designed to simultaneously read and process the images displayed arbitrarily.
By forming the image, another image can be combined with the blank area or the like of the reflection original (1) as shown in FIG. Therefore, the image (21) is displayed on the liquid crystal shutter (80) forming the document table. Then, the light from the first irradiating means is absorbed in the displayed portion, and the image (21) on the liquid crystal shutter (80) is combined with the image of the reflection original (1) by the reading element. Read. Even in this case, the trouble of synthesizing another image after the reading process of the reflection original is eliminated.

When reading a reflection original, the reflection original is read.
Area of the second liquid crystal shutter corresponding to any image position of
Is displayed as a halftone dot, halftone dot, or black solid state.
Read by highlighting or erasing any image on the reflective original
As shown in FIG. 7, it is configured by performing the collecting process.
Then, the shaded area (27) is displayed in the area of the liquid crystal shutter (80) corresponding to the image (26) of the reflection original (1). As a result, the image is read by the reading element in the combined state. In this case, the image (26) of the reflection original (1) is read in a state (28) highlighted by shading. Also,
Referring to FIG. 8, when a black solid image (29) is displayed on the liquid crystal shutter (80), the image (26) of the reflection original (1) corresponding to that portion is read in a black level state, and the result Is read and processed with the image erased. As a result, the image of an arbitrary document can be erased and read.

[0026]

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image reading apparatus for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. 2 to 4 are diagrams showing various reading modes when an image is read using the image reading apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The configuration of the image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image reading apparatus includes an original table 2 made of transparent glass for placing a transparent original or a reflective original 1.
Is equipped with. An optical system 3 for optically scanning an image of light from the original 1 and forming an image on a CCD 5 which is a photoelectric conversion element for converting the light into an electric signal is provided below the original table 2.

The optical system 3 includes, for example, an irradiation lamp 31 that is turned on when the original 1 is a reflection original, a first reflection mirror 32 for reflecting light from the original into a desired optical path, the irradiation lamp 31 and the first illumination mirror 31. The reflection mirror 32 is supported, and the document table 2
A second and a third unit for guiding the light reflected by the first scanning unit 33 and the first reflection mirror 32, which are movably provided in parallel with each other, to the optical path at the arrangement position of the CCD 5.
The reflection mirrors 34 and 35, and the second and third reflection mirrors 3
The second scanning unit 3 which supports the motors 4, 35 and is movably provided in parallel with the first scanning unit 33 in the same direction.
6 and a lens 37 for forming an image of the document 1 on the light receiving surface of the CCD 5.

The first scanning unit 33 is driven to travel along the document table 2 at a predetermined speed V, and the second scanning unit 36 is driven with respect to the traveling speed V of the first scanning unit 33 in accordance with this driving. It is driven to travel at a speed of V / 2. This drive is performed by driving the drive motor 6, and is performed via a drive unit (not shown) connected to the drive motor 6.

Further, on the upper side of the document table 2, there is provided a pressing member 7 which can be opened and closed, for example, so as to bring the document 1 into close contact with the document table 2. The pressing member 7 is provided with a liquid crystal shutter 8 for reading an image of a document. The liquid crystal shutter 8 is composed of a large number of well-known liquid crystal elements (cells), and makes light transmit or not transmit. Therefore, it can be partially made non-transparent, and characters and images can be arbitrarily displayed, for example, blackened. Also, the whole can be in a transparent state.

The liquid crystal shutter 8 faces the document table 8 and is located on the outer surface of the pressing member 7. For protection, a surface facing the document table 8 is covered with, for example, a transparent protective sheet. A diffusion plate 9 is attached to the back surface of the liquid crystal shutter 8. A plurality of lamps (fluorescent lamps) 10 for illumination are arranged on the back surface of the diffusion plate 9 at equal intervals, for example.

[0033] Thus, in the open state of all the liquid crystal shutter 8, and light up the illumination lamp 10, to be able to illuminate the document 1 entirely through the liquid crystal shutter 8 to RiHitoshi one by the action of the diffusion plate 9 ing.

On the other hand, the light received by the CCD 5 is CC
It is converted into an electric signal via D5. This is CCD5
The signal is sent from the CCD substrate 4 in which is wired as an electric signal, that is, an analog signal corresponding to an image, to the next A / D conversion circuit 11 and converted into digital data, for example, an 8-bit data signal. The converted digital data, that is, image data, is subjected to various correction processes, such as shading correction, in the image processing device 12 that performs digital image processing.

The image processing device 12 includes a timing circuit that not only performs image processing but also controls timing such that data read by the CCD 5 is serially fetched. For example, in order to serially capture the data sequentially converted by the A / D conversion circuit 11, the D / A conversion circuit 1
A timing signal is sent to the A / D conversion circuit 11 via 3. Further, if the image processing is completed in the image processing device 12,
The completion signal is sent to the main controller 14. Upon receiving this signal, the main control unit 14 outputs a control signal to the SCSI controller 15 so that the image data after the image processing is output to an external computer or an image forming apparatus.

The SCSI controller 15 is connected to, for example, the computer 16 via a SCSI cable so that they can communicate with each other. Therefore, the read image data is sent to the computer 16 side, and necessary image data and the like are sent from the computer 16 side.

The SCSI controller 15 sends the image data sent from the computer 16 to the liquid crystal driver 17 according to an instruction from the main controller 14, and the liquid crystal driver 17 side controls the opening / closing of the liquid crystal shutter 8. For example,
The image data can be displayed on the liquid crystal shutter 8. Further, the liquid crystal driver 17 not only drives the liquid crystal shutter 8 but also turns on the illumination lamp 10.
A drive signal is output to the inverter circuit (fluorescent lamp drive circuit) 18, whereby the lighting lamp 10 is driven to be turned on when necessary.

Further, in the digital image processing apparatus 12, the drive control is performed via the inverter circuit 19 in order to drive the lamp 31 to be turned on particularly when the image of the reflection original is read according to an instruction from the main control unit 14. Then, the motor 6 is driven via the motor driver 20 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 14 in order to read and scan the image of the document 1. As a result, the first and second scanning units 33 and 36 run along the document table 2 and perform reading scanning.

(First Embodiment) In the image reading apparatus having the above configuration, the reading process, particularly the control, will be described below.

First, the reading of a reflection original is described.
The reflection original 1 is placed on the original table 2 at a predetermined reference position. The reflection original 1 is brought into close contact with the original table 2 by closing the pressing member 7 from the top of the placed one. When a reading start instruction is issued in this state, a reading start signal is sent to the motor driver 20 and the digital image processing device 12 and the like via the main control unit 14. In this case, an instruction operation to read the reflective original 1 is performed.

As a result, the lighting lamp 10 is driven to be driven through the inverter circuit 18, and the liquid crystal shutter 8 is driven to open all the liquid crystal cells.

The light from the illuminating lamp 10 is diffused by the action of the diffusion plate 9 and uniformly illuminates the entire surface of the liquid crystal shutter 8. Since the liquid crystal shutters 8 are all in the open state, the entire surface of the reflective original 1 facing the original table 2 on the back side is uniformly illuminated. Therefore, a white state is obtained in a portion where the document 1 does not exist. Especially in the reflection original 1,
The white plate is equivalent conditions to those present on the back.

Then, the reflection original 1 is sequentially optically scanned by the optical system 3 below the original table 2 by driving the motor 6, the reflected light from the original is focused on the CCD 5, and the image of the original is read. . At this time, the lamp 31 of the scanning optical system 3 is driven to be turned on and illuminates the read image surface of the original 1. In addition, in the area where no original exists on the original table 2, for example, both sides and the rear end area of the original 1, the irradiation lamp 1 is used.
At 0, light in a white state is irradiated and an image is formed on the CCD 5. Therefore, the area is read as the white level.

Therefore, the image by the reflection original 1 is read, and the image data is transferred from the CCD substrate 4 to the image forming apparatus or the external computer 16 via the image processing apparatus 12. By sending the image data to the image forming apparatus, a hard copy is output.

Next, reading control of a transparent original will be described. Similarly, the transparent original 1 is also placed at a prescribed position on the original table 2 and then the pressing member 7 is closed to bring the original 1 into close contact with the original table 2. At this time, since the transparent original 1 is read, the various devices are driven and controlled as described above except that the lamp 31 of the optical system 3 is turned off.

Therefore, the document 1 is passed through the liquid crystal shutter 9.
There is uniformly illuminated across an irradiation lamp 10. In this case, since it is the transparent original 1, the image formed by the light transmitted through the original 1, that is, the transmitted light is sequentially imaged on the CCD 5 by the scanning by the optical system 3. Therefore, the entire area of the transparent original 1 is scanned by the first and second scanning units 33 and 36 of the optical system 3. As a result, the entire image of the original 1 is read, and the read image data is transferred to the external computer 16 or the like. Further, by being sent to the image forming apparatus, a hard copy can be obtained according to the original image based on the image data.

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 1, when reading a reflective original or a transparent original 1, a document holder such as a white plate provided on the back side of the document is attached and detached as in the prior art. The operator's work due to is unnecessary. Therefore, in reading a reflective original or a transparent original, a reading failure (miss) due to forgetting to attach the document holder or forgetting to remove the original holder does not occur, and the reading can be surely performed.

Moreover, since the above-mentioned work is not necessary, it is possible to read the original without making an error in reading the image by simply instructing the transparent original or the reflective original.

In the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the illumination lamp 31 constituting the optical system 3 serves as the first irradiation means.
The illumination lamp 10 on the side of the pressing member 7 constitutes second irradiation means. Further, the main control unit 14 configures a control unit that controls the driving of the illumination lamp 31 and the illumination lamp 10 described above in response to an instruction operation of a transparent original or a reflective original by an operator, and performs respective reading control. is doing.

(Various reading modes in the first embodiment)
In order to further explain the features of the present invention using the image reading apparatus of FIG. 1, some reading modes specific to the present invention will be described.

When the image of the transparent original 1 is read, other images can be combined and read at the same time. As this image, characters, figures, drawings, etc. can be combined and combined with the transparent original 1 and read simultaneously.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, an image to be included in the image of the transparent original 1 to be combined can be displayed 21 using the liquid crystal shutter 8 and the combined image can be read. Therefore, the synthesized image data is input from the computer 16 or the like, and the data on that side, that is, “123” in FIG.
An image 21 such as "45" is transferred to the liquid crystal driver 17 via the SCSI controller 15, and the liquid crystal driver 17
Drive display via. That is, the element of the liquid crystal shutter 8 in the portion of the image 21 is closed and the image 21 is displayed.

Therefore, when scanning for reading a transparent original, the image of the original 1 and the image 21 of the portion shown in the closed state displayed by the liquid crystal shutter 8 are read as a black level. The reading result is as shown in the figure. By doing so, it becomes possible to combine the transparent original 1 and another image at an arbitrary position and read them at the same time.

In this case, in the prior art, as compared with the case where the computer takes in the image data obtained by reading only the image of the transparent original 1 in FIG. 2 and then outputs it by synthesizing the necessary image, it is arbitrary. Image can be displayed using the liquid crystal shutter 8 and read and scanned at the same time,
The process becomes simple.

In FIG. 2, another image is combined with the transparent original for the reading process, but the combining position of the image can be arbitrarily determined. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, it is also possible to read the image simultaneously on a part of the image area 22 of the transparent original. In FIG. 3, halftone dots and halftone dots 23 are added to a part of the "EFGH" image area 22 of the transparent original 1.
The read image data 24 can be obtained by performing the above processes and combining them.

The halftone dots and halftone dots 23 can be easily displayed by the liquid crystal shutter 8 as described above, and the light from the illumination lamp 10 does not pass through this portion, and the image 22 of the original 1 is displayed. Scanned image data 2
4 can be obtained. By doing so, a part of the image can be emphasized. In other words, if the portion to be strongly expressed is shaded, the visual sense of that portion is emphasized, so that attention can be drawn.

Further, a part of the image of the transparent original 1 can be erased and read. To erase the image in this case,
It is to make it blackened (black solid). An example of the reading process for that is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the "EFG" of the transparent original 1 is displayed.
When the reading process is performed by erasing the H ″ image area 22, the portion corresponding to the area of the image 22 is painted black. Therefore, the desired area 25 of the liquid crystal shutter 8 is shielded so that light does not pass therethrough. As a result, the portion of the image area 22 of the transparent original 1 placed at the predetermined position on the original table 2 is
The image is read by being blocked by the liquid crystal shutter 8 and being painted black. As a result, the reading process is performed with the image 22 erased.

The reading process shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is merely one form, and an image or the like to be combined can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, as the position to be displayed on the liquid crystal shutter 8, the document 1 is placed at the specified position of the document table 2, and therefore, the region to be combined may be arbitrarily designated in the placed state. In this area designation may be used remains fully known area specification techniques.

(Second Embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, the image reading apparatus reads a reflective original and a transparent original, and in particular, the liquid crystal shutter 8 is positioned above the original 1. . That is, the original 1 is irradiated with light from the upper illumination lamp 10 through the liquid crystal shutter 8. According to such a form, when the image of the transparent original is read as the original 1, it is possible to read the image at the same time while synthesizing or erasing other images.

In the second embodiment, particularly when the image of the reflective original is read, other images can be combined and read, and the reflective original and the transparent original can be accurately read without any reading error. It can be processed.

FIG. 5 shows an example thereof. In FIG. 5, parts having the same configurations, functions and functions as in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. A major feature of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 5, that is, a portion greatly different from that of FIG. 1 is that the liquid crystal shutter 80 is provided in place of a portion forming a document table on which the document 1 is placed.
The liquid crystal shutter 80 is arbitrarily driven by the liquid crystal driver 17 to display a necessary image, or all the liquid crystal elements are opened to read the image of the entire document 1. There is.

The pressing member 7 of the original 1 does not have a liquid crystal shutter, and the surface facing the original 1 is constituted by the diffusion plate 9. In the image reading apparatus having such a configuration, reading control of an image on a document will be described below.

First, reading of a reflection original will be described.
The reflection original 1 is placed at a predetermined position (reference position) on the liquid crystal shutter 80 that constitutes the original table, and the pressing member 7 is closed from above the liquid crystal shutter 80 so as to be in close contact with the liquid crystal shutter 80 that also serves as the original table. . When a reading start instruction is issued in this state, a reading start signal is sent to the motor driver 20 and the digital image processing device 12 and the like via the main control unit 14. As a result, the illumination lamp 10 is turned on via the liquid crystal driver 17, and the liquid crystal shutter 80 is driven to open all the liquid crystal elements (cells).

Then, the light from the illumination lamp 10 is diffused through the diffusion plate 9 and uniformly illuminates the entire area of the original 1 from the back surface. Therefore, a white state is obtained in a portion where the reflective original 1 does not exist. In the reflection original 1,
Its back surface is in a state similar to that where a white plate was present.

Then, the reflection original 1 is sequentially optically scanned by the optical system 3 below the original table 2 by driving the motor 6. At this time, since the lamp 31 of the optical system 3 is turned on, the light irradiates the reflection original 1 through the fully opened liquid crystal shutter 80. Therefore, the reflected light from the original 1 is
After passing through the liquid crystal shutter 80 again, an image is formed on the CCD 5 through each reflection mirror and lens, and the image of the original 1 is read. In this way, when the image of the reflective original 1 is read, the back surface of the original is uniformly illuminated, so that the original 1 is not present, for example, both sides and edge areas of the original are read as a white level.

Therefore, the image of the reflection original 1 is read, and the read image data is transferred from the CCD substrate 4 to the image forming apparatus or the external computer 16 via the image processing device 12.

Next, the reading control of the transparent original as the original 1 will be described. Similarly, the transparent original 1 is placed at a prescribed position of the liquid crystal shutter 80 which also constitutes the original table, and then the pressing member 7 is closed to bring the transparent original 1 into close contact with the liquid crystal shutter 80. At this time, since the transparent original 1 is read,
The lamp 31 of the optical system 3 is turned off according to an instruction from the main control unit 14. Other than that, as described above, various devices are drive-controlled as in the reading process of the reflective original.

Therefore, the transparent original 1 is illuminated by the irradiation lamp 10.
The entire surface is uniformly illuminated by the action of the diffusion plate 9. In this case, since it is the transparent original 1, the light transmitted through the original 1 is further transmitted through the liquid crystal shutter 80, and the image by the transmitted light is scanned by the optical system 3 and sequentially formed on the CCD 5. The optical system 3 includes the first and second scanning units 3
3 and 36 are run, and the entire transparent original 1 is scanned. As a result, the entire image of the transparent original 1 is read, and the read image data is transferred to the external computer 16 or the like. Further, by being transferred to the image forming apparatus, a hard copy corresponding to the original image based on the image data can be obtained.

As described above, also in the image reading apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. 5, when reading a reflective original or a transparent original 1, a document holder such as a white plate provided on the back surface of the original is attached as in the conventional case, or Elimination of operator work due to removal. Therefore, in reading a reflective original or a transparent original, a reading failure (miss) due to forgetting to attach the original holder or forgetting to remove the original holder does not occur, and the image can be reliably read.

Moreover, since the above-mentioned work is not necessary, a mistaken reading of the image of the original will not occur by simply instructing the transparent original or the reflective original, and the image can be surely read.

(Various reading modes in the second embodiment)
In order to further explain the features of the present invention using the image reading apparatus of FIG. 5, some reading modes specific to the present invention will be described.

In particular, when the image of the reflection original 1 is read, it is possible to easily combine and read other images at the same time. As this image, characters, figures, drawings and the like can be read together while being combined with the reflective original 1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an image to be combined with the image of the reflection original 1 can be displayed using the liquid crystal shutter 80, and the combined image can be read. Therefore, desired image data to be combined is input from the computer 16 or the like, and the image data, “12” in FIG.
The image 21 such as "345" is displayed by the SCSI controller 15
And is displayed by driving the liquid crystal driver 17. That is, the liquid crystal element of the liquid crystal shutter 80 in the portion of the image 21 is closed, and the image 21 is displayed.

Therefore, when the scanning of the image of the reflective original 1 is performed, the image of the original 1 and the portion represented by the liquid crystal shutter 80 in the closed state are displayed as the image 21.
The original 1 is read in a state in which it is combined with a blank area. The reading result is shown in the lower part of FIG. By doing so, it becomes possible to combine the transparent original 1 and another image at an arbitrary position and read them at the same time.

In this case, conventionally, the computer reads in the image data obtained by reading the transparent original 1 in FIG. 6 and outputs it by synthesizing a necessary image, for example, the contents of the image 21. Compared to such an arrangement, an arbitrary image is displayed by using the liquid crystal shutter 80, and at the same time, the reading process becomes very simple.

In FIG. 6, the reading process is performed in a state where another image 21 is combined at an arbitrary position on the reflection original 1, but as shown in FIG. Other images can be overlaid and read at the same time. In FIG. 7, a read image data 28 can be obtained by applying a halftone dot, a halftone dot 27, etc. to a part of the image area 26 of the “skewed” image on the reflection original 1 and superposing them.

The above-mentioned halftone dots and halftone dots 27 can be easily displayed by the liquid crystal shutter 80 as described above, and the light from the lamp 31 is not reflected at this portion,
The read image data 28 can be obtained in a state of being superimposed on the image 26 of the original 1. By doing so, a part of the image can be emphasized. In other words, if a portion of a character or the like is focused on, that portion is shaded 27, and the visual sense of that portion is emphasized, so that the attention can be easily focused.

Further, a part of the image of the reflection original 1 can be erased and read. To erase the image in this case,
It is to make it blackened (black solid). An example of the reading process for that is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, when the reading process is performed by erasing the image area 26 of the "scratch mark" of the transparent original 1, the portion corresponding to the area of the image 26 is painted black. Therefore, the desired area 29 of the liquid crystal shutter 80 is prevented from absorbing and reflecting light. As a result, the image area 26 of the reflection original 1 placed on the predetermined position of the liquid crystal shutter 80 is read by the liquid crystal shutter 80 as the image 29 displayed in black. As a result, the reading process is performed in a state in which the above-described “scraped” image 26 is erased.

The reading process shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is merely one form, and an image or the like to be combined can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, as the position to be displayed on the liquid crystal shutter 80, since the document 1 is placed at the prescribed position of the liquid crystal shutter 80, the region to be combined may be arbitrarily designated in the placed state. In this area designation,
Known area designation techniques may be employed remains fully.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal shutter 80 is arranged in place of the document table, so that the liquid crystal shutter 8 is additionally arranged as compared with the case of FIG. In comparison, the device can be downsized. Further, in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal shutter 80 is arranged in place of the manuscript table. However, the manuscript table 2 is separately provided, and the liquid crystal shutter 80 is provided below the manuscript table 2, and the manuscript table 2 serves as a liquid crystal shutter. You may make it serve also as protection.

(Other Embodiments) According to the image forming apparatus having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the reading process can be performed by synthesizing or erasing other images especially for the document type. Therefore, in the reading apparatus of FIG. 1, by substituting the document table 2 for the liquid crystal shutter 80 as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to combine or erase any image and read the image regardless of the transparent document or the reflective document. Becomes

For example, in the transparent original 1, when the image 21 as shown in FIG. 2 is combined as another image and the reading process is performed at the same time, the image 21 using the liquid crystal shutter 8 is used.
Is displayed. This display portion blocks the light from the illumination lamp 10. Then, if all of the liquid crystal shutters 80 constituting the document table are set to the open state, the combined image read data as shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained.

On the reflection original 1, another image,
For example, when the image 21 as shown in FIG. 6 is combined and the reading process is performed at the same time, the liquid crystal shutter 8 side is entirely opened. Then, the image 21 is displayed on the liquid crystal shutter 80 side that constitutes the document table. This display portion is read as black without reflecting the light from the lamp 31. Therefore, image reading as shown in FIG. 6 can be performed.

Therefore, regardless of the type of the original document to be read, the reading process can be performed simultaneously with the image of the original document arbitrarily combined with another image. For that purpose, it is sufficient to instruct in advance whether the original is a transparent original or a reflective original, and the image reading processing as shown in FIG. 2 or 6 can be performed by arbitrarily controlling the liquid crystal shutter 8 or 80 in accordance with this instruction. . Further, it can be similarly implemented in a reading mode such as image enhancement and deletion.

Although the image reading apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 5 executes image reading in a single color, it can be easily applied to a case of reading a multicolor image, that is, a color image original. .

For example, in FIGS. 1 and 5, the lamp 3
1 is multicolored, that is, R (red), G (green), and B (blue) lamps are provided, and the lamps are sequentially switched on to perform color-separated reading. Further, by sequentially arranging and arranging the color separation filters, that is, the separation filters of R, G, and B on the CCD 5 side, it is possible to similarly obtain the read image data in which the color separation is performed on the image of the color original document. .

Further, the liquid crystal shutter 8 or 80 is provided with R,
If G and B color separation filters are provided in an overlapping manner and, for example, only the liquid crystal cell corresponding to the R filter is opened, the image can be read by the red light even when the white light is emitted. In other words, the liquid crystal shutter 8 or 80 is adjusted to the separation filter of each color to selectively control the opening of each liquid crystal cell, so that the reading process of a color image can be supported. This color image reading process is described in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 7-44994 (Japanese Patent Application No. 4-114).
This can be dealt with by applying the technology described in the specification attached to the application of No. 12). In particular, in the present invention,
The color image can be read in the same manner not only for transparent originals but also for reflective originals.

On the other hand, in the image reading apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the illumination lamp 1 provided on the pressing member 7 side.
Since a plurality of 0s are arranged in a fixed state, it is not necessary to scan in synchronization with the scanning of the lower optical system when the transparent original is read as shown in FIG. Therefore, since it is not necessary to scan the illumination lamp 10, the device can be downsized, and the load on the control means for synchronously controlling the drive can be reduced.

However, only one illuminating lamp 10 is provided in the image reading apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 5, and the illuminating lamp 10 supports the lamp 31 of the optical system 3 which is the first irradiation means. Like the scanning unit 33, it is provided on a supporting means that is movably provided. The supporting means may be driven to travel in synchronization with the first scanning unit 33. By doing so, the number of the lamps 10 can be reduced, and at the same time, the power consumption of the lamps can be reduced.

[0092]

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, when the image of the transparent original or the reflective original is read, the pressing operation of the original made of the white plate according to the original is attached and detached. You can eliminate the hassle of doing.

As a result, it is possible to reliably read the image of the original without eliminating a reading error or the like due to the type of the original.

Further, regardless of whether the image is a reflective original or a transparent original, the reading process can be simultaneously performed in a state where another image is arbitrarily combined with the image of the original, and the read data of the combined image can be easily obtained.

In addition, regardless of whether the image is a reflection original or a transparent original , unnecessary portions of the image of the original can be erased and read, or the reading process can be performed in a state in which a part of the image is emphasized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall structure of an image reading apparatus capable of reading a reflective original and a transparent original for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining one mode of the image reading apparatus in FIG. 1, and is a view for explaining an example of combining another image with an image of a transparent original to perform a reading process.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a mode in which the image reading apparatus in FIG. 1 performs a reading process by emphasizing a part of an image of a transparent original.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a reading mode in which a reading process is performed in a state where a part of an image of a transparent original is erased in the image reading apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overall structure of an image reading apparatus capable of reading a reflective original and a transparent original for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a reading mode in which, in the image reading process in FIG. 5, another image is combined with the image of the reflection original to perform the reading process at the same time.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining one mode of performing the reading process by emphasizing a part of the image of the reflection original in the image reading apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a reading mode in which the image reading apparatus in FIG. 5 performs a reading process in a state where a part of the image of the reflection original is erased.

9A and 9B are diagrams showing a configuration example of a conventional image reading apparatus, wherein FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining a state of reading a reflective original, and FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining a state of reading a transparent original. Is.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Transparent or reflective original 2 Platen 3 Optical system for reading and scanning 31 Illumination lamp (first irradiation means) 33 First scanning unit 36 Second scanning unit 5 Reading element (CCD) 6 Drive motor 7 Pressing member 8 LCD shutter 80 Liquid crystal shutters that substitute the document table 9 Diffuser 10 Lighting lamp (second irradiation means) 12 Image processing device 14 Main control unit 17 LCD driver 18 Lighting inverter drive circuit for lighting lamps 19 Lamp lighting drive inverter circuit 20 motor driver 21 Image for compositing 22 Image of transparent original 23 halftone dots 24 Enhanced read image data 25 Black solid image for erasure 26 Image of reflection original 27 shaded 28 Enhanced read image data 29 Black solid image for erasure

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-127732 (JP, A) JP-A-4-326250 (JP, A) JP-A-6-250294 (JP, A) JP-A-9-284533 (JP , A) Actual development Sho 62-177163 (JP, U) Actual development 7-44994 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/04 G02F 1/13 505 H04N 1/387

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document placed on a document table, comprising: first illuminating means for illuminating a document through the document table; and a document on the document table side. The second irradiating means for irradiating light from the opposite side, the liquid crystal shutter capable of arbitrarily transmitting the light from the second irradiating means, and transmitting or blocking the light, and mounted on the document table. An image reading element that receives reflected light from the original or transmitted light that has passed through the original and photoelectrically converts the original, and when reading the transparent original on the original table, the first
Of turning off the irradiation means of, and turning on the second irradiation means,
When reading the reflective original, the first irradiating means and the second irradiating means are turned on, and the control means for guiding the transmitted light or the reflected light from the transparent original or the reflective original to the image reading element to perform image reading. When, the control means comprising a can, when reading the transparent original, the liquid crystal sheet
The desired image is displayed at any position on the
The light from the second irradiation means is blocked by the
Simultaneously read and process the image displayed above together with the image.
Image reading apparatus characterized by that. 2. An image of a document placed on a document table is read.
In the image reading device for reading, the first irradiation means for irradiating the original with light through the original table.
And a second illumination for illuminating the original from the side opposite to the original table side.
Means morphism, be arbitrarily transmit light from the second illumination means
Liquid crystal shutter that transmits or shields light, and a document placed on the document table is reflected from the document.
An image that receives the received light of transmitted light or the transmitted light that passes through the original and photoelectrically converts it.
When the image reading element and the transparent original on the original table are read, the first
Of turning off the irradiation means of, and turning on the second irradiation means,
When the reflective original is read, the first irradiation means and
The second illuminating means is turned on, and the transparent or reflective original
Image reading by guiding the transmitted light or reflected light from the image to the image reading element
Said control means comprises a control means, a to perform Ri is displayed when reading the transparent original, the area of the liquid crystal shutter so as to correspond to any image position of the transmitting original halftone, shaded, or black solid state is allowed, any emphasized read or images reader you characterized in that to perform the reading process by the image erasing of the image of the transparent original. 3. The first plate, which is provided in place of the platen,
Second, which can arbitrarily transmit or block the light from the irradiation means of
2. The liquid crystal shutter according to claim 1 is provided.
2. The image reading device described in 2. 4. The control means reads a reflection original.
At this time, a desired image is displayed at an arbitrary position of the second liquid crystal shutter, and light from the first illuminating unit is blocked at the display portion to prevent reflection from the original, so that an image based on the reflected original is displayed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the images arbitrarily displayed together are read at the same time. 5. The control means reads a reflection original.
At this time, the area of the second liquid crystal shutter corresponding to an arbitrary image position of the reflection original is displayed in a halftone dot, halftone dot, or black solid state, and an arbitrary image of the reflection original is read by emphasizing reading or image erasing. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein processing is performed.