JPH0392066A - Original support in picture input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enter original size information automatically to a device main body by providing a closing means selecting plural holes in response to kinds of an original size of a mask plate at loading of the mask plate and closing the holes. CONSTITUTION:Plural holes 38 in matching with frames 26, 29 of an upper plate 27 and a lower plate 31 respectively and acting like an identification code sending the size of an original 32 to a picture input device main body are provided, and a claw plate 42 selecting plural holes 38 and closing them in response to the kind of the original size of the mask plate 33 at the loading of the mask plate 33 is provided to the lower plate 27. Thus, the scanning range, that is, reading rage is decided in matching with the original size, waste reading is avoided to read an original of required minimum range. Moreover, since the original size is inputted automatically, the required minimum original reading is executed surely and accurately.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an image input device for multicolor plate making, and more particularly to a device for holding originals such as two-dimensional color photographs such as positives and slides.

Conventional technology> In conventional multicolor platemaking, images are input using a scanner and a magnification measuring device. The above-mentioned scanner is called a color separation scanner, and it scans a document such as a two-dimensional color photograph, that is, reads it, and outputs an electrical signal representing the separated colors. This electrical signal is used for color printing processing. By the way, conventionally, a drum (
A transparent cylinder) is used. In this case, the document is pasted on the outer circumferential surface of the drum with adhesive tape or the like, and the drum is rotated so that the document is read by a sensor. <Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, the document holding device using such a drum has the following various problems. That is, since it is necessary to attach a flat original to the outer peripheral surface of the drum in a curved manner, handling of the original is poor, and there is a risk of damaging the expensive drum and the original. In particular, since manuscripts are entrusted to us by customers, we cannot allow them to be damaged. In addition, in order to improve the reading speed of the original, it is necessary to rotate the drum at high speed, which results in an increase in the size of the device. Therefore, the present applicant previously proposed an image input device that uses a cassette as a document holding device to hold a planar document as it is, that is, in a planar state.
3-170271). Such a cassette-based document holding device handles a flat document in its original shape, so it is easy to handle, and the document reading speed can be improved without increasing the size of the device.

The above-mentioned originals include, for example, 35III size, 6 x 9 cm size, 4 x 5 inch size, etc. When the original is set in a cassette, a mask is placed around the original to mask the surrounding area of the original. The copy size must be set to match the original size.
For this reason, it is necessary to prepare multiple types of cassettes with mask sections set according to the document size, and when manufacturing cassettes, problems such as an increase in the number of parts, deterioration of parts management, and increase in production costs occur. occurs. By the way, it is necessary to determine the reading range according to the above-mentioned document size, eliminate unnecessary reading, and read the minimum necessary amount of the document.

Conventionally, the operator inputs which document is set in which cassette into the device each time, and the range to be scanned is determined according to the document size. However, with this method of artificially inputting the document size into the device, the operator must rely on his or her memory to determine which document is set in which cassette, which poses the problem of a high possibility of errors. be. In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides a document holding device that holds a flat document as it is, that is, flatly, and in particular, it provides a document holding device that holds a flat document as it is, that is, in a flat state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a document holding device in an image input device that allows a mask plate to be changed according to the document size, and also allows the document size to be automatically input into the device main body when the mask plate is attached. do. Means for Solving the Problem> For this reason, the document holding device in the image input device of the present invention is provided in the image input device I comprising a scanner that scans the document and outputs an electric signal representing the separated colors. , a document holding device that holds the document when reading the document, the lower plate comprising a frame body having an opening in the window portion, the frame body having the window portion opening therein, and the document holding device disposed in the window portion; a single cassette comprising: a supporting plate made of a transparent material made of transparent materials; The mask plate is a mask plate on which the original is placed by being freely attached to the window, and the mask plate has a bar-shaped mask part for masking the peripheral part of the original, and there are multiple types of mask plates depending on the original size. On the other hand, a plurality of holes are provided in the frame of each of the lower plate and the upper plate, and the holes function as an identification code to convey the size of the original to the image input device main body side, and the holes of the mask plate are The mask is equipped with a closing means that selects and closes a plurality of holes according to the type corresponding to the original size of the mask plate when the mask is attached. <Function> In the above structure, as a result of using a cassette that holds flat originals as they are, that is, flatly, the handling is excellent because the flat originals are handled as they are, and the originals can be easily handled. Reading speed can also be achieved without increasing the size of the device. In particular, a plurality of types of mask plates are provided, corresponding to the size of the original, in which a frame-shaped mask part is provided around the periphery of the original, which is detachably attached to the window part of the lower plate of the cassette and masks the surrounding area of the original. As a result, if these mask plates are set and used in a single cassette, there is no need to prepare multiple types of cassettes, and when manufacturing cassettes, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, improve parts management, and simplify production. It is possible to reduce costs, etc. In addition, when a mask plate is attached, the document size information is automatically transferred to the main body of the device by selecting and closing multiple holes that function as document size identification codes according to the type of document size on the mask plate. Since the scanning range is determined according to the document size mentioned above, it is possible to eliminate unnecessary scanning and scan the minimum amount of documents required, and the document size can be entered automatically. , there is no possibility of errors occurring, and the above-mentioned minimum required document reading can be performed reliably and accurately.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of an embodiment of an image input device to which the document holding device of the present invention is applied. In the figure, a document is stored in a cassette 1, which constitutes a document holding device, which will be explained in detail later. The image of the original is on lens 2
The image is formed on the line sensor 3 by This line sensor 3 converts an optical image into an electrical signal. When reading a color original as this line sensor 3,
Use a combination of multiple line sensors and filters (or gicroic mirrors). Alternatively, a single line sensor and high-speed switching of a filter, a line sensor with a built-in filter, etc. may be used. Such line sensor 3
The output is converted into an image signal by the signal processing circuit 4, and is subjected to signal processing such as shading correction and zero level correction. Then, color correction (R, G, B-+Ye
, M, K, Cy), a first image memory 6 that stores the data after the signal processing, and a first image memory 6 that stores the data after the signal processing. A second image memory 7 that can store data is provided. Also, a digitizer 8 to which instructions are given by a pointing device, a display memory 9 for storing display data, a display section 10 for displaying data stored in the display memory 9, and a control section 1l for overall control of the entire apparatus. and,
A data memory 12 that stores data related to the original based on instructions from the control section 11, a mechanical control section 13 that controls lenses and the like that need to be mechanically driven, and a mechanical drive section 14 that drives the lenses and the like. and a document table 15 that holds the cassette 1 and rotates and conveys the document.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views showing the mechanical structure of an embodiment of the above image input device. In these figures, light from a light source 20 that illuminates the original is collected by a condensing unit 2l. The transmitted light from the original is guided to the line sensor 3 by the V mirror unit 22. A plurality of cassettes 1 are stored in a stacker 23, the details of which will be explained later, and the cassettes 1 are fed one by one. When the cassette 1 is taken out from the stacker 23, a recognition section 24 is provided which recognizes a number recognition code, which will be described later, that has been given to the cassette l in advance. Next, the structure of the document holding device will be explained based on FIG. 4. In the figure, the document holding device includes a lower plate 27 consisting of a frame 26 with a window 25 opened, a frame 29 overlapped with the lower plate 27 and with a window 28 opened, and the window 25. The single cassette 1 is provided with an upper plate 31 consisting of a supporting plate 30 made of a transparent body disposed in the cassette 28, and a coupling means for coupling the upper plate 31 and the lower plate 27. Moreover, the lower plate 27
The mask plate 33 is detachably attached to the window portion 25 of the original document 32 and on which the original document 32 is placed, and the mask plate 33 is provided with a frame-shaped mask portion 33a for masking the peripheral portion of the original document 32. Multiple types are available depending on the document size. Here, the frame body 26 of the lower plate 27 is formed into a substantially rectangular shape by resin such as plastic, and the window portion 25 is also formed into a rectangular shape. The inner peripheral surface of this window portion 25 is shaped like a step, and the mask plate 33 is placed on the step portion 25a. The frame 29 of the upper plate 31 is made of resin such as plastic and has a substantially rectangular shape large enough to fit together with the frame 26 of the lower plate 27, and the window 28 also fits into the window of the lower plate 27. It is shaped like a rectangle with a size that matches 25. The support plate 30 made of a rectangular transparent acrylic plate as a transparent body is fitted into and fixed to the inner circumference of the window portion 28. In this case, the support plate 30 has an outer surface that is connected to the frame body 2 of the upper plate 31.
The support plate 30 is provided so as to be one step lower than the outer surface of the support plate 30, so that the outer surface of the support plate 30 is not easily damaged when the cassettes 1 are stacked together. When the lower plate 27 and the upper plate 31 are superimposed, the protrusion 34 for positioning the lower plate 27
Holes 35 into which the projections 34 can fit are formed on both sides of the frame 29 of the upper plate 3l, respectively, on the upper surface of both sides of the frame 26. A magnet is used as a coupling means for coupling the lower plate 27 and the upper plate 31.

That is, the four corners of the lower plate 27 are provided with circular holes 27a.
A circular magnet 3 is formed in this hole 27a.
6 is fitted and fixed.

This magnet 36 is set, for example, so that the entire portion exposed on the upper surface side of the lower plate 27 becomes a north pole. Also, circular holes 31a are formed in the four corners of the upper plate 31, and circular magnets 37 are fitted and fixed into these holes 31a. This magnet 37 is set so that the entire portion exposed on the lower surface side of the upper plate 31 becomes the south pole. Therefore, when the lower plate 27 and the upper plate 31 are overlapped, the drawing plate 27
．． Magnets 36 and 37 between each corner of 31 are @L
@The drawing boards 27 and 31 become connected. In this case, the ends of the magnets 36 exposed on the lower surface side of the cassette 1 where the lower plate 27 and the upper plate 31 are overlapped are all S
All of the ends of the magnet 37 exposed on the top side become N poles. Therefore, when a plurality of cassettes 1 are stacked on top of each other, if the front and back relationships of the cassettes l are appropriate, the magnets 36 and 37 will attract each other and the cassettes 1 will be superposed, but if it is inappropriate, the magnets 36.37 repel each other and the cassettes 1 do not overlap, making it clear that the cassettes 1 are not superimposed on each other. On both sides of the frame bodies 26 and 29 of the lower plate 27 and upper plate 31,
A plurality of holes 3B serving as cassette number recognition codes are provided in the frame 26.
．． They are arranged in rows along the 29 side greens. The hole 38 on the frame 26 side and the hole 38 on the frame 29 side are formed to match each other.

This cassette number recognition code is used to identify various information such as color information, magnification, angle, etc. that is stored when reading the original 32 for each cassette 1, and allows light to pass through the hole 38. The cassette number is recognized by determining which hole 38 is opened by an optical detection means using light. In this case, multiple types of cassette number recognition codes can be set depending on the number of holes 38 and the positions of the holes. A portion of the hole 38, which serves as the cassette number recognition code, functions as an identification code that automatically conveys the size of the document 32 in the cassette 1 to the main body of the apparatus. Since this structure is related to the mask plate 33, it will be explained together with the explanation of the mask plate 33, which will be described later. A portion of the cassette 1 in which the lower plate 27 and the upper plate 31 overlap is provided with a convex portion or a concave portion corresponding to a stacker 23, which will be described later.
It is not possible to insert it into . In this embodiment, a recess 39 is provided at the front edge of the cassette 1.

On the other hand, the mask plate 33 is a rectangular transparent acrylic plate that has been hardened, and a black mask portion 33a is applied to all but the square portion in the center. As described above, the mask plate 33 is placed on the stepped portion 25a of the inner peripheral surface of the window portion 25 of the frame 26 of the lower plate 27, and the original 32 is placed on the upper surface thereof. Here, the hole 3 provided in the frame 26 of the lower plate 27 is the cassette number recognition code.
A structure in which a part of the document 8 functions as an identification code that automatically transmits the size of the document 32 in the cassette 1 to the main body of the apparatus will be explained. That is, in FIG. 5, when the mask plate 33 is attached, a closing means is provided for selectively closing a plurality of holes 38 according to the type corresponding to the document size of the mask plate 33. This blocking means is constructed as follows. A rectangular recess 40 is formed at the upper rear position of one side of the frame 26 of the lower plate 27, and three holes 38 are formed inside this recess 40. A guide plate 41 whose both ends are fixed with screws or the like is provided on the side of the frame 26 at the front and rear portions of the recess 40 on the opening surface of the recess 40. ．． This guide plate 41 has a claw plate 4.
2 is attached so that it can slide freely. This nail plate 42
Depending on its sliding position, it functions to close the three holes 38 from above. That is, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the claw plate 42 is in the recess 40.
When located at one end of the opening surface, the two holes 38 located at one end of the recess 40 are closed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the claw plate 42 is located at the middle of the opening surface of the recess 40, it closes the two holes 38 located at the other end of the recess 40. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the claw plate 42 is located at the other end of the opening surface of the recess 40, it closes one hole 38 located at the other end of the recess 40. Each sliding position of the claw plate 42 is determined depending on the type of mask plate 33. That is, the side edges of each of the mask plates 33, which are prepared in a plurality of types corresponding to the sizes of the originals 32, are provided with grooves 3 at different positions.
3A is prominent. Therefore, the mask plate 33 is
6, when this groove 33A is fitted into the claw part 42a of the claw plate 42, the claw plate 42 slides to a position corresponding to the position of the groove 33A, and the holes of the three types described above are inserted. A closed state is obtained. In this embodiment, the hole closed state shown in FIG. 5(a) is for a 35 m document, and the hole closed state shown in FIG. , same figure (C)
The hole blockage state shown in is for a 4 x 5 inch original. Next, the structure of the stacker 23 and the stacker drive mechanism will be explained based on FIGS. 6 and 7.

In FIG. 6, the stacker 23 includes a pair of bottom plates 43,
It is constructed from a pair of side plates 44 and a top plate 45. The pair of side plates 44 each have a square part 44a with a chevron-shaped part 44b on the upper edge thereof, and one side edge is bent inward to form a rear plate part 44c. The pair of bottom plates 43 are connected to the lower ends of each of the side plates 44 and to the lower end of the rear plate part 44c. The upper plate 45 has a rectangular shape with a rectangular cut groove 45a at the rear end, and the rectangular part 44a and the chevron-shaped part 44 of the pair of side plates 44 respectively.
b and the upper end of the rear plate part 44c. The tops of the chevron-shaped portions 44b are connected to each other by an elongated rectangular plate 46, and the rectangular plate 46 is arranged to serve as a handle when the stacker 23 is carried.

A cassette l is inserted into the stacker 23 from an opening 48 on the front side. In this case, a plurality of cassettes 1 are mounted and supported on a pair of bottom plates 43, and the cassettes 1 are stacked and stored in an overlapping state. Further, the rear surface of the stacker 23 is formed with an opening 47 into which a pushing member of a cassette unloading device to be described later is inserted. Incidentally, although not shown in the drawings, this stacker 23 has the cassette 1
A convex portion into which a concave portion 39 fits is formed on the front edge. Furthermore, this stacker 23 contains reading information for the originals 32 stored in each cassette 1, that is, information necessary for image input of the original 320 angle, magnification, color information, etc. corresponding to the number recognition code of each cassette 1. The device is integrally equipped with a storage section (not shown) for storing information such as a floppy, which is used to carry a floppy or other information recording medium on which information has been input. In this case, it is preferable to equip the image input device with a device that records information using an information recording medium such as the above-mentioned floppy disk, so that the information recording operation can be performed at the same time as the image input operation. Manuscript 3 recorded on an information recording medium such as a floppy
Since the read information in step 2 can be read out at any time using an information recording medium such as a floppy, there is no need for the operator etc. to memorize the read information on the document 32 and there is no need to rely on memory. The information can be obtained during subsequent image input. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the stacker drive mechanism. In the figure, a stacker stand 4 that supports the stacker 23 is shown.
A partition plate 50 that partitions the 9 side and the original platen 15 side is arranged to extend in the vertical direction. A cassette carry-out/carry-in port 51 that extends horizontally and opens is provided at the upper part of the partition plate 50, and above and below the intermediate portion in the left-right direction of the cassette carry-out/carry-in port 5l are provided for smooth carry-out of cassettes. A pair of cassette handling plates 52 for loading the cassettes are arranged with a predetermined gap between them. ``The stacker table 49 is composed of a placing section 53 for the stacker 23, a moving support section 54, and a driving section 55. The movable support section 54 is supported by a guide device i56 provided on the surface of the partition plate 50 on the side of the stacker table 49 via slide mechanism sections 54a provided on both sides of the rear surface so that it can freely slide up and down. The drive section 55 includes a motor 55a, and moves the stacker table 49 up and down to adjust the height of the stacker table 49. Further, the stacker table 49 is provided with a carry-out device 57 that sequentially carries out the cassettes l from the stacker 23 placed and supported on the stacker table 49.

This unloading device 57 has an opening 47 on the rear surface of the stacker 23.
A pushing member 58 that is inserted into the stacker 23 from above, contacts the rear end of the cassette 1, and pushes the cassette l forward, and a pushing member 5 that includes a motor 59.
8 drive devices 60. Further, each of the 15 document tables is provided with a transport device 61 for conveying the cassette 1 carried out from the stacker 23 to the document table 15. This conveyance device 61 includes the pair of cassette handling plates 52
A plurality of conveyance rollers 62 extending horizontally in the lateral direction at substantially the same height as the gap between the conveyance rollers 62 and arranged in a plurality of rows in front;
The conveyance roller 62 is composed of a drive device 64 including a motor 63 that rotationally drives the conveyance roller 62 . With each device having such a structure, the cassette 1 stored in the stacker 23 is always carried out from the lowest position in the stacker 23, carried into the uppermost position in the stacker 23, and returned.

In this case, the stacker table 49 is moved upward and set at a position where the lowest cassette 1 of the stacker 23 and the gap between the separating plates 52 match.
Then, the pushing member 58 is operated to push the cassette 1 at the lowest position forward, and the cassette 1 is carried out from the gap between the separating plates 52. The unloaded cassette l is placed on the transport roller 62, and is transported to the document table l5 by the rotation of the transport roller 62. The other cassette 1 superposed on the upper side of the extruded cassette 1 falls by gravity and moves. When the reading of the original 32 is completed, the cassette 1 is placed on the transport roller 62 from the original table 15, and is carried into the stacker 23 through the gap between the sorters Mi 52 by the rotation of the transport roller 62 and returned. In this case, by moving the stacker stand 49 downward and setting the stacker stand 49 so that the gap position of the separating plate 52 is located above the cassette 1 position at the uppermost position of the stacker 23, the cassette 1 is The cassettes 1 are dropped by gravity onto the upper surface of the cassette 1 at the uppermost position of the stacker 23 and stacked.

In this way, the cassettes 1 are sequentially moved downward in the stacker 23 by gravity fall, and the cassettes 1 stored in the stacker 23 are constantly carried out from the lowest position in the stacker 23 and carried into the uppermost position. By adopting a configuration in which the cassette 1 and the push-out member 58 in the stacker 23 are aligned in one place, the positioning mechanism can be simplified, and the cassette 1 can be taken out and returned to the stacker 23 easily. It has the advantage of being reliable.

Next, the operation of one embodiment of such a structured image input device will be explained based on the flowchart of FIG. 8 and other figures.

First, in step 1 (hereinafter referred to as S in the same way as in the figure), N originals are stored one by one in the cassette 1, and this cassette 1 is set in the stacker 23. In S2, the display unit IO is Select temporary scan (briscan) on the initial menu on the CRT screen.Next, the first cassette 1 (1≦I≦N), that is, the cassette 1 at the bottom of the stacker 23, is moved from the stacker 23 by the motor drive. The document is sent to the document table 15 of the device. At this time, the number recognition code is read by the recognition unit 24 (
S3 and S4). At this time, when the mask plate 33 is attached to the cassette 1 when the original 23 is set, the concave groove 3 of the mask plate 33 is prepared in a plurality of types corresponding to the size of the original 32.
The claw portion 42a of the claw plate 42 is slid to a position corresponding to the position of the claw plate 3a, and three types of hole-occluded states as shown in FIG. 5 are obtained, which are read by the recognition unit 24, The size of the original 32 is input into the main body of the apparatus. After this, in S5, a prescan is executed. This briscanning is performed according to the document size input to the main body of the apparatus, and is performed to avoid unnecessary scanning. If the original 32 is a transparent original such as a body film, the transmitted light aX is used as shown in FIG. If the original is a reflective original such as a color print, shine the light from the same side as the lens. For this purpose, the light source is combined with a reflector and a condensing unit. The image data read by the line sensor 3 is subjected to corrections such as shading correction and zero level correction in the signal processing circuit 4, and is stored in the first image memory 6 and displayed on the CRT of the display unit 10 ( 36). This situation can be seen in Chapter 9.
It is shown in the figure. Next, in S7, the mount is fixed on the board of the digitizer 8, and the frame of the image area on the mount is indicated with a pointing device. If the frame is a rectangle, specify three points. As a result, in S8, the size of the frame. The angle information is read and displayed on the CRT. Next, in S9, move the cursor on the CRT screen linked to the pointing device to two points on the image area (points A and B in FIG. 9) and two points on the frame.
Indicate the points (points A and C in Figure 9). This results in
The magnification and angle at which the original is read in the main scan are determined. The measurement of magnification and angle may be performed by pasting designated paper on the digitizer 8 and correlating two points on the displayed pattern with a pointing device. The magnification and angle thus determined are stored in the data memory 12 together with the number recognition code of the cassette l. In 310, the highlights and shadows of the image of the original 32 are determined. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display on the CRT screen at this time. The scanned image is displayed at the top left of the screen. When the highlight point of this image is indicated with a cursor, the original density of yellow Ye, magenta M, and cyan C is shown. Here, specify and input the halftone percentage of each color using the scale and cursor at the bottom of the screen. Enter the halftone percentage for the shadow points in the same way. The wire point percentage thus determined is stored in the data memory together with the cassette number recognition code. In this way, the density obtained by prescanning is associated with the halftone dot percentage. However, other methods may also be used. After this, in S11, the image III! Specify the PI curve. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display on the CRT screen at this time. In this example, five types of gradation curves are displayed as basic shapes, and you can select one of them, and you can also modify the selected gradation curve with the cursor. Also, the midpoint (
Characteristics can also be determined by specifying one or more. The tone curve thus obtained is stored in the data memory 12 together with the number recognition code of the cassette 1. The image data stored in the first image memory under the processing conditions determined in this manner is processed by the image processing circuit 5 and stored in the second image copying memory, and is displayed on the display unit 10 via the display memory 9. It is also possible to do so. Here, in S12, the cassette 1 is returned to the stacker 23. This prescanning is sequentially repeated for all N cassettes 1 by performing steps S13 and 514. In S15, after the briscan is completed, the main scan is selected on the initial menu that appears on the CRT screen. 316 and S17, first, the first cassette 1
is transferred from the stacker 23 to the document table 15 of the device by motor drive.
sent to. At this time, this number recognition code is read by the recognition unit 24. Thereafter, the document is held on the document table 15. This document table 15 is equipped with a mechanism for rotating the cassette 1 around an axis perpendicular to the surface of the document. At this time, the mechanical control unit 13 selects the angle stored in the data memory 12 according to the number recognition code of the cassette l. Read out data such as magnification. At 318, the mechanical drive unit 14 rotates the document table 15 based on this angle data. At the same time, the size of the optical image formed on the line sensor 3 is changed by adjusting the position of the lens 2 and the position of the V mirror unit 22 according to the magnification data. At step 519, the cassette 1 on the document table 15 is transported, the image of the document 32 is read by the line sensor 3, and the main scan is executed.

The image data read by the line sensor 3 is subjected to corrections such as shading correction and zero level correction in the signal processing circuit 4, and color correction is performed in the image processing circuit 5. tone conversion,
Image processing required for prepress, such as edge enhancement, is performed and output as prepress data. In S20, the cassette 1 is returned to the stacker 23 after the document table l5 is returned to its initial state.

Then, by performing steps S21 and S22, the main scan described above is repeated for all N cassettes 1 one after another. At this time, data such as angle and magnification stored in the data memory 12 is read out according to the number recognition code of each cassette l, and image input is executed based on this data. Note that during this main scan, it may be possible to change some or all of the conditions. By doing this, it is possible to handle special plate making. According to the document holding device in the image input device having such a structure, as a result of using the cassette 1 that holds the planar document 32 as it is, that is, in a planar manner, the document 32 in the planar shape can be handled as it is. It is easy to handle, and the reading speed of the original 32 can be achieved without increasing the size of the device. In particular, a mask plate 33 is provided in the form of a frame around the mask portion 33a that is detachably attached to the window portion 25 of the lower plate 27 of the cassette 1 and masks the peripheral portion of the document 32, corresponding to the size of the document. As a result of having multiple types, there are the following advantages. That is, for example, 35 mm size, 6
By preparing a plurality of mask plates 33 set according to document sizes such as X9CIl size, 4×5 inch size, etc. and setting them in a single cassette l, multiple types of cassettes l can be prepared. In addition, when the mask plate 33 is attached, the original size of the mask plate 33 can be By selecting and closing a plurality of holes 38 according to the corresponding type, document size information based on the open/closed state of the holes 38, which functions as an identification code for the document size, is automatically input into the main body of the apparatus. , the range to be scanned, that is, read, is determined according to the above-mentioned document size, and unnecessary reading can be eliminated and the minimum necessary amount of document reading can be performed. Moreover, in the past, the operator had to enter which document is set in which cassette into the main body of the machine each time, and the range to be scanned was determined according to the document size, which saved the operator's memory. However, with this configuration, the document size can be entered automatically, so there is no possibility of errors and the above-mentioned minimum required document can be read reliably and accurately. It can be executed. In the above explanation, the main scan is performed after the bliss scan is completed for the N cassettes 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a pre-scan may be performed for one cassette 1, and then the next cassette 1 may be moved. In this way, by executing the main scan after the bliss scan, the number of times the cassette 1 is taken in and out of the stacker 23 is reduced, and the total time is shortened. However, if you perform the main scan all at once after performing the bliscan all at once, the operator will not have to worry about the trouble during the main scan. Therefore, the selection should be made according to the actual situation at the work site. Furthermore, in the above explanation, the case where the blisscan and the main scan are executed using a single stacker 23 has been explained, but it is also possible to execute the input and main scan after blisscanning is executed continuously for multiple stackers. You can do as you like. Also, even if there is a time interval between the Briscan and the main scan (such as removing the stacker or stopping the device)
, there is no problem since the reading conditions are stored in the data memory. Then, it may be possible to detect that the pre-scan has ended and automatically shift to the main scan.

Furthermore, it is also possible to improve work efficiency by using a plurality of such image input devices and dividing them into a device dedicated to briscanning and a device dedicated to main scanning. Basically, Blisscan is performed at a fixed magnification and fixed angle, but the magnification and angle during Blisscan can be made variable, and this is stored as data and used as the magnification during the main scan. The angle condition can also be a relative value to the magnification and angle during blisscanning. Further, in this embodiment, the hole 38 is closed from above by the slide position of the claw plate 42 supported by the guide plate 41, but the structure is not limited to this. 33 may be provided with a closing piece for closing the hole 38, and when the mask plate 33 is attached, the hole 38 may be selectively closed using this closing piece.
When the mask plate 33 is attached, a closing means may be provided to select and close a plurality of holes 38 according to the type corresponding to the document size of the mask plate 33. <Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, since the document holding device uses a cassette that holds a flat document as it is, that is, in a flat manner, the document is excellent in handling.
The reading speed of manuscripts can also be improved without increasing the size of the device. As a result, we have provided multiple types of mask plates, each of which has a frame-shaped mask section around the periphery of the document, corresponding to the size of the document. It is possible to improve manageability and reduce production costs. Furthermore, a plurality of holes are provided in each of the lower plate and the upper plate, which correspond to the frame body, and which function as an identification code that conveys the size of the document to the image input device main body, so that the mask plate can be attached. In some cases, since a closing means is provided to select and close multiple holes according to the type of document size on the mask plate, the range for scanning, that is, reading, is determined according to the document size, and unnecessary waste is avoided. It is possible to scan the minimum amount of documents required without scanning, and the document size can be entered automatically.
It is extremely useful because it can reliably and accurately perform the above-mentioned minimum required reading of manuscripts.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing the mechanical structure of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5(6) to 5(C) are partially enlarged plan views of the document holding device according to the invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a stacker; Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of the stacker drive mechanism; Figure 8 is a flowchart explaining the operation of an embodiment of the present invention; vAQ to Figure 11 are explanations of CRT screen display during image input. This is a diagram.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an image input device equipped with a scanner that scans a document and outputs electrical signals representing its separated colors, the document holding device holds the document when reading the document, the document holding device having a window portion open. A lower plate consisting of a frame body, an upper plate consisting of a frame body having a window portion and a support plate made of a transparent body disposed in the window portion and superimposed on the lower plate; The mask plate is provided with a single cassette having a coupling means for coupling it to a lower plate, and is detachably attached to a window portion of the lower plate on which the original is placed, the mask plate having a peripheral portion of the original. A plurality of types of mask plates are provided, each having a frame-like mask portion around the periphery, corresponding to the size of the original, and a plurality of holes that match each other in the frames of the lower plate and the upper plate, respectively, to mask the original. Multiple holes are provided to function as identification codes that convey the size of the image input device to the main body of the image input device, and when the mask plate is attached, multiple holes are selected and closed according to the type corresponding to the document size on the mask plate. 1. A document holding device in an image input device, characterized in that the document holding device is provided with a means.