JPH03180399A - Electronic blackboard apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always accurately read image data and to reduce the cost of a blackboard apparatus by achieving the miniaturization and wt. reduction of said apparatus as a whole by mounting an optical system mounting plate on a rotary shaft of an idler roller or in the vicinity thereof and setting a reading position to the sheet on the outer peripheral surface of the roller. CONSTITUTION:An optical system mounting plate 11 is mounted on the rotary shaft 4a of an idler roller 4 within a housing 8A in a revolvable manner around the rotary shaft 4a. A light source 1A is fixed to the end part of the optical system mounting plate 1 at the support part 11a thereof and the sheet 2 on the outer peripheral surface of the idler roller 4 is irradiated with a light emitted from the light source 1A. The reflected light from a reading position is allowed to be incident on the photoelectric conversion part 7 of a CCD image sensor through the lens fixed to the optical system mounting plate 11 in the vicinity of the other end part thereof to focus an image data. The end part of the mounting plate 11 is mounted on the inner wall of the housing 8A through a spring and, when the housing 8A is distorted by external force F by such a degree that the distortion of the housing 8A is absorbed by the spring, the positional relation between the reading position 9 and the photoelectric conversion part 7 is not changed of course and there is no possibility of trouble in the reading of image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an electronic blackboard device, and more specifically, it is small and lightweight and enables accurate reading of image information such as characters and figures written on a sheet. This invention relates to an electronic blackboard device.

(Prior Art) FIG. 8 shows an example of the main parts of a conventional electronic blackboard device. In the figure, 1 is a light source such as a fluorescent lamp, 2 is a sheet for writing image information such as characters and figures, and 3 is a roller for driving the sheet 2.

4 is an idle roller, 5 is a mirror that reflects the reflected light from the reading position 9 on the sheet 2, 6 is a lens as an imaging component that focuses the reflected light from the mirror 5, and 7 is a photoelectric sensor such as a COD image sensor. It is a conversion part.

To briefly describe the operation of this electronic blackboard device, first, image information written on a sheet 2 is conveyed to a reading position 9 by the operation of a driving roller 3 and an idle roller 4. Then, the reflected light of the light irradiated by the light source 1 at the reading position 9 is reflected by the mirror 5, and is converted into an electrical signal by forming an image on the photoelectric conversion component 7 via the lens 6. This operation is performed sequentially as the sheet 2 moves, and by amplifying the output signal of the photoelectric conversion component 7 and performing processing such as binarization, a carrier signal corresponding to the image information on the sheet 2 is generated. The image information is reproduced as a hard copy.

Here, the lens 6 and the photoelectric conversion component 7 are integrally formed, and these components, the other light source 1, and the driving roller 3
, the idle roller 4, the mirror 5, etc. are all attached to the housing 8.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the conventional electronic blackboard device described above, the light reflected from the reading position ii9 by the light source 1 installed behind the sheet 2 is reflected by the mirror 5 also behind the sheet 2. Since the structure is such that the light is condensed by the lens 6 and made incident on the photoelectric conversion component 7, there is a problem that the overall depth of the blackboard device becomes thick and the blackboard device becomes larger.

Further, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line xx of the blackboard device shown in FIG. 8, and in a normal state, the reflection value of the image information on the mirror 5 is 1! ilO matches the arrangement direction of the photoelectric conversion components 7, and the reflection position 1
The reflected light from 0 is accurately imaged on the photoelectric conversion component 7 via the lens 6. However, when an external force is applied to a part of the casing 8, the casing end 8a on the mirror 5 side and the casing end 8b on the photoelectric conversion component 7 side are centered around the axis A, as shown in FIG. If the reflection position 10 is twisted as shown in FIG. This caused the problem that the statue would become impossible.

In order to solve this inconvenience, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the casing 8 by changing the material of the casing 8, but this would increase the weight and cost of the blackboard device, and it would be difficult to make the blackboard device smaller and lighter. This would go against demands such as cost reduction.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems,
As shown in Publication No. 397, a large writing medium that travels by the rotation of a roller, a light source that illuminates the writing medium, a mirror that changes the direction of reflected light from the writing medium, and the reflected light from the mirror An electronic device comprising: a reading sensor that reads an image written on the writing medium by receiving light; a recording means that reduces and records the image read by the reading sensor on recording paper; and a device housing containing these. In the blackboard device, the reading unit is constructed by fixing the mirror and the reading sensor to the chassis while maintaining their relative positions, and providing a support shaft on the chassis so as to be located on or near the reflection line of the mirror, An electronic whiteboard device has already been proposed in which the reading unit is rotatably attached to the device housing via the spindle, and the end of the chassis on the reading sensor side is attached to the device via a coil spring or the like.

However, in this specific embodiment of the electronic blackboard device, the reading unit including the light source, mirror, photoelectric conversion parts, etc. is installed behind the sheet, so there is a limit to how thin the blackboard device can be made. Ta.

Furthermore, in the electronic whiteboard device, the chassis 21 is moved by the support shaft 23 due to an external force applied to the device housing 22, as shown in FIG.
When the mirror 26 and the reading sensor 27 rotate as shown by the imaginary lines, the light source 2
Since the position of the light source 24 does not change even though the reading position on the sheet 25 by the irradiated light from the sheet 25 shifts, there is a risk that the amount of light illuminating the actual reading position on the sheet 25 may change (reduce).

For this reason, it may not be possible to read the image accurately. In particular, when using an LED as the light source 24, the irradiation width is narrow, for example, 2 to 3 meters, so the light is not irradiated to the misaligned reading position, making reading impossible. There were also situations where this occurred.

Furthermore, as another conventional technique, Utility Model Application No. 62-9489
As shown in Publication No. 0, in an electronic blackboard in which an image written on the sheet is read by exposing it to light from a light source while moving the blackboard sheet and forming an image on a solid-state image sensor using mirror optical system components. An electronic whiteboard is already known in which the light source, mirror optical system components, and solid-state image sensor are integrated as an optical system unit and attached to a housing.

In this electronic blackboard as well, since the optical system unit is provided behind the sheet, it is difficult to make the blackboard device thinner and, in principle, it is necessary to set the position of the spindle of the optical system unit precisely. This was a manufacturing problem.

In addition, in a specific embodiment of the electronic whiteboard, the support plate 21 is centered around the pin 23A in FIG. 12(A), for example.
When A is rotated, the light source 2 rotates together with the support plate 21A.
4 and the irradiation position on the sheet 25 changes slightly, and the illuminance near the reading position on the sheet 25 changes. Note that in the figure, 27A indicates a CCD. As shown in FIG. 3B, the reading position P1 on the sheet 25 before the support plate 21A is rotated is P2 after one rotation, and the irradiation position at that time is P. That is, after rotation, there is a reading position NP2 and an irradiation position MP.

The reading position is similar to that of Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-94890! The light amount of P2 will change, especially light source 2.
When an LED is used for 4, there is a risk that the reading position will not be irradiated with light as described above.

The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the various problems mentioned above, and its purpose is to make the entire blackboard device thinner, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and weight and reduce the cost. Even if such factors are added, there will be no deviation between the image information reading position and the irradiation position by the light source, and no deviation or distortion will occur in the path of reflected light from the reading position to the photoelectric conversion component.
To provide an electronic blackboard device that can always read image information accurately.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention supports a sheet on which image information such as one character and two figures is written by a roller, and also supports the sheet on which image information such as one character and two figures is written, and the sheet is irradiated with light from a light source. In an electronic blackboard device that conveys image information to a reading position, collects reflected light from the sheet, and reads the image information using a photoelectric conversion component, optical system components including the light source and the photoelectric conversion component are connected to an optical system. The optical system is attached to a mounting plate, and the optical system mounting plate is attached to or near the rotating shaft of an idle roller or the like, and the reading position is set on a sheet on the outer peripheral surface of the roller.

Further, it is preferable that the optical system mounting plate is mounted rotatably around the rotation axis, and furthermore, a light emitting diode (LED) is used as the light source from the viewpoint of weight reduction and power saving.
It is preferable to use

(Function) According to the present invention, when an external force or the like is applied to the casing, the casing is distorted.
Even if this distortion is applied to the optical system mounting plate, the mounting plate itself will not be distorted because the mounting plate will be evacuated by rotating around the rotation axis of, for example, an idle roller. is equipped with optical system components such as a light source, lens, and photoelectric conversion components, and the irradiation position by the light source always matches the reading position of the image information, and moreover, this reading position is on the sheet on the outer peripheral surface of the roller. Even if the mounting plate rotates around the rotation axis of the roller and the reading position moves on the outer circumferential surface of the roller, the lens and photoelectric conversion components will also be moved along with this movement. Since it moves integrally with the reading position around the rotation axis, there is no change in the relative positional relationship between the reading position and the photoelectric conversion component, and there is no problem with the imaging and reading operations of image information.

In addition, when using an LED with a narrow light irradiation width as a light source,
Even if the optical system mounting plate rotates, the irradiation position on the sheet always matches the reading position, so problems such as changes in the amount of light at the reading position do not occur.

(Example) The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 8A is a thin casing with a short depth, and a window 8a is provided in the front of the casing 8A.

Further, 2 is a sheet on which image information such as characters and figures is written as described above, and this sheet 2 is wrapped around a driving roller 3 and an idle roller 4 and can be conveyed endlessly inside the housing 8A. , Furthermore, each roller 3,
4 is attached to the housing 8A.

On the other hand, reference numeral 11 denotes an optical system mounting plate, and support portions 11a provided on both sides of one longitudinal end of the plate are supported by the rotating shaft 4a of the idle roller 4.

Further, the other end of the optical system mounting plate 11 extends toward the other end inside the housing 8A. With this structure, the optical system mounting plate 11 is rotatable within the housing 8A around the rotation axis 4a of the idle roller 4.

At the end of the optical system mounting plate 11 on the supporting portion 11a side.

A light source IA such as an LED array is fixed, and the irradiation light from this light source 1A is irradiated onto the sheet 2 on the outer peripheral surface of the idle roller 4, and this irradiation position is the image information reading position 9. The reflected light from the reading position 9 enters a photoelectric conversion component 7 such as a COD image sensor through a lens 6 fixed near the other end of the optical system mounting plate 11, and forms image information. It is configured as follows.

Furthermore, the optical system mounting plate 11 is arranged at a constant distance from the inner wall of the housing 8A, and although not shown,
The end of the mounting plate 11 is attached to the inner wall of the housing 8A via a spring. .

Therefore, if the housing 8A is distorted due to an external force F applied to one end of the housing 8A in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. Of course, the positional relationship between the reading position 9 and the photoelectric conversion component 7 remains unchanged, and there is no risk of hindrance to reading one image information.

Further, even if the housing 8A is significantly deformed and the optical system mounting plate 11 is pushed by the inner wall of the housing 8A via a spring, the optical system mounting plate 11 will not move in the direction of the external force F around the rotation axis 4a. Because it rotates, the optical system mounting plate l is
There is no need to worry about the l itself being distorted.

Even if the optical system mounting plate 11 rotates in this way, the image information reading position 9, that is, the irradiation position, which moves on the outer peripheral surface of the idle roller 4 around the rotation axis 4a, and the irradiation position, which also moves around the rotation axis 4a, Since there is no change in the relative positional relationship with the photoelectric conversion component 7 that rotates, there is no problem in the image information reading operation.

Furthermore, if an external force F' in the direction of the arrow is applied to one end of the casing 8A on the photoelectric conversion component 7 side from the state shown in FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional view of YY essential parts in FIG. 8A is partially distorted and deformed as shown in FIG. At this time, even if the rotation axis 4a of the idle roller 4 is tilted together with the housing 8A as shown in FIG. 3, the optical system mounting plate 11, as well as the lens 6 and the photoelectric conversion component 7, are also tilted accordingly. , the irradiation position or reading position W on the idle roller 4
There is no change in the relative positional relationship between the optical conversion component 9 and the optical conversion component 7. In addition, in Figures 2 and 3, 12
indicates the lens holder.

As described above, according to this embodiment, optical system components such as the light source LA, lens 6, photoelectric conversion component 7, and optical system mounting plate 11 are mounted on the sides of the sheet 2 stretched between the rollers 3 and 4. Therefore, the depth of the casing 8A only needs to be slightly longer than the outer diameter of each roller 3, 4. Therefore, the structure in which the optical system components are arranged behind the sheet 2 as in the conventional structure is not required. In comparison, the blackboard device can be made thinner, smaller, and lighter.

Furthermore, even if the housing 8A is partially deformed due to external force, etc., the relative positional relationship between the reading position 9 and the photoelectric conversion component 7 remains unchanged, so there is no problem in forming and reading image information. Therefore, accurate reading operations can be achieved at all times.

Further, there is no need to improve the rigidity due to an increase in the weight of the housing 8A.

This contributes to further weight reduction and cost reduction of the blackboard device.

In addition, since the irradiation position by the light source IA and the reading position 9 always match, an LED with a narrow light irradiation width can be used as the light source IA.
Even if the light source 1A is used, there will be no inconvenience such as the reading position 9 not being illuminated with light. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the weight and power consumption of the light source 1A.

Further, in this embodiment, since the structure is such that the reflected light from the reading position 9 is directly incident on the lens 6 without using a mirror, the structure is simple and the cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.

Next, FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the reflected light from the reading position It9 is transferred to the first mirror 5.
The light source 1A, mirrors 5A, 5B,
The lens 6 and photoelectric conversion parts 7 are all attached to the optical system mounting plate 11
installed on top. Also, in this example,
The optical system mounting plate 11 is rotatably supported by the rotation shaft 4a of the idle roller 4 via a support portion 11a.

Further, FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the optical system mounting plate 11 is slightly layered from the inner wall of the housing 8A, and 1i13A is placed in the vicinity of the central axis 4a of the idle roller 4 and perpendicular to the sheet 2. , 13B are fixed to the housing 8A. According to this embodiment, even if the housing 8A is slightly distorted, it will not come into contact with the optical system mounting plate 11.
can be prevented from being distorted. Also in this embodiment, the image information reading position is set on the sheet 2 on the outer peripheral surface of the idle roller 4.

Here, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, if the housing 8A is significantly distorted, the inner wall of the housing 8A will come into contact with the end of the optical system mounting plate 11, and a large external force will be applied to the mounting plate 11. join. However, the above-mentioned No. 1. In the second embodiment, since the mounting plate 11 pushed by the housing 8A rotates around the rotating shaft 4a of the idle roller 4 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 6, there is no risk of the mounting plate 11 being distorted. Further, as the mounting plate 11 rotates, the irradiation position or reading position 119 also moves on the outer peripheral surface of the idle roller 4, and at the same time the photoelectric conversion component 7 rotates.
Since the relative positional relationship with the image information does not change, there is no problem in reading the image information.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a light source IA installed behind an idle roller 4, a mirror 5, a lens 6, and a photoelectric conversion component 7 are attached to an optical system mounting plate 11A, and a support portion 11a of this mounting plate 11A is attached to an idler. Extending to the side of the roller 4,
A substrate 11b is arranged parallel to the sheet 2 behind the sheet 2.

The mounting plate 11A also has a support portion 11a supported by both ends of the rotating shaft 4a of the idle roller 4.
The mounting plate 11A is rotatable about the rotating shaft 4a. Note that the reading position 9 for one image information is set on the sheet 2 on the outer circumferential surface of the idle roller 4 as in each of the embodiments described above.

In this embodiment as well, when distortion of the housing 8B due to external force is applied to the mounting plate 11A, the mounting plate 11A
By rotating about the mounting plate 11A, it is possible to prevent the mounting plate 11A itself from being distorted.

Further, as described above, since the positional relationship between the irradiation position or reading position 9 and the photoelectric conversion component 7 does not change even if the mounting plate 11A rotates, one image information can always be read accurately. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light source 1A, the mirror 5, and the lens 6
Since the optical system components such as the photoelectric conversion component 7 and the like are installed behind the sheet 2, there is a slight problem in making the blackboard device thinner, but the rigidity of the casing 8B is increased to prevent distortion due to external forces. Since there is no need to do so, it is possible to reduce the weight and cost of the entire device.

Note that the image information reading position may be on the sheet on the circumferential surface of the drive roller, and in this case, the positions of the light source, mirror, lens, photoelectric conversion parts, etc. are changed as appropriate depending on the reading position. It is something that

Furthermore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative, and the reading position of one image information is set on the outer circumferential surface of the idle roller or the drive roller, and the optical system mounting plate provided with the optical system components is mounted on the roller. Any structure may be used as long as it is attached to or near the rotation axis of the rotary shaft.

Furthermore, although not shown, a photoelectric conversion component such as a contact type image sensor located near the reading position may be attached to the optical system mounting plate, and this mounting plate may be formed to be rotatable.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, optical system components can be arranged on the sides of the sheet in principle, so that the blackboard device can be made thinner.
It is possible to achieve smaller size, lighter weight, and lower cost. Also,
Even if the overall rigidity of the blackboard device decreases due to the thinner and lighter weight of the blackboard device, the problem of deterioration of the reading function due to distortion due to external force does not occur for the following reason.

That is, in the present invention, an optical system mounting plate on which optical system components such as a light source and a photoelectric conversion component are attached is attached to a rotating shaft such as an idle roller so as to be rotatable, or is attached near the rotating shaft, and the plate is attached to a rotating shaft such as an idle roller. By setting the image information reading position on the outer peripheral surface of the sheet, even if an external force is applied to the casing and it becomes distorted, the relative positional relationship between the irradiation position or reading position with respect to the sheet and the photoelectric conversion component will not change at all times. Therefore, imaging and reading of one image information can always be performed accurately.

Furthermore, since it is possible to use an LED with a narrow light irradiation width as a light source, the weight of the light source and its attached circuits, as well as the blackboard device, can be reduced.
Power saving is possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the first embodiment of the present invention;
2 and 3 are YY sectional views of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the functions of the first and second embodiments, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the internal structure in the conventional technology, FIGS. 9 and 10 are sectional views taken along line XX in FIG. 8,
FIGS. 11 and 12 are plan views showing other conventional techniques. 1A...Light source 2...Sheet 3...Driving roller 4...Idle roller 4a
...Rotation axis 5.5 A, 5 B...Mirror 6
... Lens 7 ... Photoelectric conversion component 8a ... Window part 8 A, 8 B ... Housing 9 ... Reading position [11.
...Optical system mounting plate 11a...Support part 11b...Substrate 12...Lens holder 13A, 13B...Position

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A sheet on which image information such as characters and figures is written is supported by a roller, and the sheet is conveyed to a reading position of the image information where it is irradiated with light from a light source;
In an electronic blackboard device that collects reflected light from the sheet and reads the image information using a photoelectric conversion component, the optical system components including the light source and the photoelectric conversion component are attached to an optical system mounting plate, and the optical system mounting plate An electronic blackboard device, characterized in that: is attached to the rotating shaft of the roller or in the vicinity thereof, and the reading position is set on a sheet on the outer peripheral surface of the roller. (2) The electronic blackboard device according to claim (1), wherein the optical system mounting plate is rotatably mounted around the rotation axis of the roller. (3) The electronic blackboard device according to claim (1) or (2), wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.