JPH0410855A - Device for positioning top position of object for image scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain positioning of top of an object by comparing an image data read from a range opposite to an image sensor other than an object with an image data read from a part of a shadow of the object by the image sensor and discriminating the result. CONSTITUTION:An image data is read from an image sensor 2 as required and whether the image data is an image data read from a range 7 before an object 5 reaches the range 7 or a 'black image data' of a shadow 5a of the object 5 is discriminated by comparison. When the image data is the 'black image data' of the shadow 5a, it is discriminated that the object is carried by a carrier driver and reaches the range 7. The top positioning of the object 5 is implemented accurately by allowing this system or a host to control the carrier driver of the object 5 or the like depending on the discrimination result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a subject head positioning device for an image scanner.

[Prior Art] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of an image scanner equipped with a conventional object detection sensor.

In the figure, 1 is a light source, 2 is an image sensor, and 3 is an image scanner unit that is internally equipped with the light source 1, image sensor 2, etc. This image scanner unit 3 can also be used as a handheld type. 4 is a paper feeder section, and this paper feeder section 4 is configured to be detachably attached to the image scanner section 3. Reference numeral 5 indicates an object to be photographed, mainly paper, and reference numeral 6 indicates an object detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the object 5.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing various sensors used as subject detection sensors of the image scanner shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 3(A) shows the transmission type photocoupler 6a, and FIG. 3(B) shows the transmission type photocoupler 6a.
3 shows a reflective photocoupler 6b, and FIG. 3(C) shows a mechanical switch 6C, which are used as the subject detection sensor 6 shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of an image scanner equipped with the above-mentioned conventional object detection sensor will be explained. In the conventional image scanner shown in FIG. 2, light emitted from a light source 1 is reflected by a subject 5 and enters an image sensor 2. The image data output from the image sensor 2 is
It undergoes various processing and is delivered to a host (not shown). The paper feeder section 4 is combined with the image scanner section 3 to transport the subject 5. - Generally, a drive unit (not shown) for transporting the object 5 is provided within the vapor feeder unit 4. Subject detection sensor 6
A signal is output depending on the presence or absence of the subject 5. This system (
The image scanner) or the host (host computer to which this system is connected) can recognize that the subject 5 is present between the image scanner section 3 and the paper feeder section 4. Furthermore, the signal output by the subject detection sensor 6 allows the present system or the host to accurately control the drive unit for transporting the subject 5.

Now, assume that the object 5 is inserted into the image scanner from the right-hand side shown in FIG. This system or the host controls the drive unit for transporting the subject 5 and transports the subject 5. When the object 5 is conveyed between the image scanner section 3 and the paper feeder section 4 and is applied to the object detection sensor 6, the object detection sensor 6
outputs a signal. Based on the signal output by the subject detection sensor 6, this system or the host controls the transport drive unit for the subject 5 to transport the subject 5 to the reading position of the image sensor 2 and stop it. With the above operations,
The positioning of the head of the subject 5 is completed. Thereby, the present system or the host can accurately match the reading position of the subject 5 to the leading position of the subject 5.

Various types of sensors can be used as the subject detection sensor 6 of the conventional image scanner as described above. When a transmission type photocoupler 6a shown in FIG. 3(A) is used as the subject detection sensor 6, a signal indicating whether the subject 5 is inserted into the slit in the center is outputted.

In addition, when using the reflective photocoupler 6b shown in FIG. 3(B), whether or not the subject 5 is present above the surface of the reflective photocoupler 6b is outputted as being used. Further, when using the mechanical switch 6C shown in FIG. 3(C), a signal indicating whether or not the subject 5 is pressing the switch element is output.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] Since the image scanner equipped with the above-described conventional object detection sensor is configured as described above, various sensors can be used as the object detection sensor 6 for detecting the presence or absence of the object 5. In this case, there were problems as described below.

(1) When using the transmission type photocoupler 6a shown in FIG. Even if there exists this subject 5
cannot be detected, and as a result, the detection performance with respect to lateral displacement of the subject 5, etc. is significantly degraded.

(2) When the reflective photocoupler 6b shown in FIG. 3(B) is used, since the reflection of light is used, the black part on the surface of the subject 5, for example, the surface color of the subject 5 is black. When this is the case, sufficient reflection does not occur, and even if the subject 5 exists, the subject 5 cannot be detected, and therefore the detection performance is restricted by the surface color of the subject 5, etc.

(3) When using the mechanical switch 6C shown in Fig. 3(C), physical force is required to press the switch element of the mechanical switch 6C, and the subject 5 is thin and has low hardness, such as paper. At some point, the force described above cannot be exceeded, and even if the subject 5 is present, the switch element of the mechanical switch 6C cannot be turned on.
Therefore, the detection performance is restricted by the hardness of the subject 5 and the like.

This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to detect the leading position of the subject without being affected by the lateral deviation of the subject, surface color, hardness, etc. The purpose is to obtain a positioning device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A subject leading position positioning device for a detachable image scanner according to the present invention includes a paper feeder section and an image scanner section that is detachably configured, and an image sensor provided in the image scanner section. compares the image data read from a certain range facing the image sensor other than the subject with the image data read from the shadow part of the subject by the image sensor, and determines the starting position of the subject based on the image data resulting from the comparison. This is used to control the object transport drive unit and position the object at its leading position.

In addition, in a subject head positioning device for a sheet-through type image scanner according to another aspect of the present invention, before the subject is not conveyed by the conveying drive unit, the image sensor reads out data from a certain area facing an image sensor other than the subject. The image data is compared with the image data read by the image sensor from the shadow part of the subject when the subject is transported by the transport drive unit, and the leading position of the subject is determined based on the image data resulting from the comparison. , which controls the drive unit for conveying the object and positions the head of the object.

[Function] In the subject head positioning device for a detachable image scanner according to the present invention, the subject head position determining section determines the subject's head position based on image data read from a certain area where the image sensor faces the image sensor other than the subject; This is performed based on the comparison result with image data read by the sensor from the shadow area of the subject, and furthermore, the determination of the leading position of the subject is used for controlling the drive unit for transporting the subject, etc.

Further, in the object head positioning device for a sheet-through type image scanner according to another aspect of the present invention, the object head position determination unit determines the object head position by reading an image read from a certain range part where the image sensor faces an image sensor other than the object. The determination is made based on the comparison result between the data and the image data read out from the shadow part of the subject by the image sensor, and furthermore, the determination of the leading position of the subject is used for controlling the drive unit for transporting the subject, etc.

Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a subject head positioning device for a detachable image scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a light source, 2 is an image sensor, and 3 is a light source 1. This image scanner section 3 is equipped with an image sensor 2 and the like, and can also be used as a handy type. 4 is a paper feeder section, and this paper feeder section 4 is configured to be detachably attached to the image scanner section 3. Reference numeral 5 indicates an object such as paper, 5a indicates a shadow of the object 5 created by blocking the light emitted from the light source 1, and 7 indicates a position facing the image sensor 2, for example, a portion of the paper feeder section 4 facing the image sensor 2. This is the area on the surface of the casing.

Next, the operation of the subject leading position positioning device for the detachable image scanner according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the detachable image scanner according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the light emitted from the light R1 is reflected by the subject 5 and is incident on the image sensor 2. The image data output from the image sensor 2 is subjected to various processing and then delivered to a host (not shown). The paper feeder section 4 is combined with the image scanner section 3 to transport the subject 5. - For boat fishing, a drive unit (not shown) for transporting the subject 5 is provided within the paper feeder unit 4. When the image sensor 2 performs a reading operation when the subject S is not present between the image scanner section 3 and the paper feeder section 4, the image shown in FIG.
The image of the area 7 on the surface of the casing of the paper feeder section 4 facing the image sensor 2 shown in a) is read out. The image of the range part 7 is an image of the part located on the surface of the casing of the paper feeder part 4 facing the image sensor 2, and the output image data does not change no matter what timing it is read. , the image data output by the image in the range part 7 always has a fixed value.

Now, assume that the subject 5 is inserted into the removable image scanner shown in FIG. 1 from the right-hand side. This system or the host controls the drive unit for transporting the subject 5 and transports the subject 5. As shown in FIG. 1(a), when the image sensor 2 performs a reading operation before the subject 5 is transported to the range section 7, the image sensor 2 reads out the image of the range section 7. Furthermore, when the subject 5 is transported by the transport drive section and approaches the range section 7 as shown in FIG. 1(b), the image data read out when the image sensor 2 performs the reading operation □ Change. The image data read from the image sensor 2 at this time is image data due to the shadow 5a of the subject 5, which is formed when the subject 5, which has been transported to the range section 7 at that time, blocks the light emitted from the light source 1. This image data is created by a shadow cast on the range 7 when the leading position of the subject 5 approaches the range 7, and is usually "black image data". The shadow 5a of the subject 5 is
Unlike the image data read out from the range part 7 before the subject 5 reaches the range part 7, this is "black image data".

Therefore, the present system or the host reads image data from the image sensor 2 as necessary, and determines whether the image data is image data read from the range section 7 before the subject 5 reaches the range section 7. , it is compared and determined whether the image data is "black image data" due to the shadow 5a of the subject 5. In the comparison results,
When it is determined that the image data is a "black image" due to the shadow 5a of the subject 5, the system or the host determines that the subject 5 is transported by the transport drive unit and moved to the area 7.
is determined to have been reached. Based on the above judgment results,
This system or the host controls the drive unit for transporting the subject 5, etc., and accurately positions the top of the subject 5.

Further, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a subject leading position positioning device for a sheet-through type image scanner, which is another embodiment of the present invention. A subject leading position positioning device for a sheet-through type image scanner which is another embodiment of the present invention is a subject leading position positioning device for a detachable image scanner which is an embodiment of the present invention described above. 4 and configured as a sheet-through type image scanner. In this case, both have the same configuration as shown in FIG. 1, so the detailed configuration and operation will be explained below. is omitted.

In the above embodiment, the case where the drive unit for conveying the subject 5 is provided in the paper feeder unit 4 has been described, but the case where the drive unit for conveying the subject 5 is provided in the image scanner unit 3 is also explained. But it's okay.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the light source 1, the image sensor 2, etc. are provided in the image scanner section 3, but they may be provided in the paper feeder section 4.

Further, in the above embodiment, it is stated that the image scanner section 3 can be used as a handy type.
This may even be something that cannot be used as a handy type.

Further, in the above embodiment, the range part 7 is described as a range part on the surface of the casing of the paper feeder part 4 facing the image sensor 2, but this is a part printed with a specific pattern or a printed sticker. It may also be a part where something like this is pasted.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the subject head positioning device for an image scanner of the present invention, in a detachable image scanner or a sheet-through type image scanner, the image sensor is located in a certain area where it faces an image sensor other than the subject. The image sensor is configured to compare the image data read from the image sensor with the image data read from the shadow part of the subject, determine the leading position of the subject based on the image data resulting from the comparison, and perform the leading positioning of the subject. Therefore, the device can be constructed at low cost. In addition, since the leading position of the subject is determined without using a conventional sensor for detecting the subject, the disadvantages of the transmissive type photocoupler are that it is very susceptible to lateral shifts of the subject, and the surface color of the subject. The front position of the subject can be positioned extremely easily and accurately without being affected by the disadvantages of reflective photocoupler, which has limitations on the object's hardness, and the disadvantages of mechanical switches, which have limitations such as the hardness of the subject. It has excellent effects such as:

Schematic diagram showing the structure of a subject leading position positioning device for a digital scanner or a subject leading position positioning device for a sheet-through type image scanner which is another embodiment of the present invention, 2nd
This figure is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of an image scanner equipped with a conventional object detection sensor, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing various sensors used as the object detection sensor of the image scanner shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1... light source, 2... image sensor,
3... Image scanner section, 4... Paper feeder section, 5... Subject, 5a... Shadow of subject 5, 6.
...Sensor for detecting a subject, 6a...Transmissive photocoupler, 6b...Reflection photocoupler, 6C...Mechanical switch, 7...Range section.

In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image scanner that has a light source and an image sensor that receives the light emitted from the light source and outputs a corresponding output by receiving the reflected light from the surface of the object, and can be used as a handheld type. and a paper feeder section that incorporates this image scanner section and can also be used as a sheet-through type. Compare the image data that the sensor reads from the range section and the image data that the image sensor reads from the shadow part of the subject when the subject is transported to the range section, and based on the difference in the image data as a result of the comparison. A subject leading position positioning device for an image scanner, comprising: a subject leading position positioning section for determining the leading position of the subject. 2. In an image scanner that has a light source, an image sensor that receives reflected light emitted from the light source and outputs a corresponding output by receiving reflected light from the surface of the object, and has a drive mechanism for transporting the object, the image scanner is not conveyed to a certain area facing the image sensor, the image data read by the image sensor from the area, and the subject is conveyed to the area, and the image sensor reads from the shadow area of the subject. A subject head positioning device for an image scanner, comprising a subject head positioning section that compares read image data and determines the head position of the subject based on a difference in the image data as a result of the comparison.