Method and system for reading images

Abstract: The image reading method and the apparatus therefor of the present invention are characterized in that deviation in the optical axis due to changes in the magnification in the auxiliary scanning and main scanning directions are corrected by determining the optimal position of the slit. This allows the resultant images to be very clear-cut without blurs. Further, the slit positioning apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the slit is positioned so that linear image light by the slit enters a suitable position of a linear sensor. This also allows the resultant images to be very clear-cut without blurs.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reading images by flat-bed scanning with an image sensor, and also to a slit positioning apparatus for using in an image reading apparatus. Image lights incident on the light receiving plane of a photoelectric conversion element such as CCD that constitutes an image sensor such as a linear sensor include, in addition to those (hereinafter referred to as "direct incident light") directly incident thereon, those lights (hereinafter referred to as "flare light") which enter the light receiving plane after having been reflected from a masking surface provided within an optical window glass or near the light receiving plane of the photoelectric conversion element for protecting the element. Since the flare light enters the light receiving plane of the photoelectric conversion element at a location different from the location the image light is expected to enter, it adversely affects the obtained image. The applicant of the present invention therefore developed a linear sensor described below in order to prevent the adverse effects of the above flare light. FIG.1 is a perspective schematic view to show one embodiment of a linear sensor. FIG.2 is a section thereof along the line A - A. The linear sensor comprises a casing 1, a photoelectric conversion element 4, an optical window glass 2 which contains an inert gas and which is attached to the casing 1 above the light receiving plane of the photoelectric conversion element 4 to protect and seal the same against damages and deterioration otherwise caused by dust or air. The top and the back surfaces of the optical window glass 2 are coated with protective films ( e.g. of MgF₂, SiO₂) 11, 12 to prevent reflection of the image lights. Having thus reduced the flaring by the optical window glass 2, the image lights are converted into electrical signals by the photoelectric conversion element 4, and outputted outside by means of lead pins 3. The resultant images are of an excellent quality ( refer to Japanese Utility Model Application No.71798/1987 ( Laid-open No.180948/1988 )). The above linear sensor with an optical glasss window that is coated with films for preventing reflection is capable of reducing flaring of the image lights to a certain degree, but it had its limits. For example, as shown in FIG.3, a portion of light which is reflected by the mask 42 (such as aluminum deposited layer for intercepting light) at the light receiving section after having penetrated the optical window glass 2 and the protection layer 41 (e.g. of SiO₂) of the photoelectric conversion element 4 is often reflected once again by the protective films 11 and 12 of the optical window glass 2. Therefore, when incident lights having the grey level distribution as shown in FIG.4 enter the light receiving plane, displacements in terms of entering points are emphasized at the borders between the shadows and highlights. As a result, the levels of output electric signals from the photoelectric conversion element will be as shown in FIG.5. In other words, the light in the highlight is reflected and enters the light receiving plane of the photoelectric conversion element which is provided to detect the shadows, blurring the changes in density or the borders between the highlight and the shadow because of indistinct grey levels. In an apparatus which is required to read and reproduce/record images in multi-levels of gradation, the reproduced images tend to be less contrasting and more ambigous if the grey levels at the borders between the shadow and highlights are converted as they are into electric signals. The applicant of the present invention then developed another image reader to solve the problems mentioned above. FIG.6 is a perspective schematic view of an embodiment to show the optical input system of the image reader. A light intercepting plate 110 is provided between a lighting source 101 (e.g. a fluorescent lamp, a rod halogen lamp) and a transmissive subject copy original (e.g. color reversal film) 103 at a predetermined position. The light intercepeting plate 110 has a slit 110a of a predetermined width so that the light emitted from the lighting source 101 enters the light receiving plane of a linear sensor 102 as a fine strip of light in the main scanning direction. The light intercepting plate 110 is painted or printed with a black mat coating material (such as Sunday Paint (Trade Mark) by Dainippon Toryo Kabushiki Kaisha in Japan) to absorb the light from the lighting source 101 irradiating on the portions other than the slit 110a. A strip of light coming through the slit 110a in the main scanning direction is transmitted through the transmissive original 103 as the image light. The image light enters the light receiving plane of the linear sensor 102 via a focusing lens 104. Since unnecessary light from the lighting source is intercepted by the light intercepting plate 110, the flare light in a substantial amount can be reduced. By sequentially moving the transmissive original 103 in the auxiliary scanning direction, the entire image can be read out. The image reader as mentioned above can produce images with good contrasts when incorporated in a system for obtaining images if the magnification is fixed. However, in a system in which as least two of the linear sensor, focusing lens and transmissive original are movable in the direction of optical axis to vary the optical magnifications, deviations in terms of the optical axis tend to occur when such components are moved. For example, when after the system is arranged as shown in FIG.8A, the linear sensor 102 and the focusing lens 104 are moved to change the optical magnification, a displacement would occur in the auxiliary scanning direction (FIG.8B) . If this happens, the resultant image as shown by the dotted line in FIG.8C is deviated from the position of the image that is obtained when there is no displacement in the optical axis (solid line) . Similar deviations occur when displacement of the optical axis in the main scanning direction is observed (FIGs.9A, 9B and 9c) . Further, since the width of the strip of light incident in the linear sensor also varies depending on the optical magnification, the width of the slit in the above mentioned image reader must be varied correspondingly to the optical magnification. FIG.7 shows changes in the level of electric signals at the borders between the shadow and the highlight when the slit width is varied (W₃ > W₂ > W₁) at a given optical magnification. The prior art image reader was defective in that if the slit width is not adequate to the optical magnification, the resultant image lacked contrast and became quite blurred. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention was contrived to eliminate problems mentioned in the foregoing and aims at providing a method and a system for reading images capable of preventing displacements of the optical axis in a main scanning and an auxiliary directions or decrease in contrasts in the grey levels due to flaring of the light into the shadow at the peripheral edge where the grey levels vary significantly even when incorporated in a system where at least two of the linear sensor, the focusing lens and the transmissive original are movable in the direction of optical axis for changing the optical magnification. The nature, principle and utility of the invention which is set out in the claims to which attention is now directed, will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjuncttion with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings: FIG.1 is a perspective schematic view to show an example of the prior art linear sensor; FIG.2 is a section along the line A - A thereof; FIG.3 is a sectional view of the prior art linear sensor to explain the problems thereof; FIG.4 is a graph to show the intensity of the incident image light; FIG.5 is a graph to show the level of output signals from the prior art linear senosr; FIG.6 is a perspective schematic view of the prior art input optical system; FIG.7 is a graph to show the output signal level from the linear senosr with different width of the alits; FIGs.8A to 8C and FIGs.9A to 9C are views to explain deviations of the optical axis when the magnification is varied, respectively. FIGs.10 is a perspective schematic view to show an embodiments of the input optical system in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention; FIG.11 is a perspective schematic view to show an embodiment of the mechanism for moving the slits which forms the essential part of the present invention; FIG.12 is a sectional view along the line X - X in FIG.11; FIG.13 is a flow chart to show the operations in the image reading apparatus of the present invention; FIGs.14 through 16 are graphs to explain the method of determining the optimal positions of the slits in respective embodiments; FIG.17 is a perspective schematic view to show another embodiment of the input optical system in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention; and FIG.18 is a flow chart to show the operations in the slit positioning apparatus of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG.10 corresponds to FIG.6 and is a perspective schematic view to show one embodiment of an input optical system. The same component parts in FIGs.10 and 6 are denoted with the same reference numbers and duplicated descriptions are omitted as such as possible. Instead of the light intercepting plate 110 of the prior art, a novel light intercepting plate 210 is provided at a predetermined position between the lighting source 101 and the transmissive original 103. The light intercepting plate 210 has slits 210a, 210b and 210c which have different width respectively and are capable of moving in the direction of the arrow p shown in the figure by means of a slit moving mechanism 300. The light intercepting plate 210 is coated with a black mat coating material (e.g. Sunday Paint by Dainippon Toryo K.K.) on its surfaces. A control device 350 is provided, which controls driving of the slit moving mechanism 300, determines the optimal position of the slit 210a, 210b or 210c based on the detected values of the image forming light incident on the linear sensor 102 via the moving slit 210a, 210b or 210c, and corrects deviations in the positions for starting and ending reading of the transmissive original 103 with respect to the auxiliary scanning and main scanning directions. Thus, if the optical magnification of the image is varied by moving the linear sensor 102 and the focusing lens 104 in the directions marked with arrows m and n , the slit moving mechanism 300 is driven in accordance with the command from the control device 300 to move the light intercepting plate 210 in the direction of arrow p , whereby any one of the slits with the slit width optimal for the optical magnification currently established may be positioned along the optical axis and the original is read through the slit. In this manner, the resultant image becomes very clear. FIG.11 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the slit moving mechanism. FIG.12 is a section thereof along the line X - X. A slider 302 is fixed on the light intercepting plate 210, the slider 302 being slidable along a pair of guide rods 301a, 301b parallel to the direction p of the plate 210. In the slider 302 is fixed a nut 303 of a ball screw which is arranged parallel to the moving direction p of the light intercepting plate 210. A base plate 304 is arranged at a distance from the slider 302 on the side opposite to the side on which the nut 303 is fixed not to come in contact therewith in a manner that the nut 303 of the ball screw will protrude from an opening 304A made in the base plate 304. Both ends of the guide rods 301a, 301b are fixed to and supported by support members 305a, 305b respectively fixed on one surface of the base plate 304 (on the side of the slider 302) . A pulse motor 307 which rotates the male screw 306 mated with the nut 303 of the ball screw in accordance with the command from the control device 350, and bearings 308a, 308b that support the male screw 306 are fixed on the other side of the base plate 304. The base plate 304 alone is fixed to a base plate 309 which in turn is fixed on the support frame 400. Other members (such as light intercepting plate 210, slider 302, etc.) are so arranged that they are not in contact with base the plate 309. On the base plate 309 is also fixed an adjustment means 311 for adjusting the inclination, the adjustment means being U-shaped in section and having screws 310a, 310b screwed on the sides thereof. One end of a lever 312 for adjusting the inclination is fixed to the base plate 304 at such a position that the other end of the lever 312 will be located between the screws 310a and 310b without coming in contact with the adjustment means 311. The operation of the device having the above construction will now be described referring to the flow chart shown in FIG.13. First, positioning holes 321a, 321b on the base plate 309 are inserted with positioning pins 322a, 322b provided on the support frame 400 in order to properly position the base plate 309. The base plate 309 is fixed to the support frame 400 by means of fixing screws 323a, 323b, 323c, 323d. Then, a hole 324 perforated on the base plate 304 on which members such as the light intercepting plate 210 are mounted is engaged with a pin 325 for adjusting the inclination on the base plate 309 to tentatively position the base plate 304. The control device 350 drives a pulse motor 307 to cause the light intercepting plate 210 to move. The control device 350 also collects detected values of the lights that enter the linear sensor 102 via a predetermined one of the moving slits 210a, 210b or 210c to determine the optimal position of the slit (Steps S1 and S2) . In one method for determining the optimal position, the number of pulses is counted starting from a given point (e.g. one end of the above slit) as shown in FIG.14 and the optimal position is determined to be the point where the output signal level from the linear sensor 102 reaches the peak (in this case, 15 pulses). Alternatively as shown in FIG. 15, a predetermined output signal level of the linear sensor 102 is selected in advance as a pre-set value, and the intermediate position (a+b)/2 between two slits a and b is determined to be the optimal position. Or, as shown in FIG.16, the output signal level of the linear sensor 102 at its optimal design position e and output signal levels, c , d , f , g before and after the position are collected, and the position f at which the output signal level reaches the peak is selected as the optimal position. The control device 350 positions the slit at the optimal position thus determined (Step S3), and then reads the pixel number of the linear sensor 102 which corresponds to the central position of the reference scale provided on a mount table (not shown) for the transmissive original 103 (Step S4) . The transmissive original 103 is prescanned for its entire area (Step S5) , and is trimmed on a display device such as CRT (Step S6) , and the angle and magnification are inputted to the control device 350 (Step S7) . The control device 350 aligns the optical axis with the center of the trimming zone in the main scanning direction of the original at an angle designated. The control device 350 also determines the points for starting and ending the reading in the trimming zone (Steps S8 and S9) . The linear sensor 102 and the focusing lens 104 are then moved to set the optical magnification of the image (Step S10) , and a slit which is agreeable with the optical magnification is selected and the result is transmitted to the control device 350 (Steo S11). Likewise in the Steps S1 and S2, the control device 350 drives the pulse motor 307 to move the light intercepting plate 210 for collecting detected values of the lights for forming the image entering the linear sensor 102 via the moving slits, determines the optimal position of the slit, and moves the slit to the optical position (Steps S12, S13, S14). The base plate 304 is then fixed on the base plate 309 by the fixing screws 326a, 326b, 326c and 326d, and the iris stop is determined (Step S15) . The control device 350 reads the pixel signal in the linear sensor 102 which corresponds to the center of the reference scale (Step S16). If the strip of image lights is tilted with respect to the linear sensor, either one of the screws 310a and 310b of the adjustment means 311 for adjusting the inclination is loosened and the other is tightened, whereby the lever 312 for adjusting the inclination, the base plate 304 and the light intercepting plate 210 are rotated about the pin 325 for adjusting the inclination and the tilting of the strip of lights may be offset. By adding the difference between the optimal position determined by the Step S2 and that determined by the Step S13 (e.g. a difference in the feed pulse from the reference position) to the positions for starting and ending the reading of the trimming zone determined by the Step S9, the control device 350 corrects deviations in the auxiliary scanning direction (Step S17) . By adding the difference between the pixel number read by the Step S4 and the pixel number read by the Step S16 to the positions for starting and ending the reading of the trimming zone determined by the Step S9, the deviation in the main scanning direction can be corrected (Step S18) . Finally, the original 103 is scanned (Step S19) to complete the entire process. By going through the steps mentioned above, a clear image without blur can be obtained. It should be noted that the control device 350 may be provided with such functions as establishing the optical magnification and selecting any one of the slits. Deviations may be corrected only in either the main or the auxiliary scanning direction. FIG.17 is a perspective schematic view to show another embodiment of the input optical system in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The view corresponds to FIG.10, and the same component parts are given the same reference numbers to save duplicated explanation. In this embodiment, the intercepting plate 210 which includes a slit moving mechanism 300 for moving the slits is disposed beneath the transmissive original 103. This arrangement allows the original 103 to be positioned as near as the lighting source 101 and thus ensures sufficient amount of light for forming image. Moreover, the arrangement is advantageous in terms of the degree of freedom in design as the light intercepting plate 210 can be positioned within a relatively spacious interval between the transmissive original 103 and the focusing lens 104. It is noted that the number of slits is not specifically limited, and any arbitrary number of slits which the device is capable of accomodating can be provided. The means to determine the position of the slits according to the present invention can therefore be adapted suitably to an image reading apparatus having only one slit. It is also noted that although the copy original has been described to be a transmissive one in the foregoing embodiments, it is not specifically limited to it and copy original that are reflective may also be used. If the width of the slits is expanded, an area sensor instead of the linear sensor can also be used for reading the image. Effect of the Invention; As has been described in the foregoing, the apparatus and method for reading images according to the present invention is capable of preventing deviations in the main scanning and auxiliary scanning directions even if the optical magnification is varied, preventing contour lines from appearing at the edge portions, and producing picture images with high resolution in the grey levels accurately in a short period of time. The operation of the slit positioning apparatus having the above construction will now be described referring to the flow chart shown in FIG.18 corresponding to FIG.13. First, positioning holes 321a, 321b on the base plate 309 are inserted with positioning pins 322a, 322b provided on the support frame 400 in order to properly position the base plate 309. The base plate 309 is fixed to the support frame 400 by means of fixing screws 323a, 323b, 323c, 323d. Then, a hole 324 performed on the base plate 304 on which members such as the light intercepting plate 210 are mounted is engaged with a pin 325 for adjusting the inclination on the base plate 309 to tentatively position the base plate 304. The control device 350 drives a pulse motor 307 to cause the light intercepting plate 210 to move. A linear sensor 102 and a focusing lens 104 are moved so as to set an optical magnification of the image (Step SA) , a slit is selected so as to match with the optical magnification and commanded to a control device 350 (Step SB) . The control device 350 also collects detected values of the lights that enter the linear sensor 102 via a predetermined one of the moving slits to determine the optimal position of the slit (Step S1 and S2) . In one method for determining the optimal position, the number of pulses is counted starting from a given point as shown in FIG.14 and the optimal position is determined to be the point where the output signal level from the linear sensor 102 reaches the peak. Alternatively as shown in FIG.15, a predetermined output signal level of the linear sensor 102 is selected in advance as a pre-set value, and the intermediate position (a+b)/2 between two slits a and b is determined to be the optimal position. Or, as shown in FIG.16, the output signal level of the linear sensor 102 at its optimal design positione e and output signal levels, c , d , f , g before and after the position are collected, and the position f at which the output signal level reaches the peak is selected as the optimal position. The control device 350 positions the slit at the optimal position thus determined (Step S3) . Thereafter, the base plate 304 is fixed at the base plate 309 by screws 326a, 326b, 326c and 326d and entire process is completed. If the strip of image lights is tilted with respect to the linear sensor, either one of the screws 310a and 310b of the adjustment means 311 for adjusting the inclination is loosened and the other is tightened, whereby the lever 312 for adjusting the inclination, the base plate 304 and the light intercepting plate 210 are rotated about the pin 325 for adjusting the inclination and the tilting of the strip of lights may be offset. By going through the steps mentioned above, the strip of lights could be entered to a suitable position of the linear sensor. As has been described in the foregoing, the slit positioning apparatus according to the present invention is capable of preventing deviations even if the optical magnification is varied, preventing contour lines from appearing at the edge portions, and producing picture images with high resolution in the grey levels accurately in a short period of time. It should be understood that many modifications and adaptations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and it is intended to encompass such obvious modifications and changes in the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims: A method for reading an image (103) scanned in a first main direction and in a second auxiliary direction which is normal to the first main direction for a reading apparatus including a light source (101), a movable light intercepting plate (110,210) having at least one slit (110a,210a,b,c) and a light sensor (102) for receiving light from the light source (101) which passes through the at least one slit (110), the method comprising the steps: a) determining an optimal position of the slit (110a,210a,b,c) relative to the light source (101) by moving the movable light intercepting plate (110) in the second auxiliary direction so that light from the light source (101) is received by the light sensor (102) through the at least one slit (110a,210a,b,c), and reading output levels of the light sensor as the movable light intercepting plate is moved; b) moving the movable light intercepting plate (110) so that the at least one slit is positioned at the determined optimal position and c) determining an amount the movable light intercepting plate (110,210) is moved to position the at least one slit (110,210a,b,c) at the optimal position and d) correcting a deviation of a slit position in the second auxiliary scanning direction from said optimal position on the basis of the movement amount for the optimal slit position determined in step c. A method for reading an image as claimed in claim 1, wherein said light sensor (102) is a linear sensor arranged in parallel to said slit (110a,210a,b,c). A method for reading an image as claimed in claim 2, wherein said determination step of the optimal position a) is performed by detecting a peak of an output signal of said linear sensor (102). A method for reading an image as claimed in claim 2, wherein said determination step of the optimal position a) is performed by detecting an intermediate position (a+b/2) of two positions (a,b) of the output signal of said linear sensor (102) for a predetermined threshold. A method for reading an image as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the slits (210a,b,c,110a) is selected in accordance with a designated magnification. A method for reading an image (103) scanned in a first main direction and in a second auxiliary direction which is normal to the first main direction for a reading apparatus including a light source (101), a movable light intercepting plate (110) having at least one slit (110a,210a,b,c) and a light sensor (102) for receiving light from the light source (101) which passes through the at least one slit (110), the method comprising the steps: a) determining an optimal position of the slit (110a,210a,b,c) relative to the light source (101) by moving the movable light intercepting plate (110) in the second auxiliary direction so that light from the light source (101) is received by the light sensor (102) through the at least one slit (110a,210a,b,c), and reading output levels of the light sensor as the movable light intercepting plate is moved; b) moving the movable light intercepting plate (110) so that the at least one slit is positioned at the determined optimal position and c) reading a pixel number in said light sensor (102) that corresponds to a reference center position; d) correcting a deviation of a slit position in the first main direction on the basis of the pixel amount determined in step c. A method for reading an image as claimed in claim 6, wherein said light sensor (102) is a linear sensor arranged in parallel to said slit. A method for reading an image as claimed in claim 7, including the step of determining a lens stop after the determination of the optimal position. A method for reading an image as claimed in claim 6, wherein plural slits (110a,210a,b,c) which have different widths are provided at said light intercepting plate and one of the slits is selected in accordance with a designated magnifciation. A method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: e) reading a pixel number in said light sensor (102) that corresponds to a reference center position after step b and f) correcting a deviation of a slit position in the first main direction on the basis of the pixel amount determined in step e. An apparatus for reading an image scanned in a first main direction and in a second auxiliary direction which is normal to the first main direction, comprising: a slit (110a,210a,b,c) provided in a light intercepting plate (210,110) which passes an image light in a thin strip; a moving means (300) which moves said slit in the second auxiliary scanning direction; a light sensor (102) for receiving light from a light source (101) which passes through said slit; a control means (350) which controls driving of said means to move the slit and that is adapted for determining an optimal position of the slit (110a,210a,b,c) relative to the light source (101) by moving the movable light intercepting plate (110) in the second auxiliary direction so that light from the light source (101) is received by the light sensor (102) through the slit (110a,210a,b,c), and reading output levels of the light sensor as the movable light intercepting plate is moved; moving the movable light intercepting plate (210,110) so that the slit is positioned at the determined optimal position and either corrects a deviation of a slit position in said second auxiliary scanning direction from said optimal position on the basis of the amount the movable light intercepting plate had to be moved to position said slit at the optimal positionas determined before and/or reads a pixel number in said light sensor (102) that corresponds to a reference center position and connects a deviation of a slit position in the first main direction on the basis of the pixel amount determined before. An apparatus for reading an image as claimed in claim 11, wherein said light intercepting plate (210) includes plural slits (110a,210a,b,c) which have different widths, the light intercepting plate (210) being moved by said moving means. An apparatus for reading an image as claimed in claim 11, wherein said light sensor comprises a linear sensor arranged in parallel to said slit. A slit positioning apparatus for reading an image scanned in a first main direction and in a second auxiliary direction which is normal to the first direction, comprising: a slit (110a,210a,b,c) provided in a light intercepting plate (210,110) which passes an image light in a thin strip; moving means (300) which move said slit in a longitudinal direction thereof and a perpendicular direction to the image light; a light sensor (102) for receiving light from a light source (101) which passes through said slit; a control means which controls driving of said moving means to move the slit and is adapted for determining an optimal position of the slit (110a,210a,b,c) relative to the light source (101) by moving the movable light intercepting plate (110) in the second auxiliary direction so that light from the light source (101) is received by the light sensor (102) through the slit (110a,210a,b,c), and reading output levels of the light sensor as the movable light intercepting plate is moved; moving the movable light intercepting plate (110) so that the slit is positioned at the determined optimal position and correcting a deviation of a slit position in said second auxiliary scanning direction from said optimal position on the basis of the amount the movable light intercepting plate had to be moved to position said slit at the optimal position as determined before. A slit positioning apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said moving means (300) comprise pulse motors driven due to pulse signals.

Inventors: SHIRAISHI ATSUSHI, SHIRAISHI, ATSUSHI
Applicants: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO LTD, FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1