JP2003274105A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader capable of informing that normal setting is not performed, by detecting that the downloaded gamma data are for a preceding user. <P>SOLUTION: The image reader has an SBU and an NIC for downloading the gamma data required for picture quality setting and makes the NIC download the gamma data through a network and has a means for specifying a user who downloaded the gamma data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus applied to an image scanner, FAX, DPPC, etc., and more particularly to an image reading apparatus capable of downloading gamma data required for image quality setting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing system in which an image on a document is read by an image scanner and the image data is taken into a host computer and processed is widely used. In these image processing systems, gamma data is
Several types of fixed data are mounted on the image reading device, and the R, G, and B colors are usually read by the same gamma data.

A download area is also provided in case the user wants to read using unique gamma data. However, since the area can be freely used by the user, when abnormal data is downloaded, it becomes an abnormal image. In addition, even if only one of R, G, and B is not downloaded, it will be an abnormal image as a matter of course, but in order to avoid an abnormal image as much as possible, measures are taken to fill the download area with fixed data in advance. There is a method to fill it with straight line data.

[0004]

However, when the non-downloaded area is filled with the fixed data instead of the abnormal image, the image is not an abnormal image but is far from the image desired by the user. was there.

Further, in the network scanner, since the data once downloaded is stored as it is, if another user reads it by designating the download as it is, the gamma data used by the previous user will be read.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides an image reading apparatus capable of notifying that the normal setting is not made by detecting that the download gamma data belongs to the previous user. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an image reading means and a control means for downloading gamma data necessary for image quality setting, and the control means is connected via a network. An image reading apparatus for downloading, which is provided with means for specifying a user who downloaded gamma data. In the above configuration, a means for reading a color image, a means for independently downloading gamma data for setting image quality for each color of R, G, B, and a gamma setting for the image reading means for each color of R, G, B It is preferable to further have means for performing independently and means for specifying the user who downloaded the gamma data for each of R, G, and B colors. In any of the above configurations, it is preferable to notify the user of an error when the gamma data set when reading the image is downloaded by another user.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a color image reading apparatus in which the present invention is preferably implemented. First, the scanner body will be described. The original placed on the original glass table 8 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 2 which is integrally formed with the first mirror 3. The reflected light is scanned by the first mirror 3, the second mirror 5 and the third mirror 4 which are integrally formed. After that, the reflected light is focused by the lens 1 and is irradiated onto the SBU 10 having the color CCD mounted thereon, and photoelectrically converted into RGB. First mirror 3, illumination lamp 2, second mirror 5, third mirror 4
Can be moved in the left-right direction using the traveling body motor 9 as a drive source.

Next, ARDF (automatic double-sided document feeder)
The section will be described. The originals stacked along the original guides 12 on the original table 17 are fed by the calling roller 14, the paper feeding belt 16, the feeding roller 15, the separating roller 17, and the DF by the first feeding roller when the single-sided original reading is selected.
After passing through the reading position between the original document glass 6 and the reflector guide 20, the document is sent to the second transport roller 21 and the paper discharge roller 23, and the document is discharged.

On the other hand, when the double-sided original reading is selected, first, the front side of the original is read as in the case of the single-sided original reading described above. First, reading of the front surface of the original will be described. Calling roller 14, paper feed belt 16
By the transport roller 15, the separation roller 17, and the first transport roller through the reading position between the DF original glass 6 and the reflection plate 20, and then the second transport roller 21 and the paper discharge roller 23.
To the reversing table 26 by the reversing roller 25.
Transferred up. After the trailing edge of the original has passed through the paper discharge roller 23, the separation claw 24 is switched to the upper position and the reversing roller 25 is once stopped. Next, reading of the back side will be described. In order to read the back surface of the document, the document is conveyed from the reversing table 26 toward the first conveying roller 18 by rotating the reversing roller 25 that has been stopped once in the opposite direction to the above. Furthermore, the first transport roller 1
8 through the reading position between the DF original document glass 6 and the reflection guide plate 20 as in the case of the front surface, and is fed to the second conveyance roller 21 and the paper ejection roller 23, and then the original is ejected.

When the document passes through the reading position between the document glass 6 and the reflection guide plate 20 for both front and back reading, it is illuminated by the illumination lamp 2 which is moved to the vicinity of the reading position, and The reflected light is scanned by the first mirror 3, the second mirror 5 and the third mirror 4 which are integrally formed. After that, the reflected light is focused by the lens 1, and the SBU 10 mounted with the color CCD
When the light is irradiated onto, the light is photoelectrically converted into RGB.

The sheet feeding mechanism including the ARDF calling roller 14, the sheet feeding belt 16, the conveying roller 15 and the separating roller 17 is driven by a sheet feeding motor (not shown). The transport mechanism including the first transport roller 18, the second transport roller 21, the paper discharge roller 23, and the reversing roller 25 is driven by a transport motor (not shown).

Further, in the ARDF, a set sensor 13 for detecting whether or not a document is set on the detection table 17 for detecting the document, a width size detection substrate 28 for detecting the image size, and a document length sensor. A (1) 29, a document length sensor (2) 30, and a document trailing edge sensor 27 for detecting the trailing edge of the document are mounted.

The scanner body includes a scanner body and an AR.
SC for controlling the operation of color image reading device including DF
U is installed.

FIG. 2 shows functional blocks of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 shows a data flow of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The flow of image data will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Color CC on SBU10
The reflected light of the document entering D is converted into an analog signal of each color of RGB having a voltage value according to the intensity of light in the color CCD. The analog signal of each color of RGB is divided into odd bits and even bits and output.

The 10 analog image signals of the SBU are:
The dark potential portion is removed by the analog processing circuit 32 on the VIOB 31, the odd number bit and the even number bit are combined, the gain is adjusted to a predetermined amplitude, and then the result is input to the A / D converter 33 and converted into a digital signal.

The digitized image signal is subjected to shading correction by the shading ASIC 34, and V
RIPU3 on SCU7 from IOB31 through SCU7
In step 5, image processing such as gamma correction and MTF correction is performed, and then the video signal is output together with the synchronization signal and the image clock.

The video signal output from the RIPU 35 is output to the OIPU 36. The video signal output to the OIPU 36 is subjected to predetermined image processing in the OIPU 36, and is input to the SCU 7 again. SCU7 again
The video signal input to is input to the VIDEO input switching circuit 37.

The other input signal of the VIDEO input switching circuit 37 is the VIDEO output from the RIPU 35.
Since it is an O signal, the OIPU 36 can select whether or not to perform image processing.

The video signal output from the VIDEO input switching circuit 37 is the image data storage means (SDRA).
It is input to the SIBC (2) that manages M) and SDRAM.
It is stored in the image memory composed of. The image data stored in the image memory is sent to the SCSI controller 39 and transferred to an external device such as a computer or a printer.

CPs (not shown) are respectively provided on the SCU 7.
U, ROM, RAM are installed, CPU is SCS
The I controller 39 is controlled to communicate with an external device such as a computer by the SCSI I / F. Furthermore C
The PU uses the video signal output from the VIDEO input switching circuit 37 as an IEEE 1394 controller: ISI.
Communication with an external device such as a computer or a printer is performed by a network I / F via an IEEE 1394 I / F network scanner controller: NIC 41 via the C40. The CPU also controls the traveling body motor 9, which is a stepping motor of the scanner main body, a feed motor (not shown) of the ARDF, and a carry motor (not shown).

The input port connected to the CPU on the SCU 7 is a main body operation panel: SO via the VIOB 31.
It is connected to P43. Main unit operation panel: SOP43
A start switch and an abort switch (both not shown) are mounted on the top. When each switch is pressed, the CPU detects that the switch is turned on via the input port.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the image reading process of the scanner body. Image processing LSI (RIP
U) to SBU which is a CCD drive unit and LSYNC
Image data is output from the SBU by outputting (main scanning line synchronization signal) and LGATE (main scanning line data output period).

The flow of image data is SBU → RIPU →
Network control board (NIC) → External (personal computer, etc.). Also, ON / OFF of image output from the CPU
Is mounted in an image processing LSI (RIPU) (not shown) as a known technique, and is controlled by rewriting an internal register. Further, the CPU also controls the movement of the traveling body and the motor control for conveying the document by ARDF.

The prior art in this embodiment will be described with reference to the conventional flowcharts shown in FIGS. Downloading gamma data for color is R (Red), G
(Green) and B (Blue) are individually performed. Normally, the gamma data installed in the apparatus (in this case, R, G, and B are the same) is sufficient, but this is a function that takes into consideration the case where the user wants to make settings. In this case, it is necessary to individually set each of R, G, and B. For example, when setting R, selecting R determines the setting area (start # Address = R (0000H)) and setting data (DATA # AREA = RED # DATA) of R. Based on this information, the "data set" downloads the gamma data to the device. Setting start area (START #
address) and set the data for that number of data (write the data of DATA # AREA while counting up ADDRESS). In this embodiment,
The number of data is 4096 (0 to FFFh). Further, the R area is 0 to FFFh, and the B area is 1000 to FFFh.
The area of 1FFFh and B is 2000 to 2FFFh.

7 and 8 show an example of the operation of the image reading apparatus according to this embodiment. After the "data set", the "user check" (indicated by A) marked in bold in FIG. 7 is set. As shown in FIG. 8, the "user check" stores the address (known address such as an IP address) of the user who has accessed this device on the network, and nothing is accessed when the same address is accessed. However, when an access from another address occurs, the flag is set (ANOTHER # USER = ON) to detect the access from another user. If ERROR # CHK is used instead of ANOTHER # USER, the detection level will be an error. This will be described later.

As another operation example, "user check" is set in the area shown by the dotted line in FIG.
This makes it possible to detect access from other users independently for each color.

As yet another operation example, when an access from another address occurs, a flag is set, but the detection level is set to error (ERROR # CHK = ON) to reset to the user. Is to encourage.

The color image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is
The above operation can notify the user that the gamma data is not set normally.

The above embodiment is an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide the image reading apparatus capable of notifying that the gamma data is not normally set.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a color image reading apparatus in which the present invention is preferably implemented.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a color image reading apparatus in which the present invention is preferably implemented.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of image data in a color image reading apparatus in which the present invention is preferably implemented.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data flow in an image reading process of the scanner body.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a conventional process of downloading gamma data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of data set processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of a gamma data download process in a color image reading apparatus that preferably implements the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of user check processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 lens 2 Lighting lamp 3 first mirror 4 third mirror 5 Second mirror 6 DF original glass 7 SCU 8 Platen glass 9 Traveling body motor 10 SBU 12 Document guide 13 set sensor 14 Calling roller 15 Transport rollers 16 Paper feed belt 17 Separation Roll 18 First transport roller 20 Reflector guide 21 Second transport roller 23 Paper ejection roller 24 forked claws 25 Reverse roller 26 Inversion table 27 Document rear edge sensor 28 Width size detection board 29 Original length sensor 1 30 Original length sensor 2 31 VIOB 32 analog processing circuit 33 A / D converter 34 ASIC 35 RIPU 36 OIPU 37 VIDEO input switching circuit 38 SIBC2 39 SCSI controller 40 ISIC 41 NIC 42 ADU 43 SOP

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus having image reading means and control means for downloading gamma data necessary for image quality setting, wherein the control means downloads via a network. An image reading apparatus having means for specifying a user who has downloaded the image. 2. A means for reading a color image, a means for independently downloading gamma data necessary for setting image quality for each color of R, G, B, and a gamma setting for the image reading means for R, G, B. Means for independently performing each color, and R, G, and
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for specifying each color of B. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the gamma data set when reading the image is downloaded by another user, an error notification is given to the user.