JPH0346613Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field This invention relates to an image input device for inputting images to a personal computer or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, solid-state image sensors have been used as input means equivalent to the eyes. This image sensor has a structure in which a large number of finite pixels are arranged in one or two dimensions. Image input by an image sensor is carried out on a sensor surface with multiple pixels arranged.
This is done by imaging a subject through an optical lens and converting the optical information from the image into an electrical signal. Conversion to this electrical signal is performed by accumulating charges on the optical information decomposed into each pixel by photoelectric conversion and reading out the charges.

Image sensors include area image sensors in which pixels are arranged two-dimensionally as described above, line image sensors in which pixels are arranged one-dimensionally, and the like. Area image sensors can input the optical information formed on the sensor surface as two-dimensional information, and are suitable for video input, but the number of pixels is 200 x 200.
The resolution is small, about the same level as this, and high resolution cannot be obtained. Therefore, when inputting still images, line image sensors are used that have 1,000 to 2,000 pixels in a straight line and can provide high resolution.

As a method of obtaining two-dimensional information using this line image sensor, there is a method in which a subject is sent by stepping to a fixed line image sensor, and the subject is divided into one-dimensional information and sequentially read.
There is a method in which a line image sensor is sent by stepping along an image formation plane on which an image of a subject is formed, and the line image sensor is sequentially read.

As a method for sending an object, a stationary type, such as a facsimile machine, in which a sheet-like object (original document) is fed by stepping is known.

A camera-type sensor is known as a method for transmitting a line image sensor.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the stationary type requires a mechanism for moving the subject, which has the disadvantage of complicating the structure and making it large-scale. Moreover, it is only possible to read sheet-like objects,
Furthermore, it was not possible to see the subject, which is the input object, during image input.

Furthermore, camera-type cameras are used when attached to a tripod, etc., and can input images of objects such as three-dimensional stationary objects as two-dimensional information. In order to correctly image the object information for each size on the sensor surface, it is difficult to develop a setting technology that accurately matches the relative relationship, such as adjusting the distance between the camera and the document. Its structure is currently complex and large-scale.

As described above, conventional devices cannot be easily carried and used as image input means for personal computers, etc., and lack the versatility to be sufficiently adaptable to each size of document.

This idea was made in consideration of the above points,
To provide an image input device as described above, which can be freely selected and adapted to the size of a document, has a simple structure, is more compact, and has increased commercial value and improved usability.

Means to Solve the Problems In order to achieve the above objectives, this invention forms an image of the subject on the sensor surface of the image sensor through an optical lens, and converts the optical information from this image into an electrical signal. , a device for inputting images to a personal computer, etc., in which a camera section equipped with an optical lens and an image sensor is provided on one side of the case main body so that it can be opened and closed, and a mounting board for setting the subject can be opened and closed on the other side. The camera part and the mounting board are configured so that the facing distance between them can be varied in a state in which they are expanded parallel to each other.

Effects According to the device of the present invention having the above configuration, when not in use, the camera part and the mounting board can be folded toward the case body side, and when in use, the camera part and the mounting board can be unfolded parallel to each other, so that the camera part and the mounting board can be put into use. is set. When in use, the opposing distance between the camera unit and the mounting board can be expanded or contracted depending on the size of the subject, so that the subject information is accurately focused on the sensor surface of the image sensor via the optical lens of the camera unit. It can be adjusted and set. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently deal with objects of various sizes.

Furthermore, when not in use, the camera section and mounting board can be folded and stored within the case body, making the entire device compact and easy to carry.

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the present invention, in which 10 is a case body, 11 is a camera section, and 15 is a mounting board. FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the camera section 11.

This device includes a case body 10 and a case body 1.
A camera section 11 that can be opened and closed on one of the opposite sides of 0
and a mounting board 15, which is openable and closable on the other hand, and on which a document, which is a sheet-like object, is mounted.

The camera section 11 can be opened and closed from a state in which it is folded inward to the case body 10 to a use state in which it is opened at an angle of 90 degrees, and is fixed in each state with a fixing screw 14. An optical lens 12 is provided inside the camera unit 11 when the optical lens 12 is in use.
is provided so that its optical axis is horizontal to the case body 10. A sensor section 20, which will be described later, is arranged behind the optical lens 12 inside the camera section 11. Furthermore, light sources 13, such as fluorescent lights, are provided on both sides of the optical lens 12.

The sensor section 20 includes guides 21 arranged in parallel,
21, and the guide 21 sandwiched between the guides 21, 21,
21, a line image sensor 23 provided on the front surface of the block 22, and a drive mechanism 30 for moving the block 22 in the vertical direction along the guides 21, 21. It is made up of. The drive mechanism 30 includes a stepping motor 31, a drive pulley 32 attached to the drive shaft of the motor 31, a driven pulley 34 rotated via a belt 33, and a gear 35 supported coaxially with the driven pulley 34. , this gear 35
and a gear 36 attached to one end of the feed screw shaft 37. The feed screw shaft 37 is screwed into a female threaded portion 221 on the back of the block body 22.

On the other hand, the mounting board 15 can be opened and closed from a state where it is folded inward to the case body 10 to a state where it is opened at an angle of 90 degrees, and is fixed in each state with fixing screws 16. The mounting board 15 is constituted by an electrostatic suction board that attracts a document, which is a sheet-like object, during use. Further, the lower end of the mounting plate 15 is attached to guide shafts 17, 17 provided parallel to the case body 10. The guide shafts 17, 17 are provided slidably relative to the case body 10, and the mounting plate 15 is movable parallel to the camera section. Fixing screws 18 are provided on the side surface of the case body 10 to fix the mounting board 15 in stages in the moving direction.

Further, a handle 10a is provided at the middle portion of the side surface of the case body 10 in the longitudinal direction.

Next, handling of the apparatus with the above configuration will be explained.

First, when this device is not in use, the camera section 11 and mounting board 15 are folded and stored on the case body 10 side, as shown in FIG. This allows the device to have a flat and compact shape similar to an attachment case, and can be easily carried by holding the handle 10a.

Next, when this device is used, the camera section 11 and mounting board 15 are opened 90 degrees and fixed with fixing screws 14 and 16, respectively, as shown in FIG. Then, the camera section 11 and the mounting board 15
are set parallel to each other. and,
The original B is attached to the mounting plate 15 by adsorption. At the same time, the mounting board 15 is slid in parallel, the distance from the camera section 11 is adjusted to a length suitable for the size of the document B, and the mounting board 15 is fixed with the fixing screw 18. Then,
The distance between the original B and the imaging plane A at the back of the optical lens 12 is adjusted correctly.

Next, reading of an object (original B) by this apparatus will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

The document B attached to the mounting plate 15 is imaged on the imaging plane A via the optical lens 12. The photosensitive section 231 of the line image sensor 23 is placed on this imaging plane A.
is placed.

The line image sensor 23 is fed stepwise in the vertical direction along the guides 21, 21 via a deceleration transmission system and screw feeding means by step rotation caused by a pulse voltage applied to the stepping motor 31. Then, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 3, the line image sensor 23 is moved from an upper position where its photosensitive portion 231 coincides with the upper side of the imaging plane A to a lower position where it coincides with the opposite side.

As described above, the line image sensor 23 is stepped and fed, and the two-dimensional optical information imaged on the imaging plane A is divided into one-dimensional information, converted into electrical signals, and read. The read electrical signals are then input to a personal computer or the like via a connection cable.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment, which is composed of a case main body 10, a camera section 11 provided on one side opposite to the case body 10 so as to be openable and closable, and a document mounting board 15 provided on the other side so as to be openable and closable. . The camera unit 11 is fixed with fixing screws 14 in a folded state toward the case body 10 side and in an open state at an angle of 90 degrees. The mounting plate 15 is movably provided in guide grooves 101, 101 formed on the side surface of the case body 10. The mounting plate 15 has fixing screws 1 in the folded state towards the case body 10 side and in the open state at a 90 degree angle.
Each is fixed at 6. The mounting plate 15 can be moved in parallel along the guide groove in an open state,
The distance to the camera section 11 can be varied.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment, which is composed of a case main body 10, a camera section 11 provided on one side opposite to the case body 10 so as to be openable and closable, and a document mounting board 15 provided on the other side so as to be openable and closable. ing. Camera section 11
is fixed with fixing screws 14 in the folded state toward the case body 10 and in the opened state at an angle of 90 degrees. Further, the camera section 11 is movably provided in guide grooves 102, 102 formed on the side surface of the case body 10. The camera section 11 is configured to be able to move in parallel along the guide grooves 102, 102 in an open state. Further, the mounting board 15 is fixed with fixing screws 16 in a folded state toward the case body 10 side and in an opened state at an angle of 90 degrees.

In the case of the device of this embodiment, when the camera unit 11 and the mounting board 15 are used in a state where they are unfolded parallel to each other, the case body 10 is used in an upright state with the mounting board 15 serving as a base board. Then, the camera section 11 is moved in parallel along the guide grooves 102, 102, and the distance between the camera section 11 and the mounting plate 15 can be variably adjusted to match the document size.
Since the mounting plate 15 is used by being arranged horizontally in the form of a base, it can be simply placed on the mounting plate 15 without providing a document mounting means such as an electrostatic suction cup as in each of the above embodiments. Can be used in

Effects of the invention As explained above, according to the device according to the invention, when not in use, the camera section 11 and the original mounting plate 15
can be folded into the case body 10 side for compact storage and can be easily carried. When in use, the camera section 11 and the document mounting board 15 are
It is possible to set it to use state by simply expanding the two together. Furthermore, it can be easily set to a state suitable for the size of the original that is the subject. It can also simply be used as a camera-type input means.

Therefore, it is easy to use and has great practical effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of its sensor section, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the storage state of the proposed device, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing its usage state. The side view, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 are side views showing other examples. 10...Case body, 11...Camera part, 12
...Optical lens, 13...Light source, 20...Sensor section, 15...Mounting board, B...Document (subject), A
...imaging surface.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A device that images a subject on the sensor surface of an image sensor through an optical lens, converts optical information from this image into an electrical signal, and inputs the image to a personal computer, etc. A camera section equipped with the optical lens and an image sensor is provided on one side so as to be openable and closable, and a mounting board for setting the subject is provided on the other hand so as to be openable and closable, and the camera section and the mounting board are unfolded parallel to each other. An image input device whose mutual facing distance can be varied.