JPH0622099A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate read error caused by the nonuniformity of sub scanning carrier or the oscillation of an image to be read by performing sub scanning while moving a main scanning means in the state of holding a transmitting original. CONSTITUTION:Concerning a scanning means 14, a driving source 32 is held on a stage 30 movable in a sub scanning direction (y) and a main scanner 36 for deflecting read light L in a main scanning direction (x) is arranged at the head part of a rotary shaft 34 of the driving source 32. The driving source 32 is driven, a mirror 38 of a main scanning part 36 is rotated in the main scanning direction (x,) the read light L is emitted from a light source unit 12, the stage 30 starts moving in the sub scanning direction (y) and reading is started. The read light L reflected by the mirror 38 is made incident to strips A held at a prescribed position by a holding means 16, and the strips A are two-dimensionally scanned. The read light carrying image information after transmission through the strips A is made incident to an integration ball 18, scattered in the integration ball 18 and made incident to photoelectric conversion elements 20R, 20G and 20B.

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 for reading an image recorded on a transparent original such as a negative or positive strip, and more specifically, it is capable of high-precision image reading without uneven reading. The present invention relates to an image reading device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Image processing such as density correction and color balance adjustment in an automatic developing machine used in a so-called laboratory, which prints a transparent image photographed on a negative or positive strip on a photographic paper as a photograph. It can be performed easily and with high accuracy, and high quality pictures can be easily produced. Attention has been paid to the fact that a negative by light beam scanning for recording by light beam scanning exposure with image processing by digital processing is performed. Alternatively, the practical use of the positive strip reader is expected.

Reading negative or positive strips (hereinafter referred to as strips) by scanning a light beam is
By reading the reading light such as a laser beam in the main scanning direction and moving the strips in the sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction, the reading light two-dimensionally scans the strips, The reading light that has passed through is received by a photodetector or the like and photoelectrically converted.

For example, "SPIE Vol. 1448 Cammra and Input Sccaner System" by Eastman Kodak Company.
s (1991) ”, the reading light is deflected in the main scanning direction by a polygon mirror and the strips are conveyed in the sub-scanning direction to scan the transmission image recorded on the strips two-dimensionally. There is disclosed scanning scanning of strips in which the reading light that has passed through is incident on the integrating column and the light diffused inside the integrating column is received by a photodetector and photoelectrically converted and read.

[0005]

By the way, in the reading of strips by the light beam scanning, including the reading of strips by the above method, it is common sense to carry the sub-scanning by transporting the strips in the longitudinal direction. Has been done in. Here, the strips are mainly conveyed by flat conveyance by a nip roller or the like that holds the strips. In this flat conveyance, in order to prevent damage to the image recording portion of the strips, the non-image recording portion is It is necessary to hold and carry, and usually, the perforation part is held and conveyed.

However, when the strips are transported while holding the perforation portion, the irregularities (holes) in the perforations cause variations in the transportation torque, and there is a high possibility that the transportation speed becomes uneven. When the strips transport speed unevenness, that is, the sub-scanning unevenness occurs, the read image has unevenness in the sub-scanning direction, and the reproduced image, that is, the produced photograph is striped in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction. Will have unevenness.

Further, in this method, the reading light transmitted through the strips is measured, so that it is necessary that the portion actually scanned by the reading light is not held.
For this reason, there is a high possibility that the surface to be scanned of the strips will have wavy fluttering, and this tendency becomes remarkable especially when the strips are conveyed in a plane.
When strips are read by scanning a light beam, if the strips are in a wavy state, the light beam diameter of the read light incident on the strips changes, resulting in a read error.

In order to prevent this, a method may be considered in which a mount for holding the strips in a flat state is used and the strips are transported in the sub-scanning direction by transporting the mounts. In this method, the mounts and the mounts are mounted. It is necessary to separately provide a dedicated unit for transporting, which makes the reading device complicated and large-scale.

On the other hand, the automatic developing machine currently used in the laboratory uses a one-shot exposure method in which a transmission image recorded on a strip is projected onto a photographic paper and optically printed. The processing speed of one photograph on the developing machine is usually about ten and several seconds. here,
In order to realize the processing corresponding to this processing time in the automatic developing machine using the light beam scanning, it is necessary to reduce the time required to read the strips to a few seconds or less per frame. The conventional method in which the strips are two-dimensionally scanned and exposed by main scanning the reading light by the polygon mirror while scanning and conveying cannot perform highly accurate image reading corresponding to this speed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. There is no reading error caused by unevenness of sub-scanning conveyance, fluttering of the image to be read, and the like, and the structure is simple and high speed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading device capable of reading an image of a transparent original with high accuracy.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a reading light beam emitting means, a reflecting means for reflecting the reading light beam emitted from the emitting means at a predetermined angle, and Having means for rotating the reflecting means,
Main scanning means for main scanning the read light beam, holding means for holding a transparent original on a cylindrical surface centering on the rotation axis of the reflecting means, and the holding means and main scanning means substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Sub-scanning means that moves relatively in the sub-scanning direction, a diffusing optical element that receives and diffuses the reading light beam that has passed through the transparent original, and a photoelectric converter that photoelectrically converts the reading light beam that has entered the diffusing optical element. An image reading apparatus having a conversion element is provided.

The transparent original is negative or positive strips, and the holding means holds the perforated portion of the negative or positive strips and a predetermined number of frames of the negative or positive strips. After the completion, it is preferable to have a transport means for transporting the negative or positive strips in the longitudinal direction by the predetermined number of frames.

The diffusing optical element is preferably an integrating sphere.

[0014]

The image reading apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus for reading an image recorded on a transparent original such as a negative or positive strip, and by rotating the reflecting means for reflecting the reading light beam at a predetermined angle. The main scanning means for main-scanning the reading light beam and the holding means for holding the transparent original on the cylindrical surface centering on the rotation axis of the reflecting means are used to make the reading light beam incident from inside the arc formed by the transparent original. To do. In this state, the main scanning means (reflecting means) is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation direction of the reflecting means which is the main scanning direction, that is, the holding means holding the transparent original is moved in the sub-scanning direction. By moving the transparent original in the sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction with respect to the reading light beam deflected in the main scanning direction. Scan dimensionally.

The reading light beam which is incident from the inside of the arc and transmitted through the transparent original is sufficiently diffused by being incident on a diffusing optical element such as an integrating sphere and being repeatedly reflected inside, and photoelectric conversion such as a photomultiplier is performed. It is incident on the device and is read.

According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention as described above, the sub-scanning is performed by moving the main scanning means or the holding means while the transparent original such as the negative or the positive strip is held by the holding means. , Such as a reading device which performs sub-scanning by transporting a negative or positive strip itself in a flat state by a nip roller or the like, unevenness in sub-scanning due to variations in transport torque caused by unevenness of perforations formed on the strips It is possible to realize highly accurate image reading without causing

Further, since the transparent original to be read is held in an arcuate state rather than a flat state, the original to be read is less likely to have a wavy and flapping state, and the beam diameter of the reading light beam incident on the transparent original is small. Will not go mad.

Further, since the reading light beam is main-scanned by rotating the reflecting means and the transparent original held on the cylindrical surface having the same center as the rotation axis is scanned, the fθ lens and the mirror for changing the optical path. Since the optical members such as the surface tilt correction optical system can be greatly reduced, the optical system of the reading light beam can be made to have a simple configuration, and the rotation speed of the reflecting means can be improved. It is possible to improve the scanning speed and enable image reading at an extremely high speed. Moreover, the reading light beam transmitted through the transparent original is
Highly accurate image reading that significantly reduces adverse effects such as dust adhering on the transparent original and scratches on the transparent original, because it enters the diffusing optical element such as an integrating sphere and is sufficiently diffused before entering the photoelectric conversion element. In addition, it is possible to sufficiently cope with an increase in the main scanning speed.

Therefore, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention,
High-accuracy negative or positive transmission of transparent originals without irregularities in sub-scanning or beam diameter of the reading light beam incident on the originals can be read at high speed, making it suitable as a reading device for automatic developing machines. Can be used for.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of the image reading apparatus of the present invention. The image reading apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the reading apparatus 10) is a negative or positive strip A.
A device for sequentially reading images recorded (captured) (hereinafter referred to as strips A), which basically includes a light source unit 12 that emits a reading light beam L that is a reading light beam, and a reading light beam L. A scanning unit 14 that deflects in the scanning direction (direction of arrow x in the drawing) and moves in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow y in the drawing) substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction to perform sub-scanning of the reading light L. , A holding means 16 for holding the strips A on a predetermined cylindrical surface, an integrating sphere 18 as a diffusing optical element for receiving the reading light L transmitted through the strips A and diffusing the reading light L inside, and incident on the integrating sphere 18. A photoelectric conversion element 20 (20R, 20G, which receives the read light L and photoelectrically converts it)
20B).

The light source unit 12 emits a light beam of white light for reading an image of the strip A as the reading light L. FIG. 2 conceptually shows the light source unit 12. As described above, the reading light L is a white light beam, and the light source unit 12 in the illustrated example combines the light beams of the three primary colors of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) to produce a white light beam. The reading light L which is a light beam is obtained. Such a light source unit 12 includes a light source 22 that emits an R light beam Lr.
A light source 22G that emits R and G light beams Lg, a light source 22B that emits B light beam Lb, and a white light beam obtained by combining three types of light beams into one light beam. It is composed of a multiplexing optical system for making the light L, that is, a mirror 24 and dichroic mirrors 26 and 28.

The light beams emitted from the respective light sources are the corresponding mirrors, that is, the light beam Lr is the mirror 24.
Then, the light beam Lg enters the dichroic mirror 26, and the light beam Lb enters the dichroic mirror 28. Here, the dichroic mirror 26 has the light beam Lg.
(Light near the wavelength of) reflects light and transmits the other, dichroic mirror 28 reflects light beam Lb (light near wavelength of) and transmits the other, and each mirror has Since the optical axes of the reflected light beams coincide with each other, the light beam Lr is reflected by the mirror 24 and transmitted through the dichroic mirrors 26 and 28, and the light beam Lg is reflected by the dichroic mirror 26 and dichroic. After passing through the mirror 28, the light beam Lb is reflected by the dichroic mirror 28 and is combined into one light beam to be read light L which is a white light beam.

The light source 22 is not particularly limited and may be He-Ne.
Various light beam light sources capable of emitting a light beam of a desired wavelength (color), such as a gas laser such as a laser or an Ar laser, or a combination of a semiconductor laser (LD) and a wavelength conversion element using an SHG element, are used. Good. Specifically, R
The light source 22R that emits the light beam Lr is a semiconductor laser or the like having an oscillation wavelength of λ = 670 nm, and the light source 22G that emits the G light beam Lg is a semiconductor laser pumped YAG laser and an SHG element KTP (KTiOPO ₄ ) A light source or the like using a wavelength conversion element made of a crystal is a semiconductor laser using YVO ₄ as a laser medium and a SHG element as a light source 22B for emitting a B light beam Lb.
Illustrative examples are light sources using a wavelength conversion element made of N (KNbO ₃ ) crystal.

The light source of the reading light L used in the reading device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the one that multiplexes the three kinds of light beams as shown in the drawing, and white light that can be the reading light L can be obtained. As long as a beam can be obtained, a combination of two or four types of light beams may be used, or one type of light source may be used to obtain the reading light L. In order to reduce interference in the integrating sphere 18 described later, it is preferable to use a light source having a short coherence length, and it is preferable to use a semiconductor laser, an Ar laser, a light source using an SHG element as a wavelength conversion element, or the like. .

Read light L emitted from the light source unit 12
Is incident on the scanning means 14. The scanning means 14 reads the reading light L.
While deflecting in the main scanning direction (direction of arrow x in the figure), by itself moving in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow y in the figure),
The reading light L deflected in the main scanning direction is sub-scanned to two-dimensionally scan an image reading portion of the strip A, for example, one frame of the strip A. Such scanning means 14
Is the drive source 3 on the stage 30 which is movable in the direction of arrow y.
2 is held, and a main scanning unit 36 for deflecting the reading light L in the main scanning direction is arranged at the tip of the rotary shaft 34 of the drive source 32.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the main scanning section 36 of the scanning means 14. The main scanning unit 36 has a mirror 38 as a reflection means provided at the tip of the rotary shaft 34, and a cylindrical housing 40 that covers the mirror 38 and fits the rotary shaft 34 into the housing 40. A converging lens 42 for the reading light L and a dummy lens 44 are provided.

The mirror 38 reflects the reading light L in a predetermined direction, and in the illustrated example, it is rotated by a fixing member 46 so as to reflect the reading light L at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the incident direction of the reading light L. It is fixed to the shaft 34. In the reader 10 of the illustrated example, the mirror 38 is driven by the drive source 32.
The reading light L is deflected in the main scanning direction by rotating.

The mirror 38 used for the main scanning of the reading light L is not particularly limited, but in order to realize highly accurate reading, the difference in reflectance between the S-polarized component and the P-polarized component is as small as possible. It is preferable to use one. In Figure 4,
The filter characteristics of an example of a mirror designed in consideration of such points will be shown. Note that FIG. 4 shows the filter characteristics at an incident angle θ = 45 °, and FIG.
It is an enlarged view of a region having a transmittance of 10% or less in (a).

On the other hand, in order to realize a cheaper reading device 10 without using the expensive high precision mirror as described above,
The error due to the mirror may be electrically corrected by signal-processing the photometric result by the photoelectric conversion element 20 described later using an inexpensive mirror. In addition to the mirror, a light reflecting member such as a prism may be used. In this case, similarly, it is preferable to electrically correct the fluctuation of the reflectance due to the difference in the incident deflection angle of the reading light L at the signal processing stage.

The angle of reflection of the reading light L by the mirror 38 is not limited to 45 ° in the illustrated example, and the holding means 16 which will be described later.
It may be determined as appropriate according to the holding state of the split A due to, the incident light path of the reading light L, etc., but the reading light L is arranged at an angle so that the reading light L is vertically incident on the split A. Is preferred.

In the main scanning section 36 of the illustrated example, a housing 40 is provided so as to cover the mirror 38, and a converging lens 42 for the reading light L and a dummy lens 44 are fixed to the housing 40. The housing 40 has a cylindrical shape having holes for mounting the converging lens 42 and the dummy lens 44 on the side wall, and is loaded into the main scanning unit 36 so that the rotary shaft 34 is fitted therein.

The converging lens 42 adjusts the reading light L so that the reading light L converges on the strips A, that is, the beam waist is on the strips A.
The reading light L reflected by the mirror 38 is arranged at a position where it passes through the optical axis (a hole is provided in the side wall of the housing 40). In the reading device 10 of the present invention, the strip A
The beam diameter of the reading light L above is not particularly limited,
It is usually 10 in terms of quick and high-density reading.
The thickness may be about 30 μm, preferably about 20 μm, and the converging lens 42 is selected correspondingly. On the other hand, the dummy lens 44 is a lens similar to the converging lens 42, which maintains the balance of the housing 40 and makes the rotation of the mirror 38, that is, the main scanning of the reading light L accurate and smooth. The dummy lens 44 does not have to be the same lens as the converging lens 42, and if the rotation of the housing 40 is balanced corresponding to the converging lens 42,
It may have the same weight or the like, or the housing 4
The balance of rotation may be maintained by considering the shape of 0.

As the rotational drive source of the main scanning section 36 (mirror 38), that is, the main scanning drive source 32 of the reading device 10, any of various motors or the like capable of realizing a desired main scanning speed is applied. It is possible. Here, in the reading device 10 of the present invention, the rotation speed of the driving source 32 is not particularly limited, but the high-speed reading that can be used for the application such as the automatic developing machine used in the lab as described above. 35000 to 50000 rp as the driving source 32
It is preferable to use a material capable of realizing a rotation speed of about m. By setting the rotation speed of the drive source 32 to this level, it is possible to set the reading speed to about several seconds to about one second for one frame of the 35 mm strip A. For example, when the reading light L having a beam diameter of 20 μm is used, 1.
It is possible to read in about 44 seconds / frame (1.44 seconds / frame number when reading several frames simultaneously). The drive source 32 is not particularly limited, but an air bearing motor is preferably used because the rotation speed can be realized.

Such a driving source 32 is held on the stage 30. In the reading apparatus 10 of the illustrated example, the stage 30 moves in the sub-scanning direction (direction of arrow y) at a predetermined speed to sub-scan the reading light L deflected in the main scanning direction.

The moving means of the stage 30 is not particularly limited, and various known moving means such as a rack and pinion, a screw transmission device and the like can be used. Further, as the movement drive source of the stage 30, a DC servo motor or a pulse motor is preferably used because the stage 30 can be moved with high accuracy. The moving speed of the stage 30 may be appropriately determined according to the beam spot diameter of the reading light L entering the strip A, the main scanning speed of the reading light L, the desired reading (scanning line) density, the reading speed, and the like. Good.

The reading light L deflected in the main scanning direction by the scanning means 14 and sub-scanned is incident on the portion to be read of the strip A which is held at a predetermined position by the holding means 16 and is two-dimensionally read. Scan.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the holding means 16. The holding means 16 basically has a passage hole 48 for the reading light L.
And a donut-shaped plate 54 having a through hole 52 through which the rotary shaft 34 penetrates.

Such plates 50 and 54 hold the strip A on a cylindrical surface concentric with the rotation axis of the mirror 38, and the plate 50 has the mirror 3
Flange portion 56 having a cylindrical surface concentric with the rotating shaft of FIG.
However, the other plate 54 has a similar flange portion 5
8 is formed, and the strips A are held on the above-mentioned cylindrical surface at the perforation portion so as to be wound around both flange portions. That is, in the reading device 10 of the present invention, the reading light L is incident on the strips A from the inside of the arc of the strips A, and is scanned to read an image.

The plates 50 and 54 are held by a means (not shown) so as to rotate coaxially and synchronously, and the strip A (the portion to be read) is fixed at a predetermined position during reading, and the predetermined frame is held. When the reading is finished, the strips A are rotated in synchronization with each other to convey the strip A by a predetermined amount in the longitudinal direction (arrow z direction) and stop.

With this configuration, the optical path length of the reading light L on the same scanning line of the strip A is always constant, so that the scanning lens (f.theta. ) Or a polygon mirror or the like, it is possible to eliminate the need for a surface tilt correction optical system, so that the optical system of the reading light L can be greatly simplified.
Further, the reading device 10 can be downsized. Further, since the strip A is curved and held in an arc shape,
Flapping does not occur in the traveling direction of the reading light L. Moreover, since the strips A themselves are fixed by the holding means 16 and do not move during the reading, there is no sub-scanning unevenness due to the unevenness of the perforations of the strips A, and highly accurate image reading can be performed.

The method of holding the plates 50 and 54 and rotating them in synchronization is not particularly limited.
A known method such as a method of transporting the strip A by using two rollers which are in contact with both of them at the lower portions of and 54 is used. Further, the flange portions 56 and 58 may be formed with a sprocket gear that engages with perforations for assisting the transport of the strip A by the plates 50 and 54.

In the reading apparatus 10 of the illustrated example, in order to more securely hold the strip A by the plates 50 and 54, as shown in FIG. 6, a nip roller 60 for pressing the perforation portion outside the portion to be read. , 62 or the like is preferably used to sandwich the strip A. Although only the plate 54 is shown in FIG. 6, the same applies to the plate 50. Further, the strips A may be held in a state of being tensioned by pulling them slightly downward, or the nip roller and the holding by tension may be used together.

Further, the distance between the plates 50 and 54 may be adjustable so that the size of the strip A can be changed.

In the reading device 10 of the illustrated example, the scanning means 14 is moved in the direction of the arrow y to perform the sub-scanning, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the holding means 16, that is, the plates 50 and 54, is used. The sub-scanning may be performed by moving in the arrow y direction. Even in this case, since the sub-scanning is performed while the strips A themselves are held by the holding means 16, the unevenness of the sub-scanning due to the unevenness of the perforations of the strips A does not occur.

In this way, the strip A is two-dimensionally scanned, and the read light L transmitted through the strip A is guided by the light guide 64 and is incident on the integrating sphere 18 as a diffusing optical element. The light guide 64 has a hollow truncated cone shape whose inner wall surface is a diffusion surface such as a white wall, and guides the reading light L transmitted through the strip A to the integrating sphere 18. The shape of the light guide 64 is not particularly limited, and depending on the image reading area, the curvature of the strip A, and the like,
A shape capable of guiding the reading light L to the integrating sphere 18 with good efficiency may be appropriately determined. If it is unnecessary to guide the reading light L to the integrating sphere 18, the light guide 64 need not be provided.

Further, the light guide 64 and the strip A
Between the scanning start and end points in the main scanning direction, the scanning start and end signals (Start of Sca
A sensor for issuing n = SOS and End of Scan = EOS) may be arranged. In addition, SOS and EOS
May be generated by providing an encoder or the like in the drive source 32 and using a pulse signal from this.

The integrating sphere 18 is a hollow spherical body whose inner surface is a light diffusing surface such as a white surface, and three photoelectric conversion elements 20R, 20G, 20B are arranged above it. As conceptually shown in FIG. 7, the reading light L that has entered the integrating sphere 18 is repeatedly reflected inside and is sufficiently diffused, and then is photometered and photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion element 20. By using the integrating sphere 18 as described above, the reading light L transmitted through the strip A is sufficiently diffused and becomes the same as the averaged state in the image processing. Significantly reduces the adverse effects of scratches,
Moreover, it is possible to sufficiently cope with the increase in the main scanning speed.

The diffusing optical element used in the reader 10 of the present invention is not limited to the integrating sphere 18 in the illustrated example, and an integrating column such as a hollow column can be used. However, if an integrating column or the like is used, the diffusion state of the reading light L may not be uniform depending on the incident position, angle, etc., and shading may occur in the reading result. Therefore, an integrating sphere that can uniformly diffuse the reading light L regardless of the incident angle or position is more preferably used.

Further, in order to more favorably diffuse the reading light L by the integrating sphere 18, a white sphere, a baffle or the like for further diffusing the reading light L may be provided in the central portion of the integrating sphere 18.

In the reader 10 of the illustrated example, three photoelectric conversion elements 20R, 20G and 20B are arranged in the integrating sphere 18. The photoelectric conversion element 20R has an R (red) component of the read light L transmitted through the strip A, the photoelectric conversion element 20G has a G (green) component, and the photoelectric conversion element 20B has a B (blue) component. The amount of light is measured and photoelectric conversion is performed. The measurement result by each photoelectric conversion element 20 is transferred to a signal processing device (not shown) and image signal processing is performed.

The photoelectric conversion element 20 used in the reading device 10 of the present invention is not particularly limited, and various known photodetectors (photoelectric conversion elements) such as a photomultiplayer, a photoconductor, a photodiode, and a phototransistor are used. It is possible.

The arrangement position of the three photoelectric conversion elements 20 is not particularly limited, but preferably, in consideration of the incident angle of the reading light L and the like, the reading light L transmitted through the strips A is once inside the integrating sphere. It may be set at a position where it is not reflected by and is not directly incident.

Although the reading device 10 in the illustrated example measures the reading light L by using the photoelectric conversion elements 20 corresponding to the respective lights of R, G and B, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the reading light L may be measured with one photoelectric conversion element by using a filter or the like that next divides the reading light L into three colors of R, G, and B. However, in this case (in the case of the same reading density), it takes three times as long to read an image. Therefore, in order to realize high-speed reading, R, G, and It is preferable to have three photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to each of B. In addition, you may use four or more photoelectric conversion elements as needed. Further, if the strip A to be read is a monochrome image recorded, it is needless to say that the photoelectric conversion element 20 may be one.

The operation of reading an image recorded (captured) on the strip A by the reading device 10 of the present invention will be described below. When the strips A are loaded into the holding means 16 at the predetermined positions, the plates 50 and 54 rotate, so that the strips A are held and indicated by the arrow z.
When the portion to be read is conveyed to a predetermined position (lower part of the light guide 64), the rotation of the plates 50 and 54 is stopped.

Then, the driving source 32 drives to drive the mirror 38.
Rotates in the main scanning direction (arrow x direction), and when the rotation reaches a predetermined speed, the reading light L is emitted from the light source unit 12, and the stage 30 starts moving in the sub scanning direction (arrow y direction) to start reading. To be done. The reading light L emitted from the light source unit 12 and reflected by the mirror 38 enters the strip A and is transmitted therethrough. Here, the reading light L is deflected in the main scanning direction by the rotation of the mirror 38, and the mirror 38 is moving in the sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction along with the movement of the stage 30, so that the reading light L is the result. The strip A is two-dimensionally scanned, and the entire surface of the read portion is scanned.

The reading light L carrying the image information of the strips A after passing through the portion to be read of the strips A is guided to the integrating sphere 18 by the light guide 64, enters the integrating sphere 18, and diffuses in the integrating sphere 18. Then, the light is incident on the photoelectric conversion element 20 corresponding to each of the R, G, and B components, is subjected to photoelectric conversion, and is transferred to the signal processing device for image signal processing. Note that the reading device 10 of the present invention is not limited to reading one frame of the strip A in one reading operation, and may read images of a plurality of frames at one time.

When the reading is completed, the plates 50 and 54 start rotating again to convey the strip A in the direction of the arrow z, and when the next frame to be read is conveyed to the predetermined position, it stops and re-starts. Reading is started.
In addition, during this period, the mirror 38 may be kept rotating without being stopped.

Although the image reading apparatus of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. is there.

[0059]

As described in detail above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, a high-precision negative having a simple structure and free from unevenness in sub-scanning and errors in the beam spot diameter of the reading light incident on the original. Alternatively, a transparent original such as positive strips can be read at high speed, and it can be suitably used for a reading device such as an automatic developing machine or the like, particularly for an application requiring high-speed reading.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an image reading apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing a light source unit of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

3 is a schematic sectional view of a main scanning unit of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

4A and 4B are graphs showing filter characteristics of an example of a mirror used in the image reading apparatus of the present invention.

5 is a schematic perspective view of a holding unit of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view conceptually showing an example of a preferable method for holding strips in the holding means of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually showing the action of an integrating sphere.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Image Reading Device 12 Light Source Unit 14 Scanning Means 16 Holding Means 18 Integrating Sphere 20 (20R, 20G, 20B) Photoelectric Conversion Element 30 Stage 32 Drive Source 34 Rotation Axis 36 Main Scanning Section 38 Mirror 40 Housing 42 Converging Lens 44 Dummy Lens 50 , 54 plate 56, 58 flange 64 light guide A (negative or positive) strips L reading light

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 29, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0030

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The angle of reflection of the reading light L by the mirror 38 is not limited to 45 ° in the illustrated example, and the holding means 16 which will be described later.
It may be determined as appropriate according to the holding state of the strips A due to, the incident light path of the reading light L, and the like. Preferably.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0055

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Then, the driving source 32 drives to drive the mirror 38.
Rotates in the main scanning direction (arrow x direction), and when the rotation reaches a predetermined speed, the reading light L is emitted from the light source unit 12, and the stage 30 starts moving in the sub scanning direction (arrow y direction) to start reading. To be done. The reading light L emitted from the light source unit 12 and reflected by the mirror 38 enters the strip A and is transmitted therethrough. Here, the reading light L is deflected in the main scanning direction by the rotation of the mirror 38, and the mirror 38 is moving in the sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction along with the movement of the stage 30, so that the reading light L is the result. The strip A is two-dimensionally scanned, and the entire surface of the read portion is scanned.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reading light beam, comprising: a reading light beam emitting means; a reflecting means for reflecting the reading light beam emitted from the emitting means at a predetermined angle; and a means for rotating the reflecting means. A main scanning means for main scanning, a holding means for holding a transparent original on a cylindrical surface centering on the rotation axis of the reflecting means, and a sub-scanning direction substantially orthogonal to the main scanning direction for the holding means and the main scanning means. A sub-scanning unit that moves relatively to the optical axis, a diffusing optical element that receives and diffuses the reading light beam that has passed through the transparent original, and a photoelectric conversion element that photoelectrically converts the reading light beam that has entered the diffusing optical element. An image reading device having. 2. The transparent original is a negative or positive strips, the holding means holds the perforated portion of the negative or positive strips, and the predetermined number of frames of the negative or positive strips are read. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conveying unit configured to convey the negative or positive strips in the longitudinal direction by the predetermined number of frames after the completion. 3. The diffusing optical element is an integrating sphere.
Alternatively, the image reading device described in 2.