JPH08194260A - Method for controlling microfilm reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make it possible to rapidly execute retrieval and reading in the case images are read and outputted while executing retrieval of a next frame by subjecting the image read by a scanner to prescribed image processing, then storing the image in a memory and, on the other hand, by retrieving the next target frame and executing preliminary processing for reading its image while the content of the memory is outputted to outputting means. CONSTITUTION: This microreader has the scanner for retrieving the target frame from a microfilm 26 and reading its image by an image sensor 96 and an output means (printer) 126 for the read image. The image read by the scanner is subjected to the prescribed image processing and is thereafter stored in the image memory 119. On the other hand, the content of this image memory 119 is outputted to the output means 126. The next target frame is retrieved during the outputting and the preliminary processing fo reading this image is executed. The preliminary processing includes any of processing, such as adjustment of an exposure(AE), black frame detection 112, magnification setting 120, inclination detection 114 and inclination correction 116.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for controlling a microfilm reader which retrieves a target frame from microfilm, reads the image using an image sensor, and outputs the image to a CRT or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A microfilm scanner has been proposed in which a target frame is searched from a microfilm and the image is read using an image sensor such as a line sensor. This micro film scanner is a CRT
A microfilm reader combined with an output device such as a printer or a printer has also been proposed.

By reading an image with an image sensor in this way, it is possible to perform image processing as a digital image signal, display it on a CRT or a liquid crystal display plate, and easily output it to a printer, as well as a magneto-optical disk. It becomes easy to store it in a memory or transfer it to another image processing apparatus. Therefore, the range of use of the read image is significantly expanded.

Here, in the microfilm scanner, it is necessary not only to search for the target frame but also to perform various kinds of processing for appropriately reading the image, that is, preliminary processing, prior to reading the image. is there. For example, you can automatically adjust the exposure amount suitable for the image (automatic exposure adjustment, AE),
A black frame surrounding the outside of the image is detected to obtain a necessary image range (black frame detection), or an inclination of the image is obtained and the image is corrected to a correct position (tilt correction).

When the size of the image to be output is predetermined, the enlargement / reduction ratio is also obtained in advance so that the image processing during the main scan can be performed smoothly and efficiently (magnification setting). Further, the search blip may be slightly deviated from the position of the frame depending on the film. In this case, it is also necessary to detect the deviation amount between the blip and the image based on the detected black frame to correct the position of the frame (blip position correction).

[0006]

2. Description of the Related Art Prior to the main scan for reading an image as described above, it is necessary to read the image in advance and perform various kinds of preliminary processing. For this reason, there is a problem that the preliminary processing time before starting the main scan becomes long, the time required for searching and reading is long, and the efficiency is low.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a microfilm reader capable of efficiently performing search and reading in a short time when an image is read and output while searching for frames. It aims at providing the control method of.

[0008]

According to the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a control method for a microfilm reader, which comprises a scanner for retrieving a target frame from microfilm and reading the image by an image sensor, and a means for outputting the read image. The image read by the scanner is subjected to predetermined image processing and then stored in a memory, while the content of this memory is being output to the output means, the next target frame is searched and the image is read. And a control method for a microfilm reader, characterized in that the preliminary processing is performed. Here, the preliminary process is to adjust the exposure amount (AE),
It includes any one of processes such as black frame detection, magnification setting, and inclination correction.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a view showing a usage state of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of a scanner used therein, FIG. 3 is a side view showing the arrangement of essential parts, and FIG. 4 is a line. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a sensor drive unit, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a simplified control system, FIG. 6 is an overall operation flow chart, FIG. 7 is an operation flow chart of a preliminary scan, and FIG. 8 is an operation flow chart of a main scan.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 is a computer main body, which incorporates a CPU and the like. Reference numeral 12 is a display device (output device) such as a CRT, 14 is a keyboard, and these are mounted on a desk 16. Reference numeral 18 is a scanner housed under the desk 16, and 20 is a printer placed beside the desk 16. The scanner 18 has a cartridge insertion port 22 on the upper front surface thereof, and the cartridge 24 inserted therein.
(See FIGS. 2 and 3) Read the image on the microfilm 26 contained therein. The read image is subjected to predetermined image processing by the CPU or the like in the computer main body 10 and then displayed on the display device 12, printed out by the printer 20, stored in a magneto-optical disk or the like, or an external processing device. Transferred to.

The scanner 18 has a vertically long casing 28, and a supply reel driving unit 30 is provided above the front of the casing 28.
A take-up reel drive unit 32 is arranged below the front portion. The supply-side reel drive unit 30 has a cartridge insertion port 2
When the cartridge 24 is inserted into the cartridge 2,
4 is automatically moved to engage the reel 24A with the rotating shaft. Further, the leading end of the film 26 is pulled out and fed downward, and is guided to the take-up reel 32A of the take-up side reel drive unit 32.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the film 26 passes through the rear side of the gap between the reel driving portions 30, 32, that is, the rear side as viewed from the front of the housing 28. 34, 34 in FIG.
Reference numerals 36 and 36 denote guide rollers for the film 26. Therefore, a space 38 is formed between this gap and the front panel 28A of the housing 28, and the light source unit 52 described later is housed therein.

The take-up reel drive section 32 has a drive belt 40 which travels in contact with the reel 32A as shown in FIG. This drive belt 40 is a guide roller 4
2, 44, the drive roller 46, the encoder 48, and the tension roller 50, and the drive roller 46 drives the film in the film winding direction (arrow direction).

Reference numeral 52 is a light source portion housed in a space 38 between the reel driving portions 30 and 32, and a lamp 54,
It has a reflecting mirror 56, a condenser lens 58, an appropriate filter, and the like. In FIG. 2, 60 is a power supply circuit section, and 62 is a power control circuit section such as a motor.

Next, the line sensor driving section 64 will be described.
The line sensor driving unit 64 is integrated with the projection lens 66. That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame (rotating frame) 68 of the line sensor driving unit 64 is integrally formed with a tubular portion 70 that holds the projection lens 66.
The projection lens 66 held by the cylindrical portion 70 has a fixed focus and a magnification of about 2 times. The tubular portion 70 is rotatably held by a frame (fixed frame) 72 fixed to the housing 28. Here, the cylindrical portion 70 is the optical axis 7 perpendicular to the film 26.
Rotate around 4.

A cylindrical portion 70 of the rotating frame 68 and a pulley 76 of a servo motor 76 attached to a fixed frame 72.
A belt 78 is wound around A. The rotating frame 68 is rotatable around the optical axis 74 by the rotation of the motor 76.

As shown in FIG. 4, a movable base 80 is attached to the rotary frame 68 on the surface opposite to the cylindrical portion 70. That is, the movable base 80 includes a pair of guide rods 82, 82.
Slidably held by the optical axis 74 near the opening of the tube 70.
It is possible to reciprocate in the direction orthogonal to. Rotating frame 68
Parallel to the reciprocating direction of the movable base 80, the pulleys 84, 84
A belt 86 wound around the movable base 80 is fixed to the belt 86. The rotation of the servo motor 88 is transmitted to the one pulley 84 via the belt 90. As a result, the movable base 80 can be reciprocated on the plane orthogonal to the optical axis 74 by rotating the servo motor 88 in the forward and reverse directions.

The movable base 80 has guide rods 82, 82.
The long window 92 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction, that is, a direction orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the movable table 80. This long window 92
Has its longitudinal center located on the optical axis 74. A printed wiring board 94 is fixed to the rear surface of the movable table 80, that is, the surface opposite to the tubular portion 70 so as to be orthogonal to the optical axis 74.

A CCD line sensor 96 facing the long window 92 is fixed to the substrate 94 (FIG. 3). A preamplifier that amplifies the output of the line sensor 96 is also mounted on the substrate 94. CCD line sensor 9
It goes without saying that the light receiving surface of 6 coincides with the image forming surface of the projection image of the projection lens 66.

CPU built in the computer body 10
Reference numeral 100 is a control means for controlling the whole, and has various functions as shown in FIG. Although these functions are formed by software, they are shown as blocks in FIG. 5 for convenience.

The search control means 102 detects a target frame by using a search blip (not shown) attached to the film 26 in advance. That is, the light emitting element 104a is arranged on one side of the film 26 and the blip sensor 104b formed of a light receiving element is arranged on the other side across the travel path of the blip.
The output of the blip sensor 104b is counted. On the other hand, the motor 106 of the take-up reel drive unit 32 and the motor (not shown) of the supply-side reel drive unit 30 are controlled to obtain a target frame.

Reference numeral 108 denotes a scan control means, which activates the line sensor drive section 64 when the target frame enters a predetermined position in the projection range including the optical axis 74. That is, the motor 88
Is operated to move the line sensor 66 in parallel on the image plane of the image to read the projected image. During this scan, the lamp 54 of the light source unit 52 is turned on.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a changeover switch, which is connected to the A side in FIG. 5 during the first preliminary scan for one frame and is switched to the B side during the second main scan. 11
Reference numeral 2 denotes a black frame detecting means, which detects the black frame by reading the image signal obtained by the scan of the line sensor 66 when the changeover switch 110 is connected to the A side.

The black frame is a portion around the original, that is, a portion that appears on the outer periphery of the original image at the time of printing. Various black frame detection algorithms have been proposed. For example, when a document enters a document from a black frame during scanning, a black pixel of a certain number or more continues and then changes to a white pixel, so that the boundary between the black frame and the document can be detected.

When the black frame is detected in this way, the tilt detecting means 114 then finds the tilt of the image of the original. The tilt correction means 116 drives the motor 76 to correct this tilt. As a result, the entire line sensor driving unit 64 rotates and makes the line sensor 66 parallel to one side of the projected image.

Reference numeral 118 denotes an image processing means. When the changeover switch 110 is connected to the B side and a main scan is performed, the output of the line sensor 66 is read and predetermined image processing is performed. For example, processing such as image enhancement, image inversion, image enlargement / reduction, spatial filtering processing, trimming, and masking is performed. The image signal processed here is input to the image memory 119.

At the time of this image processing, the moving speed of the line sensor 96 is changed by the magnification. That is, when the magnification set by the magnification setting unit 120 is higher than the reference magnification (for example, the output of each pixel of the line sensor 96 can be output without thinning or overlapping), when the magnification of the line sensor 96 is high. Reduce the feed rate. When the set magnification is lower than the reference magnification, the feed speed of the line sensor 96 is increased. These speeds are speeds that are inversely proportional to the ratio of the set magnification to the reference magnification.

In FIG. 5, 122 is an automatic exposure adjusting means,
Line sensor 96 during preliminary scan and main scan
The exposure amount is automatically adjusted so that the output level of is within a predetermined range. That is, by changing the clock frequency of the line sensor 96, the accumulation time of each pixel is changed and the amount of received light is controlled. Although it is shown in FIG. 5 that the illuminance of the light source lamp 54 is changed, changing the illuminance of the lamp 54 changes the frequency distribution of light, which is not preferable. Therefore, it is desirable to change the clock frequency.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 124 is a blip position correcting means. In general, the position of the frame and the position of the corresponding blip may change depending on the type of film. In such a case, the shift amount is detected and the stop position of the film is corrected. Reference numeral 126 denotes a printer, which prints out the image-processed image on a sheet of a predetermined size.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the cartridge 24 is inserted into the cartridge insertion port 22 and loaded into the supply-side reel drive unit 30, the leading end of the film 26 is pulled out downward. Then, the leading end of the film 26 is guided by the guide rollers 34, 34, 36, 36 and the like, and is guided to the winding side reel drive unit 32. The beginning of the film 26 is sandwiched between the reel 32A and the drive belt 40 and wound around the reel 32A.

The CPU 100 first performs preliminary processing prior to the main scan. This preliminary processing includes a search for the target frame (step 200 in FIG. 6), a preliminary scan (step 202), and inclination correction (step 204).
A search blip is attached to the film 26 in advance, and this blip is detected by the blip sensor 104b (FIG. 5) such as a phototransistor while the film 26 is running (step 200 in FIG. 6).

The search target frame is identified by counting the blips in the search means 102.
When the target frame arrives, this frame is positioned within the projection range (frame) including the optical axis 74, and the feeding of the film 26 is stopped. Then, the image reading of this frame and the preliminary processing are started.

Since this first image reading is a preliminary one for obtaining the inclination of the image and automatically adjusting the exposure, it is called a preliminary scan (step 202). FIG. 7 shows the operation of this preliminary scan. First, the scan control means 1
08 puts the changeover switch 110 to the A side (step 3
00), the lamp 54 of the light source unit 52 is turned on (step 302). Then, the image of the frame is magnified about twice by the projection lens 66 and projected on the movable table 80.

The movable base 80 is driven by a motor 88 so that the line sensor 96 moves in the entire projection range of the projected image from one direction to the other. During this time, the line sensor 96 reads the projection image on the image plane. In this way, while the scan (preliminary scan) by the line sensor 96 is performed,
The output of the line sensor 96 is amplified by the preamplifier on the board and sent to the computer main body 10.

In the CPU 100, the exposure amount adjusting means 122 (FIG. 5) is used by using the image signal obtained by this preliminary scan.
In step 3, automatic adjustment (AE) of the exposure amount is performed (step 3).
04). For example, when the image signal level exceeds a predetermined set range, the clock frequency of the line sensor 96 is increased to shorten the accumulation time of each pixel and reduce the amount of received light. On the contrary, the clock frequency is lowered to increase the amount of incident light.

Next, the CPU 100 makes a correction (C) to remove the influence of the non-uniformity of the characteristics of each pixel of the line sensor 96.
CD pixel correction, step 306) is performed. That is, the unevenness of the output level of each pixel is stored in advance and the output level at the time of image reading is corrected.

Based on the image signal thus corrected, the black frame detecting means 112 obtains the black frame of the document included in the projected image (step 308). Then, the inclination detection unit 114 obtains the inclination of the image based on this black frame (step 310).

This inclination can be obtained by detecting a black frame which is the periphery of the image of the original. When the inclination of the image is obtained, the rotary frame 68 is moved to the servo motor 88.
To make the inclination zero. That is, the inclination is corrected by matching the lengthwise direction of the line sensor 96 with one side of the black frame (step 312).

Further, the magnification setting means 120 obtains the enlargement / reduction magnification of the image from the dimensions of the black frame obtained during the preliminary scan (step 314). That is, when the display size of the display device 12 and the paper size of the printer 126 are input in advance, the enlargement / reduction ratio required to match these output sizes is calculated. Further, the blip position correcting means 124. The deviation between the position of the black frame and the position of the blip is detected, and the deviation is corrected (step 3).
16).

When the above various preliminary processes are completed, the CPU 100 turns off the light source lamp 54 (step 318). The next main scan is
If the main scan is performed after the preliminary scan, the lamp 54 does not have to be turned off. The operation of the above-described preliminary processing is a preliminary one for performing frame search and matching the inclinations of the image and the line sensor 96. After this preliminary scanning, a main scan for reading the original image is performed ( Step 212).

Prior to this main scan, the image memory 1
It is checked whether 19 is empty (step 20 in FIG. 6).
6). The memory 119 is free for the first frame, but the contents of the memory 119 are printed out for the second and subsequent frames (step 208), and the memory 119 is output.
After erasing (step 210), the main scan is started (step 212).

At the start of this main scan, the changeover switch 110 is changed over to the B side (FIG. 8, step 400),
If the lamp 54 is extinguished at the end of the preliminary scan (see FIG. 7).
318) and the lamp 54 is turned on (FIG. 8, step 402). Next, the line sensor 96 obtains the scan speed corresponding to the magnification obtained by the magnification setting means 120 during the preliminary scan, and moves (scans) the line sensor 96.

The output of the image read by the line sensor 96 is image-processed by the image processing means 118 (FIG. 6, FIG.
Step 214). This image processing includes various types as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the exposure amount adjustment (A
E) is performed (step 404), and the fluctuation of the output level due to the non-uniformity of the pixels of the line sensor 96 is corrected (step 4).
06) Then, the image is enlarged / reduced so as to have the magnification set by the magnification setting means 120 (step 4).
08), image enhancement processing using an unsharp mask (USM) (step 410), and processing such as binarization, dithering, and multivalued processing (step 410).

Data resulting from the predetermined image processing is stored in the image memory 119 (step 414, corresponding to step 216 in FIG. 6). The lamp is turned off (step 416). If the search is not completed (step 218), the inclination of the line sensor 96 is returned to the original state (step 220), the search for the next frame is started (step 200), and the above operation is repeated.

In this way, the inclination is returned to the original state. If the scanning range of the line sensor 96, that is, the reading range is largely inclined in the opposite direction with respect to the film frame, the image is out of this scanning range. This is because a black frame may not be detected correctly.

On the other hand, the contents of the memory 119 are the contents of the printer 12
It is output to the printer 126 as appropriate according to the operating state of No. 6 (step 222). That is, if the printer 126 is outputting, the contents of the memory 119 are sent to the printer 126 after the completion of printing, and the next image is printed.

In the case of microfilm, the light source unit 5 is usually used.
Since the arrangement of 2 and the projection lens 66 is the reverse of that of this embodiment, when the microfilm used in such a conventional apparatus is used in this embodiment, the projected image is turned over. In this case, it suffices to electrically convert into a correct image by image processing, and such processing is easy.

In the above embodiment, the line sensor driver 64
Although the central axis of rotation of is matched with the optical axis 74, these may not be matched. Normally, since the image of the original is imprinted on one side in the projection range, the image of the original is out of the scanning range of the line sensor by displacing the rotation center axis of the line sensor drive unit 64 on the one side. It is possible to reduce the risk. In the present invention, the read image data may be electronically rotated by image processing instead of rotating the optical system.

Although the projection lens 66 is shown in a state of being separated from the film 26 in FIG. 3, the tip of the projection lens is extended to the film side and slidably abuts on a transparent glass plate for positioning the film. You may leave it. By doing so, the relative positioning accuracy of the film and the projection lens is improved. Since this projection lens is held by the rotary frame 68 of the line sensor driving unit, the relative positioning accuracy of the film, the projection lens, and the line sensor traveling surface can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to read an image with high accuracy even if a projection lens having a fixed focus and a low magnification is used.

In the above embodiments, the projection lens 66 of the scanner has a fixed focus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it goes without saying that an automatic focusing mechanism (autofocus mechanism) may be provided. In this case, this automatic focusing process can be included in the preliminary process.

The output means is not limited to the CRT display device 12 and the printer 126. For example, it may be output to an external memory such as a magneto-optical disk or may be output to another image processing device. Further, the image memory is 1 in the above embodiment.
Although described as individual pieces, a plurality of image memories may be provided and images may be sequentially stored using an empty image memory.

Further, in this embodiment, the lamp 54 is turned on only when the line sensor 96 is scanned, so that the power consumption is reduced. Further, since the heat generation amount of the lamp 54 is reduced, the cooling system of the lamp 54 can be simplified. It should be noted that the lamp 54 is installed in the scanner 18 and the cartridge
It is possible to turn on when 4 is loaded and turn off when the cartridge 24 is taken out.

[0053]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image read by the scanner is image-processed and then stored in the memory,
While outputting this content to the output means such as a printer, the next frame is searched and a preliminary process for reading the image is performed. The output time becomes extremely short and the work efficiency improves.

Here, the preliminary process may include any one of exposure amount adjustment, black frame detection, magnification setting, image inclination correction, and the like (claim 2).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage state of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a scanner used here.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same main part.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a line sensor driving unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system.

[Fig. 6] Flow chart of overall operation

[Fig. 7] Operation flow chart of preliminary scan

[Fig. 8] Operation flow chart of main scan

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 computer main body 12 CRT display device as an example of output means 18 scanner 20 printer 24 cartridge 26 microfilm 52 light source part 54 lamp 64 line sensor drive part 66 projection lens 88 stepping motor for line sensor feeding 96 CCD line sensor 100 CPU 102 Search Control Means 108 Scan Control Means 112 Black Frame Detection Means 114 Tilt Detection Means 116 Tilt Correction Means 118 Image Processing Means 119 Image Memory 120 Image Magnification Setting Means 122 Light Quantity Adjusting Means 124 Blip Position Correcting Means 126 Printers as Output Means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A scanner for retrieving a target frame from a microfilm and reading the image by an image sensor,
In a method of controlling a microfilm reader including this read image output means, the image read by the scanner is subjected to predetermined image processing and then stored in a memory, while the contents of this memory are output to the output means. A method of controlling a microfilm reader, characterized by performing a preliminary process for retrieving a next target frame and reading an image of the target frame while the same. 2. The method of controlling a microfilm reader according to claim 1, wherein the preliminary processing includes any one of adjustment of an exposure amount for an image of a target frame, detection of a black frame, setting of magnification, and correction of inclination of an image.