Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1994-04-18
2001-03-20
Rogers, Scott A. (Department: 2724)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C358S488000, C358S494000, C358S496000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06204937
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading device that converts light passed through an original image into electrical signals using a photoelectric conversion element, such as a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) camera, and, more particularly, to such an image reading device capable of masking a specified range of the original image.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the aforementioned field, it is known to use devices such as shading sheets to block out unwanted portions of image light being projected from a translucent original, such as a negative or a transparency. Borders and excess image areas are typically blocked out in this manner. Conventionally, such as shown in
FIG. 10
, several shading sheets are cut so as to block out these unwanted areas when placed on and around the original. The user would then stack the shading sheets on the original before transmitting light therethrough.
Most image reading devices use an original cassette glass for holding the image. An original holding glass is typically placed over top of the original to secure it in place. Light is transmitted through the original and recorded as electrical signals by a photoelectric conversion element, such as a CCD output. Currently, equipment designed to digitize originals must rely on shading sheets to eliminate excess areas. The shading sheets are held between the cassette glass and the holding glass with the image. As the light cannot pass through the shielding, the camera only sees those regions of the image which the user wishes to be recorded.
Each image to be processed in the aforementioned manner requires a different set of shields to achieve the desired results. Even if only the clear borders of each image are masked, there is still a need for multiple shading sheets, one for each size of original to be processed. There is a practical limit to the different types of sheets that can be prepared, thus limiting the user to a defined number of formats and shading schemes. It is also difficult to maintain the full set of shielding sheets due to the inevitable damage and loss of such sheets. As such, there exists a need for an apparatus and a method for masking an area of an original without using light shielding sheets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light shielding device capable of shielding a variable area of an original image.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a light shielding device capable of shielding a portion of an original image based upon pre-defined values.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an image reading device having a light shading device capable of shielding areas of an original image based upon pre-defined values.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an image reading device capable of determining which areas of an image are to be shielded.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an image reading device capable of determining which areas of an original image are to be shielded and then causing those images to be so shielded during the actual scanning of the original image.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
The foregoing objects of the present invention are achieved by providing an image reading device that includes a light modification unit that masks regions of an original image based upon values inputted before or during the actual scanning of the image. The above objects of the present invention may also be achieved with an image reading device that includes a light modification unit able to shield regions of an original image based upon values derived by the image reading device during a pre-scan sequence of the original image.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3936172 (1976-02-01), McVeigh
patent: 4775799 (1988-10-01), Milch et al.
patent: 4903078 (1990-02-01), Yeo
patent: 0218447 (1987-04-01), None
patent: 0416654 (1991-03-01), None
patent: 2462072 (1981-02-01), None
patent: 2066610 (1981-07-01), None
Nikon Corporation
Rogers Scott A.
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