Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-18
2002-11-26
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2722)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C358S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06486976
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an image reading apparatus and, more particularly, to an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner or the like for inputting an image to, for example, a personal computer and other information processing apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
Information equipment having an advanced function and multifunctions represented by a personal computer is widely spread, and by connecting various peripheral equipment thereto, the information equipment can be allowed to perform a variety of works. As such peripheral equipment, there are image input apparatuses such as image scanner, electronic still camera, digital video camera, and the like. Particularly, the image scanner is widely used as means for converting documentation information to electronic data or for recording it as an image.
FIG. 6
shows a schematic constructional block diagram in which an image scanner is connected to a personal computer.
In an image scanner
110
, reference numeral
112
denotes a CPU for controlling the whole scanner
110
;
114
an image reading unit which is constructed by a light source, a CCD line sensor, and the like and converts an image of an original to an electric signal;
116
an analog signal processing circuit for performing an analog process such as a gain control or the like to an analog image signal which is outputted from the image reading unit
114
;
118
an A/D converter for converting an output of the analog signal processing circuit
116
to a digital signal;
120
a digital image processing circuit for performing image processes such as shading correcting process, gamma converting process, variable magnification process, and the like to output data of the A/D converter
118
by using a memory
122
; and
124
an interface for outputting the digital image data which was image processed by the digital image processing circuit
120
to the outside. The interface
124
is based on the standard such as, SCSI, Bi-Centronics, or the like which is used as a standard interface in a personal computer. The interface
124
is connected to a personal computer
130
.
As an external storage device
132
, a magnetooptic disk drive, a floppy disk drive, or the like is equipped to the personal computer (hereinafter, abbreviated as a PC)
130
.
FIG. 7
is a flowchart showing the operation of the image scanner shown in FIG.
6
. When a start command to start the image reading operation is issued from the PC
130
to the image scanner
110
, the interface
124
analyzes the command from the PC
130
and notifies the CPU
112
of an analysis result. Prior to performing the process corresponding to the notification, the interface
124
outputs an interruption signal indicating that there is the instruction to start the image reading operation from the PC
130
to the CPU
112
. When the interruption signal of the reading start instruction is received from the interface
124
, the CPU
112
instructs the start of the reading operation to the image reading unit
114
, analog signal processing circuit
116
, A/D converter
118
, and digital image processing circuit
120
(step S
101
).
First, the image reading unit
114
sequentially reads the image of the original (S
102
). The analog signal processing circuit
116
executes processes such as a gain control and the like to the analog image signal that is outputted from the image reading unit
114
(S
103
). The image signal processed by the analog signal processing circuit
116
is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter
118
(S
104
). The digital signal is temporarily stored in the memory
122
and is subjected to a digital image process by the digital image processing circuit
120
(S
105
). As image processes which are executed by the digital image processing circuit
120
, there are a shading correcting process for correcting variations of a light source and a line sensor or the like by image data serving as a white reference, a gamma converting process for changing gamma characteristics of the input image data, a variable magnification process for reducing or enlarging an image in accordance with an image size to be outputted, and the like. Any one of those processes is executed by using the memory
122
connected to the digital image processing circuit
120
.
The image data processed by the digital image processing circuit
120
is sequentially transferred to the interface
124
(S
106
). The reading operation and the transferring operation of the image in steps S
102
to S
106
are repetitively executed until the reading operation of the whole area or all of the designated range of the original is finished (S
107
).
The interface
124
converts the image data transferred from the digital image processing circuit
120
to image data of a format according to the transfer standard with the PC
130
and sequentially transfers the converted image data to the PC
130
. The PC
130
displays the image data sent from the image scanner
110
(specifically speaking, interface
124
) onto a screen of a monitor display of the PC
130
. The PC
130
stores the image data from the image scanner
110
to an internal hard disk (not shown) as necessary. To preserve the read image data for a long time or to use it by another computer, the image data stored in the hard disk is read out and copied to a storage medium such as magnetooptic disk, floppy disk, or the like by the external storage device
132
.
In such an image scanner, while the original is being read, the read image data is sequentially transferred to the PC
130
. Therefore, so long as the PC
130
cannot simultaneously make a plurality of application softwares operative, another application software cannot be used until the end of the reading operation of the original.
In case of reading the original in color, since its data amount is extremely large, it takes a longer time to transfer the image data from the image scanner
110
to the PC
130
by a time corresponding to such a large data amount and a time that is occupied in the PC
130
is long. In case of a color image, further, when considering a copy to an external storage medium such as magnetooptic disk, floppy disk, or the like, an enough space capacity of the internal hard disk also needs to be assured.
Further, the personal computer is connected to a network and used and an image input apparatus such as an image scanner or the like serving as peripheral equipment of the computer can be also connected to the network. However, in case of the image scanner, there are the following problems. That is, in case of reading an original by the image scanner, the original is put on an original base plate and is first prescanned at a low resolution. A read image is confirmed on a monitor screen, a range to be actually read, a reading resolution, or the like is designated, and the image scan is executed. In case of connecting the image scanner to the network and using it, the operator has to reciprocate at least twice between the own computer and the image scanner in a manner such that
(1) he goes to the image scanner and puts the original thereon,
(2) he returns to his seat and designates a scanning range and a reading resolution while looking at a preview image by a monitor screen of a client computer, thereby allowing the scan to be executed, and
(3) he goes to the image scanner and gets the original.
When the original is obliquely put on the original base plate, he has to further reciprocate between the own computer and the image scanner in order to correct the position of the original. Since a period of time when there is no original on the operator side is long, there is a possibility such that the original is lost due to a theft or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to reduce an image reading time.
Another object of the invention is to provide an image reading system which can be easily used for the operator of the image reading system.
To accomplish the above objects, according to an embodiment of the invention, there
Nakamura Yasuyuki
Yoshitani Akihiro
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Grant II Jerome
LandOfFree
Image reading apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Image reading apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Image reading apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2937885