Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-22
2001-05-15
Coles, Edward (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C358S474000, C358S497000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233067
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flatbed scanning type image reading apparatus for reading an image of an original by planar combination of main scanning and sub-scanning of the original and, more particularly, to an improvement for high-resolution wide-range image reading.
2. Description of the Background Art
There have been methods of optically reading images at high resolution by using a scanner having a wide reading area.
One of the conventional methods is such that a scanner comprising an optical zoom system and a lens switchable optical system limits an area to be read to read only a readable area of an original which is consistent with a high resolution.
Another conventional method is shown in the conceptual plan view of
FIG. 14. A
high-resolution lens system
901
is provided, and a plurality of linear photodetectors
902
a
to
902
c
are arranged at the imaging position of the lens system
901
in a line or substantially in a line in a main scanning direction. The photodetectors
902
a
to
902
c
detect respective partial images at high resolution. The image signals provided from the photodetectors are synthesized to form full image signals.
The above described conventional methods have drawbacks to be described below.
The first conventional method wherein the optically readable area is small has failed to read the full area of a large-sized original at high resolution. Further, this method has required a restriction in the position where an original is placed in many cases.
The second conventional method has involved the plurality of photodetector arrays to increase the size of the optical system and fabrication costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method of reading an objective area of an original. According to the present invention, the method comprises the steps of: a) conducting an initial process comprising the step of: a-1) holding the original on an original table of a flatbed type; b) moving the original table in a first direction while reading a partial image of the objective area by image reading means; c) repeating the steps of: c-1) shifting the image reading means in a second direction; and c-2) returning to the step b), until a plurality of partial images covering the objective area is obtained; and d) combining the plurality of partial images to obtain a full image of the objective area.
The method achieves high-resolution wide-range image reading by reading the image signals of a plurality of sections at high resolution.
The present invention is also directed to an apparatus for reading an objective area of an original. According to the present invention, the apparatus comprises: a) an original table of a flatbed type on which an original is held; b) image reading means optically facing the original table; c) first drive means for moving the original table in a first direction; d) second drive means for shifting the image reading means in a second direction; e) first control means for controlling the first driving means to move the original table in the first direction while reading a partial image of the objective area of the original with the image reading means; i) second control means for controlling the second drive means to shift the image reading means in the second direction; g) repeating means for repeatedly activating the first and second control means until a plurality of partial images covering the objective area are obtained; and h) combining means for combining the plurality of partial images to obtain a full image of the objective area.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a flatbed scanning type image reading apparatus which can achieve high-resolution wide-range image reading by using a relatively simple optical system.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Itano Yoshiharu
Kishida Yoshihiro
Coles Edward
Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co,. Ltd.
McDermott & Will & Emery
Pokrzywa Joseph R.
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